Functions & Types of Forest in India

Function of forests:

Sr.No.	Particulars	Functions
1	Productive	They provide timer, fuel, charcoal, beedi , leaves, was and resins, fruits, tanning, materials, manure leaves, grass, bamboo, gums, lac etc.
2.	Protective	Forests protect water sheds, catchments of rivers and streams against erosion.
3.	Aesthatic	Forests add good appearance, landscaping and a thrilling atmosphere to the locality.
4	Recreational	Forest provides picnic resorts and opportunities for sport like hiking, trekking, wild life watching, bird watching.
5	Scientific	Study of ecological process can be made
6	Ameliorative	Forests improve climate and reduce pollution
7	Hygienic	Forests improve the environment and help in reduction of noise, purify the air and give out oxygen to the atmosphere.
8	Industrial developments	Forest meet the need for raw material for industrial development such as Paper pups, rayon grade pulp, saw milk ply wood, hard board etc.

Forest types of Indian:

• Tropical wt ever green forest
• Tropical semi evergreen forest
• Tropical moist deciduous forests (Southern and northern types)
• Littoral and Swamp forests
• Tropical dry deciduous forest
• Tropical thorn forest
• Tropical dry ever green forest
• Sub tropical broad leaved hill forest
• Sub tropical dry evergreen forest
• Mountain wet temperate forest
• Himalayan moist temperature forest
• Sub alpine forest
• Himalayan dry temperate forest
• Sub alpine forest
• Most alpine scrub
• Dry alpine

The above types are called natural ecosystems. Ecosystems are the natural climax forests, resulting from a long process of ecological succession of plants and associated animals life, undisturbed by man.