B.Sc.

Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

BOTANICAL ZONES OF INDIA

• Vegetation of any place is modified by the environmental factors; climate, geology and
biotic factors.
• The great area of Indian subcontinent has wide range of climate and corresponding
diversity in the vegetation.
• India has been divided into the following botanical zones by D. Chatterjee (1962) (Fig.
1):

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

Figure 1 Biogeographical zones of India.

The different zones are (1) Western Himalayas, (2) Eastern Himalayas, (3) Indus plain, (4)
Gangetic plain, (5) Central India, (6) Deccan, (7) Western coasts of Malabar, (8) Assam, and (9)
Bay Islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

1. Western Himalayas:
The northern part of our country is bounded by highest ranges of Himalayas and is one of
the important botanical regions of the world with climate and vegetation ranging from
truly tropical near the low altitudes to temperate arctic types at the high altitudes. The
northern mountain division can phytogeographically be divided into western, central and
eastern zones. Western Himalayas consist of north Kashmir, south Kashmir, a part of
Punjab, H. P., Garhwal and Kumaon. This zone is wet in outer southern ranges and
slightly dry in inner northern zone. The average annual rainfall in this region is from 100
to 200 cm. Snowfall occurs in this region during winter season.
The region may be divided into three subzones (Fig. 2):
(i) Submontane zone or lower region or tropical and subtropical belts (up to
about 1500 metres altitude from the sea level):
It includes outer Himalayas, particularly region of Siwaliks and adjoining areas
where annual average rainfall is over 100 cm. This zone ranges between 300 and
1500 metres above sea level. In this zone, forests dominated by timber trees of
Shorea robusta are common. Other important tree species are Salmalia
malabaricum, Butea monosperma, Acacia catachu and Zizyphus species. In the
swampy areas, Dalbergia sisso (Shisham), Ficus glomerata, Eugenia jambolana
are of common occurrence. In west dry regions sal trees are replaced by xeric
plants particularly Zizyphus, Carissa, Acacia, and thorny Euphorbias. At higher
elevation, around 1000 to 1500 metre altitude, cheer (pine) forests are also found
at certain places. The common species of pine are Pinus longifolia and Pinus
roxburghii. Ground vegetation is scanty.
(ii) Temperate zone (from 1500 metres to 3500 metres altitude):
It commonly ranges at the altitudes from 1500 to 3500 metres above the sea level.
Oaks are dominant along with Populus, Rhododendron, Betula and Pyrus. Pinus
excelsa, Cedrus deodara, Picea, Abies, Cupressus and Taxus baccata are found in
the heavy rainfall region (between 1600 and 1800 m). Herbs are also common in
this region. Common herbs are Ranunculus hirtila, Polygonum, Pedicularia,
Potentilla argyrophylla, Primula, Delphinium, Clematis, crucifers and many
members of Asteraceae. In cultivated dry lands of Punjab, wheat and barley are

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

main crops. In Kashmir, Betula (birch), Salix (cane), Populus (poplar) are of
common occurrence. Besides these, Quercus semicarpifolia, Q. dilatata, Aesculus
indica (chestnut) and many conifers are commonly met within this region. In west
Kashmir rice cultivation is common Sar or saffron (Crocus sativus), apples,
peaches, walnut, almonds and other fruits are important economic plants of
Kashmir region.
(iii) Alpine zone (above 3500 metres and up to the line of perpetual snow):
Above the altitude of 3500 metres and up to snowline (about 5000 m) is alpine
zone. The vegetation consists of evergreen conifers and some low and broad
leaved trees. The vegetation of this region is characterized by cushion habit, dwarf
nature and gregarious habit. In lower alpine region, shrubby forests are common
which may be (a) Birch—fir forest which is fairly dense and is mixed with
evergreen shrubby Rhododendron at higher level and (b) Birch— Rhododendron
forests in which silver fir, Betula, Rhododendron and Juniperus are common. In
the upper alpine region, prominent herbaceous plants are the species of Primula,
Polygonum, Gentiana, Cassiope, Meconopsis, Saxifraga, Potentilla, Geranium,
Aster, Astragalus etc. which form alpine meadows. At about 5000 metre altitude
and above snow perpetuates round the year and plant growth is almost nil. This
altitude is called snow line or ice line. Populations of Draba, Braya, Cortia,
Leontopodium go on increasing with the increase in altitude. Species of Ephedra,
Juniperus, Berberis are also found scattered. Poa, Stipa and Fectuca are common
grasses of alpine zone.
2. Eastern Himalayas
Eastern Himalayas extend from Sikkim to upper Assam, Darjeeling and NEFA.
Vegetation of this region differs from that of western Himalayas. The chief differences
are due to changed environmental factors as heavy monsoon rainfall, less snowfall and
high temperature and humidity.
This region can also be divided into (Fig. 2):

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

Figure 2: Main types of vegetation at different altitudes in the Western and Eastern Himalaya.

(i) Tropical submontane zone - The tropical subzone characterized by warm and
humid conditions extends from plain up to the altitude of about 1800 m. In this
zone mostly sal forests, and mixed deciduous forests consisting of important

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

plants, such as Sterculia, Terminalia, Anthocephalus cadamba and Bauhinia are

common. In the savannah forests, common plants are Albezzia procera, Bischofia,
Salmelia, Dendrocalamus. Evergreen forests of Dillenia indica, Michelia
champaca, Echinocarpus, Cinnamon, etc. are common.
(ii) Temperate or Montane Zone - It may be further divided into upper and lower
zones Lower temperate zone is the region between 1800 and 3000 metre altitudes.
In the lower temperate zone, Oaks (Quercus), Michelia, Pyrus, Cedrela, Eugenia,
Echinocarpus are common plants. In upper temperate zone (3000-4000 metre
altitude), conifers and Rhododendrons are common. Important conifers of this
region are Picea spinulosa, Abies, Larix, Juniperus, Tsuga griffithi, Tsuga
brunoniana, etc.
(iii) Alpine Zone (from 4000 metres up to snow line) - Climate is humid and
extremely cold. The vegetation in the alpine zone is characterized by complete
absence of trees and predominance of shrubs and meadows. Important plants of
this zone are Rhododendron and Juniperus. Eastern Himalayan vegetation is
considered to be one of the richest vegetational units in the world and consists of
several species of plants which are native of foreign countries, such as, China,
Japan, Burma, Malaya and European countries.
3. Indus Plains
It includes part of Punjab, Rajasthan, Cutch, Delhi, a part of Gujarat. Some part of this
plain is now in Pakistan. The climate of this zone is characterised by dry hot summer, and
dry cold winter. Rainfall is usually less than 70 cms, but in certain regions it is as low as
10-15 cms. The soil of a wide area except cultivated land, is saline. Much of the land has
become desert due to excessive dryness. Vegetation is mainly bushy and thorny Acacia
arabica, Prosopis spicigera, Salvadora, Capparis decidua are very common plants of
this region. Salsola phoetida and Lunakh grass are found mostly in saline soils. Other
plants of this botanic province are Anageissus, Eugenia, Mango, Dalbergia sisso,
Albizzia lebbek, Zizyphus nummularia, etc. Historical evidences indicate that the area was
covered by dense forest some 2000 years ago, but gradual destruction of vegetation cover
either by biotic agencies or by any other agency led to the development of desert in this
plain. Saccharum munja, Cenchrus ciliaris, Prosopis spicigera, Acacia leucophloea, A.

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

senegal are the important plant species which are grown for checking the spread of
desert.
4. Gangetic Plains
This is one of the richest vegetational zones in India. This zone covers flat land of a part
of Delhi, whole of U.P., Bihar, and West Bengal and also a part of Orissa. Rainfall in this
zone is from 50 cm to 150 cm. A great part of the land is under cultivation. The common
crop plants are wheat, barley maize. Sorghum (jowar), Bajra, urad, Moong (Phaseolus
mungo), Cajanus cajan, til (Sesamum indicum), sugarcane, pea (Pisum sp.), gram (Cicer
arietinum), potato, Brassica, rice. In western part of U.P. annual rainfall is from 50 cm to
110 cm. Dry deciduous and shrubby forests are common in this part. Important plants of
south-western part of U.P. are Capparis, Saccharum munja, Acacia arabica. In the north-
western part of U.P. near Himalayas foothills Dalbergia sisso, Acacia arabica are most
common plants. In eastern gangetic plain, the conditions are cold and wet (annual
rainfall, 150 cm in West Bengal). In this part evergreen forests are common. In central
part, the annual rainfall is about 100 cm to 150 cm. The vegetation consists mainly of
deciduous trees. Sal trees are dominant. Other common trees are Terminalia tomentosa,
T. belerica, Acacia species, Bauhinia, Diospiros (Biri Ka patta or tendu), Eugenia sp.,
neem trees (margosa), Madhuca indica (Mahua), Cordia myxa (Lasora), Tamarindus,
Mango (Mangifera indica), Ficus etc. In Bihar and Orissa hills, Rubus, Potentilla,
Fragaria (Rosaceae), Pyrus etc. are common. Mangrove vegetation is common in tidal
regions in West Bengal near Sunder-ban, and Orissa. Rhizophora mucronata, R.
conjugata, Sonneratia, Ceriops roxburghiana and Acanthus ilicifolius, Kandelia rheedii,
Bruguiera gymnorhiza are common mangrove plants in those regions.
5. Central India
Central India covers Madhya Pradesh, part of Orissa (now Odisha), Gujarat and Vindhya.
The areas are hilly. The average rainfall per annum may be 100-170 cm. Some places are
at the altitudes of 500-700 m from the sea level. Biotic disturbances are very common in
this botanical province which have led to the development of the thorny vegetation in
open areas. In this region teak (Tectona grandis) and sal (Shorea robusta) forests are very
common. Other trees are Terminalia tomentosa, Bauhinia, Mango, Phyllanthus, Ficus
glomerata, etc. Among common shrubs are Mimosa rubricaulis, Desmodium, Acacia sp.,

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Zizyphus rotundifolia and other. Entire forest vegetation of central India may be divided
into: (i) Sal forests (ii) Mixed deciduous forests (iii) Thorny forests. At Sarguja (M.P.)
many species have been reported to occur. Some of them are Pyrus, Barberis asiatica,
Rubus elipticus, etc.
6. Deccan
This region comprises whole of the southern peninsular India including Satpura and
southern part of Godawari River. Average annual rainfall in this region is about 100 cm.
It may be divided into the following two subdivisions: (i) Deccan plateau (ii) Coromandel
coast. In Deccan plateau teak forests containing Diospiros, Acacia, Prosopis spicigera,
Santalum album (chandan tree) and Cedrda toona are common. On rocks, Capparis,
Euphorbias, Phyllunthus are common. Teak, Pterocarpus, Borassus, Foenix silvestris are
also common in this area In Chhota Nagpur plateau, important species are Clematis
natans, Barberis, Thallictrum and also many members of Annonaceae, Rosaceae,
Compositae, Araliaceae, Apocynaceae, Lauraceae, Amaranthaceae, Orchidaceae. Some
ferns are also common. In Coromandel Coast vegetation consists largely of some
halophytic species.
7. Western Coast of Malabar
This is small botanical province covering Cape Comorin to Gujarat and Western Ghats.
This is a region of heavy rainfall. In this zone, four types of forests are common: (i)
Tropical forests (occur at 700 m altitude). (ii) Mixed deciduous forests (found at the
altitude up to 1600 m). (iii) Temperate evergreen forests (occur above 1200 m altitude),
and (iv) Mangrove vegetation. In tropical evergreen forest the trees are tall and they have
root buttresses. Important species are Cedrela toona Dipterocarpus. Mangifera indica,
Sterculia alata, Artocarpus hirsuta. In the mixed deciduous forests, important plants are
Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia peniculata Tectona grandis, Dalbergia, Lagerstroemia
lanceolata and bamboo species, particularly Dendrocalamus and Bamboosa arundinacea.
On the Nilgiri hills sub-tropic and temperate conditions exist. Important plants of Nilgiri
vegetation are Rubus, Rhododendron arboreum, Barberis, Thallictrum, Ranunculus,
Fragaria, Potentilla. Many other herbs along with many grasses are also common.
Temperate forests commonly called as “sholas” contain Gardenia obtusa, Michelia
nilgirica, Eugenia species are also common. In Malabar, plants belonging to family

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B.Sc. Botany (H) Third year Paper VII (Ecology) Dr Kadambini Das

Dipterocarpaceae, Tihaceae, Anacardiaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Piperaceae,

Orchidaceae and many ferns are common. The west coast of Malabar region receives
very high rainfall. In the coastal region mangrove plants grow luxuriantly.
8. Assam
This botanical province is very rich in vegetation and covers valley of Brahmaputra,
Naga hills and Manipur. This is the region of heaviest rainfall. Cherapunji is one of the
rainiest place in the world where annual rainfall often exceeds 1000 cm. Excessive
wetness and high temperature in this zone are responsible for the development of dense
forests. Broad leaved, tall evergreen angiosperms and some conifers are very common in
the forests. Common plants occurring in this region are Ficus, Artocarpus, Michelia
champaca, Sterculia alata, Morus species. Besides these bamboos canes, climbers, and
green bushes are also common. Prominent plants in the northern forests of this zone are
Alnus nepalensis, Betula, Rhododendron arboretum, Magnolia, Michelia and Prunus. Sal
also occurs at Garo hills. Orchids and fern species are very rich in this zone.
9. Bay Islands of Andaman and Nicobar (India)
Islands: These are represented by the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the east and
Lakshadweep islands in the west. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are a group of more
than 300 islands, which support many characteristic plants and animals. The forests range
from tropical evergreen to moist deciduous and even mangroves. The Lakshadweep
group of islands comprises 36 major Islands, which together from an area of 32 sq km.
Many varied marine fauna are present here that include turtles, crabs, molluscs and
fishes. Beautiful coral reefs are also present in this part of India. These bay islands
represent elevated portions of submarine mountains. Climate is humid in the coastal
region. In Andaman, beech forests, evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests deciduous
forests and mangrove vegetation are of common occurrence. Rhizophora mimusops,
Calophyllum, etc. are common plants in mangrove vegetation. In the interior evergreen
forests tall trees are common. Important species of trees are Calophyllum, Dipterocarpus,
Lagerstroermia and Terminalia etc. Some part is under cultivation. The important crops
are paddy and sugarcane.

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