The word forest is derived from the Latin word 'foris' meaning "out of door". It is large uncultivated tract of land covered by trees and underwood's. In other words, forest is a natural ecosystem of tree-dominated vegetational association. The occurrence of forest indicates optimal growth conditions in the area. The ecological conditions which favour the forest growth are availability of [...]
Champion (1936) recognized 13 major types of forest in India. Champion and Seth (1968) recognized sixteen types of forest which are listed below. (Fig 11.2). Hanson (1962) defines forest as "a stand of trees growing close together with associated plants of various kinds". The following types of forests are found in India which cover nearly 17 per cent of the [...]
Forests show a decreasing trend during 1990-2005 but the rate of forest loss is slowing down. Deforestation, primarily for agricultural land, and urban expansion continues at an alarmingly higher rate during the said period. At the same time, plantation forests, restoration and natural expansion of forests have significantly reduced the total forest loss. About 31.20 per cent of total land [...]