Maharashtra: Vegetation

Maharashtra: Vegetation

Plants

Thorny savanna-like vegetation occurs in areas of lesser rainfall, notably in upland Maharashtra. Subtropical vegetation is found on higher plateaus that receive heavy rain and have milder temperatures. Bamboo, chestnut, and magnolia are common. In the semiarid tracts, wild dates are found. Mangrove vegetation occurs in marshes and estuaries along the coast.

Insufficient rainfall in much of Maharashtra constitutes the main obstacle to agriculture in the state. Measures to combat food deficits have included the electrification of irrigation pumps, the use of hybrid seeds, more efficient cultivation, and incentives offered to farmers. Maharashtra is the largest producer of sugarcane in India. Jowar (grain sorghum), millet, and pulses (legumes) dominate the cropped area. Rice grows where rainfall exceeds 40 inches (1,000 mm), and wheat is a winter crop in fields that retain moisture. Cotton, tobacco, and peanuts (groundnuts) are major crops in areas with heavy rainfall. Mangoes, cashew nuts, bananas, and oranges are popular orchard crops.

Forests

Western Ghats of India cover numerous highlands ranging from Bombay south to the southern tip of the peninsula. The states covered are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These areas comprise important Tropical Evergreen Forests of India. For this reason, the region faces great conservation concern. Forests in Maharashtra are an important part of the western ghat plane.

Maharashtra’s western ghat is a land of eco-diversity. The state is known for dissimilar climatic conditions and dynamic topographic. It’s rich flora and fauna perfectly reflects the diversity of climate and the geography. The topography of the region varies from arid desert and tropical rain forest to mountain range over 4000 feet in altitude.

With changing circumstances the ecosystem of Maharashtra’s Western Ghats face a