Public Section Preview
Forest Cover and Forest Types
2.1 The Forest Cover Paradox
Forest cover in Rajasthan is officially measured across two distinct frameworks that students must distinguish:
- Recorded Forest Area: 33,014 sq km, which is 9.64% of the state's geographic area. This is the administrative area classified as forest in revenue/forest department records — it includes Reserved Forests (36.95%), Protected Forests (56.43%), and Unclassified Forests (6.62%).
- Actual Forest Cover per ISFR 2023: Only 16,548.21 sq km (4.84%) of the state has actual tree canopy density of 10% or above — the standard used by India's Forest Survey of India (FSI) in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR).
- Tree Cover: An additional 10,841.12 sq km has trees outside the formal forest boundary.
- Combined (Forest + Tree Cover): 27,389.33 sq km = 8% of geographic area.
The gap between recorded (9.64%) and actual (4.84%) reflects two realities: large parts of classified forest areas are effectively degraded scrubland, and significant tree cover exists outside classified forest boundaries (in farms, along roads, in Oran sacred groves).
Source: India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, Forest Survey of India; Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 7
2.2 Classification of Rajasthan's Forests
Rajasthan's forests follow the Champion and Seth (1968) classification of Indian forest types. Three types dominate:
| Forest Type | Area Share | Districts / Zone | Key Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Thorn Forest | ~65% | Western Rajasthan (entire Thar belt, Marwar plains) | Khejri, Ber, Rohida, Kair, Phog, Sevan grass |
| Tropical Dry Deciduous | ~30% | Eastern Rajasthan, Aravalli eastern slopes, Chambal valley | Dhok (Anogeissus pendula), Salar, Kardhai, Gurjan, Tendu, Amla |
| Subtropical Broad-leaved Hill Forest | ~5% | Aravalli hills (Mt. Abu, southern Aravalli above 1,000 m) | Wild mango, Jamun, Arjun, Teak (south Aravalli) |
Source: Champion and Seth (1968) Classification; Rajasthan Forest Department, State Forest Report 2024
Tropical Thorn Forest is the signature vegetation of the Thar Desert and Marwar plains. These forests are adapted to less than 400 mm annual rainfall, high temperatures, and sandy or rocky soils. Trees are scattered, short-statured, thorny, and xerophytic (drought-adapted). The Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria) is the defining species — it is the "Tree of Life" of the Thar, providing fodder, edible pods (sangri), nitrogen fixation, and shade. Unlike most trees, Khejri is leafless in the hot dry season and leafy in winter, maximizing water efficiency. It is estimated to cover approximately 4.5 million hectares across Rajasthan.
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest receives 500–1,000 mm rainfall and is concentrated in districts like Baran, Kota, Chittorgarh, Banswara, Sawai Madhopur, and Bharatpur. The Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) is the most characteristic species, forming dense woodlands on rocky slopes. These forests support higher biodiversity than thorn forests and are home to tigers (Ranthambhore), leopards, deer, and numerous bird species.
Subtropical Hill Forests occur in the highest parts of the Aravalli range, especially around Mount Abu (Sirohi district, 1,722 m peak) and the Phulwari ki Nal sanctuary corridor. Mount Abu's forests are qualitatively distinct from the rest of Rajasthan — they include evergreen species, orchids, and dense undergrowth found nowhere else in the state, making Mount Abu a biodiversity island within the Aravalli range.
2.3 Special Vegetation Formations
Sevan Grass Plains: In the western districts (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner), the native Sevan grass (Lasiurus sindicus) dominates open plains and provides the primary grazing cover for desert fauna including the blackbuck, chinkara, and the GIB. Sevan grasslands have been severely degraded by overgrazing and solar/wind energy installations.
Orans (— Sacred Groves): Community-protected forest patches, predominantly in western Rajasthan (Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner), maintained by Bishnoi, Rabari, and other pastoral communities on religious/cultural grounds. An estimated 25,000+ Oran patches exist, covering 5–10 lakh hectares. The CRESEP project (JICA-funded) is conserving 10,000 hectares of Oran. These represent India's most intact traditional conservation institution.
Riverine/Gallery Forests: Along the Chambal (Kota, Baran), Banas, and Mahi rivers, narrow strips of dense vegetation support mugger crocodiles, gharials, otters, and waterfowl distinct from the surrounding dry habitat.