As per the latest assessment made by the Forest Survey India, Dehradun, the forest cover in Arunachal Pradesh was estimated at 66,430.67 sq km (India State of Forest Report 2021). The forest cover was reported over 79.33 percent of the total geographical area of the State. The forest cover was observed the largest in Madhya Pradesh (77,493 sq km), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (66,431 sq km). The forest cover of 66,430.67 sq km was found consisting of 21,058.37 sq km under very dense forest (25.15 percent of the total geographical area of the State); 30,175.56 sq under moderately dense forest (36.03 percent); and 15,196.74 sq km under open forest (18.15 percent). Very dense forest cover was found the largest in Arunachal Pradesh. The State supported more one fifth of the total dense forest cover in the country.
Vast climatic variations of Arunachal Pradesh have resulted in the existence of almost all types of timber wealth ranging from the tropical teak like species in the foothills, to the conifers in the high mountains. Due to the variation in altitudes and climatic conditions, different places of Arunachal Pradesh have different types of forests.
The floral diversity in the State contains more than 5,000 species of flowering plants, 600 species of orchids, 75 species of rhododendrons, 45 species of timber yielding trees, 45 species of bamboos, 17 species of canes, and 500 species of medicinal plants. The State has the largest reservoir of orchids and the highest diversity of rhododendrons in the country.
Notified Forests in Arunachal Pradesh (Area in Sq km)
| Notified Forest Type | Area in Sq. km |
|---|---|
| National Park - 2 Nos. | 2468.235 |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries - 13 Nos. | 7614.557 |
| Community Conserved Areas - 9 Nos. | 131.595 |
| Reserved Forest - 60 Nos. | 16203.580 |
| Village Forest Reserve - 10 Nos. | 163.009 |
| Anchal Reserve Forest - 10 Nos. | 190.5855 |
| Proposed Reserve Forest - 32 Nos. | 9259.530 |
| Preliminary Village Forest Reserve - 140 Nos. | 1258.138 |
| Proposed Anchal Reserve Forest - 15 Nos. | 349.121 |
| Total | 37,638.35 |
Soil characteristics and climate conditions in the State of Arunachal Pradesh are suitable for healthy growth of medicinal plants. The tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and alpine forests in the State are reservoir of plants having high medicinal value. Occurrences of more than 500 such species have been reported. Besides, the State is home to several species, which are not found in abundance elsewhere in the country. Some of the high-value rare species are Coptisteeta, Embeliaribes, Taxauswallichiana, Tinopspora cordifolia, Podophyllum hexandrum, Panax sikkimensis, Withaniasomnifera, Paris polyphylla, Illicium griffithii etc. They can not only cure our ailments but can also be potential source of economy to the state. It has opened up avenues in cultivation, processing, packaging, marketing and industrial application. Some of the most economical medicinal plant species are Acorus, Andrographis, Aqularia, Dioscorea, Oroxylum, Rauvolfia, Tinospora, Withania, etc. in low altitudes, while Aconitum, Coptis, Gymnadaenia, Illicium, Panax, Picrorrhiza, Rubia, Taxus etc. for high altitudes.
