Previous Year Question

Among the forest types given in the options, tropical moist deciduous forests occupy the largest area in India. They are also known as moist monsoon forests.

Forest types are identified on the basis of climate, rainfall, altitude, soil and dominant tree species. This classification should be distinguished from administrative forest area or satellite-based categories of dense and open forest cover.

Climatic characteristics

• These forests generally develop in regions receiving approximately 100–200 cm of annual rainfall.

• Most of the rainfall is received during the monsoon season.

• A distinct dry season occurs during part of the year.

• To reduce water loss, trees may shed their leaves for about six to eight weeks during the summer dry period.

They are less dense than tropical wet evergreen forests, making commercially useful tree species comparatively more accessible.

Distribution in India

Tropical moist deciduous forests mainly occur in:

• the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats;

• Jharkhand and the Chota Nagpur Plateau;

• Odisha and Chhattisgarh;

• eastern Madhya Pradesh;

• the Himalayan foothills; and

• parts of West Bengal and northeastern India.

Important tree species

• Sal: Dominant in many moist deciduous forests of northern, eastern and central India.

• Teak: Dominant in several forests of central and Peninsular India.

• Other associated species include shisham, mahua, bamboo, arjun, bija, semal, kusum and sandalwood.

Why are the other options incorrect?

• (a) Montane Wet Temperate forest: These forests are restricted to the Himalayan region and the higher mountain belts of southern India. Oak, chestnut, magnolia and certain conifers are characteristic components.

• (b) Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen forest: This forest type has a very limited distribution and occurs in relatively small patches, mainly in the northwestern subtropical hill region.

• (d) Tropical Wet Evergreen forest: These generally require more than 200 cm of rainfall and a very short or absent dry season. They are restricted to high-rainfall parts of the Western Ghats, northeastern India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Examination point

The question compares the four forest types supplied in the options. Tropical dry deciduous forests are also extremely extensive in India, but they are not one of the options. Among the listed types, tropical moist deciduous forest occupies the largest area.