Conditions found in Rajasthan show variations due to its vast geographical area. The geographical conditions and climate of Rajasthan is of such type, that the extension of forests in this state is significantly less as compared to the other states of India.
According to the National Forest Policy (1988), in order to conserve the ecological system, there should be forests on at least one-third part of the total surface area. In Rajasthan, there are forests on only 9.32% of surface area. Dense forest region amounts only to 3.83% in Rajasthan. Per capita forest area in Rajasthan is just 0.03 hectare, which is significantly less than the average per capita forest area of 0.13 hectare of entire India. There is significant variation in the geographical distribution of forests in Rajasthan.
Relatively denser forest regions of Rajasthan are present in the districts of Sirohi, Banswara, Dungarpur, Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Alwar. Forests are present on more than 20% area of these districts. Churu, Nagaur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts situated in the dry region of Rajasthan have forests on less than 2% of their total geographical surface area.
In Rajasthan, Sirohi and Churu are districts with maximum (31%) andjninimum (0.05%) forest cover respectively. Only thorny bushes and Sevan grass is found in Jaisalmer. Due to the provision .of water from the Indira Gandhi Canal, greenery is now on an increase.
