tropical evergreen forests for 20 September 2025

Tropical Evergreen Forests are an important component of India’s natural vegetation. They exist in regions receiving more than 200 cm of annual rainfall. In India, these forests are located in the Western Ghats, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with the peninsular coastline bordering the Arabian Sea and the larger Assam Region of the northeast. Odisha also has a few isolated evergreen patches. In this article, we are going to cover Tropical Evergreen Forests, its characteristics, location and its types.

Tropical Evergreen Forests

Tropical Evergreen Forests are also called tropical rainforests or evergreen forests that are dense, lush and predominantly green ecosystems. These ecosystems sustain year-round due to heavy rainfall and uniform temperature. Characterised by tall, closely spaced trees Tropical Evergreen Forests form a continuous canopy, creating shade and humid environments below. The vegetation remains evergreen and retains its leaves throughout the year, giving rise to a perpetual green landscape. 

Tropical Evergreen Forests Characteristics

The Tropical Evergreen Forests are evergreen in nature and there is no drought in this region. These trees are tall and hardwood and promote greenery on the planet. These characteristics include:

• Trees are evergreen due to the absence of prolonged drought.
• Mostly tall, hardwood species forming dense, multi-layered forests.
• Cover nearly 7% of Earth’s surface, largely around the equatorial belt.
• Sparse undergrowth and limited clearings.
• Minimal litter accumulation due to rapid decomposition.
• Essential for ecological balance and biodiversity preservation.
• Support harmonious coexistence of diverse plant and animal life.

Tropical Evergreen Forests Location in India 

The Tropical Evergreen Forests occur in warm, humid zones with over 250 cm of annual rainfall, a short dry season and average temperature above 22°C. Tropical Evergreen Forests in India are concentrated on the eastern and western slopes of the Western Ghats and in Northeastern states. States and regions having having a Tropical Evergreen Forests cover are: 

• Kerala
• Karnataka
• West Bengal
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Maharashtra
• Tripura
• Meghalaya
• Tamil Nadu
• Assam
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Nagaland

Tropical Evergreen Forests Types in India 

There are three Tropical Evergreen Forests Types in India. These are: 

1. Western Ghats Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests

• Western Ghats Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found along the western slopes of the Western Ghats in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
• Climatic Conditions: Receive 250–400 cm of annual rainfall with consistently high humidity and temperatures around 25–27°C.
• Vegetation:
  • Dominated by tall trees reaching 45–60 meters in height.
  • Common species: Rosewood, Mahogany, Ebony, Ironwood, Bamboos, and Canes.
  • Dense canopy creates layered vegetation, from emergent trees to shrubs and ground flora.
• Wildlife:
  • Rich in biodiversity with elephants, tigers, leopards, lion-tailed macaques, and Malabar civet.
  • Birds include the Malabar hornbill and great Indian hornbill.
    
    
• The forests are a biodiversity hotspot under the UNESCO Western Ghats World Heritage Site.

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are spread across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
• Climatic Conditions: Receive over 300 cm rainfall annually with minimal dry spells due to maritime influence.
• Vegetation:
  • Trees like Dipterocarpus grandiflorus, Dipterocarpus kerrii, Padauk, and Andaman Redwood dominate.
  • Presence of mangroves and littoral forests along the coast.
  • Forests are multi-tiered with abundant epiphytes, orchids, and lianas.
• Wildlife:
  • Home to endemic species such as the Andaman wild pig, Nicobar megapode, and saltwater crocodiles.
  • Birds include the Andaman wood pigeon and Nicobar hornbill.
• Considered a unique ecological region, as many species here are not found on mainland India.

3. Northeast India Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests

• Northeast India Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• Climatic Conditions: Receive 200-400 cm rainfall annually, especially during the monsoon.
• Vegetation:
  • Species include Dipterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea robusta (Sal), Hollong, Hollock, and Gomari.
  • Dense undergrowth with ferns, bamboo, and orchids.
  • Canopy height ranges from 40-50 meters.
• Wildlife:
  • Includes Asian elephants, one-horned rhinoceros, clouded leopards, hoolock gibbons, and hornbills.
  • Rich in butterflies and reptiles due to the humid climate.
• These forests form part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and play a crucial role in maintaining monsoon systems.

Tropical Evergreen Forests Flora and Fauna in India 

The tropical evergreen forests of India have a variety of flora and fauna. Some of the important tree species include Rosewood, Mahogany, Aini, and Ebony. In Kerala, significant species such as White Cedar (Mesa), Jamun, and Canes are found, while in the Assam forests, common species include Gurjan, Jamun, Agar, and Bamboo.

The fauna of these forests is equally diverse. Typical bird species include owls, cardinals, and hawks, while mammals such as deer, raccoons, and possums are commonly observed. Within India, tropical evergreen forests are located in Karnataka and Kerala, with the Western Ghats being the primary region where they survive.

Adaptations of Plants in Tropical Evergreen Forests

Plants in tropical evergreen forests have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in nutrient-poor rainforest soils. Since roots cannot penetrate deeper layers, many tall trees develop buttress roots, which may rise up to 30 feet high before merging into the trunk. These roots provide extra stability and expand the surface area for gaseous exchange, allowing trees to absorb more carbon dioxide and release oxygen efficiently.

Other adaptations include:

• Rough and thick bark to withstand humidity.
• Discontinuous canopy layers, resulting in moderate light penetration.
• Reduced species richness in some areas compared to equatorial rainforests.

Notable species include White Cedar, Hollock, and Kail, while in Kerala, Aini and Bamboo dominate. In Northeastern India, significant trees are White Cedar, Indian Chestnut, Champa, and Mango.

Tropical Evergreen and Deciduous Forests Difference 

Tropical Evergreen Forests and Deciduous Forests have the following differences: 

Feature	Tropical Evergreen Forests	Deciduous Forests
Climate	High rainfall and uniform temperature	Distinct wet and dry seasons
Vegetation	Dense, tall, evergreen canopy	Less dense, mixed tall and short trees
Leaf Shedding	None, remain green year-round	Shed leaves during dry season
Biodiversity	Very high	Moderate
Epiphytes & Lianas	Abundant	Relatively rare
Soil	Nutrient-poor due to rapid recycling	Richer from leaf litter
Growth Pattern	Continuous year-round	Seasonal growth cycles
Examples	Amazon, Western Ghats, SE Asia	Central India, parts of Africa

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