Coniferous

West of the Indus and also in small patches to the east, where monsoon rains do not reach and the low rainfall is confined to winter rains and snow, xerophytic temperate forests replace the above type. In these forests the canopy is open and trees are stunted. In the extreme north-west and west the main coniferous species are chilgosa (Pinus gerardiana) and Juniperus macropoda.

Alpine forests occurring between 2 850 and 3 600 meters are a mixture of conifers and broadleaved trees. Abies webbiana and a high altitude variety of Pinus wallichiana represent the conifers. The broadleaved species are Betula utilis and Rhododendron campanulatum. The forest is very open and stunted. The usual height for conifers is about 18 to 20 m and for broadleaved species 9 to 10 m. They are unproductive for industrial wood due to their poor stocking. Moreover, most of these forests are inaccessible.

last updated: Wednesday, October 6, 2004