Classification/Types of Forests in Himachal Pradesh | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Forests of Himachal Pradesh

Forests are a vital natural resource in Himachal Pradesh, offering a wide range of benefits such as timber, fuel, fodder, medicinal plants, and wood for construction and agricultural implements. Forests contribute significantly to the state's economy, providing around one-third of its total revenue and employment to a considerable portion of the population.

Importance of Forests

• Economic Contribution: Forests generate revenue through the sale of timber and other forest products, which also support employment in rural areas.
• Ecological Significance: Forests support biodiversity, protect soil, prevent erosion, and regulate the water cycle.
• Resource Supply: Forests provide materials for housing construction, packaging of horticultural produce, and are rich in medicinal plants used in traditional medicine.

Himachal Pradesh is home to 3,295 plant species, out of the 45,000 found in India, highlighting the biodiversity present in the state's forests.

Legal Classification of Forests

The state's forests can be classified based on legal status into the following categories:

• Reserved Forests: Protected areas where logging and other human activities are restricted.
• Demarcated Forests: Forests with specific boundaries where limited human activity is permitted.
• Unprotected Demarcated Forests: Areas that are not as strictly regulated.
• Unclassed Forests: Areas with no specific legal classification, often allowing various degrees of human activity.

Classification Based on Physiography and Tree Types

Himachal Pradesh's forests can be divided into four distinct types based on their physiographic regions and the dominant tree species:

The major trees, shrubs, and herbs found in Himachal Pradesh include:

• Trees: Himachal Pradesh is home to a wide variety of tree species, including Akoria (Rhus), Akash bel (Cuscuta reflexa), Akrot (Juglans regia), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Chil (Pinus longifolia), Haldia (Adina cardifolia), Harar (Terminalia chebula), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), Kakare (Pistacia integerrima), Semal (Salmalia malabarica), Simbal (Bombax malabaricum), Seriphal (Aegle marmelos), and Kaiphal (Myrica nagi). The region also hosts various species of pines, fodder trees, and acacia species.
• Shrubs: Some of the common shrubs in Himachal include Bhatindu (Cissampelos pareira), Dhai (Woodfordia fruticosa), Kamal (Mallotus philippinensis), Kural (Medusa helix), Thuna (Taxus baccata), and Tut (Morus alba).
• Herbs: The region also supports various herbs such as Bhang (Cannabis sativa), Ritha (Sapindus trifoliatus), Toon (Toona ciliata), Mehndu (Dodonaea viscosa), and Tunga (Rhus cotinus).
• Major Timber Resources: Himachal Pradesh has abundant timber resources, primarily from coniferous trees such as Cedrus deodara, Pinus roxburghii, P. wallichiana, Picea smithiana, Abies pindrow, A. spectabilis, Cupressus torulosa, Juniperus excelsa, and J. squamata. Broad-leaved species include Shorea robusta, Quercus leucotrichophora, Q. floribunda, Q. dilatata, Aesculus indica, Acer species, Juglans regia, Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo, Toona ciliata, and Alnus nepalensis.
• Fodder and Fuel Wood Species: Species yielding fodder and fuel wood include Grewia optiva, Morus alba, Bauhinia variegata, Celtis australis, bamboos, Albizia chinensis, A. lebbeck, and Robinia pseudoacacia.
• Non-Wood Forest Resources: Himachal Pradesh is also rich in non-wood forest resources such as grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, animal products, bamboo, canes, fibers, flosses, essential oils, fixed oils, waxes, dyes, medicinal plants, gums, resins, drug-yielding plants, poisons, insecticides, and other miscellaneous forest products like lac, honey, and tendu leaves.

Geographical distribution of Forests in Himachal Pradesh

Legal Classification of Forest areas in HP 2018

Conifers Found in Himachal