FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA

1
Mapping of Forest Types of India (based on
Champion Seth Classification, 1968)
Subhash Ashutosh Joint Director sashutosh30_at_yahoo.
com
FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA
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India - a mega biodiversity country

• India, with only 2.4 of the worlds area, is
  home to over 8 of its biological diversity
• Its diversity of ecosystems (forests, wetlands,
  grasslands, marine areas, and deserts) is amongst
  the worlds highest, and harbour over 137,000
  species of wildlife (about 47,000 plants, and
  90,000 animals)

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• The panorama of Indian forests ranges from
• evergreen tropical rain forests in the Andaman
  and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats, and the
  north-eastern states, to dry alpine scrub high in
  the Himalaya to the north and arid scrub in the
  western deserts
• between the extremes, the country has
  semi-evergreen rain forests, deciduous monsoon
  forests, thorn forests, subtropical pine forests
  in the lower montane zone and temperate montane
  forests

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Diverse Conditions

• tropical to temperate
• desert to wettest point on the earth
• vast coast line
• highest mountain peaks
• among largest extent of mangrove forests
• vast alluvial plains
• diverse island ecosystems and marine life

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Scientific forestry began in India about 150
years ago
Classification of Forest Types of India has
evolved over a period of time
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Important Systems of Classification of Vegetation
Types in India

• Based on Vegetation - mainly on formation,
  association and habitats
• Beard (1944), Fosberg (1958), Webb (1959)
• Based mainly on Climate - Temperature, Rainfall
  etc
• Schimper (1898), Mayr (1909), Rubnern (1925),
  Thonthwaite (1948), Shanbagh (1958), Emberger
  (1955), Gaussen (1955), Guassen, Legis and Viart
  (1961)
• Based mainly on Eco-system - giving sufficient
  weightage to both vegetational and climatic
  factors
• Champion (1936), Burtt-Davy (1938), Swain (1938),
  Kuchler (1949), Puri (1960) and Champion and Seth
  (1968)

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Forest Type Classification by Champion Seth
(1968)

• Most widely used classification system for
  Indias forests
• A revision of 1936 classification given by
  Champion
• Forests are classified into 6 major groups based
  on climatic factors
• Major groups divided into 16 type groups based on
  temperature and moisture conditions
• Type groups have been classified into 200 forest
  types based on location specific climate and
  edaphic conditions

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Significance of Forest Type

• signifies natural floral biodiversity
• an important consideration for silvicultural
  prescriptions
• an appropriate basis for stratification of
  forests
• important input in management and Working Plans
• facilitates valuation of forests NPV
• characterizes forests in productivity value
• basis for carbon assessment (could be an
  important input in REDD methodologies)
• application in climate change studies
• an important consideration in impact studies
• useful information in various forest related
  studies

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Strata
Forest Type
Forest Cover
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Forest Type
A unit of vegetation that possesses broad
characteristics in physiognomy and structure
sufficiently pronounced to permit its
differentiation from other such units
Champion Seth (1968)
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Mapping of Forest Types of India

• A Government of India funded Project
• First ever exercise for mapping Indias Forest
  Types
• Commenced in March/2005
• Not a revision of C S Classification, only
  mapping
• Budget outlay Rs 3 Crore (0.6 million US)
• Near completion currently at 90 level

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Objectives

• Preparation of district wise forest type maps of
  the entire country on 150,000 scale (using the
  revised classification by Champion and Seth,
  1968)
• Preparation of a detailed report on forest type
  mapping of the country
• Publication of atlas depicting the forest type
  maps for different regions, States UTs of India

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Expected Output

• A detailed report on forest type mapping
• Forest type maps of the entire country on
  150,000
• scale
• Raster
• Vector
• Hard copies
• Atlas of forest types for different regions,
  States UTs of India

District as unit of mapping
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Description Given in the Champion Seth
Classification

• structure physiognomy
• distribution
• locality factors
• temperature
• rainfall humidity
• rock soil
• topography
• floristics
• nomenclature
• succession stage
• ecological note
• photographs

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Forest Cover of India in Different Forest Type
Groups
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Factors Responsible for Forest Types

• Geographic Location
• Climate
• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Soil
• Altitude
• Topography
• Slope
• Aspect
• Socio-economic conditions biotic pressure
• Past Management

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Methodology
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Approach

• use of existing information
• remote sensing GIS application
• intensive ground truthing covering all the
  districts
• analysis using ancillary and reference data
• validation by the SFDs
• accuracy assessment
• final output

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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Reference Map

• bringing relevant legacy/ thematic data of FSI
  and other sources in spatial frame
• provides baseline information for further
  enrichment, analysis, and ground verification
• 171,028 vector grids of dimensions 2 ½ x 2 ½ grid

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Methodology for Reference Map
2.5x2.5
2.5x2.5
.
Forest Type
Selection of Forested Grids
India divided into Grids of 2.5x2.5
Species composition
2.
½
x2.
Forest
Non forest
Forest Cover Maps based on Satellite data (2003)

Aerial Photograph, Stock maps, Inventory forms
Forest Type maps at 11m by F.S.I (1982)
FSIs Thematic Map Forest Type Classes(150,000)
Altitude, Temperature, Rainfall Data
Reference Forest Type Map
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Spatial Data
Attribute Data
Forest Cover Maps based on Satellite data (2003)
S.No
1 Type
2 Inventory, Stratum
3 Category1, Category2, Category3, Remarks
4 Altitude
5 Temperature
6 Rainfall
7 soil
8 Class code
9 Final code
Aerial Photograph, Stock maps, Inventory
Forest Type maps at 11m by F.S.I (1982)
FSIs Thematic Map Forest Type Classes(150,000)
Altitude/DEM (In metre)
Temperature (in 0C)
Rainfall (in mm)
Soil
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Spatial and Non Spatial Data Used
Sl. No Data Sources Scale
1 Satellite data of IRS/1D (LISS III) with spatial resolution 23.5x23.5 m for the year 2002 and subsequent year FSI 1 50000 1 250000
2 Country wide vector grid FSI 2.5x2.5 (encompasses 20 km2 area)
3 Thematic Map (Based on Aerial Photography) FSI 11Million 150000
4 Forest Cover Map FSI 150000 1250000
5 Soil Map NBSS-LUP 15000
6 SRTM USGS 90m intervals
7 Climate Data (Temperature, Rainfall) Center for Ecological Studies, IISc, Banglore 10x10 grid size
8 Field Inventory FSI 2.5x2.5
9 Vegetation Type Map (Western Ghats) French Institute of Pondicherry
10 Multitemporal data for dry season FSI 150000 1250000
11 Working Plans SFDs
12 Stock Maps SFDs
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Preparation of Reference Map
FCM
2.5X2.5 Grids
Reference Map
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Methodology
Geometrical Radiometric Correction of Satellite
Data
Masking Out Non-forest Area
Segmentation of Satellite Images Using DEM and
Soil Type Maps.
For Plain Areas
For Hill Region
Creating Subsets of the Image for Each Soil Type
Creating Subsets of the Image for Each Altitude
Zone (According to Description Given by Champion
Seth)
Unsupervised Classification of Each Segment of FCC
Merging of Classes Based on Pre-field Knowledge
The Final Pre-field Classification Map
Clump and Eliminate (lt5 Hectares)
Checking
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Rule-Based Classification
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Altitudinal Zonation Using Knowledge Engineer
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Zonation Of FCC On The Bases Of Altitude Variation
800-1500mt.
3200-3200
Below 500mt.
500-800m
Above 3200mt
1500-2300
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Classification For Each Altitude Zone
Below 500mt.
800-1500mt.
3200-3200
500-800m
Above 3200mt
1500-2300
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Pre-field Classified Map
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Ground Truthing

• extensive, each district of the country covered
• validation of reference maps
• validation of pre classification
• training sets gathering
• collection of working plan details and other
  relevant information from the SFDs and other
  sources
• collection of photographs

562 districts covered so far 4500 man-days
spent about 25 of the project budget
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COVERAGE OF GROUND TRUTH POINTS
Approx 12,000 points
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INDIA
NAGALAND
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INDIA
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
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LIST OF ATTRIBUTES ATTACHED WITH EACH POINT
STATE DISTRICT PLACE NAME ALTITUDE LONGITUDE LA
TITUDE TERRAIN SLOPE ASPECT SOIL TEXTURE FOREST
TYPE MAIN SPECIES
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NORTH-EAST INDIA
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ATTRIBUTE TABLE
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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AOI Editing Merging of Classes
AOI Editing
Merging of Classes
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Post field Classified Map
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Analysis

• patch wise analysis
• comparison of the classification
• description given in the Working Plans
• analysis of other collateral information
• consultation with the experts in case of doubt

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TEMPORAL DATA
PATCH WISE FOCUS
STATE MAP
ANALYSIS
POST CLASSIFIED MAP
WORKING PLAN
GROUND TRUTH
EXPERT CONSULTATION
REFERENCE MAP
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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NDVI Approach for the Analysis of Temporal
Datasets
Moist Season Data
AWiFS
Output of Model
NDVI Model
Non forest Area Masked Out
Dry Season Data
Output of Model
Non forest Area Masked Out
NDVI Model
AWiFS
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Analysis.
Finding the Threshold values

• Make Spatial Profile of the Difference NDVI
  Image.
• Take sufficient points for making the spatial
  profile.
• Look for the sharp/sudden increase in the pixel
  values.
• Threshold values may vary according to Scene,
  Area Season

Output of Model for Moist Season
Output of Model for Dry season
Difference in values of NDVI indicate different
pattern texture of leaf shed moist condition
of Forest Type.
Difference Values of Evergreen Forest will be
less whereas those of Deciduous will be more.
Category/Forest
Difference Values
Evergreen
0.01 0.3
Deciduous
0.3 lt 0.6 or more.
Difference Image (Moist-Dry)
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Criteria of Different Factors Described by C S
Criteria Criteria Criteria Criteria Criteria Criteria Forest Types
S.No Rainfall (in mm) Altitude (in mts) Temp (in oC) Aspect Soil Forest Types
1 900-1500 300-1200 mts Above 20 All Alluvial 1. Northern Dry mixed Decid. Forest 2. Dry Deciduous Scrub 3. Euphorbia Scrub 4 .Khair Sisso Forest 5. Alder Forest
2 900-2500 gt850 lt1750 Between 15-20 All Loamy 1. Lower or Shiwalik Chir Pine 2. Upper or Himalayan Chir Pine 3 Himalayan Subtropical Scrub. 4. Alder Forest
3 1100-1800 1700-2500 Between 10-15 All Loamy 1. Moist Deodar Forest 2. Ban Oak Forest 3. Moru Oak
4 1000-2500 2500-3000 lt10 gt5 All All All South North Loamy Loamy Loamy Loamy-Sandy Loamy 1. Western Himalayan Mixed Conifer Forest (Mainly Fir) 2. Moru Oak Forest 3. Western Himalayan Moist Deciduous Forest (Kharsu oak, Fir, Spruce etc.) 4. Western Himalayan Secondary Scrub 5. Moist Deodar (in Northern Aspect)
5 lt1300 2800-3350 lt5 All Sandy Loamy 1. Western Himalayan Mixed Conifer Forest 2. Western Himalayan Western Himalayan Moist Deciduous Forest (Kharsu oak, Deodar, Fir, Spruce etc.) 3. Western Himalayan Secondary Scrub 4. Alpine Forest
6 lt1100 gt3350 lt5 All Sandy Loamy 1. Alpine Scrub
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Stack Creation
FCC (4 Layers)
Aspect (1 Layer)
Rainfall (1 Layer)
Temperature (1 Layer)
Altitude (1 Layer)
Soil (1 Layer)
Stack ( 9 Layers)
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In Signature Editor.....
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Model Using Criteria Function
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Marking of Doubtful Areas
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Forest Type Map of Kathua District
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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AOI Editing Merging of Classes
AOI Editing
Merging of Classes
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Field Validation of Maps by the SFDs
Map to be validated
Validation on ground
Corrections if any
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Steps
Field Validation of Ref. Maps Training Sets
Gathering
Reference Map Creation
Pre field Classification
Post field Classification
Analysis
Forest Type Map of the District
Analysis of Temporal Data set for mapping
Decid. Evergreen forest types
Analysis of Different Factors Based on
Description (CS) Field Observations
Marking doubtful patches
Assigning forest types with the help of
reference and ancillary data
Field Verification of Maps by the SFDs
Final Map Generation, Report Atlas Preparation
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Final Output
Atlas
Map
Report
Data Base
17N, 77E
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All the Forest Types could not be Discerned

• not all the forest types mentioned in the
  Champion Seth classification (1968) could be
  discerned
• the reasons could be
• either some forest types occurring in small
  patches have disappeared
• due to limitations of the data/methodology some
  forest types occuring in small areas could not be
  mapped

About 75 80 of the forest types may finally be
mapped e.g. JK 38/40, Gujarat 23/26,
Arunachal P. 51/62 Bihar jharkhand 27/32,
W.B. 43/46, Orissa 27/35, Andhra P. 24/28,
Maharashtra 30/39
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Limitations Constraints

• Resolutions of some of the layers are not
  appropriate
• Spectral signature does not always relate to
  forest type variations
• Shadow
• Soil layer is not adequate
• Natural grasslands/pastures have not been
  assigned forest types
• Ground truthing in disturbed and inaccessible
  areas is difficult

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Way ahead

• mapping on larger scale by SFDs
• floral survey of each type including herbs and
  shrubs
• grouping of types
• revision

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FOREST SURVEY OF INDIA
FOREST TYPE MAP OF NAGALAND
ASSAM
3C/C3(b) East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous
Forest
8B/C2 Khasi Sub Tropical Wet Hill Forest.
9/C2 Assam Sub Tropical Pine Forest
2/2S1 Secondary Moist Bamboo Brakes
MANIPUR
Area Statistics
S. No Forest Type Area in Km2 Total in age
1 3C/C3(b) East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest. 2979.09 21.89
2 3C/C1a(i) East Himalayan Sal Forest. 4888.43 35.92
3 9/C2 Assam Sub Tropical Pine Forest. 1008.79 7.41
4 8B/C2 Khasi Sub Tropical Wet Hill Forest. 2101.80 15.44
5 11B/C2 Naga Hill Wet Temperate Forest. 1698.58 12.48
6 2/2S1 Secondary Moist Bamboo Brakes. 931.90 6.85
  Total Area in Km2 13609.00 100.00
Legend
Kohima District
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Group 1 Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest
Wet Bamboo Brakes, Arunachal Pradesh
Upper Assam Valley tropical evergreen Forest,
Lakhimpur District, Assam
77
Group 2 Tropical Semi Evergreen Forest
Semi Evergreen Forest, Kerala
Semi Evergreen Forest, Kerala
78
Group 3 Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
Moist Deciduous Forest, UP
Moist Deciduous Forest, UP
79
Group 4 Littoral and Swamp Forest
Mangroves, Maharashtra
Mangroves, Maharashtra
80
Group 5 Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
Dry Deciduous Forest, UP
Dry Deciduous Forest, UP
81
Group 6 Tropical Thorn Forest
Revine Thorn Forest, Delhi
Thorn Forest, Rajasthan
82
Group 7 Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest
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Group 8 Subtropical Broadleaved Hill Forest
Reed Forest, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala
Eastern Himalayan Sub tropical Wet hill
forest Senapati District, Manipur
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Group 9 Subtropical Pine Forest
Shiwalik Chir Pine Forest, Chamba District, HP
Assam Subtropical Pine Forest, Hamren
Division Karbianglong District, Assam
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Group 10 Subtropical Dry Evergreen Forest
Olea Cuspidata Forest, Doda District, JK
Olea Cuspidata Forest, Doda District, JK
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Group 11 Montane Wet Temperate Forest
Eastern Himalayan Wet Temperate Forest, Manipur
Eastern Himalayan Wet Temperate Forest Manipur
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Group 12 Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest
Deodar Forest in Udhampur District, JK
Ban Oak Forest in Riasi District, JK
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Group 13 Himalayan Dry Temperate Forest
Blue Pine Forest in Lahaul Spiti District, HP
Blue Pine Forest in Udhampur District, JK
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Group 14 Sub Alpine Forest
West Himalayan Sub Alpine Birch/Fir Forest, HP
East Himalayan Sub Alpine Birch-fir Forest, North
Sikkim
90
Group 15 Moist Alpine Scrub
Moist Alpine Scrub in Arunachal Pradesh
Rhododendron Scrub in Kathua District, JK
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Group 16 Dry Alpine Scrub
Juniper Scrub Lahaul Spiti District, HP
Juniper Scrub Lahaul Spiti District, HP
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Thank you