Forests play an important role in human civilization. It provides a wide range of goods and various ecological services. Forestry represents the second-largest land use in India after agriculture. The forests resources of Assam play a crucial role in meeting a wide diversity of needs for millions. Forest is also an important source of livelihood and means of survival of human being and also other living creatures. A vast area of forest land of Assam has already been transformed into barren and unproductive wastelands. Forest contributes a lot to the Gross Domestic Product of Assam. Assam has its rich potential forr the development of forest. The upper Brahmaputra Valley along with two hill districts is covered by ever green forests and the lower Brahmaputra valley is covered by tropical deciduous forests. Total area covered by forests in Assam is 30,807 sq km which is 39.2 percent of the total geographical area of the State. But reserved forest area covers 22 percent of the total geographical area of the State. The forests of Assam can be classified under certain broad classes, namely, Evergreen Forest, Semi-Evergreen Forest, Tropical Evergreen Forest, Mixed deciduous Forest, Sail Fores, Riverine Forest and Moist and Dry Savannah Forest. The climate in Assam facilitates the growth and regeneration of plant species with a great diversion from evergreen tO dry savannah type. Reserved forests in Assam are divided into six circles and 25 divisions and the areas under wildlife are divided into eight divisions including state zoo. For smooth functioning, the department of forest is divided into two group- general forestry and social forestry. Among all the district of the State, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao possess highest concentration of forests in the State and its area constitute 40.2 per cent of the total forest area of the state.
There are 5 National Parks and 18 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam. Millions of tourists visit these national parks every year. Forest plays an important role in the economy of Assam. The production of forest products in the state are major forest product and minor forest product. This forest in Assam contributes to its economy in many respects. Forest pro-videos timber like Sal, Bansam, Teak or Chegun, Sishu, Gamari etc. which are very much valuable for furniture making and construction works. Thus forests provide not only timber but also excellent employment opportunities to thou-sand engaged with this furniture making and construction works. Forests also provide fuel for household and other amenities, which is comparatively cheaper. Many people are getting their livelihood by supplying fuel, in the form of fire wood, from forests. Forests in As.sam provide raw materials for various industries like plywood industry, match industry, paper and paper pulp industry etc. Assam is also famous for its rich bio-diversity. Among .the wild animals available in the forest of Assam, elephant, tiger, deer, bear, one horned-rhino are quite famous. The density of Tiger population in Kaziranga National Park is highest in the Country. The Government of Assam is preserving these animals by maintaining several forest sanctuaries. Millions of tourists from abroad and domestic visit these national parks and sanctuaries and from them Government of Assam receives a good amount of revenue every year There are different types of rare birds in the forest of Assam.