Question

Arabari forests of Bengal is dominated by
A. Teak
B. Sal
C. Bamboo
D. Mangroove

Answer 1

Hint: The scientific name of this tree is Shorea robusta. It is their state tree in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. This tree is evergreen in dry areas.

Complete Answer:
- The name of the forest area in West Midnapore, West Bengal, India is Arabari or Arabari Forest Range.
- The conservation effort began in 1972, with the involvement of local people living on the forest border by means of a voluntary involvement process, of Sri Ajit Kumar Banerjee, Divisional Forest Officer in an area of 1.272 ha.
- The process of forest greening was brought into effect by setting up Joint Forest Management Committees consisting of the local villagers and as a result of their efforts an originally almost useless forest became an economic boon for the villagers.
- Under the scheme the villagers were involved in conserving forests derived the benefits of forestry and harvest employment and shared 25 percent of the income from wood production and obtained forest firewood and feed at a nominal cost.
- Arabari is bordered by East Singhbhum Dalma, the Dalmatian area, from where the elephants are coming for food in the jungle, attacking even village people. The forest's dominant vegetation is hardwood sal (Shorea robusta), a commercially well paid crop.

Thus, the correct answer is option B i.e., Sal.

Note: Sal (Shorea robusta) is the predominant forest tree. Many elephants often migrate from the Dalma to Arabari. The West Midnapore villages are frequently targeted by these elephants. The forest can be divided as the Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests.