1. It starts from the beginning of winter and continues till the beginning of summer (October–December to April–June).

2. Rabi crops include wheat, barley, gram, oats, mustard, linseed, potato and oilseeds.

3. Availability of rainfall during winter months due to western temperate cyclones helps in the success of these crops.

1. Simlipal Bio-Reserve (Sanctuary) is located in Orissa.

2. The biosphere reserve has the largest area of sal in the whole of India. Furthermore, the tropical monsoon climate provides ideal conditions for the development of a distinctive biodiversity, highlighted by 1,076 species of vascular plants.

3. These include 93 species of orchids, 300 species of medicinal plants and 52 species of endangered flora. The two endemic species of orchid are Eria meghasaniensis and Taenia hookeriana.

4. Notable botanical species in the sanctuary include Callicarpa arborea (a species of beautyberry), Bombax ceiba (cotton tree) and Madhuca longifolia (manhua).