UPSC NCERT Notes - Geography - Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation is a plant community that grows naturally over a period of time without human interruption. In India, we found a diverse variety of natural vegetation due to varied climatic and geographical conditions.

Table of Contents

Natural Vegetation in India

Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has been left undisturbed over a long period of time. The natural vegetation includes tall trees, shrubs, grasses, bushes, and flowering plants which live in association with one another in a given area.
One of the basic differences between vegetation and forest is that the forest broadly includes the entire vegetation (natural/ unnatural), wildlife, and surrounding environment and it has economic importance for us.
There is a close relationship between the height of the land and the characteristics of the vegetation. The climate varies with the change in altitude, due to which the nature of the natural vegetation changes.
With around 47,000 plant species, India ranks 10th worldwide and 4th in Asia regarding plant variety. India is home to about 15,000 flowering plants or 6% of all flowering plants worldwide.
Himalayan heights are marked with temperate vegetation, the Western Ghats and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have tropical rainforests, the deltaic regions have tropical forests and mangroves, the desert and semi-desert areas of Rajasthan are known for Cacti, a wide variety of bushes and thorny vegetation.
India is home to different types of natural vegetation, ranging from tropical forests to tundra vegetation owing to the different relief features and soils found here.

Factors Affecting Natural Vegetation

The factors affecting natural vegetation are as follows

Land The slope of the land plays an important role in determining natural vegetation.
Fertile lands are Soil the threadless of soils and different types of soil affect natural vegetation. Mangroves and deltaic are used for agriculture.
Climate Temperature and rainfall are two major climatic components that influence vegetation. vegetation is found on marshy soils.
Trees are scarce if there is not much rainfall during the warm growing season.

Vegetation Regions and Their Areas

Vegetation Region	Annual Rainfall	Areas	Growth of Vegetation
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests	Above 250 cm	Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar islands, North-Eastern region	Trees do not shed their leaves and are in the form of three to four storeys
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests	200-250 cm	Western coast, Assam, lower slopes of Himalayas, Andaman	Evergreen trees mixed with deciduous, closed canopy of shrubs, and grasses
Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests	100-125 cm	Tamil Nadu coast, Eastern slopes of Western Ghats, North-Eastern part of the peninsula, foothills of the Himalayas in Shiwaliks, Bhabar, Terai	A wide and irregular area running North-South from foothills of Himalayas to Cape, 50-75 cm rainfall
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests	100-150 cm	Eastern Rajasthan, East and North Punjab, North Gujarat, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka	Deciduous with low thorny trees, reaching hardly the height of 10 m, with a light canopy
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests	70-100 cm	Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka	Trees shedding their leaves during spring and early summer, gregarious species, average height between 30-40 m
Tropical Thorny Forests	Less than 60 cm	Western parts of Rajasthan	Gregarious species, with trees attaining an average height between 30-40 m, deciduous with low thorny trees
Savanna Vegetation	Annual rainfall varies	Central and Western India, Ganga, Thickest at some places in Western Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri delta	Small trees and grasses
Desert Vegetation	10-50 cm	Rajasthan, parts of Gujarat	Cactus and thorny bushes
Tidal Swamp Forests	40-200 cm	Coastal areas along Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri delta	Mixed forests of broad-leaved and conifers, saltwater mixed with freshwater, stilt-like roots and numerous climbers
Montane Sub-tropical Forests	75-125 cm	Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas	Montane sub-tropical forests occur above 1000 m, mixed forests of broad-leaved and conifers

Vegetation	Region	Rainfall	Areas	Growth of Vegetation	Trees and Forests
Montane Temperate Forests	Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas	Above 1830 m, Above 1500 m	Nilgiri, Palni hills, Higher parts of Western Ghats	Luxurious forests of evergreen species	Deodar, Indian Chestnut, Magnolia, Blue Pine, Oaks, Hemlock
Sub-tropical Broad Leaved Hill Forests	Eastern Himalayas, Nilgiri, Palni hills	75 – 125 cm	Eastern Himalayas, Nilgiri, Palni hills	Form luxurious forests of evergreen species	Oaks, Chestnuts, Sals, Pines
Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forests	Bhabar region, Shiwaliks, Western Himalayas	50-100 cm	Bhabar region, Shiwaliks, Western Himalayas up to 1000 m altitude	Olive, Acacia, Modesta, Pistaca
Temperate Forests	Eastern Himalayas	150-300 cm	Eastern Himalayas	Composed mainly of coniferous species like Spruce	Deodar, Chilauni, Indian Chestnut, Birch, Blue Pine
Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests	Temperate zone of Himalayas	150-250 cm	Between 1500-3300 m in the Himalayas	Mainly composed of coniferous species like Pines, Cedars, Silver Firs	Pines, Cedars, Silver Firs, Spruce, etc
Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests	Inner dry regions of Himalayas	Low annual rainfall	Inner dry regions of the Himalayas	Mainly xerophytic shrubs	Chilgoza, Oak, Olive, Deodar
Alpine Forests	Eastern and Western Himalayas	Varies	Between 2900-3650 m in Eastern and Western Himalayas, Alpine meadows in Uttarakhand	Close vegetation with or without conifers, Grassland vegetation	Spruce, Fir, Birch, Junipers, Rhododendron

Forest

A forest is a large geographical area dominated by trees, animals of various species, aquatic biomes, and micro-organisms. Forests provide us with shelter, livelihoods, water, food, and fuel security.

Forest Based on Administrative

Based on administration, forests in India are classified as

Reserved Forests These forests are under the direct supervision of the government, where no public entry is allowed for collecting timber and grazing of cattle. They are 53% of the total forest area in India.
Protected Forests These forests are looked after by the governments, but the local public are allowed to collect timber/firewood and graze their cattle without causing serious damage to the forests. They are 29% of the total forest area in India.
Unclassified Forests These are unclassified forests, where there is no restriction on cutting trees or grazing animals. They are 18% of the total forests in India.

Forest Based on Constitutional Division

Based on constitutional division, forests in India are classified as

State Forests These are under the full control of the government (State/Central) and include almost all the important forest areas of the country. They are about 93.8% of the total forest area in India
Communal Forests: These forests, constituting approximately 4.9% of India’s total forest area, are owned and administered by local bodies such as Municipal Corporations, Municipal Boards, Town Areas, District Boards, and Village Panchayats.
Private Forests: Under private ownership, these forests are undergoing rapid conversion into wastelands. Odisha boasts the highest private forest area in the country, accounting for nearly 1.3% of the total forest area in India.

Forests Based on Commercial Aspects:

Merchantable Forests: Covering about 82% of the country’s forest area, these accessible forests facilitate easy movement.
Non-Merchantable Forests: Situated in higher mountain regions, constituting around 18% of the country’s forest area.

Forests Based on Structure:

Conifer Forests: These temperate forests cover 6.5% of the country’s forest area.
Broad-Leaf Forests: Encompassing tropical and temperate monsoon forests, 94% of the country’s forest area falls under this category. These forests are predominantly found in plain, plateau, and mountainous regions.
Forest Based on Exploitability: Approximately 58% of the country’s forest area falls under this category, consisting mostly of reserved forests intended for future use.

Government Initiatives for Forest Conservation:

National Forest Policy, 1952: Introduced as the first national forest policy, it aimed to expand forest cover to 1/3rd of the entire Indian landmass. The new National Forest Policy, of 2020, focuses on increasing forest cover from the present 6% to 25% by 2030.
Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF): Enacted in 2016, the CAF Act manages funds collected for compensatory afforestation. 90% of CAF money goes to states, and 10% is retained by the center.
National Bamboo Mission: Aiming to increase bamboo plantations in non-forest land, this mission contributes to farm income, climate change resilience, and raw material availability for industries. Implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, it seeks to double farmers’ income and benefit the rural economy.

Forest Conservation Act, 1980

The Forest Conservation Act of 1980, enacted by the Parliament of India, ensures the preservation of forests and their resources. It addresses deforestation by prohibiting the indiscriminate felling of trees for non-forestry purposes without prior clearance from the Central Government.

Chipko Movement

The Chipko Movement, a non-violent agitation in 1973, aimed to protect and conserve trees. Originating in Uttar Pradesh’s Chamoli district (now in Uttarakhand), the movement quickly spread to other states in North India. Villagers, symbolizing the movement’s name “embrace,” hugged trees to prevent them from being felled.

India State of Forest Report, 2021

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2021 reveals an increase of 261 sq km in India’s forest and tree cover compared to the previous assessment in 2019. Mangrove cover has grown to 4992 sq km, witnessing a 17 sq km increase. Aligned with the National Forest Policy, of 1988, India aims to maintain one-third of the country’s total area under forest and tree cover. Madhya Pradesh leads in forest cover, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

Social Forestry

In social forestry, communities, and the government collaborate to grow forests for environmental, societal, and rural development.
Tree plantation on barren land is a key aspect of social forestry, addressing environmental, social, and rural development goals. Coined by the National Commission on Agriculture in 1976, social forestry aims to alleviate the strain on forests.

Types of Social Forestry

Agro-Forestry: Combining trees and farming for sustainable agricultural practices, addressing climate issues, and increasing farmers’ income.
Community Agro-Forestry: Forestation on common public barren land, growing Khejri trees for fodder, fuel, and medicine. Aims to involve landless people in forestry for mutual benefits.
Urban Forestry: Managing trees and forest resources in urban communities for physiological, sociological, economic, and aesthetic benefits. Cities like Gandhinagar and Chandigarh lead in per capita urban greenery in India.

Farm Forestry

Under farm forestry, farmers grow trees for commercial and non-commercial purposes on their lands.
In farm forestry, tree plantation and management is purely on private lands.
Individual farmers are encouraged to plant trees on their farmland to meet the domestic needs of the family

Forest Survey of India (FSI)

Forest Survey of India (FSI) is a Government of Indian Organisation under the Ministry of Environment and Forests established on 1st June, 1981. Its main task is to undertake a survey and assessment of the forest resources of the country regularly.
The organization’s precursor was the Pre-Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR), a project that started in 1965, with aid from UNDP and FAO.

Prelims Facts

Where are evergreen forests found in India? Western Ghats (UPPSC (Pre) 2015]
Presence of Tropical rainforest in India is in – Assam and Kerala [JPSC (Mains) 2016]
In which forest of India, the Teak is a dominant tree species? – Tropical moist deciduous forests [UPPSC (Pre) 2007
In India which type of forest among the types of forest occupies the largest area? -Tropical moist deciduous forest [IAS (Pre) 2010]
Which state of India has the largest area of Teak forest? – Madhya Pradesh (MPPSC (Pre) 2021]
Which type of tree is found at the highest altitude above sea level? -Pine (UPPSC (Pre) 2007]
Forests of which state of India are classified as semi-tropical? – Madhya Pradesh [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2003]
Which state of India is covered with dense deciduous forests? – Madhya Pradesh (BPSC (Pre) 2019]
Which district is surrounded by the densest deciduous forest area? – West Champaran (BPSC (Pre) 2014]
Lisa, an important non-primitive forest produce obtained from – Pine (UKPSC (Mains) 2002)
Major resources of the Western Himalayan region is -Forest (RAS/RTS (Pre) 2010]
Mangrove (Tidal Forest) vegetation is mainly found in dia in – Sundarbans (CGPSC (Pre) 2012
Which Indian state has the maximum percentage of mangrove cover in the country? West Bengal [Odisha PSC (Pre) 2016]
Which regions of India has a combination of mangrove forests, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? – Andaman and Nicobar Islands [IAS (Pre) 2015]
What is the scientific name of the ‘Flame of the Forest’? Butea Monosperma (Palash) Tree [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2010)
Which forest (territorial) circle is the largest in the Chhattisgarh – Bilaspur forest circle [CGPSC (Pre) 2021)
Tidal forests of the Ganga -Brahmaputra delta mainly consist of – Hardwood Palms (Tripura PSC (Pre) 2017)
What is the minimum land area recommended for forest to cover to maintain proper ecological balance in India? -33% (JPSC (Pre) 2021)
What percentage of the total forest area of MP, Teak trees are found? -About 20% (MPPSC (Pre) 2021]
As per ‘India State of Forest Report 2021’ which state has registered the maximum increase in forest cover? – Andhra Pradesh (UPPSC (Pre) 2022)

UPSC NCERT Practice Questions

1. Where among the following are evergreen forests UPPSC (Pre) 2015

(a) Malwa plateau

(b) Eastern Ghats

(d) Chota Nagpur plateau

2. In which of the following ecosystems, the organic matter of plants is maximum? UPPSC (Pre) 2017

(a) Tropical Deciduous Forest

(b) Tropical Rainforest

(d) Desert Shrubs

3. Where is sandalwood commonly found?

(a) Tropical Evergreen Forest

(b) Tropical Scrub Land Areas

(d) Tropical Deciduous Forests

4. Which state of India has the largest area of teak forest? MPPSC (Pre) 2021

(a) Jharkhand

(b) Andhra Pradesh

(d) Madhya Pradesh

5. Which of the following districts is surrounded by the densest deciduous forest area? BPSC (Pre) 2014

(a) West Champaran

(b) Gaya

(d) Nawada

6. Spruce and Cedar are varieties of tree species, found in which forests? UPPSC (Pre) 2017

(a) Equatorial Forests

b) Temperate Coniferous Forests

(d) Monsoon Forests

7. Which one of the following trees is pre-dominant in the temperate belt of the Western Himalayas?

(a) Pine

(b) Cedar

(d) Blue Pine

8. Which one of the following is not essentially a species of the Himalayan vegetation? IAS (Pre) 2008

(a) Juniper

(b) Mahogany

(d) Spruce

9. Which of the following Indian States/Union Territories has the maximum percentage of mangrove cover in the country? Odisha PSC (Pre) 2016

(a) Gujarat

(b) West Bengal

(d) Odisha

10. With the point of view of availability, which of the following forest (territorial) circles is the largest in Chhattisgarh? CGPSC (Pre) 2021.

(a) Bilaspur Forest Circle

(b) Sarguja Forest Circle

(d) Raipur Forest Circle

11. Among the following states, which has the highest forest density in India? JPSC (Pre) 2022

(a) Mizoram

(b Assam

(d) Nagaland

12. As per the Indian State of Forest Report 2021 which of the following states has registered the maximum increase in the forest cover during the last two years? UPPSC (Pre) 2022

(a) Andhra Pradesh

(b) Telangana

(d) Kerala

13. What is the minimum land area recommended for forest cover to maintain proper ecological balance in India? JPSC (Pre) 2021

(a) 30%

(b) 33%

(d) 27%

14. Consider the following trees IAS (Pre) 2023

1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)

3. Teak (Tectona grandis)

How many of the above are deciduous trees?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) None

15. Consider the following statements with reference to Uttar Pradesh IAS (Pre) 2023

1. forests constitute about 12.8% of the total geographical area of the state.

2. the districts of Jaipur, Ghazipur and Ballia have no forest land.

Select the correct answer from the code given below

(a) Only 2

(b) Neither 1 nor 2

(d) Both 1 and 2

Know Right Answer

1 (C)

2 (b)

3 (b)

4 (d)

5 (a)

6 (a)

7 (b)

8 (b)

9 (b)

10 (a)

11 (a)

12 (d)

13 (a)

14 (a)

15 (a)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the importance of studying natural vegetation in the context of UPSC preparation?

A1: Studying natural vegetation is crucial for UPSC preparation as it provides insights into the geographical and ecological aspects of different regions. Understanding the types of vegetation helps in comprehending the climate, soil, and topography of an area, which is essential for answering questions related to environmental issues, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

Q2: How can UPSC NCERT notes on natural vegetation assist in grasping geographical concepts?

A2: UPSC NCERT notes on natural vegetation provide concise and well-structured information on the distribution, characteristics, and ecological significance of different types of vegetation. These notes serve as a valuable resource for grasping geographical concepts, helping aspirants build a strong foundation in understanding the correlation between natural vegetation and various geographical factors.

Q3: How does knowledge of natural vegetation contribute to answering questions on environmental challenges in the UPSC exam?

A3: An in-depth understanding of natural vegetation equips UPSC aspirants to address questions related to environmental challenges. Knowledge about the impact of human activities on different types of vegetation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss allows candidates to formulate informed responses on environmental issues, making their answers more comprehensive and analytical.

Q4: How can UPSC NCERT notes aid in preparing for questions on the conservation of natural vegetation?

A4: UPSC NCERT notes provide insights into conservation strategies and efforts related to natural vegetation. By studying these notes, aspirants can gain knowledge about national and international initiatives, policies, and measures aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices. This information is valuable for answering questions on conservation in the UPSC exam.

Q5: In what ways can the study of natural vegetation in UPSC NCERT note enhance the preparation for geography optional subjects?

A5: For candidates opting for geography as their optional subject, a thorough understanding of natural vegetation is essential. UPSC NCERT notes cover fundamental concepts, classifications, and patterns of natural vegetation, serving as a comprehensive guide for the geography optional syllabus. This knowledge contributes to a holistic preparation, enabling aspirants to excel in the geography section of the UPSC examination.

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UPSC NCERT Notes – Geography – Natural Vegetation