About 10.12% of the total area (34,610 sq km) of Rajasthan has vegetations due to variations in climate, soil, location of land, etc. It has 3.83% forest cover which is less than whole India’s per individual forest cover 0.13 hectare. Three types of natural vegetation is found here. i.e., forests, grasses and scrubs (desert vegetation).
The classification and distribution of forests in Rajasthan:
1. Tropical thorny forests mainly in Bikaner, Sikar, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jhujhunu, Nagaur and Dausa districts. The trees are khejari, rohira, her, kair, kantila babul, etc.
2. Tropical dry deciduous forests are found mainly in Banswara and Udaipur. The major tree is Dhokda known for its strength and hardness with elasticity. Other trees are tendu, bamboo, bargad, amla, karaunda, neem and glar. Bidi, kattha and toys are made from tendu, khair and khirni respectively.
Further, they are divided into seven sub-types:
(a) Dry teakwood forests: These forests are found in 250-450 mt height. As teak is found in abundance they are named teakwood forests. They are extended in districts of Udaipur, Banswar, Jhalawar, Chittorgarh and Bar an. Teak is found in 50%-75%. Other trees are Tendu, Dhavda, Gurjan, Gondal, Khair, Semai, Reetta, Baheda and Tamarind (Imli). Toys are made of Tendu, Khair and Khirni. The teak cannot bear fog, hence found most in Southern Rajasthan. Its wood is used to manufacture tools and buildings.
(b) Salar forests: These forests are found at 450 mt mountainous area. They are spread in the districts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittore, Sirohi, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaipur, etc. Wood is used in packing and furniture as well as gum and resin are received from Salar forests. Salar Dhok, Katheera and Dhaved are main trees of this area. Due to abundance of Salar trees, they are called Salar forests.
(c) Bamboo forests: Due to abundance of Bamboo trees, they are called Bamboo forests. They are found in those regions of Rajasthan where rainfall is more. They are found in Banswara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Baran, Kota and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan. Other trees are Dhakda, Teak, Dhokda, etc.
(d) Dhokda forests or Mixed Deciduous forests: Except desert region they are found in most of the regions of Rajasthan as environment other than desert region is suitable. Hence, they are the most extended forests in Rajasthan. They are found at 240-760 mt height. It is also known as Dhok and found in Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Udaipur, Rajsamand and Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. These forests are included in main forest wealth of state. The wood of Dhok is very strong, it is converted into coal by burning. The other trees are Palash, Adusa, Jhadber, Arunj, Khair and Khirni, etc.
(e) Palash Forests: They are found in hard and rocky region where soil is found less. Main trees are Dhak, Bahera, Gular, Mahua, Karanj, etc.
(f) Khair Forests: They are spread in southern plateau region in districts of Jhalawar, Kota, Baran, Chittorgarh and Sawai Madhopur. Trees found here are Ber, Dhokda and Arjun.
(g) Babool Forests: They are found in districts of Ganganagar, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jallore, Alwar and Bharatpur. Where less moisture is found their number decreases but as the moisture increases their number also increases.
