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Forest Types in Telangana

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

  1. Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forests
  2. Dry Deciduous Scrubs
  3. Dry Teak Forests
  4. Secondary Dry Deciduous Forests
  5. Dry Bamboo Brakes
  6. Hardwickia Forests
  7. Dry Savannah Forests
  8. Boswellia Forests
  9. Dry GrassLands

Tropical Thorn Forests

  1. Southern Thorn Forests
  2. Southern Thorn Scrubs

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

  • Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests
  • Almost all programmes and schemes of the Forest Department are being implemented through participation of local people, Vana samrakshna Samithis (V8S) and Eco-Development Committees (EDOS) in Protected Areas and Watershed Development Committees in the Watershed areas.
  • The Forest Development Authority operates in a 3-Tier system.

They are:

  • State Forest Development Agency (SFDA) at the State Level
  • Forest Development Agency (FDA) at Divisional Level

Vana Samrakshana Samithi (VSS) at Village Level.

Examine the Ecological characteristics and distribution of different types of forests in Telangana.

Introduction According to Indian State of Forest Report 2021, Telangana’s total area is 1,12,077.41 square kilometres Of this, 24.06% (26,969.61 sq.km) is covered by forests. It is characterized by diverse forest ecosystems. These forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to the livelihood of local communities.
Body The classification of these forests according to the Champion and Seth system highlights the variety of forest types present in the region.

1.Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

  • Distribution: These forests are primarily located in the northeastern and northern parts of Telangana. The major districts include Bhadradri Kothagudem, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagitial, Peddapalli, and Nizamabad.
  • Ecological Characteristics: These forests thrive in areas with an annual rainfall of 150-200 cm, temperatures ranging from 24-28°C, and humidity around 75%. They are characterized by dense foliage and a variety of deciduous species such as Teak, Nallamaddi, Yegisa, Rosewood, Narepa, and Bamboo.
  • Southern moist mixed deciduous forest: 49.23 sq.km

2. Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

  • Distribution: More widespread than the moist deciduous forests, these forests are found in Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Jaya Shankar Bhupalapalli, Mulugu, Jagitial, Peddapalli, Nizamabad, and parts of the erstwhile Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts.
  • Ecological Characteristics: These forests are adapted to areas receiving 75-100 cm of rainfall annually, with temperatures between 23-29°C and humidity levels of 50-60%. They feature a mix of deciduous species that shed leaves seasonally to conserve water.

These are the largest group of forests in Telangana and include:

·         Southern dry mixed deciduous forest: 14,383.62 sq.km

·         Dry deciduous scrub: 5,037.40 sq.km

·         Dry teak forest: 3,371.64 sq.km

·         Secondary dry deciduous forest: 151.94 sq.km

·         Dry bamboo brakes: 16.30 sq.km

·         Dry savannah forest: 5.04 sq.km

·         Boswellia forest: 0.77 sq.km

·         Hordwickia forest: 0.47 sq.km

3. Short Thorn Forests

  • Distribution: Predominantly found in parts of Ranga Reddy, Vikarabad, areas near the Krishna River in Nalgonda, and parts of the Medak district.
  • Ecological Characteristics: These forests are adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions with lower rainfall and are characterized by thorny bushes and trees. They support species that are drought-resistant and can thrive in harsh conditions

These forests are mostly found in the northern and central parts of Telangana. They provide homes for wildlife and resources for local people.

Based on canopy density, forests in Telangana are classified into:

  • Open Forest (OF): 8,494 sq.km (31.49%)
  • Moderate Dense Forest (MDF): 8,651 sq.km (32.07%)
  • Very Dense Forest (VDF): 1,551 sq.km (5.75%)
  • Others (scrubs, non-forest, water bodies): 8,274 sq.km (30.67%)

4. Tropical Thorn Forests:

  • Southern thorn forest: 320.41 sq.km
  • Southern thorn scrub: 0.80 sq.km

These forests are found in drier parts of Telangana. They are important for preventing soil erosion and supporting unique plants and animals.

5. District-wise Distribution:

The top three districts with the most forest area are:

  • Bhadradri Kothagudem: 4,311.38 sq.km (15.98%)
  • Mulugu: 2,939.15 sq.km (10.89%)
  • Nagarkurnool: 2,496.68 sq.km (9.26%)

Mulugu district has the highest percentage of its area covered by forests at 71.22%, followed by Bhadradri Kothagudem (61.45%) and Kumuram Bheem Asifabad (54.45%). This shows that forest cover varies widely across the state.
Conclusion The different types of forests in Telangana show the state’s rich natural environment and the important roles these forests play. They help protect wildlife, regulate the climate, and support local communities. It’s important to manage and protect these forests well so they can continue to provide these benefits now and in the future

 

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