From the perspective of arrangement, control and conservation, Indian forests have been classified in the following way:
1. Protected forests
2. Conserved forests
3. Unclassified forests
1. Protected forests: These types of forests are extended in about 5 lakh sq. km area. These forests have great importance in context to prevention of floods, protection from erosion of soil and land and stopping the spreading deserts.
2. Conserved forests: Only licenced persons can do the work of wood-cutting and grazing their cattle in these type of forests. The conserved forests are extended to about in 2 lakh sq. km of area.
3. Unclassified Forests: There is no prohibition on wood-cutting and animal grazing in these forests. But the user has to pay a fees for their use. These forests are given on contracts for wood cutting. These forests are extended in about 2 lakh sq. km area.
