Vegetation of Telangana | Telangana State PSC (TSPSC): Preparation Course - TSPSC (Telangana) PDF Download

Introduction

• Telangana is located mostly in an elevated region of the Deccan in India.
• The area is mainly characterized by the Telangana Plateau in the north and the Golconda Plateau in the south, consisting of gneissic rock.
• The average elevation of the plateau is around 1,600 feet, sloping downward towards the east and northeast where it meets the Eastern Ghats ranges.
• Drainage is primarily through the basins of the Godavari River in the north and the Krishna River in the south.
• The topography of the plateau region is marked by graded valleys with red sandy soil and isolated hills, with some areas having black soil.

Telangana State Information

Formation and Geography

• Telangana became the 29th state of India on June 2, 2014, with an area of 1,12,077 Sq. Km. and a population of 3,50,03,674.
• Historically, it was part of the Hyderabad state until it merged with Andhra state to form Andhra Pradesh.
• After a prolonged movement for statehood, Telangana was established by passing the AP State Reorganization Bill in Parliament.

Geographical Boundaries and Major Cities

• Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh in the North, Karnataka in the West, and Andhra Pradesh in the South and East.
• Key cities include Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, and Karimnagar.

Telangana Seasons

• Summer: Telangana experiences three distinct seasons: summer, tropical rains, and winter. Summer spans from March to June and is characterized by hot and dry weather, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C).
• Tropical Rains: The period from July to September brings tropical rains to Telangana, primarily driven by the southwest monsoon winds. The state receives an average annual precipitation of around 35 inches (900 mm), although this amount can vary significantly, dropping as low as 20 inches (500 mm) in drier regions.
  
• Winter: Winter in Telangana spans from October to February. During this season, temperatures drop, with average minimum temperatures in Hyderabad reaching about 60°F (15°C) in January and February, and dropping to the low 50s F (about 10 to 12°C) at higher elevations.

Vegetation of Telangana

Telangana's vegetation varies across different regions of the state.

• Thorny Vegetation and Woodlands: Thorny vegetation covers the plateau areas, while dense woodlands are prominent in the northeast along and near the Godavari River. The state's forests, which cover about one-fourth of the land area, consist of both moist deciduous and dry savanna vegetation. Trees like teak, rosewood, and bamboo are abundant.
• Common Trees: In various parts of Telangana, common trees include neem, banyan, mango, and pipal. Neem is known for its aromatic oil, while mango and pipal are prevalent in the region.
• Forest Types: Telangana features diverse forest types, including Tropical moist deciduous forests, Southern dry deciduous forests, Northern mixed dry deciduous forests, Dry savannah forests, and Tropical dry evergreen scrub.
• Animal Life: The state's wildlife includes tigers, blackbucks, hyenas, sloth bears, gaurs, and chital. These animals are abundant in the hills and forested areas. Telangana is also home to a wide variety of bird species, such as flamingos and pelicans. The state boasts around two dozen national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and protected areas, including two tiger reserves that connect with similar facilities in neighboring states.
• Flora of Telangana State: The 'Flora of Telangana State' encompasses 1911 taxa of flowering plants spread across 893 genera and 162 families.

Vegetation Types of Telangana

According to Champion and Seth's classification, Telangana's vegetation can be broadly categorized into various types:

• Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests: These forests have a mix of both evergreen and deciduous trees, maintaining greenery throughout the year.
  
• Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests: Characterized by trees that shed leaves during a specific season, adapting to the prevailing climate.
• Dry Deciduous Forests: Trees in these forests shed leaves during a prolonged dry season to conserve water.
• Northern Mixed Dry Deciduous Forests (Red Sanders Forests): Known for the presence of the valuable Red Sanders trees, contributing to the unique biodiversity.
• Dry Savannah Forests: These forests are adapted to dry conditions with a mix of grasses and scattered trees.
  
• Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests: Featuring dense vegetation with trees that retain their leaves year-round despite dry conditions.
• Tropical Dry Evergreen Scrub: Characterized by shrubs and small trees adapted to arid environments.
• Coastal Vegetation: Plant life along the coast, influenced by salt spray and other coastal elements.
• Aquatic Vegetation: Plant life that thrives in water bodies, adapting to submerged or floating conditions.