An area of Sal Forest, Shorea robusta, in Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, central India. The undergrowth is being subjected to controlled burning with the aim of preventing an outbreak of wildfire, which could destroy the habitat.
Sal trees, also called Sarai or Sakhua, are the habitat of Kanha’s endangered subspecies of Southern Swamp Deer (Barasingha) R. d. branderi, as well as many other species, for example Tigers and Golden Jackal can often be seen in this area.
A study in central Bangladesh showed that Sal Forest protects 221 plant species and 220 animal species in that area.
In Kanha National Park, Sal trees comprise over 60% of the forested areas.
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