Forest Types of India — Set 2

Correct Answer: B. Tropical Moist Deciduous

Tropical Moist Deciduous forests are found in areas receiving 100-200 cm (1000-2000 mm) of annual rainfall. These forests are distributed across peninsular India, parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and northeastern states. Trees in these forests shed leaves during the dry season. Teak, sal, rosewood, and bamboo are prominent species in these forests.

Correct Answer: C. Below 75 cm

Thorn Forests are found in areas receiving annual rainfall below 75 cm (750 mm). These drought-resistant forests are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. The vegetation consists of thorny trees like acacia (babul), euphorbia, and wild date palm. These forests are adapted to semi-arid conditions with sparse, thorny vegetation.

Correct Answer: B. Mizoram

Mizoram has the highest percentage of forest cover relative to its total area, with over 85% of its geographical area under forest cover. This is due to the state's location in the biodiversity-rich northeastern region with high rainfall. Madhya Pradesh has the largest absolute forest area in India. Northeastern states generally have the highest forest cover percentages in India.

Correct Answer: C. Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has the largest absolute forest cover in India, with over 77,000 sq km of recorded forest area. This represents about 25% of the state's geographical area. MP's central location and diverse topography support a wide range of forest types including teak, sal, and bamboo forests. The India State of Forest Report published by FSI tracks these statistics regularly.

Correct Answer: C. Forest

'Van' (वन) is the Hindi/Sanskrit word meaning forest. It is used extensively in Indian forestry terminology and in the names of forest-related organisations like Van Vibhag (Forest Department). The word 'Vana' in Sanskrit similarly means forest or jungle. The ancient concept of Aranya (another word for forest) is also widely used in Indian ecological literature.

Correct Answer: B. Indian Forest Act 1927

Forest land in India is classified under the Indian Forest Act 1927, which divides forests into Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, and Village Forests. Reserved Forests have the highest degree of protection with no rights allowed to local communities. Protected Forests allow some rights to be exercised. The Forest Conservation Act 1980 further restricts diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

Correct Answer: B. Tropical evergreen patch forests in South Indian hills

Shola forests are unique tropical evergreen patch forests found in high-altitude valleys of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills in South India. These forests exist as isolated patches surrounded by grasslands (known as grassland-shola mosaic). Shola forests are critically important watersheds that feed perennial streams in the Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Palani hills. They harbour numerous endemic plant and animal species.

Correct Answer: C. Forest Survey of India

The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) is published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), headquartered in Dehradun. The FSI conducts biennial assessments of India's forest and tree cover using remote sensing and field verification. The report classifies forests as Very Dense Forest, Moderately Dense Forest, and Open Forest based on canopy density. The latest reports show India's total forest and tree cover is about 24-25% of geographic area.

Correct Answer: C. More than 70%

Very Dense Forest in India is defined as forest with canopy cover of more than 70% (over 70 crown density per unit area). The Forest Survey of India uses this classification along with Moderately Dense Forest (40-70%) and Open Forest (10-40%). Forest cover is measured through satellite imagery interpretation. India has approximately 99,000 sq km of Very Dense Forest.

Correct Answer: B. Urban Forests and Green Areas

Urban Forests and Green Areas function as the 'green lung' of cities by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. These include city parks, avenue trees, gardens, and dedicated urban forest patches. Urban forests also help reduce the urban heat island effect, filter air pollutants, and improve mental health of city dwellers. Many Indian cities are developing Urban Forest initiatives under government schemes.