The State of Telangana is endowed with rich diversity of Flora and Fauna. The State has dense Teak forests on the northern part along the banks of river Godavari. As per the Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968), the forests in Telangana belong to three Forest Type Groups, which are further divided into 12 Forest Types.
Teak (Tectona grandis) no longer figures in the top five tree species in Telangana. Felling of the timber tree species has increased so much that the inventory indicates that teak no longer figures among the top five species. This is revealed by the latest report ‘State of Environment Report-TS’, sponsored by the ministry of environment, forests, climate changes. The report has recently been released in the state.
Telangana State is known for its rich heritage in biological diversity distributed in 9 agro climatic regions. Among the flora, the state harbours a total of 2,800 taxa belonging to 1,051 genera under 185 families. This accounts for 16% of the Angiosperms known from India. Of these, 2,071 species belonging to 150 families and 796 genera are Dicotyledons and 729 species belonging to 255 genera and 35 families are Monocotyledons.
Among the fauna, Telangana State is rich with 108 species of mammals that include Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Giant Squirrel, Hyena, Fox, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Indian Bison(Gaur), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Black Buck, Four-horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Honey Badger, Civets,Jungle Cats, Otter, Pangolin, Bats, Tree Shrew, Common Langur,etc.
- Tropical Deciduous forests
- Tropical moist deciduous forests
- Tropical thorn forests
Tropical Deciduous forests
Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam are home to tropical dry deciduous woods. Tree species, including teak, bamboo, tamarind, and mango, define these woodlands. During the dry season, the trees in these woods lose their leaves, covering the forest floor with a layer of dried leaves.
Tropical moist deciduous forests
Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy are areas of tropical moist deciduous woods. These forests have many different types of trees, including mango, teak, sal, bamboo, and sal. Deer, wild boar, and monkeys are just a few of the many species of fauna that call these forests home.
Tropical thorn forests
The areas around Hyderabad, Medak, and Nizamabad are home to tropical thorn forests. Acacia, Prosopis, and Butea trees distinguish these woodlands. These trees contain thorns, and thorny bushes and shrubs are all over the forest floor.
Telangana is also home to a wide range of additional plants and trees, such as palm trees, banyan trees, and eucalyptus, in addition to these three primary forms of vegetation. Various flora and animals may be found in the state's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Kinnerasani and Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary. Telangana's natural vegetation is abundant and diversified, essential to the state's ecology and economy. Numerous tree species may be found in the state's woods, including teak, bamboo, sandalwood, and other floral plants, shrubs, and herbs.
The State Government has taken up a massive greening programme, 'Telangana Ku Harita Haram' in the State to plant and protect 230 crore seedlings over a period of 4 years. This initiative aims at achieving the twin objectives of increasing the forest cover and reduce pressure on the existing forest resources, through massive community participation by Vana Samrakshna Samithis (VSS) and Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in Protected Areas and Watershed Development Committees in the Watershed areas.
Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is 26,904 sq km which is 24.00% of its geographical area, of which 20,353 sq km is Reserved Forest, 5,939 sq km is Protected Forest and 612 sq km is Unclassed Forests. In Telangana, during the period 1st January 2015 to 5th February 2019, a total of 9,420 hectares of forest land was diverted for non-forestry purposes
Geographical Area : 11,231 hectares
Forests : 2,540 hectares (22.6%)
State Animal : Jinka (Chital Deer)
State Tree - Jammi Chettu or Prosopis Cineraria
The Jammi Chettu, also called the Prosopis Cineraria, is the state tree of Telangana. This tree is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and tolerates the hot, dry climate there. The Jammi Chettu is a small to medium-sized tree that can withstand brutal conditions because of its vast root system and rough, greyish-brown bark. Jammi Chettu trees produce tiny, yellow-green blooms in the spring and their fluffy, light green leaves. The wood from the tree is highly prized since it can be used to build, build things, and make furniture. Various animals, including birds and insects, can find shade and shelter under the Jammi Chettu, which is significant for the area's environment.
State animal- Chital or Spotted Dear
The Spotted Deer, often called the Chital or Axis Deer, is the state animal of Telangana. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this beautiful mammal is easily identified by its characteristic white spots on its reddish-brown coat. The spotted deer's main foods are grass, leaves, and fruits. It is a gregarious creature that gathers in herds of up to 30 people. The Spotted Deer plays a significant role in Telangana's ecology by regulating specific plant species' growth, and maintaining the ecosystem's equilibrium. Deer are hunted for their meat and hide and are another well-liked game animal. The Spotted Deer has been designated as the state animal of Telangana.
Sacred groves are small patches of native vegetation traditionally been protected on the grounds of religious faith, these are dedicated to deities, protected by the local communities considering it as the abode of their ancestral deities or spirits.
There are 65 sacred groves documented in Telangana but conservationists say the real figure is much larger and government should take up extensive documentation. In Kerala around 1,500 sacred groves have been documented.
State Bird : Palapitta (Indian Roller)
State Flower : Tandgedu (Tanners Casia)
State Tree : Jammi Chettu (Prosopis Cineraria)
State Fruit : Mango
State Fish : Korameenu or Korramatta (Murrel Fish)
The Jammi Chettu, also called the Prosopis Cineraria, is the state tree of Telangana. This tree is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and tolerates the hot, dry climate there. The Jammi Chettu is a small to medium-sized tree that can withstand brutal conditions because of its vast root system and rough, greyish-brown bark. Jammi Chettu trees produce tiny, yellow-green blooms in the spring and their fluffy, light green leaves. The wood from the tree is highly prized since it can be used to build, build things, and make furniture. Various animals, including birds and insects, can find shade and shelter under the Jammi Chettu, which is significant for the area's environment.
State animal- Chital or Spotted Dear
The Spotted Deer, often called the Chital or Axis Deer, is the state animal of Telangana. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this beautiful mammal is easily identified by its characteristic white spots on its reddish-brown coat. The spotted deer's main foods are grass, leaves, and fruits. It is a gregarious creature that gathers in herds of up to 30 people. The Spotted Deer plays a significant role in Telangana's ecology by regulating specific plant species' growth, and maintaining the ecosystem's equilibrium. Deer are hunted for their meat and hide and are another well-liked game animal. The Spotted Deer has been designated as the state animal of Telangana.
Three National Parks and nine Wildlife Sanctuaries constitute the Protected Area network of the State covering 5.08% of its geographical area.
National Parks
Wild Life Sanctuaries
- Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary
- Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve or Amrabad Tiger Reserve
- Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary
- Paakhal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary
Sacred grove
- Adilabad Dankanapally Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Jainath Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Keslapur Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Mahagoan Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Narnoor Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Pochara Falls Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Sadalpur Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Sirichelma Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Tangri Madra Sacred Grove
- Adilabad Yekantapur Sacred Grove
- Asifabad Ginnedhari Sacred Grove
- Nirmal Basara Saraswati Temple Sacred Grove
- Hyderabad
- Babasharfuddin Pahad Sacred Grove miralam tank
- Chiran Palace sacred Grove{Brahmananda Reddy National Park) 400 acres
- Guruvayur Temple Sacred Grove, 3ha
- Maulali Darga Sacred Grove
- Nowbath Pahad Sacred Grove
- O.U.Campus Sacred Grove – Nagadevata / Gyanalaxmi temple
- Karimnagar
- Kaleswaram Temple Sacred Grove
- Konda Gattu Sacred Grove
- Ramagiri Fort Srirama Temple Sacred Grove
- Vemulawada Temple Sacred Grove
- Khammam
- Parnasala Sacred Grove
- Nugur Fort
- Sthambhadri, Khammam Fort Sacred Grove
- Medak
- AlIadurg Sacred Grove
- Kumaravelli Sacred Grove Siddipet Mandal, temple of Mallikarjuna Swamy
- Mallamma Temple Sacred Groves dubbak
- YedupayaJa Sacred Grove - Durga Devi.
- Nalgonda
- Chandrumgutta(Arur) Sacred Grove
- Ethipothala Sacred Grove nagarjunakonda
- Narketpalli Sacred Grove - Ramalingeswara swami / Machiyagiri Laxminarayana swami
- Yadagirigutta Sacred Grove - Narasimha Swamy
- Nizamabad
- Vellutla Sacred Grove
- Rangareddy
- Alwal temple area Sacred Grove
- Ananthagiri area Sacred Grove
- Chilukur Balaji temple area Sacred Grove 6ha
- Keesaragutta bill area Sacred Grove Kusaiguda village
- Kharmanghat Hanuman temple Sacred Grove osmania university
- Maheswaram Sacred Grove
- Majeedpur Venkateswara Temple Sacred Grove
- Pahar-e-Sherief Sacred Grove
- Parameswar Gutta area Sacred Grove – shiva
- Sanghi temple complex Sacred Grove
- Warangal
- Kotilinga Kshetram Sacred Grove 11 acre Bollikunta village
- Madikonda Sacred Grove Kazipet
- Padmakshi Gutta Sacred Grove - 1 sq.km.- Padmaksharnrna
- Mahabubnagar
- Jellupenta
- Kadalivanam
- Koyalakonda area
- Kurumurthi Konda
- Maniyamkonda
- Saileshwaram
- Singavatnam
- Umamaheswaram
- Yettam
Plants
Total plant species 2800
Plants used in traditional medicine 1800
Rice (Vadlu) 150
Jowar (Jonnalu) 75
Bornyard millets (Odalu) 5
Italian millets (Korralu) 10
Little millets (Samalu) 7
Kodo millets (Arikelu) 10
Pearl millets (Sajjalu) 10
Proso millets (Varigelu) 2
Finger millets (Ragulu) 7
Gingelly (Nuvvulu) 15
Chickpea (Sanagalu) 8
Green Gram (Pesalu) 8
Black Gram (Minumulu) 10
Cowpea (Alasandalu) 10
Pigeon Pea (Kandulu) 15
Horse Gram (Ulavalu) 6
Total plant species 2800
Plants used in traditional medicine 1800
Rice (Vadlu) 150
Jowar (Jonnalu) 75
Bornyard millets (Odalu) 5
Italian millets (Korralu) 10
Little millets (Samalu) 7
Kodo millets (Arikelu) 10
Pearl millets (Sajjalu) 10
Proso millets (Varigelu) 2
Finger millets (Ragulu) 7
Gingelly (Nuvvulu) 15
Chickpea (Sanagalu) 8
Green Gram (Pesalu) 8
Black Gram (Minumulu) 10
Cowpea (Alasandalu) 10
Pigeon Pea (Kandulu) 15
Horse Gram (Ulavalu) 6
Animals
Annelids 163
Arthropods 1337
Molluscs 480
Freshwater fish 180
Amphibians 22
Reptiles 103
Birds 486
Mammals 108
Urban Forest Blocks Developed/In Progress
Annelids 163
Arthropods 1337
Molluscs 480
Freshwater fish 180
Amphibians 22
Reptiles 103
Birds 486
Mammals 108
- Adilabad
- Mavala
- Kadam
- Bhadradri Kothagudem Punukula
- Chatakonda
- Uragutta
- Suraram
- Rathamgutta
- Hyderabad
- Jublee Hills
- Jagtial
- Venkatraopet
- Jagtial
- Jayashankar Bhupalpally
- Kompally extn.
- Mahadevpur
- Jakaram-I
- Kamareddy
- Lingareddy
- Khammam
- Velugumatla
- Lankapally
- Kumarambheem
- Asifabad Ada RF
- Vempally
- Mahabubabad
- Jammandlapally
- Mahabubnagar
- Appannapalli
- Mancherial
- Chennur
- Rally
- Indaram
- Tandur
- Medak
- Narsapur
- Manoharabad
- Wadiaram & Polampally
- Parkibanda-I
- Medchal Malkajigiri
- Chengicherla
- Medpally -I & II
- Narepally - I & II
- Dulapally
- Kandlakoi
- Nagaram
- Yadgarpally-I & Yadagarapalli - II (UN)
- Dharmaram & Upperpally (UN) Cluster
- Keesara
- Gajularamaram, Borampet
- Turkapally
- Lalgadi-Malakpet
- Gowdepally
- Pochampally Kalan & Pochampally Khurd Cluster
- Tumkunta & Shamirpet (UN) Cluster
- Yellampet (UN)
- Mulugu
- Tadwai
- Nuguru
- Laknavaram
- Nagarkurnool
- Kollapur
- Nalgonda
- Nellikal
- Gollaguda I
- Gollaguda II
- Narayanapet
- Eklaspur
- Nirmal
- Chincholi
- Jam
- Maskapur
- Nizamabad
- Sarangapoor
- Mamidipally
- Peddapally
- Kundanpally
- Rajanna Sircilla
- Pothireddypally
- Rangareddy
- Gurramguda
- Chilkur
- Maajidgadda
- Jalpally
- Gandiguda
- Hayatnagar, Kuntloor, Mansoorabad & Quttabulapur Cluster
- Domnair
- Mudmiyal
- Nadergul I & II
- Madannguda
- Kamadhan
- Sirigiripur
- Pallegadda
- Manyamkancha
- Amberpet Kalan
- Bacharam
- Srinagar & Padmati Kancha Cluster
- Maisaram, Nagaram & Nandpally Cluster
- Turkayamjal
- Gollur
- Kothaguda
- Mangalpally (RR)
- Gaganpahad
- Eliminedu, (RR) Gutalakancha, Kongarakalan (UN), Kongarakalan & Salonidubba Cluster
- Tummaloor
- Kawadipally
- Sangareddy
- Zaheerabad
- Jukal Khurd
- Mambapur & Nallavally Cluster
- Khazipally & Kistaipally Cluster
- Bonthapally, Jinnaram, Mangapet, Nagawaram, Palam & Rayapally Cluster
- Siddipet
- Marpadaga
- Chintamadaka
- Gajwel Shareef, Dharmareddypally, & Mailaram Cluster
- Suryapet
- Indragonda
- Vikarabad
- Ananthagiri
- Nagasamundar-I
- Anantharam
- Jafferpally
- Wanaparthy
- Wanaparthy
- Warangal
- Khanapur
- Hanumakonda
- Elkathurthi
- Yadadri Bhuvanagiri
- Lakkaram II
- Somajipalli
- Raigiri - I
- Raigiri - II
- Parvathapur
- Rachakonda
- Bibinagar
- Kondamadugu
- Jalalpur
- Choutuppal
