Tropical Evergreen Forests in India, Map, Types, Characteristics

Tropical Evergreen Forests

The tropical evergreen forest in India is essential to the wildlife ecosystem, which is known for providing natural habitat to many species of birds, animals, and insects, particularly endangered species such as owls, hawks, cardinals, and mammals such as possums, racoons, deer, and others. There are also several trees and medicinal herbs found only in the tropical evergreen forest.

The tropical evergreen forests of India can be found along the western Ghats, the greater Assam region in the northeast, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the peninsular Indian coastline. The tropical evergreen forests of India, their characteristics, the animal and plant species found in these forests, and their geographical location are all discussed below.

What is Tropical Evergreen Forest?

Tropical in India, evergreen forests dominate the natural vegetation. They thrive in areas with more than 200 cm of rainfall. Evergreen forests are critical not only for promoting greenery on the planet but also for the survival of animals and plants in the forest ecosystem. Because there is no drought, the trees are evergreen. They’re mostly tall and made of hardwood.

Characteristics of Tropical Evergreen Forest

Tropical evergreen forests are characterized by the following:

• High Rainfall: Tropical evergreen forests receive an average of 2000 mm of rainfall per year. This high rainfall allows the trees to grow tall and lush.
• Dense Vegetation: Tropical evergreen forests are very dense, with trees growing close together and creating a canopy that blocks out most of the sunlight. This creates a humid and shady environment.
• Wide Variety of Plant and Animal Life: Tropical evergreen forests are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns, mosses, insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
• Multi-layered Structure: Tropical evergreen forests are typically multi-layered, with different types of plants and animals occupying different layers of the forest. The tallest trees form the canopy, which blocks out most of the sunlight. Below the canopy is a layer of smaller trees and shrubs, followed by a layer of herbs and ferns. The forest floor is covered in a thick layer of leaf litter and fallen branches.
• Abundant Epiphytes: Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, but do not derive nutrients from them. Tropical evergreen forests are home to a wide variety of epiphytes, including orchids, ferns, and mosses.
• Warm and humid climate: Tropical evergreen forests have a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C throughout the year.

Tropical Evergreen Forest in India Flora & Fauna

Tropical evergreen forests are found in the Western Ghats, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the upper parts of Assam, and the coasts of Tamil Nadu, India. These forests are characterized by high rainfall, dense vegetation, and a wide variety of plant and animal life. These forests are primarily composed of Ebony, Mahogany, and Rosewood. There are many different plants and animals that coexist with one another to ensure the survival of the species. The coexistence of plants and animals results in the existence of a biome.

Tropical Evergreen Forest Animals

The animals that live in the evergreen forests are typical of a specific species, such as indigenous birds such as owls, hawks, and cardinals, as well as some mammals such as deer, possums, and raccoons. Tropical evergreen forests are home to a wide variety of animals, including:

• Mammals: Elephants, tigers, leopards, monkeys, apes, rhinos, deer, wild pigs, bats.
• Birds: Toucans, parrots, macaws, hornbills, hummingbirds, pheasants.
• Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and turtles.
• Amphibians: Frogs, toads, and salamanders.
• Insects: Butterflies, beetles, ants, termites.

Tropical Evergreen Forest in India Geographical Location

Evergreen Tropical Forest India was once a vast landmass known for its dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. However, as human activity has increased, these forests have been reduced to a delta of rivers such as the Ganga, Godavari, Mahanadi, Yamuna, and others. The Western Ghats forests extend across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and parts of Tamil Nadu. The mangroves of the Ganga delta (West Bengal) are one of the world’s largest tidal forests, and the name comes from the Sundari tree that grows in its muddy areas.

Other tropical evergreen forest areas with mangroves are the impenetrable jungles of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya, Tripura, and other states have dense tropical forests. Tropical evergreen forests are important for promoting green and for animal and plant survival.

Many tropical evergreen forests are now semi-evergreen, possibly due to increased human-to-animal conflict and infiltration in forest areas. To protect our valuable wildlife and forests, we need strict protocols and limits on human activity in these areas to ensure that our forests thrive once more.

The states where these forests are predominantly identified are:

• Tamil Nadu
• Kerala
• Karnataka
• Maharashtra
• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Nagaland
• Tripura
• Meghalaya
• West Bengal
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Threats to Evergreen Forests in India

Evergreen forests in India are threatened by a number of factors, including:

• Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other land uses, such as agriculture and development.
• Climate change: Climate change is causing the Earth’s temperature to rise, which is leading to more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods.
• Poaching: Poaching is the illegal hunting of wildlife.
• Encroachment: Encroachment is the illegal occupation of forest land.

Conservation Efforts for Evergreen Forests in India

A number of organizations are working to conserve evergreen forests in India. These organizations are working to reduce deforestation, combat climate change, and prevent poaching and encroachment. We can all help to conserve evergreen forests in India by reducing our consumption of resources, such as paper and wood, and by supporting organizations that are working to conserve these forests. Here are some of the key conservation efforts for evergreen forests in India:

• Establishing protected areas: The Indian government has established a network of protected areas, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves, to protect evergreen forests. These protected areas provide a safe haven for wildlife and help to prevent deforestation.
• Joint forest management: Joint forest management (JFM) is a program that involves local communities in the management of forests. JFM has been successful in reducing deforestation and improving the livelihoods of local communities.
• Afforestation and reforestation: The Indian government is also implementing afforestation and reforestation programs to increase the area of forest cover in India. These programs involve planting trees in degraded forests and on barren land.
• Sustainable forest management: The Indian government is also promoting sustainable forest management practices, such as selective logging and harvesting of non-timber forest products. Sustainable forest management practices help to ensure that forests are used sustainably and that they continue to provide benefits for future generations.
• Climate change adaptation: The Indian government is also working to help evergreen forests adapt to climate change. This includes measures such as planting drought-resistant trees and restoring degraded forests.

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