Forest Types and Natural Vegetation of India
Delhi Police Exams - GK Section
Introduction: The Green Cover of India
India is home to one of the world's richest biodiversities, ranging from snow-covered Himalayas to tropical rainforests and desert shrubs.
The natural vegetation of a place refers to the plant life that grows naturally without human interference, determined mainly by climate, soil, and rainfall.
Memory Trick: "Climate decides, soil supports, and rain rules!"
Major Forest Types of India
A. Tropical Evergreen Forests (Rain Forests)
Location: Western Ghats, Andaman–Nicobar Islands, NE states
Rainfall: More than 200 cm annually
Major Trees: Mahogany, Rosewood, Ebony, Rubber
Characteristics: Dense, multi-layered vegetation. Trees never shed leaves completely.
Fauna: Elephant, Tiger, Monkey, Deer
🧠 Memory Trick: "Evergreen = Always Green = Always Rain"
B. Tropical Deciduous Forests (Monsoon Forests)
Location: Central India, foothills of Himalayas, Jharkhand, Odisha
Rainfall: 100–200 cm annually
Major Trees: Teak, Sal, Shisham, Sandalwood
Characteristics: Trees shed leaves during dry season. Most widespread forest type in India.
Fauna: Elephant, Lion, Deer, Wild Dog
🧠 Memory Trick: "Monsoon → Many Trees → Many Uses"
C. Tropical Thorn Forests (Desert Vegetation)
Location: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Western MP
Rainfall: Less than 75 cm
Major Trees: Acacia, Babool, Khejri, Date Palm
Characteristics: Scattered trees, thorny bushes, and cactus. Adapted to dry climate.
Fauna: Camel, Fox, Desert Cat
🧠 Memory Trick: "Less Rain → More Pain → Thorn Remain"
D. Montane Forests (Mountain Vegetation)
Location: Himalayan regions (Altitude-dependent)
Temperature Zones: Tropical → Temperate → Alpine → Snow Line
Major Trees: Oak, Pine, Deodar, Fir, Juniper
Characteristics: Vegetation varies with altitude and temperature zones.
Fauna: Snow leopard, Yak, Himalayan Bear
🧠 Memory Trick: "Height decides forest type"
E. Mangrove Forests (Tidal or Coastal Forests)
Location: Sundarbans, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna deltas
Features: Found in saline tidal waters with stilt roots
Major Trees: Sundari, Rhizophora, Coconut
Characteristics: Roots called stilt or prop roots to breathe under water.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Crocodile, Fish
🧠 Memory Trick: "Mangrove = Man goes to the coast"
Forest Distribution Map (Conceptual Overview)
North (Himalayas)
→ Montane
Western Ghats & NE
→ Evergreen
Central India
→ Deciduous
Rajasthan
→ Thorn
Deltas
→ Mangrove
Importance of Forests
Maintain ecological balance
Prevent soil erosion & floods
Support wildlife habitat
Provide oxygen, wood, medicine
Absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Called "the lungs of the Earth"
Quick Revision Table
| Forest Type | Rainfall (cm) | Main States | Key Trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen | >200 | Kerala, NE India | Mahogany, Ebony |
| Deciduous | 100–200 | MP, Jharkhand, Odisha | Teak, Sal |
| Thorn | <75 | Rajasthan, Gujarat | Acacia, Khejri |
| Montane | Altitude based | Himalayas | Oak, Pine |
| Mangrove | Coastal deltas | WB, Odisha | Sundari, Coconut |
Memory Tricks & Quick Recap
Memory Tricks:
🧠 Mnemonic:
"Every Day The Mountain Moves"
E – Evergreen
D – Deciduous
T – Thorn
M – Montane
M – Mangrove
Key Associations:
Evergreen → Rain always
Deciduous → Monsoon forest
Thorn → Desert
Montane → Height zones
Mangrove → Delta
Quick Recap:
Tropical Deciduous forests are most widespread in India
Sundari tree is found in Mangrove forests
Thorn forests receive less than 75 cm rainfall
Exam Tip: Delhi Police often asks about forest types, their locations, rainfall requirements, and key tree species. Remember the unique characteristics of each forest type.
Practice Questions (Delhi Police PYQ-style)
The tropical evergreen forests are found in which part of India?
Options: A) Rajasthan B) Western Ghats C) Punjab D) Haryana
Category: Forest Locations
Show Answer
B) Western Ghats
The trees of tropical deciduous forests shed their leaves to —
Options: A) Conserve water during dry season B) Protect from animals C) Get sunlight D) Grow faster
Category: Forest Characteristics
Show Answer
A) Conserve water during dry season
The forests found in areas with rainfall less than 75 cm are —
Options: A) Evergreen forests B) Thorn forests C) Deciduous forests D) Mangrove forests
Category: Rainfall Requirements
Show Answer
B) Thorn forests
The 'Sundari' tree is found in —
Options: A) Mangrove forests B) Evergreen forests C) Mountain forests D) Desert vegetation
Category: Tree Species
Show Answer
A) Mangrove forests
Which of the following forests are most widespread in India?
Options: A) Evergreen forests B) Deciduous forests C) Thorn forests D) Mangrove forests
Category: Forest Distribution
Show Answer
B) Deciduous forests
Summary Points
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