The forests of Northeast India are rich in biodiversity and timber, while the cultural complexity of the region is extraordinary. The Climate, physiography, and soils of Northeast India have provided favorable conditions for the luxuriant growth of natural vegetation.
The northeast region of India supports almost all types of vegetation from cultivated plains to grasslands, meadows, marshes, swamps, scrub forests, tropical forests, temperate forests, and alpine vegetation. In addition, the region also has a number of sacred groves or forests.[1]
Northeast India is a meeting ground of temperate east Himalayan flora, palaeo-arctic flora of the Tibetan highlands, and wet evergreen flora of Southeast Asia and Yunnan, forming a bowl of biodiversity.
Forest is a precious resource given by nature. The forest supplies us with raw materials for the construction of buildings, bridges, ships, railway tracts, boats, etc.
Forest Resources of Northeast Indian States
Northeast India has gained worldwide attention for its
diverse and extensive forest cover. Forests of this region are unique, both in
terms of their structure and species composition.
Arunachal Pradesh occupies a significant place and is a hot
spot for the evolution of flora in Northeast India and for speciation.
The Brahmaputra valley, sandwiched between eastern Himalayan
in the north, and the Garo/Khasi/Jaintia and Mikir/Cachar/Barail hills ranges
in the south, are meeting grounds of the temperate east Himalayan flora and the
wet evergreen and wet deciduous floristic elements.
The Khasi-Jaintia hills function as a corridor of the
Southeast Asia floristic elements into the Indian subcontinent through the
Arakan arc. [2]
The altitudinal variation and rainfall patterns of southwest
and northeast monsoon play a significant role in the development of ecological
niches in this region of India.
Some of the economically very important trees found in
Northeast India is Agaru, sal, neem, Champa, tea, and bamboo.
Agaru or Agar has become a rare plant now. In the older days, people used to prepare thin long sheets out of their wood for writing. (Taher
& Ahmed)
Recorded Forest Areas
(RFAs) in States and UTs
|
Sl. No. |
State/ UT |
Geographical Area (GA) |
RFA (in different
categories) |
Total RFA (2019) |
% of GA |
||
|
RF |
PF |
Unclassed Forests |
|||||
|
1 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
83,743 |
10,589 |
9,779 |
31,039 |
51,407 |
61.39 |
|
2 |
Assam |
78,438 |
17,864 |
0 |
8,968 |
26,832 |
34.21 |
|
3 |
Manipur |
22,327 |
1,467 |
4,171 |
11,780 |
17,418 |
78.01 |
|
4 |
Meghalaya |
22,429 |
1,113 |
12 |
8,371 |
9,496 |
42.34 |
|
5 |
Mizoram |
21,081 |
4,483 |
0 |
1,158 |
5,641 |
26.76 |
|
6 |
Nagaland |
16,579 |
234 |
0 |
8,389 |
8,623 |
52.01 |
|
7 |
Sikkim |
7,096 |
5,452 |
389 |
0 |
5,841 |
82.31 |
|
8 |
Tripura |
10,486 |
4,175 |
2 |
2,117 |
6,294 |
60.02 |
Forest Resources of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is known as the land of the rising sun with
reference to its position as the easternmost state of India.
Situated on the North-Eastern tip of the country, the state
of Arunachal Pradesh is a part of the Eastern Himalayan Ranges located between 260
28’ to 290 30, N latitudes and 910 30’ to 970 30’
E longitudes. Arunachal Pradesh occupies the largest area (83.743 sq. Km) in
the north-eastern region of India and consists of mountainous ranges sloping
to the plains of Assam.
Arunachal Pradesh is a forest-rich State in the Eastern Himalayan region of the country. The State has about 20% species of the country's fauna, about 4,500 species of flowering plants, 400 species of pteridophytes, 23 species of conifers, 35 species of bamboos, 20 species of canes, 52 species of Rhododendron and more than 500 species of orchids.
As per the Champion &
Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968), the forests in Arunachal Pradesh
belong to 11 Type Groups which are further divided into 23 different Forest
Types.
No. of species found in Arunachal Pradesh
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
110 |
|
Shrub |
435 |
|
Herb |
192 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Arunachal Prades
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest Cover |
|
1B/C1 Assam Valley
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest (Dipterocarpus) |
2.13 |
|
1B/C2a Kayea Forest |
0.36 |
|
1/2S1 Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub |
0.20 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
3.70 |
|
2B/C1a Assam
Alluvial Plains Semi-Evergreen Forest |
4.84 |
|
2B/1S1 Sub-Himalayan
Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen Forest |
6.60 |
|
2B/2S2 Eastern
Alluvial Secondary Semi-Evergreen Forest |
3.44 |
|
2B/C1b Eastern
Sub-Montane Semi-Evergreen Forest |
3.32 |
|
3/1S2b
Terminalia-Duabanga Forest |
1.24 |
|
3C/C3/2S2 (Secondary
Euphorbiaceous Scrub) |
0.00 |
|
8B/C1 East Himalayan
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
24.35 |
|
8B/C2 Khasi
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
0.04 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Sub-Tropical Pine Forest |
0.59 |
|
9/C2/DS1 Assam
Subtropical Pine Savannah |
0.08 |
|
11B/C1 East
Himalayan Wet Temperate Forest |
22.92 |
|
12/C1f Low-Level
Blue Pine Forest (P. wallichiana) |
0.71 |
|
12/C3a East
Himalayan Mixed Coniferous Forest |
1.95 |
|
12/DS3 Himalayan
Temperate Pastures |
0.22 |
|
13/C6 Eastern
Himalayan Dry Temperate Coniferous Forest |
2.19 |
|
14/C2 East Himalayan
Sub-Alpine Birch/Fir Forest |
13.46 |
|
15/C1
Birch/Rhododendron Scrub Forest |
0.21 |
|
15/C3 (Alpine
Pastures) |
6.73 |
|
16/C1 Dry Alpine
Scrub |
0.63 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
0.09 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Assam
Assam the second largest State in North Eastern India, is
situated south of the Eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak river
valleys.
The State has a geographical area of 78,438 sq km, which is
2.39% of the geographical area of the country.
The State has a subtropical climate and the annual rainfall
ranges between 1,500 mm to 3,800 mm the annual temperature varies from 5°C
to 32°C. The Brahmaputra is a major river draining the State.
Assam is the land of enchanting aesthetic beauty with lush
green hills, pastures, tea gardens, river plains, and wilderness. Running and
cascading through the entire length and breadth of the State are mighty rivers;
the Brahmaputra in the north and the Barak in the south, which along with their
tributaries nourish a wide range of precious flora and fauna in the State.
As per the Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types
(1968), the forests of Assam belong to seven Forest Type Groups further divided
into 25 different Forest Types.
Assam can boast of possessing a host of endangered and rare
mammals, avian and amphibian species. These include pigmy hog, hispid hare,
white-winged wood duck, and great Indian hornbill among many others.
The recorded forest area of Assam is 26,832 sq km accounting
for 34.21% of its geographical area. According to their legal status, Reserved
Forests constitute 66.58% and Unclassed Forests 33.42% of the total forest
area.
The protected area network of Assam includes 5 National Parks
and 18 wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of 0.40 million ha constituting
4.98% of the geographical area. The state has three Tiger Reserves, namely
Kaziranga, Manas, and Nameri. Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife
Sanctuary are on the list of World Heritage sites.
Forest-type mapping using satellite data has been undertaken
by the Forest Survey of India with reference to the Champion and Seth
Classification. As per this assessment, the state has 18 forest types belonging
to five forest type groups viz Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical Semi-Evergreen,
Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous, and Sub Tropical Pine Forests.
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
143 |
|
Shrub |
149 |
|
Herb |
153 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Assam
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest cover |
|
1B/C1 Assam Valley
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest (Dipterocarpus) |
3.56 |
|
1B/C3 Cachar
Tropical Evergreen Forest |
3.11 |
|
1B/C2a Kayea Forest |
0.76 |
|
1B/C2b Mesua Forest |
0.02 |
|
2B/C2 Cachar
Semi-Evergreen Forest |
37.75 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
1.60 |
|
2B/C1a Assam
Alluvial Plains Semi-Evergreen Forest |
3.01 |
|
2B/1S1 Sub-Himalayan
Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen Forest |
1.25 |
|
2B/2S2 Eastern
Alluvial Secondary Semi-Evergreen Forest |
1.23 |
|
2B/2S1 (Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub) |
0.28 |
|
2B/1S2 Syzygium Parkland |
0.07 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
17.92 |
|
3C/C2d(iv) App.
Kamrup Sal |
2.71 |
|
3C/C1b(I) East
Himalayan Upper Bhabar Sal |
2.37 |
|
3C/2S1 Northern
Secondary Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
1.93 |
|
3C/1S1 Low Alluvial
Savannah Woodland (Salmalia albizzia) |
0.05 |
|
3C/C1a(ii) Khasi
Hill Sal |
0.12 |
|
3/1S2a
Terminalia-Lagerstroemia |
0.01 |
|
4D/SS1 Eastern
Seasonal Swamp Forest |
0.01 |
|
4C/FS3 Creeper Swamp
Forest |
0.00 |
|
4D/2S1 (Syzygium
Parkland) |
0.00 |
|
4D/2S2 Eastern Wet
Alluvial Grassland |
0.53 |
|
5/1S2 Khair-Sissu
Forest |
0.08 |
|
8B/DS1 (Assam
Subtropical Hill Savannah Woodland) |
0.04 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Sub-Tropical Pine Forest |
0.41 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
21.18 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Manipur
Manipur, a hilly State in northeastern India, lies between
latitude 23°50' N to 25°42'N and longitude 92°59' E to 94°46' E, sharing an international border with Myanmar on the eastern side.
It's covering an area of 22,327 sq km, which constitutes 0.68%
of the geographical area of the country.
Physiographically, Manipur can be characterized by two
distinct physical regions – an outlying area of rugged hills and narrow valleys
and the inner area of a flat plain, with associated landforms.
Manipur has a tropical climate with average annual rainfall
ranging from 1,200 mm to 2,700mm and the average annual temperature ranges
from 14.5°C to 38°C.
The State of Manipur is endowed with rich biodiversity with
much endemic flora and fauna. As per the Champion & Seth Classification of
Forests Types (1968), the forests in Manipur belong to five Forest Type Groups
which are further divided into 11 Forest Types.
Out of 126 species of bamboo reported in India, 53 species
are found in Manipur. Among the trees, Teak, Pine, Oak, Uningthou (Phoebe spp.)
Leihao (Michelia spp.) is the major species.
Forests in Manipur are largely under community and
private ownership. Being a predominantly tribal State lives of rural people
residing in the hills of the State is dependent on forests in the socio-economic and
socio-cultural context. Nearly 1,200 species of medicinal plants are reported
from the State.
Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 17,418 sq km of
which 1,467 sq km is Reserved Forest, 4,171 sq km is Protected Forest and
11,780 sq km is an Unclassified Forest.
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
43 |
|
Shrub |
89 |
|
Herb |
56 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Manipur
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest cover |
|
2B/C2 Cachar
Semi-Evergreen Forest |
15.39 |
|
2B/2S1 (Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub) |
7.49 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
7.47 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
24.48 |
|
4D/2S2 Eastern Wet
Alluvial Grassland |
0.72 |
|
8B/C1 East Himalayan
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
33.69 |
|
8B/C2 Khasi
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
2.37 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Sub-Tropical Pine Forest |
3.54 |
|
9/C2/DS1 Assam
Subtropical Pine Savannah |
0.30 |
|
11B/C1b Buk Oak
Forest |
2.88 |
|
11B/C2 Naga Hill Wet
Temperate Forest |
1.30 |
|
12/DS1 Montane
Bamboo Brakes |
0.06 |
|
Plantation/ TOF |
0.31 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Meghalaya
Situated in the North-Eastern part of the country, Meghalaya
covers an area of 22,429 sq km, which is 0.68% of the geographical area of the
country.
The State lies between 24°58'N to 26°07'N latitude and 89°48'
E to 92°51'E longitude and is bordered by Assam in the north and east and
shares an international boundary with Bangladesh in the south and west.
The State has three distinct regions namely, Garo Hills,
Khasi Hills, and Jaintia hills. It falls in the high rainfall region and the
average annual rainfall is in the range of 4,000 mm to about 11,500 mm.
The wettest place on the earth Mawsynram is located in the
State. The western part of the State is warmer with a mean temperature ranging
between 12°C to 33°C. The central upland is relatively cooler with mean
temperature ranging between 2°C to 24°C.
Meghalaya is a forest-rich State. Being a predominantly
tribal State, the lives of rural people are significantly dependent on forests in
socio-economic and socio-cultural contexts.
Unlike other States, forests in Meghalaya are largely under community and private ownership. Only 1,113 sq km of forests, in Reserved
Forests, Protected Forests, National Parks, and Sanctuaries are under the direct
control of the State Forest Department.
Community and private forests are under the administrative
control of the three Autonomies District Councils viz Khasi Hills, Jaintia
Hills, and Garo Hills. Shifting cultivation is still prevalent in the State.
Deciduous and Evergreen Tropical Forests, Sub-Tropical Semi-Evergreen and Sub-Tropical Pine Forests thrive in the State. The abundance of
vegetation ranging from Temperate, Sub-Tropical, and Tropical types is due
to diverse topography and variation in rainfall.
Two National Parks, four Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 65
Community Reserves constitute the Protected Area network of the State covering
2.22% of its geographical area.
Forests of the State shelters more than 3500 flowering
plants, 352 orchids, 40 bamboo species, and about 800 medicinal plant
resources.
The state is part of the Indo Burma Biodiversity Hotspot of
the world. There are about 40 endemic plant species and 75 Threatened plant
species found in Meghalaya.
Amongst its rare
species are the insect-eating Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana), Wild citrus
(Citrus indica) and Pygmy Lily (Nymphaea tetragona).
The Rhododendron Forest at Shillong Peak is a major attraction for tourists during the blooming period
In Meghalaya, sacred groves represent an age-old tradition of
environmental conservation based on indigenous knowledge, culture and religious
beliefs. Sacred Groves originated in Meghalaya since time immemorial much
before the advent of Christianity.
Sacred Groves are the tracts of virgin forests that are left
untouched by the local inhabitants and are protected by the local people due to
their culture and religious beliefs. Sacred groves are relic vegetation of once-dominant flora.
They are repositories of our rich biodiversity; they are also
the last bastion where the rich culture and the customs of the indigenous
people are still preserved.
They are a unique feature of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. They are
among the few least disturbed forest patches which are serving as the natural
treasure house of biodiversity and a refuge for a large number of endemic,
endangered and rare taxa. A baseline floristic survey revealed the presence of
at least 514 species representing 340 genera and 131 families in these sacred groves.
Sacred groves in Meghalaya are now increasingly coming under
threat as the tribal way of life changes. The area under sacred groves is also
shrinking and quite a few have been turned into degraded forests. The erosion
of traditional values and deterioration of sacred groves in recent times is,
however, a matter of concern.
No. of species found in Meghalaya
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
93 |
|
Shrub |
176 |
|
Herb |
42 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Meghalaya
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest cover |
|
1B/C3 Cachar
Tropical Evergreen Forest |
8.52 |
|
1/2S1 Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub |
2.95 |
|
2B/C1a Assam
Alluvial Plains Semi-Evergreen Forest |
0.72 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
2.13 |
|
3C/C1a (ii) Khasi
hill Sal |
6.81 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
47.73 |
|
8B/C2 Khasi
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
20.43 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Sub-Tropical Pine Forest |
6.99 |
|
9/C2/DS1 Assam
sub-tropical pine savannah |
1.30 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
2.42 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources Mizoram
Situated in the North-Eastern part of India, Mizoram covers a geographical
area of 21,081 sq km, which is 0.64% of the geographical area of the country.
The State lies between 21°56'N to 24°31'N latitude and
92°16'E to 93°26'E longitude and shares borders with Tripura in the west, and Assam
and Manipur in the north.
Mizoram also shares international borders with Myanmar in the
east and Bangladesh in the south and west. Physiographically, the State is
comprised of rugged, steep hill ranges and interspersed valleys.
The State has a climate ranging from moist tropical to moist
sub-tropical. The annual rainfall ranges between 2,100 mm to 3,500 mm and the
annual temperature during winter, is 11°C to 24°C and in summer between 18°C to
29°C.
The State has rich flora and fauna including many rare and
endemic species of plants and animals. Amongst all the States, Mizoram has the
highest area under forest cover in terms of percentage of geographical area.
The forests of the State are under three-tier management
viz those owned and controlled by the State, district councils, and village
councils.
Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968),
the forests in Mizoram belong to four Type Groups, which are further divided
into six Forest Types.
Tropical wet-evergreen forests of the State have valuable
species in the top canopy such as Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Artocarpus
chaplasha, Terminalia myriocarpa, Amoora wallichii, Michelia champaca, Mesua
ferrea, etc. Bamboos occur abundantly in the middle and lower stories in the
evergreen forest type, Canes are also present in this type of forest. 27
species of bamboo are reported from the State.
The eastern fringes of the State bordering the Chin Hills of
Myanmar are higher in elevation and fall under Montane subtropical pine
forests. This area is relatively cooler and experiences less annual precipitation.
The common species of montane sub-tropical pine forests
include Pinus kesiya, Quercus spp, Castanopsis spp, Schima wallichii,
Rhododendron arboreum, Rhus semialata etc.
Mizoram is one of the leading producers of bamboo in India
supplying 14% of the country's commercial bamboo.
The recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 5,641 sq km of
which 4,483 sq km is a Reserved Forest and 1,158 sq km is an Unclassed Forest.
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
87 |
|
Shrub |
96 |
|
Herb |
56 |
Percentage area under
different forest types of Mizoram
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest cover |
|
2B/2S1 Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub |
0.44 |
|
2B/C2 Cachar
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest |
30.70 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
37.42 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
30.79 |
|
8B/C1 East Himalayan
Subtropical Wet Hill Forest |
0.04 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Subtropical Pine Forests |
0.61 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Nagaland
Nagaland is a North Eastern State covering an area of 16,579
sq km which constitutes 0.50% of the geographical area of the country.
The state lies between 250 10' N to 270
4' N longitude and 930 15' E to 950 6' E longitude and is
bordered by Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the north, and Manipur in the south.
It shares the international border in the east with Myanmar.
Physiographically, Nagaland consists of a narrow strip of the hilly country running northeast to Southwest and facing the Assam plains to its
North and Northwest.
The State is drained by a number of important rivers, of
which the Barak River is the major river. The annual rainfall ranges between 1,800
mm to 2,500 mm and the annual temperature varies from 21°C to 40°C.
Nagaland is a small State, it has been endowed with a wide
variety of forest types on account of its unique geographic location and wide
range of physiographic terrain.
As per the Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types
(1968), the forests in Nagaland belong to seven Type Groups, which are further
divided into 10 Forest Types.
The forest area in Nagaland is limited and therefore the
department has purchased land from private owners for Biodiversity Conservation
and taking up plantations.
The total land purchased by the department is approximately
192.47 sq km. Forests in Nagaland are largely under the community and private
forests.
The Forest Department owns only certain areas classified as
Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National parks,
Nurseries & Botanical Gardens.
The State has started a 'Joint Forest Management' program to
elicit active participation of villagers in the creation, management, and protection
of plantations.
The recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 8,623 sq km of
which 234 sq km is a Reserved Forest and 8,389 sq km is an Unclassed Forest.
One National Park, three Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 57
Community Reserves constitute the Protected Area network of the State covering
5.19% of its geographical area.
Dipterocarpousmacrocarpous (Hollong), Shoreaassamica (Makai)
,Rodhodendron Spp. , Mesuaferra (Nahar), are rare and endangered spp.
Panaxgensing (Gensing) is found only in Tuensang district at higher altitudes.
It is endangered. Aquilariaagallocha (Agar)is also an
endangered species. Rare and Endangered species of Orchids available in
Nagaland are as follows, Thunia 1 spp, Arundinariagraminifolia (Bamboo orchid),
Renenthera (Red vanda), ,Rhynchostylis (fox tail), Pleoni, Phauis (ground
orchid) 2 spp, Paphiopedilum 1 spp, Cymbidium tigrinum 1 spp. The Govt. is
taking measures for the propagation of conservation and protection of this spp.
through different afforestation schemes.
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
56 |
|
Shrub |
137 |
|
Herb |
133 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Nagaland
|
Forest Type |
%
of Forest cover |
|
1B/C1 Assam Valley
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest (Dipterocarpus) |
0.61 |
|
1/2S1 Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub |
4.30 |
|
2B/2S2 Eastern
Alluvial Secondary Semi-Evergreen Forest |
17.55 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
5.09 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
38.44 |
|
8B/C2 Khasi
Sub-Tropical Wet Hill Forest |
16.09 |
|
9/C2 Assam
Sub-Tropical Pine Forest |
5.84 |
|
9/C2/DS1 Assam
Subtropical Pine Savannah |
0.17 |
|
11B/C2 Naga Hill Wet
Temperate Forest |
11.32 |
|
12/DS1 Montane
Bamboo Brakes |
0.07 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
0.52 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Sikkim
Sikkim is Situated in the North-Eastern part of the country, the
State covers an area of 7,096 sq km, which is 0.22% of the geographical area of
the country.
The State lies between 27°04'N to 28°07'N latitude and
88°00'E to 88°55'E longitude and shares an international border with Nepal in
the west, Bhutan in the east and China in the north. On the southern side lies
the State of West Bengal.
It is a mountainous State with wide variation in altitudes
ranging from 300 m to 8,586 meters. Kangchenjunga, the highest Indian peak and the third highest mountain in the world is located in the State. The climate of the
State varies from subtropical to tundra.
The annual rainfall ranges between 2,700 mm to 3,200 mm and
the annual temperature varies from sub-zero during winter to 28°C during
summer.
Sikkim is a forest-rich State and vegetation is marked by
clear altitudinal zonation. As per the Champion & Seth Classification of
Forest Type (1968), the forests in Sikkim belong to six Forest Type Groups
which are further divided into 11 Forest Types.
Being a predominantly tribal and hilly State, the lives of
the rural people are largely dependent on forests. The State of Sikkim with
only 0.22% of the geographical area of the country harbors around one-third of
the flowering plants of India.
The flagship 'State Green Mission' program started with an avenue plantation for beautification and has transformed into a mass movement.
The State is endowed with rich floral and faunal diversity.
Species-wise, the State harbors over 4500 flowering plants, 550 Orchids, 36
Rhododendrons, 16 Conifers, 28 Bamboos, 362 Ferns and their allies, 9 Tree Ferns,
30 Primulas, 11 Oaks, over 424 Medicinal plants,
No. of species found in Sikkim
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
59 |
|
Shrub |
35 |
|
Herb |
29 |
Percentage area under different forest types of Sikkim
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest cover |
|
3C/C1a(I) East
Himalayan sal |
1.85 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed deciduous forest |
5.19 |
|
8B/C1 East Himalayan
Sub-tropical wet hill forest |
23.89 |
|
11B/C1b Buk Oak
Forest |
23.04 |
|
12/C3a East
Himalayan Mixed Coniferous forest |
5.90 |
|
12/DS1 Montane
bamboo Brakes |
0.19 |
|
14/C2 East Himalayan
Sub-alpine birch/fir forest |
24.01 |
|
15/C1 Birch/
Rhododendron scrub |
3.36 |
|
15/C3 (Alpine
pastures) |
3.91 |
|
15/E1 Dwarf
Rhododendron Scrub |
0.30 |
|
15/E2 (Dwarf Juniper
scrub) |
4.96 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
3.40 |
|
Total |
100.00 |
Forest Resources of Tripura
Tripura is located in the North-Eastern region of the country
and has an area of 10,486 sq km which is 0.32% of the geographical area of the
country.
The State lies between 22 57' N to 24 32 N latitude and 91 o
10' E to 92 20' E longitude and is surrounded by Bangladesh on its north, south
and west and shares borders with Assam and Mizoram on the east.
Tripura has a Humid Climate and the annual rainfall ranges
between 2,250 mm to 2,500 mm and the annual temperature varies from 7°C to
36°C.
Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968),
the forests in Tripura belong to two Forest Type Groups which are further
divided into five Forest Types.
The forests in the State are mainly tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous. A sizeable area is covered with bamboo brakes
which virtually form a sub-climax resulting from shifting cultivation.
Bamboo plays a very vital role in the economy of the State.
The State has taken the special initiative in the involvement of people in the management
of forests in territorial Divisions and Wildlife Sanctuaries through the formation
of 'Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Eco-Development Committees
(EDCs) respectively.
The recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 6,249 sq km of
which 4,175 sq km is a Reserved Forest, 2 sq km is a Protected Forest and 2,117 sq
km is an Unclassed Forest.
The Forest Cover in the State is 7,725.59 sq km which is
73.68 % of the State's geographical area.
In terms of forest canopy density classes, the State has
653.51 sq km under Very Dense Forest (VDF), 5,236.19 sq km under Moderately
Dense Forest (MDF) and 1,835.89 sq km under Open Forest (OF).
|
Plant Type |
Number of Species |
|
Tree |
89 |
|
Shrub |
37 |
|
Herb |
22 |
Percentage Area under different forest types of Tripura
|
Forest Type |
% of Forest Cover |
|
2B/C2 Cachar
Semi-Evergreen Forest |
24.47 |
|
2B/2S1 (Pioneer
Euphorbiaceous Scrub) |
0.01 |
|
2/2S1 Secondary
Moist Bamboo Brakes |
7.55 |
|
3C/C1b(ii) East
Himalayan Lower Bhabar Sal |
2.57 |
|
3C/C3b East
Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest |
39.89 |
|
Plantation/TOF |
22.51 |