Forest Types of India: A Comprehensive Guide

Types of Forest in India UPSC

Major Forest Groups	Forest Groups
1. Moist Tropical forests	Group1: Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests Group 2: Tropical Semi-evergreen Forests Group 3: Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests Group 4: Littoral and Swamp Forests
2. Dry Tropical forests	Group 5: Tropical dry deciduous forest Group 6: Tropical thorn forests Group 7: Tropical dry evergreen forests
3. Montane Subtropical Forests	Group 8: Subtropical broad-leaved hill forests Group 9: Subtropical Pine Forest Group 10: Subtropical dry evergreen forests
4. Montane Temperate Forests	Group 11: Montane wet temperate forests Group 12: Himalayan moist temperate forests Group 13: Himalayan dry temperate forests
5. Subalpine Forests	Group 14 Subalpine forests
6. Alpine Forests	Group 15: Moist-Alpine Scrub Group 16: Dry-Alpine Scrub

Moist Tropical Forests

Group 1: Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are dense forests with tall canopies, typically ranging from 30-45 meters in height, and consist of four to five layers (strata). These forests thrive in areas receiving 2000 to over 3000 mm of annual rainfall and are known for their high species diversity.

They are primarily found in the Western Ghats, Northeastern India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Based on geographical regions, they are categorized into Southern and Northern Wet Tropical Evergreen Forests.

Southern Wet Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Found in the Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Rainfall: 1500 to 5000 mm annually.
• Altitude: 250 to 1200 meters above sea level.

Key Features:

1. High Plant Diversity: Variations in climate create diverse plant formations and species richness (Pascal et al., 2004).
2. Endemic Species: The Western Ghats host a high percentage of species found only in this region.
3. Biodiversity Hotspot: The Western Ghats are recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al., 2000).
4. Important Regions:
   • Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: India’s first biosphere reserve, established in 1986.
   • Wayanad, Kerala: Characterized by species like Mesua ferrea, Palaquium ellipticum, Cullenia sp., and Calophyllum elatum.

Northern Wet Tropical Evergreen Forests

• Located in Upper Assam, Northern Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Dominated by trees from the Dipterocarpaceae family with abundant climbers, palms, canes, and epiphytes.

Key Features:

1. Upper Assam Valley Forests:
   • Dominant trees: Dipterocarpus, Mesua ferrea, Dysoxylum spp., Echinocarpus, and Canarium spp.
   • Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus) and Shorea assamica grow in patches, reaching heights of up to 50 meters and girths of 7 meters.
2. Cachar Tropical Evergreen Forests:
   • Found on lower hills and slopes of Cachar Hills, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills in the Surma Valley.
   • Dominant formation: Mesua-Dipterocarpus-Palaquium.

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Group 2 – Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests form a transition zone between tropical wet evergreen and moist deciduous forests. These forests have a mix of evergreen and deciduous species, where the lower canopy remains evergreen, but the upper canopy trees shed their leaves for short periods during the dry season. They occupy 13.79% of India’s forest area.

Key Features of Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• Height: Ranging from 24-36 meters.
• Rainfall: Annual rainfall ranges between 1500-2500 mm.
• Canopy Structure: The canopies are not continuous.
• Common Vegetation: Bamboos, canes, climbers, and epiphytes, including orchids and ferns.

Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• Location: Western Ghats (north of Bombay, near Goa, south of Cochin), Andaman Islands (main valley), and eastern slopes of Tirunelveli in the Southern Western Ghats.

Northern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests

• Location: Found in regions with moderate to heavy rainfall, such as Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, and surrounding areas.
• Odisha Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests: Found at 800 meters on Odisha hills and in lower moist valleys.

Group 3 – Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are widely found in areas with 1000 to 2000 mm of annual rainfall and a dry season lasting 3 to 4 months. Dominant trees are deciduous, shedding their leaves in the winter and flushing new leaves in March-April. These forests account for 19.73% of India’s forest types (FSI 2011) and are distributed across Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Uttarakhand.

Southern Moist Deciduous Forests

• Location: Found in Maharashtra, Mysore, Tamil Nadu, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Dominant Species: Tectona grandis (teak) is the dominant tree.

Variations:

1. Very Moist Teak Forests: Found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in areas receiving over 2500 mm rainfall on deep alluvial soils.
2. Moist-Teak Bearing Forests: Includes southern moist mixed deciduous and southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests.
3. Bamboos: Common, with species like Bambusa arundinacea and Dendrocalamus strictus.

Northern Moist Deciduous Forests

• Location: Predominantly found in Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and the Siwalik Hills of Uttarakhand.
• Dominant Species: Shorea robusta (sal) is the dominant tree.

Variations:

1. Very Moist Sal-Bearing Forests: Found in Sikkim, West Bengal, the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia hills, Assam, and Meghalaya. Key species include Shorea robusta, Schima wallichii, and Stereospermum personatum.
2. Moist Siwalik Sal Forests: Occur on Nahan sandstones and sandy alluvial soils with dry subsoil.
3. Moist Peninsular Sal Forests: Found in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Associates include Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeissus latifolia, Syzygium cumini, and Phoenix acaulis.
4. Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests: Found in the Siwalik Hills of Uttarakhand and the eastern Himalayas in Bengal and Assam.

Group 4 – Littoral and Swamp Forests

Littoral and Swamp Forests are evergreen forests associated with mesic habitats such as coastal regions, river deltas, and freshwater swamps. These forests are seral in nature, meaning they are often in a developmental stage of ecological succession.

Key Features of Littoral and Swamp Forests

• Distribution: Found along the coastal regions, river deltas, and inland swamps.
• Tree Type: Evergreen species of varying height and density dominate these forests.

Subtypes of Littoral and Swamp Forests

1. Littoral Forests
   • Location: Coastal regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
   • Key Species:
     • Casuarina dominates sandy beaches and dunes along the seashore.
     • In Andaman, Manilkara littoralis is a prominent species.
2. Tidal and Swamp Forests (Mangrove Forests)
   • Location: Found in river deltas, including the Ganga-Brahmaputra deltas, and along the east and west coasts of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Gulf of Kachchh and Khambat (Gujarat).
   • Sundarbans:
     • Located in West Bengal (40% of its area).
     • It is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
   • Dominant Genera:
     • Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia, Bruguiera, and Ceriops.
     • Other species include Heritiera and Xylocarpus.
   • Palm Swamps: Found in drier regions within saltwater mangrove areas.
3. Tropical Freshwater Swamp Forests
   • Location: Found in Travancore, Kerala.
   • Key Species:
     • Myristica spp. and Lagerstroemia speciosa.
4. Swamp Forests of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
   • Key Species:
     • Barringtonia spp. and Syzygium cumini.

Importance of Littoral and Swamp Forests

• Ecological Role: These forests protect coastal areas from erosion, serve as breeding grounds for marine life, and buffer against storms and cyclones.
• Biodiversity: Mangrove ecosystems host a wide range of plants, animals, and aquatic species, including endangered wildlife.
• Economic Value: Provide timber, fuelwood, honey, and medicinal products.

Dry Tropical Forests

Group 5: Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests are the largest forest type in India, covering 38.2% of the country’s forest area. These forests thrive in regions with a marked dry season and annual rainfall between 800-1200 mm.

Key Features of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

• Height: Trees are generally less than 25 meters tall.
• Canopy: The canopy is light-demanding, consisting primarily of deciduous species that shed leaves during the dry season.
• Climatic Conditions: Long drought periods, seasonal rainfall.
• Distribution: Found from Kanyakumari to the Himalayan foothills, mainly in low rainfall areas.
• Wildlife Habitat: These forests are critical habitats for diverse wildlife species.

Species Composition

• Southern Region: Dominated by dry teak communities (Tectona grandis).
• Northern Region: Predominated by dry sal communities (Shorea robusta).
• Other species include:
  • Anogeissus pendula, Boswellia serrata, Hardwickia binata, Acacia nilotica, Madhuca indica, and Butea monosperma.
  • Newly formed soils support Acacia catechu and Dalbergia sissoo.

Subtypes of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

1. Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

• Location: Peninsular India (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu).
• Key Types:
  • Dry Teak-bearing Forests: Tectona grandis, Boswellia serrata, Anogeissus latifolia.
  • Dry Red Sanders-bearing Forests: Pterocarpus santalinus dominates; teak is absent.
  • Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests: Boswellia serrata, Terminalia tomentosa, and Hardwickia binata.
  • Dry Mixed Forest with Teak.
  • Sandal-bearing Scrub Forests: Santalum album.

2. Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

• Location: Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
• Key Types:
  • Dry Siwalik Sal Forests: Shorea robusta, Anogeissus sp., Buchanania lanzan.
  • Dry Plains Sal Forests: Shorea robusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Madhuca indica.
  • Dry Peninsular Sal Forests: Mixed sal forests in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
  • Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests: Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata.
  • Dry Deciduous Scrub: Widespread in dry deciduous zones.
  • Edaphic Climax Types: Found in regions like Rajasthan.

Significance of Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

1. Largest Forest Type: Covers a vast area, contributing significantly to India’s forest ecosystem.
2. Wildlife Support: Provides habitat for animals like tigers, leopards, deer, and smaller mammals.
3. Economic Value: Source of timber, fuelwood, medicinal plants, and non-timber forest products.
4. Ecosystem Role: Helps in soil conservation and groundwater recharge in arid regions.

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Group 6: Tropical Thorn Forests

Tropical Thorn Forests are found in low rainfall areas (200–800 mm) where moisture availability is limited, leading to stunted plant growth and prolonged dry periods.

Key Features of Tropical Thorn Forests

• Tree Height: Ranges between 6 to 9 meters.
• Open Forests: Sparse distribution of short, thorny trees and bushes.
• Dry Climate: Found in semi-arid and arid regions with prolonged droughts.

Distribution of Tropical Thorn Forests

1. Southern Tropical Thorn Forests

• Location: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh.
• Key Species:
  • Acacia chundra
  • Acacia planifrons
  • Acacia catechu

2. Northern Tropical Thorn Forests

• Location: Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, northern Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
• Key Subtypes:
  • Desert Thorn Type:
    • Dominant Species: Acacia senegal, Prosopis spicigera, Prosopis cineraria, Acacia leucophloea, Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus spp., and Salvadora spp.
    • Planted Species: Acacia tortilis, Prosopis chilensis.
  • Desert Dune Scrub:
    • Sparse, stunted, thorny bushes and trees.
    • Dominant Species: Acacia senegal, Prosopis spicigera, Acacia arabica, Tamarix aphylla, Salvadora oleoides.

Significance of Tropical Thorn Forests

1. Drought Adaptation: Plants have adaptations like thorny surfaces and reduced leaf size to minimize water loss.
2. Economic Uses: Source of fuelwood, fodder, gums, and resins.
3. Desert Stabilization: These forests help control desertification and stabilize sand dunes.
4. Wildlife Habitat: Supports arid-region fauna like blackbucks, camels, and desert foxes.

Tropical Thorn Forests are vital in maintaining ecological balance in semi-arid and arid regions of India, offering resilience to extreme drought conditions.

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Group 7: Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests

Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests are low-growing forests found in specific coastal regions of India.

Key Features of Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests

• Height of Trees: 9–12 meters.
• Canopy: Dense and complete.
• Species Diversity: Rich in trees, shrubs, and herbs.

Distribution

• Karnataka Coast
• East Coast: Reported in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Dominant Species

• Manilkara hexandra
• Memecylon edule
• Other species:
  • Diospyros spp.
  • Eugenia spp.
  • Chloroxylon spp.
  • Albizzia amara

Significance

• Coastal Protection: These forests help stabilize coastal ecosystems.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: High diversity of plant life supports various animal species.
• Economic Uses: Provides timber, medicinal plants, and fuelwood.

Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests are unique ecosystems thriving in coastal areas with significant ecological and economic importance.

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Montane Subtropical Forests

Group 8: Subtropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests

Subtropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests occur in hilly regions across India, categorized into three distinct types based on their geographical location.

Types of Subtropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests

1. Southern Subtropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests

• Location: Hill slopes and tops of Nilgiri, Palani, Tirunelveli, and Mercara hills (1000–1700 m altitude).
• Main Tree Species:
  • Calophyllum elatum
  • Eugenia spp.
  • Dalbergia latifolia
  • Anogeissus latifolia
  • Emblica officinalis
  • Olea dioica
  • Phoenix humilis

2. Central Indian Subtropical Hill Forests

• Location: Above 1200 m in Madhya Pradesh (Pachmarhi), Bihar, and Odisha.
• Main Tree Species:
  • Manilkara hexandra
  • Mangifera indica
  • Syzygium cumini

3. Northern Subtropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests

• Location:
  • Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
  • Found in East Himalayan subtropical wet hill forests (1000–2000 m altitude).
  • Khasi, Jaintia, and adjacent hills.
• Forest Structure:
  • Dense evergreen forests; height rarely exceeds 20 m.
  • Abundant growth of epiphytic mosses, ferns, and phanerogams.
• Main Tree Species:
  • Quercus spp.
  • Castanopsis spp.
  • Alnus spp.
  • Prunus spp.
  • Betula spp.
  • Schima spp.
  • Quercus serrata
  • Eugenia praecox
  • Rhus succedanea

Key Highlights

• Subtropical forests thrive at elevations 1000–2000 m.
• These forests exhibit dense canopies and a rich variety of evergreen species.
• Epiphytes like mosses and ferns are abundant in northern regions, contributing to their biodiversity.

Group 9: Sub-Tropical Pine Forests

Sub-Tropical Pine Forests are characterized by the dominance of Pinus roxburghii (chir pine) and occur primarily in the Himalayan region of India.

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Key Features

• Location: Central and Western Himalaya (1000–1800 m altitude).
• States:
  • Haryana
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir
  • Punjab
  • Uttarakhand
• Dominant Species:
  • Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine)
  • Associated with scattered broad-leaved species.
• Flora Characteristics:
  • Climbers and bamboos are absent.
  • Canopy largely consists of chir pine with limited undergrowth.

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Example:

• Sub-tropical chir pine forests are prominently visible in Morni Hills in northeast Haryana.

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Ecological Importance

• These forests play a significant role in soil conservation in hilly terrains and act as fire-prone ecosystems due to the resinous nature of chir pine.

Group 10: Sub-Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests

Sub-Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests are found in areas with limited moisture availability but relatively warm subtropical conditions.

Key Features

• Location:
  • Bhabar tract
  • Shiwalik hills
  • Foothills of the Western Himalayas
• States:
  • Punjab
  • Uttarakhand
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir
• Dominant Species:
  • Olea cuspidata (common in wider valleys with alluvial soil).
  • Acacia modesta
  • Dodonaea viscosa

Specific Distribution:

• In Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh: Olea cuspidata grows extensively on alluvial grounds of wider valleys.
• In Jammu and Kashmir: Scrub forests are dominated by:
  • Olea cuspidata
  • Acacia modesta
  • Dodonaea viscosa

Ecological Notes

• These forests are typically drought-resistant and adapted to dry, subtropical climates.
• The presence of scrub vegetation highlights their transitional nature between dry and evergreen forest types.

Montane Temperate Forests

Group 11: Montane Wet Temperate Forest

Montane Wet Temperate Forests are evergreen forests with varying species compositions in northern and southern India, primarily found at high altitudes with significant rainfall. These Forests are ecologically significant forests distinguished by their dense, evergreen canopy, rich epiphytes, and high-altitude distribution. While the Sholas dominate the southern hills, oak and Rhododendron species are prominent in the northern regions.

Key Features

• Elevation:
  • Southern: Above 1500 m in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Northern: Between 1800–3000 m in the Eastern Himalayas and northeastern states.
• Rainfall: Greater than 2000 mm annually.
• General Characteristics:
  • Dense, evergreen forests with short-boled trees.
  • Trees often have mosses, ferns, and other epiphytes growing on branches.
  • Woody climbers and undergrowth are abundant.

Southern Montane Wet Temperate Forests

• Location:
  • High hills of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Specific regions: Anamalai, Palni, and Tirunelveli hills.
• Characteristics:
  • Patches of forests called Sholas occur amidst rolling grasslands.
  • Trees are short-boled (not exceeding 6 m) and highly branched.
  • Important Species:
    • Syzygium spp.
    • Eurya spp.
    • Michelia nilagirica
    • Ternstroemia spp.
    • Rhododendron nilagiricum
  • Forests are luxuriant with:
    • Dense undergrowth
    • Epiphytes (mosses and ferns)
    • Woody climbers

Northern Montane Wet Temperate Forests

• Location:
  • Found in Eastern Himalayas (Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur).
  • Also seen in Assam-Burma border at 1800–2500 m.
• Characteristics:
  • Evergreen high forests with large girth and moderate height (~25 m).
  • Dominant Tree Species:
    • Quercus lamellosa
    • Castanopsis
    • Machilus
    • Rhododendron spp.
  • Other Genera:
    • Acer, Prunus, Ulmus (deciduous species).
• Specific Locations and Trees:
  • Ukhrul District, Manipur:
    • Dominated by Rhododendron arboreum and Quercus spp.
    • Found at 1900 m altitude.
  • Assam-Burma Border:
    • Trees include Alnus nepalensis, Betula alnoides, Acer, Prunus, and Pyrus.

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Group 12: Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests

Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests are located in the mid-elevation zone of the Himalayas, lying between Subtropical Pine Forests and Sub-Alpine Forests. These forests are characterized by evergreen species, dense canopy, and high altitudinal variation. While the western regions are dominated by Cedrus deodara and evergreen oak species, the eastern regions include Tsuga dumosa, Picea spinulosa, and Rhododendron spp.

Key Features

• Altitude: Between 1500 m to 3300 m.
• Rainfall: Found in areas with rainfall exceeding 1000 mm annually.
• Distribution:
  • Entire Himalayan region.
  • States: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Assam, and Sikkim.
• General Characteristics:
  • Forests are dense.
  • Tree height: 25–40 m.
  • Grasses are generally absent.
  • Epiphytes are abundant.

Types of Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests

1. Oak-Dominated Forests
   • Several evergreen oak species are predominant in the temperate forests.
   • Features:
     • Evergreen but with partial leaf shedding in summer (never fully leafless).
     • Dense canopy reaching 25–30 m.
     • Herbaceous and grass layers are poorly developed.
   • Example Location:
     • Temperate oak forest in Munsiyari, Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand).

2. Cedrus Deodara (Deodar) Forests
   • Description:
     • Deodar (Cedrus deodara) forms pure stands.
     • Tall, straight trees with a dense canopy.
     • Height: 30–40 m.
   • Example Location:
     • Deodar forests surrounding Khajjiar Lake, Chamba district (Himachal Pradesh).

3. Higher Altitude Conifer and Mixed Forests
   • As altitude increases, conifers become dominant.

4. Eastern Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests
   • Found in the eastern Himalayan hills.

5. Cupressus torulosa Forests
   • Description:
     • Cupressus torulosa (Himalayan Cypress) grows on limestone rocks.
   • Altitude: Between 1800–2800 m.
   • Distribution: From Chamba (Himachal Pradesh) to the Aka hills in Arunachal Pradesh.

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Group 13: Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests

The Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests are unique to the inner Himalayan ranges, thriving in a cold, low-rainfall environment where snow dominates winter precipitation. These forests play a crucial ecological role in stabilizing mountain slopes and supporting cold-tolerant biodiversity.

Key Features

• Altitude: Between 1700 to 3000 m.
• Rainfall: Less than 1000 mm, primarily received as snowfall during winter.
• Distribution:
  • Inner ranges of the Himalayas.
  • States/Regions: Kashmir, Ladakh, Lahaul, Chamba, Inner Garhwal, and Sikkim.
• Forest Type:
  • Predominantly coniferous forests with tall evergreen trees.
  • Tree height: 30–35 m.
  • A mix of coniferous and broad-leaved species.

• Species Composition:
  • Western Himalaya
    • Chilgoza Pine, Deodar, Junipers
    • Higher Elevation Species:
      • Himalayan Fir
      • Blue Pine
  • Eastern Himalaya
    • Firs, Spruce.

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Sub-Alpine Forests

Group 14: Sub-Alpine Forests

The Sub-Alpine Forests form the uppermost forest zone of the Himalayas, located between 3000 m and the tree line. These forests are characterized by conifer dominance, including Abies spectabilis in the west and Abies densa in the east. The deciduous Betula utilis thrives across both regions, often accompanied by Rhododendron. These forests act as an ecological bridge between temperate forests and alpine meadows.

Key Features

• Altitude: 3000 m and above, up to the tree line.
• Rainfall: 83–600 mm annually.
• Distribution:
  • Western Himalaya: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
  • Eastern Himalaya: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal.
• Forest Type:
  • Predominantly evergreen forests.
  • Rhododendron spp. is a significant constituent.
  • Tall Trees: Dominated by conifers.
  • Largest Deciduous Tree: Betula utilis (Himalayan Birch).

Species Composition

1. Western Himalayan Sub-Alpine Forests

• Two Main Types:
  i. Abies spectabilis (Silver Fir) and Betula utilis (Himalayan Birch).
  ii. West Himalayan Sub-Alpine Birch/Fir Forest.
• Associated Genera:
  • Quercus semecarpifolia (Brown Oak).
  • Sorbus spp.
  • Rhododendron spp.

2. Eastern Himalayan Sub-Alpine Forests

• Dominant Species:
  • Abies densa (Eastern Himalayan Fir).
  • Betula utilis (Himalayan Birch).
  • Rhododendron spp.
• Ecological Note:
  • These forests are climax formations.
  • Self-generating with high resilience to environmental stress.

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Alpine Forests

Group 15: Moist Alpine Scrub

The Moist Alpine Scrub represents the highest vegetative belt of the Himalayas, occurring above the timber line^#. Dominated by Rhododendron and Betula utilis, these forests display a highly branched structure with thick humus layers and wet soils. Regional variations exist between the Western Himalaya (Kumaun) and the Eastern Himalaya, where Rhododendron thickets are particularly dense. This fragile ecosystem marks the transition to alpine meadows and supports diverse flora adapted to extreme altitudinal conditions.

#A timber line, also known as a tree line, is the upper limit at which trees can grow. It’s a geographic boundary that marks the edge of a habitat where trees can no longer survive due to environmental conditions.

Key Features

• Altitude: Above the timber line up to 5,500 m.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • Found throughout the Himalayas.
  • Specifically prominent in Kumaun (Uttarakhand), Eastern Himalaya (Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal).
• Vegetation Type:
  • Composed mainly of Rhododendron species.
  • Some Betula (Betula utilis) and other deciduous trees are present.
• Ground Cover:
  • Ground is covered with mosses, ferns, and a thick layer of humus.
  • Soil: Generally wet and nutrient-rich.

Regional Variations

1. Western Himalaya (Uttarakhand – Kumaun)

• Dominant Species:
  • Betula utilis (Himalayan Birch).
  • Rhododendron campanulatum.
• Associations:
  • Rhododendron–Lonicera association in inner Himalaya of Uttarakhand.

2. Eastern Himalaya

• Altitude: 3350 m to 4600 m.
• Dense Thickets:
  • Dominated by Rhododendron spp..
• Locations: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and West Bengal.

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Group 16: Dry Alpine Scrub

The Dry Alpine Scrub forms in regions with very low rainfall and is dominated by dwarf shrubs. Key species include Juniperus, Lonicera, and Potentilla. These scrub forests thrive in dry, high-altitude conditions, particularly in areas of the Himalayas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. Vegetation along streams is richer, with species like Salix, Myricaria, and Hippophae. The scrub is an adaptation to extreme dryness and altitude, marking the transition to alpine zones.

Key Features

• Climate: Xerophytic formation with low rainfall (less than 370 mm annually).
• Vegetation: Characterized by dwarf shrubs and hardy species adapted to dry conditions.

Dominant Plant Species

• Juniperus wallichiana (Wallich’s Juniper)
• Lonicera spp.
• Potentilla spp.
• Along Streams:
  • Salix spp. (Willows)
  • Myricaria spp.
  • Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn)

Geographical Distribution

• Regions: Found in the Himalayas, especially in:
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • Arunachal Pradesh

Altitude Range

• Eastern Himalaya: Juniperus species, particularly Juniperus recurva and Juniperus wallichiana, are found between 3000 m and 4600 m.

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Key Highlights of Forest Survey Report (ISFR) 2021

• Forest and Tree Cover
  • Current Total Forest and Tree Cover: 80.9 million hectares (24.62% of India’s geographical area).
  • Total Increase: 2,261 sq km (from 2019 to 2021).
    • Forest Cover: Increased by 1,540 sq km.
    • Tree Cover: Increased by 721 sq km.
• State-Wise Findings
  • Largest Forest Cover (Area-Wise):
    • 1st: Madhya Pradesh
    • 2nd: Arunachal Pradesh
    • 3rd: Chhattisgarh
    • 4th: Odisha
    • 5th: Maharashtra
  • Top States Showing Forest Cover Increase:
    • Andhra Pradesh: 647 sq km
    • Telangana: 632 sq km
    • Odisha: 537 sq km
• Forest Cover (Percentage-Wise)
  • Top States (Forest Cover as % of Geographical Area):
    • Mizoram: 84.53%
    • Arunachal Pradesh: 79.33%
    • Meghalaya: 76.00%
    • Manipur: 74.34%
    • Nagaland: 73.90%
• Mangrove Cover
  • Total Mangrove Cover: 4,992 sq km
  • Increase: 17 sq km
    • Top States: Odisha (8 sq km), Maharashtra (4 sq km), Karnataka (3 sq km).
• States/UTs with More Than 33% Forest Cover
  • 17 States/UTs surpass this mark.
  • Above 75% Forest Cover: Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya.
  • 33-75% Forest Cover: Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Odisha, etc.
• Methodology: Data Source: Mid-resolution LISS-III Satellite Data (Resourcesat-II).

Source: Forest Survey of India

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Soil Types in India	Wildlife of India
National Parks of India	Rivers of India

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