🌳 Chapter 04 · Topic 01 · Types of Forests

Types of Forests in India

Champion & Seth classification, tropical wet evergreen, deciduous, thorn, montane & mangrove forests — complete UPSC & PSC notes.

Champion & Seth Classification (1968)

The most widely accepted scientific classification of Indian forests was given by H.G. Champion and S.K. Seth in 1968. They identified 16 major forest types and over 200 sub-types based on rainfall, temperature, altitude, and soil conditions.

🌿 Key Fact: Champion & Seth’s classification is the official classification used by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and forms the basis for all forest policy and management in India.

Simplified Classification of Indian Forests

#	Forest Type	Rainfall	Location	Key Species	Features
1	Tropical Wet Evergreen	>200 cm	Western Ghats, NE India (Assam, Meghalaya)	Teak, Rosewood, Ebony, Mahogany	Dense multi-layered canopy; trees never shed leaves simultaneously
2	Tropical Semi-Evergreen	150–200 cm	Assam, Odisha, Andaman & Nicobar	White cedar, Hollock, Kail	Mix of evergreen and deciduous species; transitional zone
3	Tropical Moist Deciduous	100–200 cm	MP, Maharashtra, AP, Jharkhand	Teak, Sal, Bamboo, Shisham	Most widespread type; shed leaves in dry season; commercially most important
4	Tropical Dry Deciduous	70–100 cm	UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Telangana	Teak, Sal, Tendu, Palas	Long dry season; open canopy; grass undergrowth
5	Tropical Thorn Forests	<70 cm	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana	Khejri, Babool, Cactus, Euphorbias	Sparse, thorny vegetation; xerophytic adaptations; long roots
6	Montane Subtropical	Moderate	Nilgiris, Khasi Hills, Mahableshwar	Rhododendron, Oak, Alder	Altitude 1000–2000 m; broad-leaved trees; moist climate
7	Montane Temperate	Moderate–High	Himalayas (J&K, HP, Uttarakhand)	Deodar, Pine, Fir, Spruce, Silver Oak	Altitude 2000–3000 m; coniferous trees; snowfall in winter
8	Alpine Forests	Low (snow)	Higher Himalayas	Dwarf shrubs, Mosses, Lichens, Junipers	Altitude >3500 m; trees stunted; transition to tundra
9	Mangrove Forests	Coastal/tidal	Sundarbans (WB), Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Andamans	Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia	Tidal zones; prop roots; pneumatophores; salt-tolerant

Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests — Key Details

Found where rainfall exceeds 200 cm and temperature remains high throughout the year
Trees are tall (45–60 m) with dense, multi-layered canopy — sunlight barely reaches the ground
No definite dry season — trees do not shed leaves simultaneously (hence “evergreen”)
Rich in epiphytes, climbers, orchids and ferns
Major regions: Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Goa), NE India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Key species: Teak, Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), Ebony (Diospyros), Mahogany, Gurjan

Tropical Moist Deciduous — Most Important Type

This is the most widespread and commercially most important forest type in India.

Rainfall: 100–200 cm; distinct wet and dry seasons
Trees shed leaves during the dry season (March–May) to conserve water
Dominant species: Teak (Tectona grandis) and Sal (Shorea robusta)
Other species: Bamboo, Shisham, Mahua, Amla, Bel, Khair
States: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha

📌 Exam Tip: Teak is found in moist deciduous forests; Sal is found in both moist and dry deciduous forests. Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is the state tree of Rajasthan and is found in thorn forests.

Mangrove Forests — Special Features

Found in tidal zones along coasts, estuaries, and deltas
Sundarbans (West Bengal + Bangladesh) = world’s largest mangrove forest; UNESCO World Heritage Site
Other important mangroves: Bhitarkanika (Odisha), Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu), Coringa (AP), Andaman & Nicobar
Prop roots (stilt roots): provide structural support in soft mud
Pneumatophores: aerial roots that project above mud for gas exchange (breathing roots)
Salt-tolerant (halophytes); viviparous germination (seeds germinate on parent plant)
Key species: Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia, Bruguiera, Heritiera (Sundari tree — gives Sundarbans its name)
Ecological role: coastal protection, nursery for fish, carbon sequestration, cyclone buffer

🌿 Sundarbans Fact: The Sundari tree (Heritiera fomes) gives the Sundarbans its name. The region is also home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ramsar Wetland.

Montane Forests — Altitude-based Zonation

Zone	Altitude	Type	Key Species
Foothills	Up to 1000 m	Tropical/Subtropical	Sal, Teak, Bamboo
Lower Montane	1000–2000 m	Montane Subtropical	Oak, Rhododendron, Alder
Mid Montane	2000–3000 m	Montane Temperate	Deodar, Pine, Fir, Spruce
Sub-Alpine	3000–3500 m	Sub-Alpine	Silver Fir, Birch, Rhododendron
Alpine	>3500 m	Alpine	Dwarf shrubs, Mosses, Lichens

Quick Revision Checklist

☐ Champion & Seth (1968) — 16 major forest types
☐ Tropical Wet Evergreen — >200 cm rainfall — Western Ghats, NE India
☐ Tropical Moist Deciduous — most widespread — Teak & Sal dominant
☐ Tropical Dry Deciduous — 70–100 cm — UP, Bihar, Rajasthan
☐ Tropical Thorn — <70 cm — Rajasthan, Gujarat — Khejri, Babool
☐ Montane Temperate — 2000–3000 m — Deodar, Pine, Fir, Spruce
☐ Alpine — >3500 m — dwarf shrubs, mosses, lichens
☐ Mangrove — Sundarbans (largest) — prop roots, pneumatophores
☐ Sundari tree → Sundarbans name; Rhizophora, Avicennia key species
☐ Khejri = state tree of Rajasthan; found in thorn forests