Natural Vegetation
Geography · प्राकृतिक वनस्पति
📋Quick Overview
India has a rich variety of natural vegetation due to diverse climate, soil, and relief conditions. India's forest cover is about 21.71% of total geographical area (as per India State of Forest Report). India has 5 major types of natural vegetation. Tropical Deciduous Forests cover the largest area. India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries of the world.
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National Forest Policy (1988) aims for 33% forest cover for India. Currently India has about 21.71% forest cover.
📖5 Types of Natural Vegetation
| Vegetation Type | Rainfall | Location | Key Trees | Key Animals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Evergreen (Rain Forest) | > 200 cm | Western Ghats, NE India, Andaman & Nicobar, western coast | Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Rubber, Cinchona | Elephant, Monkey, Lemur, One-horned Rhino |
| Tropical Deciduous (Monsoon Forest) | 70-200 cm | Largest area — MP, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra | Sal, Teak, Bamboo, Sandalwood, Shisham, Neem, Peepal | Tiger, Lion, Elephant, Deer, Langur |
| Thorn & Scrub Forest | < 70 cm | Rajasthan, Gujarat, SW Punjab, Haryana (semi-arid) | Babool, Khejri, Cactus, Khair, Date Palm | Rat, Fox, Wild Ass, Camel, Desert Cat |
| Montane/Alpine Forest | Varies with altitude | Himalayas — J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal | Oak, Chestnut, Deodar, Pine, Silver Fir, Birch, Juniper, Rhododendron | Snow Leopard, Yak, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Himalayan Bear |
| Mangrove Forest (Tidal) | Coastal areas | Sundarbans (largest), Bhitarkanika, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman | Sundari, Rhizophora, Avicennia, Ceriops, Palm | Royal Bengal Tiger, Crocodile, Turtle, Water Monitor |
📝Deciduous Forest — Moist vs Dry
📝Sundarbans — World's Largest Mangrove
- •Sundarbans = world's largest mangrove forest, located in Ganga-Brahmaputra delta (WB + Bangladesh)
- •Named after the Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes)
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site (1987)
- •Home of Royal Bengal Tiger
- •India's largest mangrove area, Bhitarkanika (Odisha) is second largest