Sal trees are the typical species of

Sal (Shorea robusta) is a typical and dominant tree species of the tropical monsoon forests, also known as tropical deciduous forests [1]. These forests are the most widespread in India, thriving in regions with annual rainfall between 70 cm and 200 cm. Sal is specifically prominent in both the moist deciduous (100–200 cm rainfall) and dry deciduous (70–100 cm rainfall) subtypes [5]. Geographically, Sal forests are found along the sub-Himalayan belt from Himachal Pradesh to Assam, as well as in parts of central and eastern India, including Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh [2]. Unlike tropical rainforests which are evergreen, monsoon forests like those dominated by Sal are characterized by trees that shed their leaves during the dry season to conserve moisture [3]. Taiga and Tundra forests are cold-climate biomes and are not suitable habitats for Sal [2].

Sources

1. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > 2. Woods of the Monsoon Forests > p. 22
2. [5] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > r) Peninsular trndia > p. 159
3. [2] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation > Tropical Deciduous Forests > p. 44
4. [3] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 10: Indian Forest > 10.1.3. Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests > p. 161