Littoral and Swamp Forests
India boasts a diverse array of wetland habitats, with approximately 70 percent of these areas dedicated to paddy cultivation. The total expanse of wetlands in the country spans 3.9 million hectares. Notably, Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur are designated as protected waterfowl habitats under the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement among United Nations member states.
The wetlands in India are categorized into eight distinct types:
- Reservoirs of the Deccan Plateau in the south, alongside lagoons and other wetlands along the southern west coast.
- Extensive saline expanses in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the Gulf of Kachchh.
- Freshwater lakes and reservoirs spanning from Gujarat eastwards through Rajasthan, including Keoladeo National Park and parts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Delta wetlands and lagoons along India’s eastern coast, exemplified by Chilika Lake.
- Freshwater marshes in the Gangetic Plain.
- Floodplains of the Brahmaputra, as well as marshes and swamps in the hills of northeast India and the Himalayan foothills.
- Lakes and rivers in the montane region of Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Mangrove forests and other wetlands in the island arcs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mangroves, found along coastal areas in salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats, and estuaries, are characterized by their salt-tolerant plant species. These forests provide habitat for a diverse range of bird species. In India, mangrove forests cover 6,740 square kilometers, constituting 7 percent of the world’s mangrove forests. They are particularly well-developed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sunderbans of West Bengal. Additionally, significant mangrove areas are located in the deltas of the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna rivers. However, these forests are increasingly threatened by encroachment and require effective conservation efforts.
Types of Forests| Class 11 Geography Notes
A forest is a large land area covered by trees and other woody plants. It’s really important for keeping our planet diverse and balanced. Forests are home to lots of different animals, reptiles, and insects. The kind of trees that grow in a forest depends on the weather, soil, and landscape of the area.
Forests help keep everything in nature in balance by providing water, food, and shelter for all kinds of living things. In this article, we will learn about the types of forests in great detail.
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Types of Forests| Class 11 Geography Notes