Forest Types of India | Botany Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Defining a "forest" in India lacks a precise national standard, as states hold the authority to determine what constitutes a forest. A significant legal precedent in this regard is the 1996 T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India case, where the Supreme Court affirmed the states' right to define forests. The Court further stated that the term "forest" should align with its dictionary definition, applying universally to all legally recognized forests, whether reserved, protected, or otherwise.

Champion and Seth Classification of Forest

Sir HG Champion pioneered the categorization of India's forest types in 1936, followed by the release of 'A Revised Survey of the Forest Kinds of India' in 1968, co-authored with Seth. These classifications rely on a variety of factors, including climate, physiognomy, species composition, phenology, terrain, soil variables, altitude, aspect, and biotic factors. India's forests are broadly divided into six major groupings, each further subcategorized into 16 sub-groups based on temperature and moisture regimes.

Types of Indian Forests

Now, let's delve into the specific types of Indian forests:

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests

• Geographic Range: Southern states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the entire northeastern region, including West Bengal's sub-mountain division.
• Rainfall: > 250 cm annually
• Temperature: 25-27°C on average
• Dominant Species: Mahogany, mesua, white cedar, jamun, canes, bamboo, and other valuable species.

Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• Geographic Range: Western coast, Assam, lower slopes of the Eastern Himalayas, Odisha, and Andaman Islands.
• Rainfall: 200-250 cm annually
• Temperature: 24-27°C on average
• Notable Wildlife: Indian Leopard, Indian-giant Squirrel, Lemur, Deer, One-Horned Rhinos, Birds, Great Horn Bill, Bats, Sloth, Scorpions, Snails.

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

• Ubiquitous, except in western and northwestern India.
• Rainfall: 100-200 cm
• Notable Species: Hoolock Gibbon

Littoral and Swamp

• Found in various regions, including Deccan Plateau reservoirs, Gujarat's saline coast, Rajasthan's saline coast, deltas along the Eastern Coast, Kashmir's lakes and rivers, and Northeast India's swamps.
• Formation: Result of inadequate drainage and permanent soil waterlogging.

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest

• Predominant in North India and the Deccan Plateau's southern parts, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and the northeastern plains.
• Notable Wildlife: Asiatic Wild Dog

Tropical Thorn Forests

• Primarily in northern India and some Deccan Plateau arid regions.
• Rainfall: < 70 cm
• Dominated by Acacia species.

Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest

• Restricted to the coastal strip from Vishakapattinam in Andhra Pradesh to Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu.
• Variability in rainfall distribution.

Subtropical Broad-Leaved Forests

• Extends from central Nepal's middle hills through Darjeeling, Bhutan, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Varied rainfall patterns.

Subtropical Pine Forests

• Encompasses hilly states in northeast India, receiving most rainfall during the southwestern monsoon.
• Soil: Leached, nutrient-poor.

Subtropical Dry Evergreen Forests

• Found in the western Himalayas, the Bhabar, and the Shiwaliks.
• Rainfall: 800 mm annually.

Montane Wet Temperate Forests

• Predominantly in southern India's upper mountainous areas, Eastern Himalayas, Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Notable Species: Nilgiri tahr

Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest

• Spans the entire length of the Himalayan range.
• Rainfall: 150-250 cm.
• Wildlife: Royal Bengal Tiger, barking deer, Himalayan Black Bear.

Himalayan Dry Temperate Forest

• Mid-altitude Himalayan forests.
• Summers: Mild and warm.
• Notable Wildlife: Snow Leopard, Ladakh urial, black-necked crane.

Subalpine Forest

• A transition zone between dense forests and alpine tundra.
• Conifer-dominated forest.
• Found in temperate subalpine zones.

Moist Alpine Scrub

• Occurs from 3,000 meters up to the snowline.
• Climate varies from subarctic to arctic.
• Notable Species: Himalayan Rhododendron.

Dry Alpine Scrub

• Found above 3,500 meters.
• Dominated by scrub vegetation.
• Extreme arctic conditions.

Importance of Forest

• Forests play a crucial role in providing habitats for millions of animals and supporting diverse ecosystems.
• Approximately 90 percent of the planet's species find their homes within forest environments.
• Forests serve as vital watershed areas, as the majority of the water within these regions originates from forest-associated water tables, rivers, lakes, and streams.
• The forest canopy offers protection to streams and rivers that flow through wooded areas, shielding them from the sun's radiation and preventing excessive drying.
• Forests function as a repository for the genetic diversity of various species. This is primarily because they house nearly 90% of all known plant and animal species, resulting in an extensive array of life forms within distinct forest ecosystems.
• Forests also play a crucial role in purifying the air we breathe. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide during the day and release oxygen.
• By regulating atmospheric temperatures through evapotranspiration and generating a cooling effect, forests act as stabilizers of local climates.
• The shedding of leaves and small branches by plants and trees contributes to the recycling of soil nutrients, and their roots aid in breaking down soil into smaller particles while enhancing water infiltration.
• Furthermore, forests are integral to the natural cycle of water, facilitating evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in the form of rain.

Threats to the Forest

• Climate change stands out as one of the foremost global challenges we confront today. While forests can contribute to combating climate change, they themselves are highly susceptible to shifts in weather patterns.
• The suitability of the forest type that can thrive in a particular area is dictated by the prevailing climate conditions. Consequently, forests must undergo adaptation to cope with evolving climate conditions. Unfortunately, the adaptation process often lags behind the pace of changing climate patterns.
• Deforestation poses a substantial threat to forest biodiversity. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that deforestation is responsible for the annual loss of 13 million hectares of forest.
• Natural disturbances, in conjunction with climate change, are hastening the deterioration of forests.
• As a consequence of climate change, invasive plant and insect species are gaining a competitive advantage over native species, further exacerbating the challenges faced by forests.

In conclusion, it is imperative for both the central and state governments to collaborate with local communities to implement conservation measures effectively. These measures encompass carefully managed tree cutting, forest fire prevention, monitoring and restricting forest clearance for agriculture and human settlements, responsible utilization of forest resources, and the initiation of reforestation and afforestation initiatives. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change holds the responsibility for executing India's environmental and forestry initiatives, including the management of national parks, safeguarding the nation's biodiversity, and controlling pollution.