Neogene vegetation of peninsular India

Abstract

The Neogene vegetation of peninsular India has been analysed on the basis of which some broad conclusions have been derived. During the Neogene Period the whole of peninsular India was covered by luxuriant tropical evergreen to deciduous forests. Occurrence of Dipterocarpaceae from East to West and North to South alongwith other common elements suggests a more or less uniform warm tropical climate throughout the peninsula. A gradual decrease in rainfall during Neogene due to northward shift of the Indian peninsula from equator and growing continentality caused by the rise of Himalayan mountains is decipherable. Further decrease in rainfall towards the end of Neogene is evidenced by the complete eradication of dipterocarps and the appearance of dry or desertic conditions towards the end of Pliocene in the western (Gujarat and Rajasthan) and south-eastern (Cuddalore) part of the peninsula is noticeable. Large scale migration and admixture of floras took place between the Indian peninsula, south-east Asia and Africa due to establishment of land connections by the Neogene. Widespread occurrence of Dipterocarpaceae and dominance of legumes together with Sapotaceae, Ebenaceae and Rosaceae, etc. distinguishes the Neogene flora of peninsular India from the Palaeogene.