Let us learn about the types and distribution of forest in India. Even if we want to conserve our vast forest and wildlife resources, it is rather difficult to manage, control, and regulate them. In India, much of its forest and wildlife resources are either owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other government departments. Forests are classified under the following categories.

(i) Reserved Forests:
(ii) Protected Forests
(iii) Unclassed Forests

Learn about the types and distribution of forest and wildlife resources in detail:

(i) Reserved Forests: More than half of the total forest land has been declared reserved forests. Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources are concerned. Reserved forests cover a large portion of the land in Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.

(ii) Protected Forests: Approximately one-third of India's forests are designated as protected. The majority of the forests in Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, and Rajasthan are designated as protected. Permanent forest estates are made up of both reserved and protected forests. Madhya Pradesh has the highest proportion of permanent forests in India, with nearly 75% of its forests classified as such.

Unclassed Forests: These are other forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private individuals and communities. Unclassified forests include all forests and wastelands other than reserved and protected forests. The majority of forests in India's north-eastern states and Gujarat are unclassified.

Religious faith has resulted in the preservation of specific types of trees in various parts of India. Parts of forests or entire forests are protected by communities because they are thought to be the abodes of gods and goddesses. These types of protected forest areas are known as sacred groves. Several animals are also revered and, as a result, are not harmed. Concern for one's own survival is another reason for community participation in conservation efforts.

Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons. Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under permanent forests, constituting 75 percent of its total forest area.

Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, WestBengal, and Maharashtra have large percentages of reserved forests of its total forest area whereas Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under protected forests. All North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a very high percentage of their forests as unclassed forests managed by local communities.

Read More: Forests: Our Lifeline | Forests in India and Importance of Forests