GS1 › Indian Physical and Economic Geography
Revision note: Natural Vegetation and Biogeography of India
- Megadiverse; 4 of 36 hotspots (Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka, Sundaland)
- ISFR 2023: forest cover ~21.76%, forest + tree ~25.17%; MP largest area; target 33%
- Evergreen >200 cm; deciduous most widespread (teak, sal); thorn <70 cm (khejri, babool)
- Montane: oak → deodar/pine → fir/birch → alpine; sholas in Nilgiris
- Mangroves ~4,992 sq km; Sundarbans largest; MISHTI 2023
- 10 biogeographic zones; Deccan largest
- Tigers ~3,682 (2022); 18 biosphere reserves; Nilgiri first (1986)
Source: https://upscprep.in/upsc/gs1/indian-physical-and-economic-geography/natural-vegetation-and-biogeography-of-india/ · UPSCPrep.in