Types of Forests in India: Classification, Importance, Conservation

Types of Forests in India

Types

Details

Tropical Evergreen

• Found in regions of heavy rainfall (over 200 cm per year).

• Trees do not shed their leaves and remain green.

• Found in the Western Ghats, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Northeast India, etc

• Important trees include rosewood, mahogany, and ebony.

• Animals include elephants, tigers, leopards, monkeys, and snakes.

Tropical Deciduous

• Also termed as monsoon forests.

• Found in regions of rainfall between 100 and 200 cm.

• Trees shed their leaves once a year to save water.

• Found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

• Trees include teak, sal, sandalwood, neem.

• Animals include deer, elephants, lions, and tigers.

Tropical Thorn

• Found in dry regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall.

• Trees are small with thorns and thick leaves.

• Found in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.

• Plants include cactus, acacia, date palm.

• Animals include camels, desert fox, black buck

Montanes

• Found in the mountains at different heights.

• In lower slopes, like evergreen forests.

• In the middle slopes like coniferous forests with pine, deodar, fir, and spruce.

• In higher slopes, like alpine forests with mosses and lichens.

• Commonly found in the Himalayas and Nilgiri Hills.

• Animals include the snow leopard, yak, and red panda

Mangroves

• Found in coastal regions with salty water.

• Roots are special and grow above the ground to breathe.

• Found in Sundarbans (West Bengal), Andaman and Nicobar, and coastal Odisha.

• Trees include sundari, rhizophora, and coconut.

• Animals include the royal Bengal tiger, crocodiles, and fish.

Littoral and Swamps

• Found in wet, marshy regions near rivers, lakes, and sea coasts.

• Trees include mangroves, palms, and grasses.

• Important for flood control and fish breeding

Types of Forests in India

Type

Rainfall

Location

Example of Trees

Animals Found

Tropical Evergreen

Above 200 cm

Western Ghats, NE India, Andamans

Rosewood, Ebony, Mahogany

Elephants, Tigers, Monkeys

Tropical Deciduous

100–200 cm

MP, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, UP

Teak, Sal, Neem

Deer, Elephants, Lions

Tropical Thorn

Less than 70 cm

Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana

Acacia, Cactus, Date Palm

Camels, Desert Fox, Blackbuck

Montane

Varies by altitude

Himalayas, Nilgiris

Pine, Fir, Deodar

Yak, Snow Leopard, Red Panda

Mangrove

Coastal & saline

Sundarbans, Andamans, Odisha coast

Sundari, Coconut, Rhizophora

Bengal Tiger, Crocodile

Mangrove

Marshy & wet areas

River deltas, coastal swamps

Palms, Mangroves

Fish, Birds, Amphibians

Conservation of Forests in India

Efforts

Details

Government Efforts

Forest Conservation Act (1980): Prevents the clearing of forests without permission

Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Protects animals and plants in forests

National Forest Policy (1988): Promotes tree planting and eco-balance

Joint Forest Management (JFM): Encourages local people to help protect forests

Community-Led Efforts

Chipko Movement (1970s): Villagers in Uttarakhand hugged trees to stop cutting

Bishnoi Community: Known for protecting animals and trees in Rajasthan