Vegetation of Haryana

Vegetation of Haryana

Natural Resources – Forests

A forest is a complex ecosystem which is predominantly composed of trees, shrubs and is usually a closed canopy.
Forests are storehouses of a large variety of life forms such as Plants, mammals, birds, insects and reptiles etc. Also the forests have abundant Microorganisms and Fungi, which do the important work of decomposing dead organic matter thereby enriching the Soil.
Nearly 4 billion hectares of forest cover the earth’s surface, roughly 30 percent of its total land area.
The FOREST ECOSYSTEM has two components- the non-living (abiotic) and the living (biotic) component.
Climate, soil type are part of the non-living component and the living component includes plants, animals and other life forms.
Plants include the trees, shrubs, climbers, Grasses and herbs in the forest.
Depending on the physical, geographical, climatic and ecological factors, there are different types of forest like evergreen forest (mainly composed of evergreen tree species i.e. species having leaves all throughout the year) and deciduous forest (mainly composed of deciduous tree species i.e. species having leaf-fall during particular months of the year).
Each forest type forms a habitat for a specific community of animals that are adapted to live in it.
The term forest implies ‘natural vegetation’ of the area, existing from thousands of years and supporting a variety of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity, forming a complex ecosystem.
Plantation is different from natural forest as these planted species are often of same type and doesn’t support a variety of natural biodiversity.
Forests provide various natural Services and products.
Many forest products are used in day-today life. Besides these, forests play important role in maintaining ecological balance & contributes to economy also.

Forest statics of Haryana

Forest cover in the Haryana Sub-Region has been continuously increasing since 2001.
During the year 2011, total forest cover of the sub-region increased to 456 sq. Kms as compared from 454 sq. km in 2009 and 440 Sq Kms. in 2005 and 354 Sq. kms in 2001.
Considering the distribution of types of forest during 2011, Gurgaon district has highest forest cover (231 sq. km.) followed by Faridabad (93 sq. km.) and Rohtak (53 sq. km.).
The district of Gurgaon has the highest forest cover in terms of Percentage as well in the Haryana sub-region, which has successively grown from 7% in 2001 to 8.4 % in 2011.

Forest Types in Haryana

Forest types of Haryana are Tropical Dry Deciduous in north-eastern region; Tropical Moist Deciduous in Shiwalik region; and Tropical Thorn Forests in western region.

Tropical Deciduous Forests

These are the most widespread forests in India.
They are also called the monsoon forests.
They spread over regions which receive rainfall between 70-200 cm.
On the basis of the availability of water, these forests are further divided into moist and dry deciduous.

The Moist deciduous forests of Haryana

The Moist deciduous forests are more pronounced in the regions which record rainfall between 100-200 cm.
These forests are found in the northeastern states along the foothills of Himalayas Shiwalik region.
Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc. are the main species of these forests.

Dry deciduous forest of Haryana

Dry deciduous forest covers vast areas of the country, where rainfall ranges between 70 -100 cm. On the wetter margins, it has a transition to the moist deciduous, while on the drier margins to thorn forests.
These forests are found in rainier areas of north-eastern region of Haryana.
As the dry season begins, the trees shed their leaves completely and the forest appears like a vast Grassland with naked trees all around.
Tendu, palas, amaltas, bel, khair, axlewood, etc. are the common trees of these forests.

Tropical Thorn Forests

Tropical thorn forests occur in the areas which receive rainfall less than 50 cm. These consist of a variety of grasses and shrubs.
It includes semi-arid areas of western region of Haryana.
In these forests, plants remain leafless for most part of the year and give an expression of scrub vegetation.
Important species found are babool, ber, and wild date palm, khair, neem, khejri, palas, etc. Tussocky grass grows upto a height of 2 m as the under Growth.

Haryana State’s Emblems

State Tree – Pipal, Peepul or Bo tree (Ficus religiosa)

Pipal tree (Ficus religiosa), a native tree of India, has been declared state tree of Haryana.
All parts of the Pipal tree, including roots, bark, leaf and fruit, are useful. The botanical Classification of the Pipal tree is:
Description of the Plant: Large tree, Flower color-red. Flowers in February. Fruits in May / June. Widely found in uplands and plain area.
Plant parts used: Root / Bark / Leaf / Fruit.
Medicinal uses: The bark of the tree is useful in inflammations and glandular swelling of the neck. It’s root bark is useful for stomatitis, cleans ulcers, and promotes granulations. Its roots are also good for gout. The roots are even chewed to prevent gum diseases. Its fruit is laxative which promotes digestion and checks vomiting. Its ripe fruits are good for the foul taste, thirst and heart diseases. The powered fruit is taken for Asthma. Its seeds have proved useful in urinary troubles. The leaves are used to treat constipation.

State Flower – Lotus

The Lotus or the Water Lily is an aquatic plant with broad floating green leaves and bright fragrant flowers that grow only in shallow waters.
Based on the color of its flower, it is divided into two types, the red lotus flower and the white lotus flower.
The beautiful flowers float and have many petals overlapping in a symmetrical pattern.
Lotuses, prized for their serene beauty, are delightful to behold as their blossoms open on the surface of a pond.

State Animal – Black Buck (Antelope)

Black Buck, common name for an antelope, mainly is a resident of India but with other small populations in Pakistan and Nepal.
The Black Buck has ringed horns that have a moderate spiral twist of three to four turns and are up to 70 cm (28 inch) long.
The name Black Buck has also been applied to the sable antelope of Africa.
The adult male stands about 80 cm (about 32 inch) at the shoulder and weighs 32 to 43 kg (71 to 95 lb). The body’s upper parts are black; the underparts and a ring around the eyes are white. The Light-brown female is usually hornless. Males are dark brown.

State Bird – Black Francolin

Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), sometimes known as Black Partridge, is a widespread breeding resident in most of north and central India. Called Kala Teetar in Hindi, this handsome stub-tailed game bird is found near cultivation and scrub, bordering wetlands. Black Francolin prefers crops, grass and bushes, tall enough to offer shelter and open beneath to provide easy escape on ground. It is more closely associated with water than the Grey Francolin.
The male Black Francolin is black with white patch on the cheek, a chestnut collar and white spots on the flanks.
The back and wings are scalloped with shades of golden brown with sub-terminal tawny-buff bands and pale edges. Tail is black with narrow white bars. Legs are reddish-brown to red.
The female Black Francolin similar to the male, but is paler, with wider brown bars on the lower back, the white cheek patch is missing and the chestnut collar replaced by a nuchal patch.
Food consists mainly of grain, grass seeds, fallen berries, shoots, tubers, termites, ants and insects.

Herbal Parks and Herbal Gyan Kendras in haryana

Herbal Parks and Herbal Gyan Kendras have been set up in each district to educate people about the traditional Indian system of medicine for generating awareness, preserving gene pool and production of quality seeds and seedlings for distribution to farmers.
Farmers are also being encouraged for ex-situ cultivation and propagation of medicinal plants to save the natural biodiversity and Income Generation.
These herbal Parks will help in conservation of species and also serve as gene-pool both for indigenous & exotic species.
This endeavour of Haryana Forest Department has been appreciated by the public, practitioners and policy maker.

The State Medicinal Plants Board

The State Medicinal Plants Board is required to promote the medicinal plants sector in the State through implementation of Promotional Projects / Schemes and the Contractual Farming Projects, sanctioned and financed by the National Medicinal Plants Board.
The Promotional projects aim at survey and inventorisation of medicinal plants, In-situ conservation / cultivation of medicinal plants including setting up of Herbal Parks, Production of quality planting material in nurseries, extension activities for raising awareness through Audio Visual Aids, Seminars, Training / Workshops etc. for growers and the personnel engaged in promoting the medicinal plants sector, Study of demand and supply position and Marketing of medicinal plants, Research and Development in the Sector, Value addition and semi processing of products of medicinal plants, to promote cooperative efforts among growers and collectors of medicinal plants and cultivation of medicinal plants on contract basis in the farm lands for which subsidy is provided by the National Medicinal Plants Board to the extent of 30% of the total project cost

Haryana Community Forestry Project (HCFP)

Haryana Community forestry Project (HCFP), co-funded by the Government of Haryana and the European Commission, was implemented in 338 villages in 11 districts of Haryana with the objective of conserving and rejuvenating Natural Resources, mainly through forestry development, with the active participation of communities, especially Women.
The purpose of this website is for the project to share its experience as demonstrated through various manuals, study reports, publications and Videos. We invite any interested party involved in similar work to download these documents and, hopefully, gain further insights from them in their work.

The vegetation of Haryana is diverse, reflecting the state’s varied climate and topography. The state’s forests are home to a variety of trees, including sal, teak, and deodar. Scrubs are found in the drier areas of the state, while grasslands are common in the northwestern region. Wetlands are found in the state’s rivers and lakes, and deserts are found in the southeastern region. Orchards are common in the state’s fertile areas, while plantations are found in the hilly areas. Urban vegetation is found in the state’s cities and towns. Aquatic vegetation is found in the state’s rivers, lakes, and ponds.

The state’s forests are an important part of the ecosystem. They provide habitat for a variety of animals, including tigers, leopards, and elephants. The forests also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.

The state’s scrubs are an important part of the agricultural landscape. They provide grazing for Livestock and help to prevent soil erosion.

The state’s grasslands are an important part of the ecosystem. They provide habitat for a variety of animals, including deer, antelope, and birds. The grasslands also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.

The state’s wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem. They provide habitat for a variety of animals, including fish, birds, and reptiles. The wetlands also help to regulate the climate and prevent flooding.

The state’s deserts are an important part of the ecosystem. They provide habitat for a variety of animals, including camels, snakes, and lizards. The deserts also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.

The state’s orchards are an important part of the agricultural landscape. They provide fruit and vegetables for the state’s Population. The orchards also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.

The state’s plantations are an important part of the agricultural landscape. They provide timber and other products for the state’s economy. The plantations also help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion.

The state’s urban vegetation is an important part of the urban landscape. It provides shade, beauty, and a place for people to relax. The urban vegetation also helps to regulate the climate and prevent Air Pollution.

The state’s aquatic vegetation is an important part of the AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM. It provides habitat for a variety of animals, including fish, birds, and reptiles. The aquatic vegetation also helps to regulate the climate and prevent Water Pollution.

The vegetation of Haryana is a valuable resource that provides many benefits to the state’s people and Environment. It is important to protect and conserve this resource for future generations.

What is vegetation?

Vegetation is the plant life of a particular region or habitat. It includes all the trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants that grow in a particular area.

What are the different types of vegetation?

There are many different types of vegetation, but some of the most common include forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands.

What are the factors that affect vegetation?

The factors that affect vegetation include climate, soil, and topography. Climate is the most important factor, as it determines the type of plants that can grow in a particular area. Soil also plays an important role, as it provides the nutrients that plants need to grow. Topography, or the shape of the land, can also affect vegetation, as it can determine the amount of sunlight and water that plants receive.

What are the benefits of vegetation?

Vegetation provides many benefits, including:

Oxygen: Plants produce oxygen, which is essential for human and animal life.
Food: Plants provide food for humans and animals.
Shelter: Plants provide shelter from the sun, wind, and rain.
Soil erosion control: Plants help to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in place.
Water filtration: Plants help to filter water by removing pollutants and sediments.
Climate regulation: Plants help to regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

What are the threats to vegetation?

The main threats to vegetation are deforestation, Climate Change, and pollution. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Climate change is causing changes in temperature and Precipitation patterns, which can lead to changes in vegetation. Pollution can damage plants and make it difficult for them to grow.

What can we do to protect vegetation?

We can protect vegetation by:

Planting trees and other plants.
Reducing our use of resources, such as paper and water.
Recycling and composting.
Conserving energy.
Supporting organizations that are working to protect vegetation.

What is the future of vegetation?

The future of vegetation is uncertain. If we continue to destroy forests and pollute the environment, we will lose many of the benefits that vegetation provides. However, if we take steps to protect vegetation, we can ensure that it will continue to provide us with many benefits for many years to come.

Here are some MCQs on the topics of Vegetation of Haryana, without mentioning the topic itself:

Which of the following is not a type of vegetation found in Haryana?
(A) Tropical dry deciduous forest
(B) Tropical thorn forest
(C) Subtropical dry evergreen forest
(D) Montane forest
The main tree species found in the tropical dry deciduous forests of Haryana are:
(A) Sal
(B) Teak
(C) Bamboo
(D) Acacia
The main tree species found in the tropical thorn forests of Haryana are:
(A) Kikar
(B) Babul
(C) Neem
(D) Dhau
The main tree species found in the subtropical dry evergreen forests of Haryana are:
(A) Deodar
(B) Kail
(C) Fir
(D) Spruce
The main tree species found in the montane forests of Haryana are:
(A) Oak
(B) Pine
(C) Rhododendron
(D) Birch
The main reason for the deforestation in Haryana is:
(A) Agriculture
(B) Mining
(C) Industrialization
(D) Urbanization
The main environmental impact of deforestation in Haryana is:
(A) Soil erosion
(B) Water pollution
(C) Air pollution
(D) Climate change
The main government initiative to prevent deforestation in Haryana is:
(A) The Forest conservation Act, 1980
(B) The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
(C) The Environment Protection Act, 1986
(D) The Forest Rights Act, 2006
The main non-governmental organization working to protect forests in Haryana is:
(A) The Haryana Forest Department
(B) The Wildlife Trust Of India
(C) The Nature Conservation Foundation
(D) The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
The main international treaty that India is a signatory to, which aims to protect forests, is:
(A) The Convention on Biological Diversity
(B) The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(C) The Kyoto Protocol
(D) The Paris Agreement

I hope these MCQs were helpful!