Gujarat : Forests and Vegetation

<–2/”>a >Gujarat has only 11.04% of its geographical area declared as forest, which is much below the national Average. Forest and tree cover is in the extent of 11.74 % (7.48 % forest cover and 4.26% tree cover outside forest-TOF) of its geographical area. The unique features of the state are the climatic and geomorphologic conditions viz the largest coastline in the country, the saline deserts of Rann , grasslands, wetlands. These factors have bestowed the state with the diversity of Flora and Fauna. The majestic Asiatic lion and wild ass have their last resorts of the world in Gujarat. The Forests & Environment Department forms the policy for the conservation of the forest, protection of the Wildlife and the Environment in the State of Gujarat. There are 4 National parks, 23 sanctuaries, 1 conservation reserve.

The hills, which are higher in elevation, receive more rainfall than the low lying plains. The forests of Gujarat are therefore mainly found in the hills of Saurashtra and the other hilly parts of the state. The hills of Kutch are the exception, as these hills receive little rainfall. A little less than 20 lakh hectares of land is under forest cover. The southern part of Gujarat is rich in deciduous vegetation, such as teak. Kutch has thorny forests, constituting trees such as Acacia Arabica, Acacia Leucophloea, ZizyphusMauratiana, and CapparisOphylla.

Flora in Gujarat include a wide variety of vegetation. A wide range of climatic condition facilitates the prevalence of many types of flora. In Gujarat, we find more than 400 species of flora. The flora in Gujarat include one of the largest dry deciduous forests in the western region of India, including trees like:

teak

Boswelliaserrata

Anogeissuslatifolia

Diospyros, etc.

Owing to the arid Climate, the flora and fauna of Gujarat also possess a wide range of xerophytic vegetation. This kind of vegetation include:

Acacia arabica

Acacia leucophloea

Capparisophylla

Zizyphusmauratiana, etc.

As per the districts, The Dangs has the largest area under forest cover. Gujarat has four national parks and 21 sanctuaries. It is the only home of Asiatic lions and outside Africa, is the only present natural habitat of lions. Gir Forest National Park in the southwest part of the state covers part of the lions’ habitat. Apart from lions, leopards are also found in state. They are spread across the large plains of Saurashtra and the Mountains of South Gujarat. Other National parks include Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar and Narara Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutchh, Jamnagar. Wildlife sanctuaries include: Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, NalSarovar Bird Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Anjal, Balaram-Ambaji, Barda, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Khavda, Paniya, Purna, Rampura, Ratanmahal, and Surpaneshwar.

Gujarat has some of the major mountain ranges of India, including Aravalli, Sahyadri (Western Ghats), Vindhya and Saputara. Apart from this Gir hills, Barda, Jessore, Chotila, etc. are situated in different parts of Gujarat

Major National parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat are listed below:

National parks of Gujarat

S.NO	Name of National Park	Area km2	District
1	Gir Forest National Park	259	Somnath
2	Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch	163	DevBhoomiDwarka
3	Vansda National Park	24	Navsari
4	Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar	34	Bhavnagar

Wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat

S.No.	Name of Sanctuary	Area km2	District
1	Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary	7506	Kutch
2	Wild Ass Sanctuary	4954	Kutch
3	Gir Wildlife Sanctuary & National Parks	1153.4	Junagadh
4	Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary	607.7	Narmada
5	BalaramAmbaji Wildlife Sanctuary	542	Banaskantha
6	Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary	444	Kutch
7	Marine Sanctuary	295	DevBhoomiDwarka
8	Barda Wildlife Sanctuary	192	Porbandar& Jamnagar
9	Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary	181	Banaskantha
10	Purna Wildlife Sanctuary	161	Dangs
11	Jambuhoda Wildlife Sanctuary	130	Panchmahal
12	NalSarovar Bird Sanctuary	121	Ahmedabad, Surendranagar
13	Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary	56	Dahod
14	Pania Wildlife Sanctuary	40	Amreli
15	Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary	15	Rajkot
16	Thol Wildlife Sanctuary	7	Mehsana
17	Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary	6.5	Rajkot
18	Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary	6	Jamnagar
19	Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary	3.3	Jamnagar
20	Kutch Bustard Sanctuary	2	Kutch
21	Porbandar Bird Sanctuary	0.09	Porbandar

Forests of Gujarat

Gujarat is a state in western India. It is the second-largest state in India by Population, after Uttar Pradesh, and the ninth-largest by area. The state is home to a variety of forests, including tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, and thorn forests.

The forests of Gujarat are home to a variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, and antelopes. The forests are also important for the state’s economy, as they provide timber, fuelwood, and other forest products.

Vegetation of Gujarat

The vegetation of Gujarat is diverse, reflecting the state’s varied climate and topography. The northern part of the state is characterized by dry deciduous forests, while the southern part is home to more moist forests. The western coast is also home to a variety of mangrove forests.

The forests of Gujarat are home to a variety of plant species, including sal, teak, bamboo, and sandalwood. The state is also home to a number of important medicinal Plants.

Types of forests in Gujarat

The forests of Gujarat can be divided into four main types:

Tropical dry deciduous forests: These forests are found in the northern part of the state, where the climate is dry and hot. The trees in these forests shed their leaves during the dry season.
Tropical moist deciduous forests: These forests are found in the southern part of the state, where the climate is more humid. The trees in these forests do not shed their leaves all at once, but rather gradually throughout the year.
Thorn forests: These forests are found in the western part of the state, where the climate is very dry. The trees in these forests are small and have thorns to protect themselves from animals.
Mangrove forests: These forests are found along the coast, where the Soil is salty. The trees in these forests have special adaptations that allow them to survive in the salty water.

Trees of Gujarat

The forests of Gujarat are home to a variety of tree species, including:

Sal: This is a large tree that is found in the tropical dry deciduous forests. The wood of the sal tree is used to make furniture and other wood products.
Teak: This is another large tree that is found in the tropical dry deciduous forests. The wood of the teak tree is used to make furniture, boats, and other wood products.
Bamboo: This is a tall grass that is found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. The bamboo plant is used to make a variety of products, including furniture, baskets, and paper.
Sandalwood: This is a small tree that is found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. The wood of the sandalwood tree is used to make perfumes, incense, and other products.

Plants of Gujarat

The forests of Gujarat are home to a variety of plant species, including:

Orchids: These are beautiful flowers that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Orchids come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Ferns: These are delicate plants that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Ferns have feathery leaves that grow in clusters.
Mosses: These are small plants that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Mosses grow on rocks, trees, and other surfaces.
Lichens: These are plants that are made up of algae and Fungi. Lichens grow on rocks, trees, and other surfaces.

Wildlife of Gujarat

The forests of Gujarat are home to a variety of wildlife, including:

Tigers: These are large cats that are found in the tropical dry deciduous forests. Tigers are endangered animals.
Leopards: These are medium-sized cats that are found in the tropical dry deciduous forests. Leopards are also endangered animals.
Elephants: These are large mammals that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Elephants are endangered animals.
Deer: These are small mammals that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Deer are hunted for their meat and their antlers.
Antelopes: These are small mammals that are found in the tropical moist deciduous forests. Antelopes are hunted for their meat and their hides.

Conservation of forests in Gujarat

The forests of Gujarat are facing a number of threats, including deforestation, poaching, and Climate Change. Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development. Poaching is the illegal hunting of animals. Climate change is the change in the Earth’s climate, which is caused by human activities.

The government of Gujarat is taking a number of steps to conserve the forests, including:

Creating Protected Areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Enforcing laws against deforestation and poaching.
Raising awareness about the importance of forests.

Q: What are the different types of forests in Gujarat?

A: Gujarat has a variety of forests, including tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, and mangrove forests.

Q: What are the main tree species found in Gujarat’s forests?

A: Some of the main tree species found in Gujarat’s forests include teak, sal, and bamboo.

Q: What are the benefits of forests?

A: Forests provide a number of benefits, including:

Reducing soil erosion: Forests help to prevent soil erosion by anchoring the soil with their roots.
Providing habitat for wildlife: Forests provide a home for a variety of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Regulating the climate: Forests help to regulate the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing Oxygen.
Providing water Resources: Forests help to regulate the flow of water and prevent flooding.
Providing recreation opportunities: Forests provide a place for people to enjoy nature, hike, camp, and fish.

Q: What are the threats to forests in Gujarat?

A: Forests in Gujarat are threatened by a number of factors, including:

Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development.
Forest fires: Forest fires can destroy large areas of forest.
Pollution: Pollution can damage forests and make it difficult for trees to grow.
Climate change: Climate change is causing forests to change in ways that are not beneficial to the trees or the wildlife that live there.

Q: What is being done to protect forests in Gujarat?

A: A number of things are being done to protect forests in Gujarat, including:

Creating protected areas: Protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, are set aside to protect forests and the wildlife that live there.
Enforcing laws: Laws are in place to protect forests from deforestation, forest fires, and pollution.
Raising awareness: Efforts are being made to raise awareness about the importance of forests and the threats they face.

Q: What can I do to help protect forests in Gujarat?

A: There are a number of things you can do to help protect forests in Gujarat, including:

Reduce your consumption of paper and wood products: The less paper and wood products you use, the less demand there will be for these products, which will help to reduce deforestation.
Recycle paper and wood products: Recycling paper and wood products helps to reduce the need to cut down trees.
Support organizations that are working to protect forests: There are a number of organizations that are working to protect forests in Gujarat. You can support these organizations by donating Money or time.
Contact your elected officials: Let your elected officials know that you care about forests and that you want them to take action to protect them.

Which of the following is not a type of forest found in Gujarat?
(A) Tropical dry deciduous forest
(B) Tropical moist deciduous forest
(C) Tropical evergreen forest
(D) Temperate forest
The largest forest in Gujarat is the:
(A) Gir Forest
(B) Vansda National Park
(C) Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
(D) Marine National Park
The Gir Forest is home to the:
(A) Asiatic lion
(B) Indian leopard
(C) Indian elephant
(D) Indian rhinoceros
The Vansda National Park is home to the:
(A) Indian lion
(B) Indian leopard
(C) Indian elephant
(D) Indian gaur
The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is home to over 300 species of birds, including the:
(A) flamingo
(B) pelican
(C) heron
(D) all of the above
The Marine National Park is home to a variety of marine life, including the:
(A) coral reef
(B) sea turtle
(C) dolphin
(D) all of the above
Gujarat is home to a variety of plant life, including the:
(A) banyan tree
(B) peepal tree
(C) teak tree
(D) all of the above
The banyan tree is a type of:
(A) fig tree
(B) oak tree
(C) maple tree
(D) pine tree
The peepal tree is a type of:
(A) fig tree
(B) oak tree
(C) maple tree
(D) pine tree
The teak tree is a type of:
(A) hardwood tree
(B) softwood tree
(C) coniferous tree
(D) deciduous tree