Key Findings of ISFR 2023 (A) Total Forest and Tree Cover The total forest and tree cover of India = 8,27,356.95 sq kmThat’s 25.17% of India’s total geographical area (GA). Let’s separate this further: Category Area (sq km) % of Geographical Area Forest Cover 7,15,342.61 21.76% Tree Cover 1,12,014.34 3.41% Total Forest & Tree Cover…
Let’s begin with a simple question —“How does India know whether its forests are increasing, decreasing, or changing in quality?” The answer lies in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) — a biennial report (that means published every two years) prepared by the Forest Survey of India (FSI). So, you can imagine — every…
Let’s begin with a simple question—What does a forest give us? You might say: wood, fruits, maybe shade. True. But in geography, we classify these systematically. So, let’s explore: There are two broad categories of forest products: Let’s understand them one by one. 🔨 Major Forest Products These are the primary commercial products we get…
Found above 2900 m, these are cold-tolerant, high-altitude forests that lie just below the permanent snowline. They transition from sub-alpine forests to alpine scrubs. 🧭 Altitudinal Zonation Zone Altitude (m) Forest Type 🌲 Sub-Alpine Forest 2900–3100 Coniferous + Broadleaf 🌿 Moist Alpine Scrub 3000–3500 Dense low evergreen shrubs 🪴 Dry Alpine Scrub >3500 Xerophytic dwarf…
These forests thrive in temperate zones (altitude: 1500–3300+ m) of Himalayan and high southern hill regions, where temperature is around 15°C and precipitation is moderate to high. They are categorized into three main types: 1. Montane Wet Temperate Forests 🌦️ Climatic Conditions 📍 Distribution 🌳 Characteristics 2. Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests 🌦️ Climatic Conditions 📍…
These forests grow along the lower slopes of the Himalayas and other hills at elevations of 1000–2000 m, where climate shifts from tropical to temperate. They are classified into three distinct subtypes, based on moisture availability, topography, and dominant species: 1. Sub-Tropical Broad-Leaved Hill Forests Moist, moderate-altitude forests dominated by broad-leaved evergreen trees. 🌦️ Climatic…
These forests develop in areas of less rainfall and more dry seasons. The temperature is high, but moisture availability is low — hence vegetation adapts accordingly. Dry Tropical Forests are further classified into three types: 1. Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests An unusual case: evergreen trees in a relatively dry climate — a rare forest type…
These forests thrive in regions that are warm and receive abundant rainfall. So think: high temperature + high humidity + high rainfall. This is the ideal combination for dense, luxurious vegetation. They are further divided into four sub-types, based on slight variations in climate and location. 1. Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests (Rainforests) 🌦️ Climatic Conditions…
🌱 What is Natural Vegetation? Imagine a piece of land where plants grow on their own — without any human interference, where nature decides what grows, where, and how. This self-grown plant life is called Natural Vegetation. Now, India is a vast country with mountains, deserts, plains, plateaus, and coasts. Naturally, the vegetation here also…
🧭 Stamp’s Climatic Classification of India (Based on 18°C January Isotherm) 🌡️ Core Idea Stamp used mean January temperature of 18°C to divide India into two broad climatic zones: 🗺️ The 18°C line roughly follows the Tropic of Cancer, passing through central India. 🌍 Temperate / Continental India (North of 18°C January Isotherm) Region Representative…
