CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST- ON BASIS OF  ADMINISTRATION AND LEAF COVER (OPEN, DENSE ETC.)

India classifies its forests based on administrative categories and leaf cover density.

Classification of Forests Based on Administration

In India, forests are classified administratively into three main categories:

1. Reserved Forests:
   • Definition: These forests are designated as such by the government and enjoy the highest level of protection. Access and activities are highly regulated and controlled.
   • Management: Managed by the Forest Department.
   • Usage: Local communities are generally prohibited from exploiting resources from reserved forests.
   • Example: Sundarbans Reserve Forest in West Bengal.
2. Protected Forests:
   • Definition: These forests have a lower level of protection compared to reserved forests. Limited rights to activities like grazing and collection of forest produce are granted to local communities.
   • Management: Also managed by the Forest Department but with more lenient rules.
   • Usage: Certain rights are granted to local communities, but overall control remains with the government.
   • Example: Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
3. Unclassified Forests:
   • Definition: These forests do not fall into the reserved or protected categories. They can be owned by the government, private entities, or local communities.
   • Management: Managed by various authorities depending on ownership.
   • Usage: Generally, these forests are used for various purposes, including commercial exploitation, community use, and habitation.
   • Example: Forest areas in the Northeast states, where local tribes have significant control.

Classification of Forests Based on Leaf Cover

Leaf cover classification is primarily based on the density of the tree canopy. This classification helps in understanding the extent of forest cover and planning conservation efforts. The categories are:

1. Very Dense Forest (VDF):
   • Definition: Forests with a canopy density of 70% and above.
   • Characteristics: These forests are rich in biodiversity and often have multiple layers of vegetation.
   • Example: Tropical rainforests in the Western Ghats.
2. Moderately Dense Forest (MDF):
   • Definition: Forests with a canopy density of 40% to 70%.
   • Characteristics: These forests are relatively open but still support a wide range of flora and fauna.
   • Example: Deciduous forests in Central India.
3. Open Forest (OF):
   • Definition: Forests with a canopy density of 10% to 40%.
   • Characteristics: These areas have more open spaces and less dense vegetation. They often exist at the periphery of dense forest areas.
   • Example: Scrub forests in Rajasthan.
4. Scrub:
   • Definition: Areas with a canopy density of less than 10%.
   • Characteristics: These regions have very sparse tree cover, primarily consisting of shrubs and small trees. They are often degraded forests or areas transitioning to or from forest cover.
   • Example: Arid regions in the Thar Desert.
5. Non-Forest:
   • Definition: Areas without forest cover. These include urban areas, agricultural lands, water bodies, and other non-forest land uses.
   • Example: Urban areas like New Delhi.

Examples

1. Sundarbans Reserve Forest (Reserved Forest and VDF):
   • Administration: Reserved Forest.
   • Leaf Cover: Very Dense Forest.
2. Kanha National Park (Protected Forest and MDF):
   • Administration: Protected Forest.
   • Leaf Cover: Moderately Dense Forest.
3. Forests in Arunachal Pradesh (Unclassified Forest and VDF/MDF):
   • Administration: Unclassified Forest (often community-managed).
   • Leaf Cover: Mix of Very Dense and Moderately Dense Forest.
4. Forests in Rajasthan (OF and Scrub):
   • Administration: Can be a mix of reserved, protected, or unclassified.
   • Leaf Cover: Open Forest and Scrub.