India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
 
Natural Vegetation of India - Study Page 
Introduction 
The natural vegetation of India is influenced by various factors such as climate, 
physiography, and soil conditions. The country's vegetation patterns vary based 
on temperature, rainfall, and topographic conditions. This article provides an 
overview of India's diverse natural vegetation and its classification into different 
types. 
Page 2


India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
 
Natural Vegetation of India - Study Page 
Introduction 
The natural vegetation of India is influenced by various factors such as climate, 
physiography, and soil conditions. The country's vegetation patterns vary based 
on temperature, rainfall, and topographic conditions. This article provides an 
overview of India's diverse natural vegetation and its classification into different 
types. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
Dense Natural Vegetation Regions 
1. North-Eastern Region 
? This region is characterized by dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and wet throughout the year. 
? The area receives heavy rainfall, promoting lush greenery. 
? Important species of trees include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, 
jack wood, and bamboo. 
2. Western Ghats 
? The Western Ghats also feature dense natural vegetation. 
? The region experiences a significant amount of rainfall. 
? Trees in this area reach heights of up to 60 meters. 
? Important tree species include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack 
wood, and bamboo. 
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
? These islands are known for their dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and humid, supporting evergreen forests. 
? Rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack wood, and bamboo are 
prominent tree species. 
Scanty Vegetation and Cultivation Areas 
1. Northern Plain 
? The Northern plain has very limited vegetation. 
? Most of the area is under cultivation, leading to the clearance of natural 
vegetation. 
2. North-Western Region 
? The North-Western region also has scanty vegetation. 
? It is primarily used for agricultural purposes. 
Deccan Region 
Scrubs and Mixed Deciduous Forests: 
? The Deccan region is characterized by scrubs and mixed deciduous forests. 
Page 3


India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
 
Natural Vegetation of India - Study Page 
Introduction 
The natural vegetation of India is influenced by various factors such as climate, 
physiography, and soil conditions. The country's vegetation patterns vary based 
on temperature, rainfall, and topographic conditions. This article provides an 
overview of India's diverse natural vegetation and its classification into different 
types. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
Dense Natural Vegetation Regions 
1. North-Eastern Region 
? This region is characterized by dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and wet throughout the year. 
? The area receives heavy rainfall, promoting lush greenery. 
? Important species of trees include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, 
jack wood, and bamboo. 
2. Western Ghats 
? The Western Ghats also feature dense natural vegetation. 
? The region experiences a significant amount of rainfall. 
? Trees in this area reach heights of up to 60 meters. 
? Important tree species include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack 
wood, and bamboo. 
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
? These islands are known for their dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and humid, supporting evergreen forests. 
? Rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack wood, and bamboo are 
prominent tree species. 
Scanty Vegetation and Cultivation Areas 
1. Northern Plain 
? The Northern plain has very limited vegetation. 
? Most of the area is under cultivation, leading to the clearance of natural 
vegetation. 
2. North-Western Region 
? The North-Western region also has scanty vegetation. 
? It is primarily used for agricultural purposes. 
Deccan Region 
Scrubs and Mixed Deciduous Forests: 
? The Deccan region is characterized by scrubs and mixed deciduous forests. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
? These forests have a variety of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, climbers, 
creepers, epiphytes, and ferns. 
? Not economically viable for exploitation. 
? Important tree species include teak, bamboo, sal, shisham, sandalwood, 
khair, kusum, arjun, mahua, jamun, and mulberry. 
Classification of Natural Vegetation 
India's natural vegetation can be broadly classified into the following groups: 
 
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests: 
? These forests remain green throughout the year. 
? They are found in areas with over 200 cm of rainfall and a short dry season. 
? The forests have a dense and multilayered structure. 
? Important tree species include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack 
wood, and bamboo. 
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests: 
? These forests shed their leaves once a year. 
? They are the most widespread forests in India. 
? Moist deciduous forests receive rainfall between 100 to 200 cm, while dry 
deciduous forests receive 75 to 100 cm of annual rainfall. 
? Important tree species include teak, bamboo, sal, shisham, sandalwood, 
khair, kusum, arjun, mahua, jamun, and mulberry. 
3. Thorn Forests: 
? Found in areas with less than 75 cm of annual rainfall. 
? Characterized by thorny trees and bushes. 
? Vegetation is distributed as small trees and bushes with deep roots. 
? Common tree species include acacia, euphorbias, babul, cacti, khair, date, 
and palms. 
4. Tidal Forests (Mangroves): 
? Found in tidal creeks, swamps, and wetland areas. 
? These forests are influenced by tides and have mud, silt, and water 
accumulation. 
Page 4


India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
 
Natural Vegetation of India - Study Page 
Introduction 
The natural vegetation of India is influenced by various factors such as climate, 
physiography, and soil conditions. The country's vegetation patterns vary based 
on temperature, rainfall, and topographic conditions. This article provides an 
overview of India's diverse natural vegetation and its classification into different 
types. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
Dense Natural Vegetation Regions 
1. North-Eastern Region 
? This region is characterized by dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and wet throughout the year. 
? The area receives heavy rainfall, promoting lush greenery. 
? Important species of trees include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, 
jack wood, and bamboo. 
2. Western Ghats 
? The Western Ghats also feature dense natural vegetation. 
? The region experiences a significant amount of rainfall. 
? Trees in this area reach heights of up to 60 meters. 
? Important tree species include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack 
wood, and bamboo. 
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 
? These islands are known for their dense natural vegetation. 
? The climate is warm and humid, supporting evergreen forests. 
? Rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack wood, and bamboo are 
prominent tree species. 
Scanty Vegetation and Cultivation Areas 
1. Northern Plain 
? The Northern plain has very limited vegetation. 
? Most of the area is under cultivation, leading to the clearance of natural 
vegetation. 
2. North-Western Region 
? The North-Western region also has scanty vegetation. 
? It is primarily used for agricultural purposes. 
Deccan Region 
Scrubs and Mixed Deciduous Forests: 
? The Deccan region is characterized by scrubs and mixed deciduous forests. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
? These forests have a variety of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, climbers, 
creepers, epiphytes, and ferns. 
? Not economically viable for exploitation. 
? Important tree species include teak, bamboo, sal, shisham, sandalwood, 
khair, kusum, arjun, mahua, jamun, and mulberry. 
Classification of Natural Vegetation 
India's natural vegetation can be broadly classified into the following groups: 
 
1. Tropical Evergreen Forests: 
? These forests remain green throughout the year. 
? They are found in areas with over 200 cm of rainfall and a short dry season. 
? The forests have a dense and multilayered structure. 
? Important tree species include rosewood, ebony, mahogany, rubber, jack 
wood, and bamboo. 
2. Tropical Deciduous Forests: 
? These forests shed their leaves once a year. 
? They are the most widespread forests in India. 
? Moist deciduous forests receive rainfall between 100 to 200 cm, while dry 
deciduous forests receive 75 to 100 cm of annual rainfall. 
? Important tree species include teak, bamboo, sal, shisham, sandalwood, 
khair, kusum, arjun, mahua, jamun, and mulberry. 
3. Thorn Forests: 
? Found in areas with less than 75 cm of annual rainfall. 
? Characterized by thorny trees and bushes. 
? Vegetation is distributed as small trees and bushes with deep roots. 
? Common tree species include acacia, euphorbias, babul, cacti, khair, date, 
and palms. 
4. Tidal Forests (Mangroves): 
? Found in tidal creeks, swamps, and wetland areas. 
? These forests are influenced by tides and have mud, silt, and water 
accumulation. 
India - Natural Vegetation and Forest Cover 
 
 
? Mangroves are practically evergreen with thick leathery leaves. 
? Found in the deltas of Sundarbans, Mahanadi, the Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri 
rivers, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
? Common tree species include mangrove, palm, coconut, keora, and agar. 
5. Himalayan Forests: 
? Found in the mountainous region of the Himalayas. 
? Vegetation varies based on temperature, altitude, slope, and sunlight 
exposure. 
? Tree species include sal, bamboo, oak, chestnut, pine, fir, spruce, 
rhododendron, and deodar. 
? The forests have been extensively exploited for timber. 
Conclusion 
India's natural vegetation is diverse and influenced by climate, physiography, and 
soil conditions. The country is home to tropical evergreen forests, tropical 
deciduous forests, thorn forests, tidal forests (mangroves), and Himalayan forests. 
Each region has unique characteristics and supports a variety of tree species. The 
conservation of these natural vegetation areas is crucial for maintaining 
biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, and protecting against natural disasters.