Natural Vegetation of India

Have you noticed different kinds of plants and vegetation when you travel to
different states? Even around your house, you can notice various types of trees
and bushes! Such is the diverse natural vegetation of India. In this chapter, we will
cover some basics about the natural vegetation of India. We will also look at some
interesting classifications and examples of the same.

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What is Natural Vegetation?

Natural vegetation refers to a plant community which has grown naturally without
human aid. They have been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. We call
this virgin vegetation. Thus, cultivated crops and fruits, orchards form part of
vegetation but not natural vegetation. Now, we will look at some of the factors
that impact the vegetation in our country.

The Climate of the Region

Temperature and humidity determine the character and extent of vegetation. The
precipitation and soil also play a major role in determining the degree of
vegetation. Therefore, various places in India have various vegetation patterns.

Photoperiod also affects the vegetation of a place. It is the variation in duration of

sunlight at different places due to differences in latitude, altitude, season and
duration of the day. Hence, depending on the photoperiod, you get different kinds
of vegetation at different places. Now, we will look at the various types of
vegetation.
Types of vegetation
We have the following major types of vegetation in our country:

Tropical Rain Forests

These forests are restricted to heavy rainfall areas of the Western Ghats and the
island groups of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, upper parts of Assam and
Tamil Nadu coast. They are at their best in areas having more than 200 cm of
rainfall with a short dry season. The trees reach great heights up to 60 meters or
even above. Some of the commercially important trees of this forest are ebony,
mahogany, rosewood, rubber and cinchona.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

These are the most widespread forests of India. They are the monsoon forests and
spread over the region receiving rainfall between 200 cm and 70 cm. Trees of this
forest-type shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks in dry summer.

Read about Indian Climate and Vegetation here in detail.

These forests exist, therefore, mostly in the eastern part of the country – north
eastern states, along with the foothills of the Himalayas, Jharkhand, West Orissa
and Chhattisgarh, and on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats. Teak is the
most dominant species of this forest. Bamboos, sal, shisham, sandalwood, khair,
Kusum, Arjun, mulberry are other commercially important species.

The Thorn Forests and Scrubs

In regions with less than 70 cm of rainfall, the natural vegetation of India consists
of thorny trees and bushes. This type of vegetation is found in the north-western
part of the country including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Acacias, palms, euphorbias
and cacti are the main plant species. Trees are scattered and have long roots
penetrating deep into the soil in order to get moisture.

Montane Forests

In mountainous areas, the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude leads to

the corresponding change in natural vegetation of India. You can find the wet
temperate type of forests between a height of 1000 and 2000 metres. Evergreen
broad-leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts predominate. Between 1500 and 3000
meters, you can find the temperate forests containing coniferous trees like pine,
deodar, silver fir, spruce, and cedar.

Mangrove Forests

You can find the mangrove tidal forests in the areas of coasts influenced by tides.
Mud and silt get accumulated on such coasts. Dense mangroves are the common
varieties with roots of the plants submerged under water. You can find these in the
deltas of the Ganga, the Mahanadi, the Krishna, the Godavari and the Kaveri.

Medicinal Plants in India

India is famous for its herbs and spices from ancient times. The World
Conservation Union’s Red list has named 352 medicinal plants of which 52 are
critically threatened and 49 endangered. The commonly used plants in India are:

 Sarpagandha: We can use it to treat blood pressure. It is found only in India.

 Jamun: The juice from ripe fruit helps to prepare vinegar which is carminative
and diuretic, and has digestive properties. The powder of the seed helps in
controlling diabetes.
 Arjun: The fresh juice of leaves is a cure for an earache. It also regulates blood
pressure.
 Babool: People use the leaves to cure eyesores. Its gum is used as a tonic.
 Neem: It has high antibiotic and antibacterial properties.
 Tulsi Plant: It helps to cure a cough and cold.
 Kachnar: This plant helps to cure asthma and ulcers. The buds and roots are
good for digestive problems.

Question For You

Q. Write a note on the montane forests in India.

Ans: In mountainous areas, the decrease in temperature with increasing altitude

leads to the corresponding change in natural vegetation. You can find the wet
temperate type of forests between a height of 1000 and 2000 meters. Evergreen
broad-leaf trees such as oaks and chestnuts predominate. Between 1500 and 3000
meters, you can find the temperate forests containing coniferous trees like pine,
deodar, silver fir, spruce, and cedar.
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