Northern dry deciduous forests
The Northern dry deciduous forests, presently known as the North Deccan dry deciduous forests, is a tropical dry broadleaf forest ecoregion of east-central India.
Geography
It covers an area of, mostly in western Odisha state, with portions in neighboring Chhattisgarh. The region extends northeast–southwest in the dry western rain shadow of the Eastern Ghats range, which block the moisture-laden monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal to the east. It is surrounded by the more humid Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests ecoregion.The ecoregion lies mostly in the middle basin of the Mahanadi River and its tributary the Tel. The southern portion of the ecoregion lies in the upper basin of the Indravati River, a tributary of the Godavari.
Flora
The original vegetation was a multi-storied forest of mostly dry-season deciduous trees, dominated by sal. Little of the original forest remains. Teak, which favors drier conditions, is more common in the remaining forests. Frequent fires, intensive grazing, and over-harvesting trees for firewood and fodder has reduced other areas to open scrubland or savanna. Much of the ecoregion has been converted to agriculture or pasture.Fauna
The ecoregion has 68 native mammal species. Threatened mammals include the tiger, dhole, sloth bear, and chousingha.There are 261 bird species in the ecoregion. They include the Indian grey hornbill and Oriental pied hornbill.