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Biogeographical Zones of India


India's natural environment is divided into 10 biogeographical zones based on distinct biological communities, ecological conditions, geological history, and climatic variations. This classification, widely referenced in ecology and conservation, comes from the work of Rodgers and Panwar (1988) under the Wildlife Institute of India.
These 10 zones are further subdivided into 27 biogeographic provinces.

This system helps scientists understand:

  • Species distribution

  • Habitat diversity

  • Ecosystem functions

  • Conservation priorities


1. Biogeography

The scientific study of the distribution of species, ecosystems, and biotic communities across space and time.

2. Biogeographical Zone

A large geographical area separated from others by ecological, climatic, or physical boundaries. Each zone has unique plants, animals, and environmental conditions.

3. Biogeographic Province

A smaller subdivision within a biogeographical zone that reflects finer ecological variation.

4. Realm

A large-scale biogeographical division of Earth. India lies mostly in the Indomalayan Realm, while the higher Himalayas show influence of the Palearctic Realm.

5. Biodiversity Hotspot

A region with high levels of endemism (species found nowhere else) and facing significant threats.
In India: Western Ghats and North-East Region are major hotspots.

6. Transition Zone (Ecotone)

An area where two ecological regions meet and mix, resulting in very high biological diversity.

1. Trans Himalayan Region

  • Location: Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti, and parts of Kashmir.

  • Characteristics:

    • Cold desert and high-altitude plateau.

    • Extremely low rainfall, sparse vegetation.

    • Influenced by the Tibetan Plateau.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Alpine scrub, hardy grasses.

    • Snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, kiang (wild ass).

  • Zone Type: Palearctic influence due to extreme altitude and climate.

2. Himalayan Zone

  • Location: Extends from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

  • Characteristics:

    • One of the world's greatest mountain systems.

    • Contains diverse biomes (temperate forests, alpine meadows, snowfields).

    • Acts as an ecotone between Palearctic and Indomalayan realms.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Conifers, rhododendrons.

    • Red panda, musk deer, Himalayan tahr.

3. Indian Desert

  • Includes:

    • Thar Desert (Rajasthan) – sandy desert.

    • Kachchh region (Gujarat) – salt desert.

  • Characteristics:

    • Very low rainfall, sandy dunes, salt flats.

    • Extreme temperature variations.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Xerophytic vegetation (adapted to dryness).

    • Chinkara, Indian wild ass.

4. Semi-Arid Zone

  • Location: Punjab, Haryana, parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

  • Characteristics:

    • Transition zone between the desert and the Deccan Plateau.

    • Dominated by savanna-like grasslands and scrub forests.

    • Aravalli range is the key physiographic feature.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Acacia, thorny bushes.

    • Blackbuck, Nilgai.

5. Western Ghats

  • Location: Mountain chain along India's west coast.

  • Significance:

    • A globally recognized biodiversity hotspot.

    • Very high endemism.

  • Characteristics:

    • Tropical evergreen rainforests, shola forests, montane grasslands.

    • High rainfall due to monsoon barrier effect.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, endemic amphibians and plants.

6. Deccan Peninsula

  • Location: Major part of central and southern India; a large plateau.

  • Characteristics:

    • Stable geological region made of ancient rocks.

    • Predominantly tropical dry deciduous forests.

    • Includes major river systems (Godavari, Krishna).

  • Sub-regions include: Central Highlands, Eastern Ghats, Chota Nagpur plateau.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Teak, sal (in some parts).

    • Tiger, gaur, sloth bear.

7. Gangetic Plains

  • Location: Stretch across North India, nourished by the Ganga river system.

  • Characteristics:

    • Vast alluvial plain, highly fertile.

    • Homogeneous topography.

    • Densely populated and intensively cultivated.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Riparian vegetation.

    • Ganges river dolphin, swamp deer.

8. North-East Region

  • Location: Seven sister states + Sikkim.

  • Significance:

    • A second major biodiversity hotspot.

  • Characteristics:

    • Extremely high rainfall.

    • Dense tropical and subtropical forests.

    • Transitional zone between Himalayas and Peninsular India.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Orchids, bamboo forests.

    • Clouded leopard, hoolock gibbon.

9. Coastal Regions

  • Location: Eastern and Western coastlines of India.

  • Characteristics:

    • Marine influence; humid tropical climate.

    • Mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, coral patches.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Sundarbans mangrove, olive ridley turtles, estuarine crocodiles.

10. Islands

  • Groups:

    • Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal)

    • Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea)

  • Characteristics:

    • Isolated ecosystems with high endemism.

    • Coral reefs, tropical rainforests.

  • Flora & Fauna:

    • Nicobar megapode, dugong, coconut crab.


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