Types of Forests in India – Classification, Features, Distribution & Conservation

India has a rich variety of forests due to its diverse climate, soil, and geography. According to the Champion & Seth classification (1968), types of forest in India are categorized into six major types: Moist Tropical Forests, Dry Tropical Forests, Montane Subtropical Forests, Montane Temperate Forests, Sub-Alpine Forests, and Alpine Forests. Each type supports unique flora and fauna, ranging from dense rainforests in the Western Ghats to alpine forests in the Himalayas. Understanding these six types of forests helps us appreciate India’s ecological diversity and the role forests play in biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and local livelihoods.

Here’s the issue, though: farming is responsible for nearly 90% of global deforestation. That’s a huge problem. To tackle it, you need to know what types of forests in India. Forests in India are classified based on factors like climate, soil, altitude, and topography.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the six main types of forests in India. We’ll also break down their subcategories, highlight their most prominent threats, and discuss how the government protects them.

Definition of Forest

Currently, India lacks a single, nationally-accepted definition of a “forest.”

This authority rests with individual state governments, who determine their own definitions.

The prerogative for states to define forests originates from a 1996 Supreme Court order in the case of T.N. Godavarman Thirumulkpad vs. Union of India.

In this judgment, the Court interpreted that the term “forest” must be understood according to its standard “dictionary meaning.”

This interpretation ensures that all statutorily recognised forests are covered, whether they are designated as reserved, protected, or otherwise.

Constitutional and Legal Framework:

• Constitutional Provisions: Forests fall under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, allowing both the central and state governments to legislate on forest-related matters. Article 51A(g) of the Constitution mandates citizens to protect the environment, including forests and wildlife. Furthermore, Article 48A directs the state to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
• National Forest Policy (1988): This policy emphasizes environmental balance and sustainable livelihoods as guiding principles for forest management.
• India State of Forest Report (2019): According to the report, tree and forest cover together constitute 24.56% of India’s land area, with the country aiming to achieve 33% forest cover in the long term.

Classification of Forests in India

Classification Basis	Category	Description
Administrative Jurisdiction	Reserved Forests	Under strict government control; no public access for commercial activities.
	Protected Forests	Managed by the government; limited use allowed for locals, like grazing cattle.
	Unprotected Forests	No restrictions on usage; accounts for 18% of the Total Forest Area (TFA).
Ownership	State Forests	Fully owned and managed by the government.
	Community Forests	Managed by local bodies like municipal corporations or village councils.
	Private Forests	Privately owned; covers slightly more than 1% of the TFA.
Commercial Value	Merchantable Forests	Accessible forests available for commercial use.
	Non-Merchantable Forests	Located in remote or high-altitude areas, inaccessible for commercial use.
Composition	Coniferous Forests	Found in the Himalayas and northeastern states, it covers 6.5% of the TFA.
	Broadleaf Forests	Found in the Himalayas and northeastern states; it covers 6.5% of the TFA.
	Temperate Forests	Tropical and subtropical monsoon forests spread across climatic zones.
Canopy Density	Very Dense Forests	Canopy coverage >70%.
	Moderately Dense Forests	Canopy coverage between 40%-70%.
	Open Forests	Sparse canopy coverage ranging from 10%-40%.

6 Types of Forest in India

These are the 6 significant types of forest in India, depending upon their climatic conditions, vegetation, and distributions. Here we provide a complete overview of the types of forest in India chart:

Tropical Evergreen Forest

Tropical evergreen forests grow in areas that receive a lot of rain and have steady temperatures year-round. They are filled with thick, tall hardwood trees that form several layers. Because of the constant rainfall, these forests stay green all year. They also play an essential role in protecting wildlife.

Temperature	Between 15°C – 30°C year-round
Soil	Nutrient-poor
Distribution	Western Ghats, Ganga Delta, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and North Eastern States
Flora	Trees (Mahogany, ebony, rosewood, bamboo), Epiphytes (Orchids), Ferns and Mosses.
Fauna	Mammals (Elephants, tigers, rhinos, monkeys), Birds (parrots, hornbills, hummingbirds), Reptiles (snakes, lizards), Amphibians (frogs, toads), Insects (butterflies, ants, and termites).

Tropical Deciduous Forest

Tropical deciduous forest is India’s most prevalent type of forest, with 65.6% cover. These forests are less dense than tropical evergreen forests; instead, they are a mix of tall and short trees in wet and dry regions. Based on their regions and water availability, these forests are classified in India as moist deciduous forests (37%) and dry deciduous forests (28.6%). 

Temperature	Around 30°C (86°F)
Soil	Fertile
Distribution	Central India, Northern India, Southern India, Eastern India
Flora	Teak, sal, sandalwood, rosewood (shisham), bamboo, acacia, neem, grasses and shrubs
Fauna	Mammals (tigers, leopards, deer), Birds (hornbills and migratory birds), Reptiles (snakes and lizards), Amphibians (frogs and toads), Insects (butterflies and other insects)

Tropical Thorn Forest (Deccan Forest)

Tropical thorn forests are usually found in dry regions. They cover around 2.6% of the forest area, mainly in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and some dry regions of the Deccan plateau. These forests have long-rooted trees that penetrate the soil for nutrients and water. The leaves of tropical thorn trees are thick and small, helping them minimize water loss. 

Temperature	Between 25°C to 30°C
Soil	Dry and nutrient-poor
Distribution	Semi-arid regions and some regions of the Deccan Plateau.
Flora	Trees (Babul, Khair, Acacias, Cactus, Plums, and Dates), short thorny shrubs and bushes, and climbers.
Fauna	Camels, Great Indian bustards, blackbuck, donkeys, blue bull (Nilgai), and desert foxes.

Montane Forest

Montane forest refer to unique forest ecosystems commonly found in hilly or high-altitude regions. They are characterised by high rainfall, lower temperatures, and lush vegetation. These mountainous forests cover 3.5% of the total forest area and have rich and unique biodiversity. 

Temperature	Between 11°C to 14°C
Soil	Fertile
Distribution	Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Nilgiri Hills
Flora	Oak, birch, Rhododendron, Indian chestnut, blue pine, deodar, maple, and fir
Fauna	Musk deer, red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr

Subtropical Forest

Subtropical forests are the types of forest in India commonly found in the foothills of the Himalayas and other elevated regions. Trees in these forests experience moderate temperatures and average rainfall (between 75 and 125 cm), mainly oak, maple, and pine. These forests are categorized into two types: subtropical broad-leaved hill forests occupy around 0.4% of the total forest area, and subtropical pine forests cover 6.6%. 

Temperature	Between 18°C to 21°C
Soil	Fertile
Distribution	North-Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh
Flora	Chir pine, Oak, Jamun, Maple, Rhododendron, chestnuts, and a wide range of orchids, shrubs, ferns, and mosses
Fauna	Mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects (particularly Kashmir stag, wild sheep, jackrabbit, yak, snow leopard, and squirrels)

Mangrove Forest

Mangrove forest in India covers 0.15% of the total geographical area. Mangrove forests are a unique ecosystem usually found in intertidal regions (where freshwater and saltwater mix), coastal areas, and river deltas. They help protect coastlines and support unique biodiversity. Mangrove forests are classified into three types: red, black, and white.

Temperature	Between 26°C to 35°C
Soil	Fertile but low-oxygen levels
Distribution	Big royal Bengal tiger, Ganges dolphin, olive ridley turtle, saltwater crocodile, and horseshoe crab
Flora	Avicennia, Rhizophora, Sonneratia, Canes, Screw pipe, Palms, and Sundari.
Fauna	Big royal Bengal tiger, Gangatic dolphin, olive ridley turtle, saltwater crocodile, and horseshoe crab

Comparative Summary Table

Forest Type	Rainfall / Climate	Altitude / Zone	Leaf Behaviour	Dominant Trees / Species	Key Threats
Moist Tropical	Very high rainfall	Lowland / hills	Evergreen / semi-evergreen	Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Mesua	Logging, fragmentation, climate change
Dry Tropical	Moderate rainfall, long dry season	Plains / plateaus	Deciduous (shedding)	Teak, Sal, Babul, Acacia	Over-exploitation, grazing, fires
Montane Sub-Tropical	Moderate rainfall, cooler	Hill slopes ~500–1500 m	Mixed evergreen / deciduous	Oak, rhododendron, pine	Encroachment, logging
Montane Temperate	Moderate to high, cold winters	Mid to higher Himalayas	Evergreen / deciduous mix	Deodar, fir, spruce, oak	Climate shifts, timber removal
Alpine / Sub-Alpine	Low–moderate precipitation, snow	High Himalayas	Scrub / no tall trees	Juniper, shrubs, grasses	Climate warming, overgrazing
Littoral / Mangrove	Tidal / saline, humid	Coastal, estuaries	Evergreen mangrove species	Avicennia, Bruguiera, Rhizophora	Coastal development, sea-level rise

Additionally, tropical moist deciduous + dry deciduous forest types together account for more than 60% of India’s forest cover.
According to FAO data, in India: ~ 8.0 % is tropical wet evergreen, ~ 4.1 % semi-evergreen, ~ 37.0 % tropical moist deciduous, ~ 0.6 % littoral & swamp forest, ~ 28.6 % tropical dry deciduous, ~ 2.6 % thorn forest, and so on.

Importance of India’s Forests

Forests are natural terrestrial ecosystems with significant biodiversity. They contribute to several environmental activities and have many economic and cultural significances. Let’s understand them in detail:

Biodiversity

Forests in India are home to many species of plants, animals, and insects. The survival of all these organisms is interconnected, even the dead leaves (litter). On the terrestrial level, these dead leaves are rich in nutrients that help a wide range of flora grow, while under the surface, trees form a fungal network to exchange nutrients. Many microorganisms help decay the dead matter into nutrients. 

Climate Regulation

Forests work as natural air purifiers, absorbing much carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen in the daytime. They also absorb harmful greenhouse gases like ammonia and sulfur dioxide, and maintain an oxygen level in the atmosphere. These pollutant gases are stored in the trees’ trunks, branches, leaves, and bark. 

Economical Significance

Forests also contribute economically to local communities and the nation as a whole. They offer several timber and non-timber products and encourage ecotourism and forest-based industries. In addition, they provide several medicinal plants used to treat malaria, cancer, and other ailments. Forests are also a good source of raw materials to create products.

Cultural Significance

Forests’ ecological and sociocultural significance extends far beyond their physical presence. Every culture has different beliefs about diverse wildlife species reflected in their stories, arts, and traditions. Many believe forest areas, like nature’s temple, are unique and sacred. 

Threats and Conservation Efforts

India’s forests face significant threats from human activities, endangering biodiversity and ecological balance.

Major Threats:

• Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture and development destroys wildlife habitats and increases atmospheric carbon.
• Urbanization: Expanding cities fragment forests into isolated patches, displacing wildlife.
• Illegal Logging: Unauthorized timber extraction damages ecosystems and violates community rights.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures and extreme weather events alter forest ecosystems. Burning fossil fuels has severely affected these factors.

Conservation Initiatives:

• Project Tiger and Project Elephant protect endangered species
• Compensatory Afforestation requires replanting for lost forest land
• Community-led conservation empowers local forest management

These efforts aim to balance ecological protection with sustainable development.

Trends, Challenges & Changes

• According to ISFR 2023, India’s forest + tree cover is 25.17% of area; forest cover alone is ~21.76%.
• Over recent years, there has been modest gain in “very dense forests,” though moderately dense forests declined in some regions.
• Main drivers of forest change: agricultural expansion, urbanization, logging, infrastructure development, climate change, and forest fires
• Climate change poses structural shifts (e.g. warm climate pushing species upward, altered rainfall patterns)
• Fragmentation and habitat connectivity are growing concerns

Government Initiatives

Although human activities primarily affect biodiversity in the forests of India, the government has taken many initiatives to maximize forest conservation. Here’s a look:

• Project Tiger: It is a wildlife conservation project initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change in 1973 to protect the endangered tigers. Under this project, the government has designated 55 conserved areas as tiger reserves.
• Project Elephant: Project Elephant is another wildlife conservation initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, initiated in 1992 to protect endangered Indian elephants. Under this project, the central government provides technical and financial aid to the states to ensure elephants’ longevity and viability in their natural habitats.
• Compensatory Afforestation: This initiative promotes afforestation and regenerative activities as compensation for destroyed forest land diverted to non-forest activities. This initiative puts a price on forests, as companies that use forest resources must pay money to plant new trees. 
• Role of Communities: People can play a significant role in forest management. For instance, local people can make rules to protect natural habitats by prohibiting hunting or other activities. 

Conclusion

India’s diverse forests, ranging from lush tropical rainforests to unique mangroves and mountain woodlands, are vital treasures that sustain countless species and support human life. Each type of forest plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, preserving biodiversity, and protecting the environment. Understanding the types of forests in India not only deepens our appreciation for nature’s richness but also highlights the importance of conserving these precious ecosystems for future generations. Let’s cherish and protect India’s forests, ensuring they continue to thrive and inspire awe for years to come.

Read More-

• Biggest Forest in the World
• Forest Conservation Act 1980
• Exploring the Biggest Forest in the World

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