Classified on the Basis of Annual Rainfall
Forests in India are classified on the basis of the amount of rainfall they receive annually or on climatic conditions. The classification is as follows:
Tropical Evergreen Forests
These are found in the region receiving an average annual rainfall of more than 200 cm and temperatures between 20-28°C that is, in warm and humid areas. Tropical evergreen forests are mainly found in the northeastern states, Western Ghats in the southwestern part of the country, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
They are characterized by a dense and continuous canopy of tall trees that form a multi-layered structure, limiting sunlight penetration to the forest floor. The vegetation found includes epiphytic plants (plants that grow on other plants) and lianas (woody vines) due to the high humidity and competition for sunlight. Tree found are mahogany, rose wood, and ebony.
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests are found in the region where annual rainfall varies between 200 to 300 cm. They have distinct wet and dry seasons and the temperatures generally range from 20-30°C. Tropical semi-evergreen forests in India are found in the Western Ghats, the northeastern states, and parts of the Eastern Ghats.
These forests have a mix of evergreen and deciduous tree species. Tropical semi-evergreen forests includes teak, rosewood, Indian laurel, and chestnut.
Tropical Deciduous Forests
Tropical deciduous forests, also known as monsoon forests and are found in areas where annual rainfall varies between 70 and 200 cm. These are most widespread forest covering large parts of central and southern India, including states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
These forests are further classified as moist and dry deciduous forests depending on the rainfall received. Tropical Deciduous Forests includes Sal, Teak, Shisham, Amaltas, Sandalwood, Tendu, etc.
Tropical Thorn Forests
Tropical thorn forests, also known as tropical dry forests or thorn scrub forests, are characterized by the dominance of drought-resistant, spiny vegetation adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. They are found in the region where annual rainfall is below 50 cm.
These forests are mainly found in the arid and semi-arid regions of India, including parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and parts of Karnatakathorn forests includes Khejri, Ber, Babool, Neem, Khair, etc.
Montane Forests
Montane forests, also known as mountain forests or highland forests, are found in high-altitude. These forests are found in the mountainous regions of northern India, mainly in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and also parts of northeastern states.
Montane forests are characterized by variety of tree species, which varies with altitude. At lower elevations, oak, rhododendron, and chestnut are found and at higher elevations, coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and fir become dominant.
Check: Montane Forests of India
Littoral and Swamp Forests
Littoral and swamp forests, also known as coastal and mangrove forests, are found along the coastal regions of India. Vegetation in these forests has adapted to saline or brackish water ecosystem. Mangrove trees are the dominant species in many of these areas due to their salt tolerance property.
Littoral and swamp forests are primarily found along coastline, including the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, the western coast along the Arabian Sea, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean. Common mangrove species found in India include the Sundari (Heritiera fomes), Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Sonneratia.
Check: Forest Cover of India
Types of Forests in India
Discover the various Types of forests in India, exploring the rich diversity of Indian forest types ecosystems.
Types of Forests in India: Different types of forests cover 24.56% of the land area in India. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has produced the “India State of Forest Report 2021,” which states that as of 2021, India’s total forest and tree cover area is 80.9 million hectares. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra comprise the top five states in India in terms of forest cover. India is one of the top ten countries with vast forests.
There are six main types of forests in India depending on the prevailing vegetation and climate. In this article, we will look into the different types of forests in India in detail.
Table of Content
- Types of Forests in India
- Classified on the Basis of Annual Rainfall
- Classified on the Basis of Geographical Distribution
- Classified on the Basis of Administration
- Classified on the Basis of Constitution of India
- Classified on the Basis of Composition
- Classification According to Density
- Tropical Evergreen Forests India
- Tropical Deciduous Forests India
- Scrub Forests India
- Desert Vegetation India
- Moist Evergreen Forests
- Mangrove Forests India
- Open Forest India
- Moderately Dense Forest India
- Extremely Dense Forest India
- Northern Subtropical Forests India
- Forest Cover in India
- Biodiversity in Indian Forests
- Other Type of Forests
- Forest Report 2021 in India