Forest Report 2021 in India

Forests are included in the concurrent list of the constitution of India. So, each state in India has its own Forest Department responsible for the conservation, regulation and protection of forests within its jurisdiction. The central government formulates and implements policies related to forests and wildlife in India. Forests in India are governed under various laws and policies to ensure their conservation, regulation, and for their sustainable use.

  • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 empowers the central government to restrict the diversion of forestland for non-forest purposes.
  • National Forest Policy, 1988 defines the objectives for the sustainable management and conservation of forests in India. It aims that 33% of the country’s geographical area should be under forest cover.
  • Forest Rights Act, 2006 aims to empower forest-dwelling communities and indigenous people to recognize their rights over forest resources.

A forested region that is officially recognized and documented as such in government records is referred to as a “Forest Area.”

According to India State of Forest Report, 2021, the total forest and tree cover of the country is approx. 80.9 million hectare which forms 24.62 % of the geographical area of the country. 17 states and UT’s have above 33% of the geographical area under forest cover. Area wise, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha.

Diverse range of forest are found in the country depending upon the distribution of rainfall, temperature, or seasonal variation.

Also Read:

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

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Types of Forests in India

India is home to a variety of forests, ranging from the tropical rainforests of the northeast to the deciduous forests of the central regions and the arid thorn forests of the central regions and the arid thorn forests of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Due to its diverse geographic and climatic conditions, the forests of India can be classified on the different bases as follows:...

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:...

Classified on the Basis of Geographical Distribution

The classification on the Basis of Geographical Distribution is as follows:...

Classified on the Basis of Administration

Depending on the governance and management structures the forest in India are divided into following types:...

Classified on the Basis of Constitution of India

According to the Constitution of India, the forest in India are divided into three categories based on the ownership of the forest, whether privately owned or under the control of the government. The classification is as follows:...

Classified on the Basis of Composition

Based on the composition the forests are divided as follows:...

Classification According to Density

There are four general classifications of forest cover according to density: mangrove, open forest, moderately dense forest, and extremely dense forest. The internationally recognized classification rules serve as the basis for the division of the cover into open and dense forests. Due to methodological limitations and the immense amount of effort required for ground validation, it has not been feasible to further divide the dense forest into more groups. Mangroves are unique in their biological functions and have been given their own classification due to their unique tone and texture. Scrub and non-forest are among the other classifications. Below is an explanation of these classes:...

Tropical Evergreen Forests India

Found in regions with more than 200 cm of rainfall. Home to diverse species like ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Predominantly located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Western Ghats, and parts of the North-East....

Tropical Deciduous Forests India

Receive rainfall between 70 to 200 cm. Trees shed leaves in the dry season to conserve water. Spread across central India, along the foothills of the Himalayas....

Scrub Forests India

Exist in areas with less than 70 cm of rainfall. Characterized by small trees and bushes. Common in semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh....

Desert Vegetation India

Adapted to extremely arid conditions. Includes cacti, small bushes, and thorny trees. Predominantly found in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan....

Moist Evergreen Forests

Receive heavy rainfall of over 250 cm. Rich in biodiversity with thick undergrowth. Located in the North-Eastern states and along the Western Ghats....

Mangrove Forests India

Specialized forest ecosystem in tidal areas. Protect coastlines and support unique flora and fauna. Significant mangrove cover in the Sundarbans and the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh....

Open Forest India

Trees cover 10-40% of the area. Facilitates undergrowth and grass. Common in the Deccan plateau and parts of Rajasthan....

Moderately Dense Forest India

Tree canopy density of 40-70%. Supports a wide range of plant and animal life. Found in Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh....

Extremely Dense Forest India

Canopy density exceeds 70%. Rich in species diversity and dense vegetation. Located in the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Andaman Islands....

Northern Subtropical Forests India

Characterized by broad-leaved deciduous and evergreen trees. Experience seasonal temperature variations. Spread across the Himalayan foothills from Jammu and Kashmir to West Bengal....

Forest Cover in India

Covers about 24% of India’s total geographical area. Includes a mix of dense, moderate, and open forests. The Indian government aims to bring 33% of its geographical area under forest cover....

Biodiversity in Indian Forests

India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries. Hosts over 8% of the world’s biodiversity. Indian forests are home to tigers, elephants, lions, and numerous bird species....

Other Type of Forests

Sacred Groves...

Forest Report 2021 in India

Forests are included in the concurrent list of the constitution of India. So, each state in India has its own Forest Department responsible for the conservation, regulation and protection of forests within its jurisdiction. The central government formulates and implements policies related to forests and wildlife in India. Forests in India are governed under various laws and policies to ensure their conservation, regulation, and for their sustainable use....

Indian Forest Types – FAQs

What are the main types of forests found in India?...