The existing flora in Uttar Pradesh can be classified into three categories: wet tropical deciduous forests, dry tropical deciduous forests, and tropical thorny forests. Wet tropical forests are situated in areas, which receive an annual rainfall of 100 to 150 centimeters, a special feature of which is that deciduous trees of uneven shapes and sizes are to be found in elevated areas, while the low-lying areas have a significant presence of bamboo, creepers and climbers, as also cane together with green bushes, the trees that grow chiefly in these forests are: sal, plum, goolar, palash, mahua, amla, dhak, jamun etc.
Dry deciduous forests are to be generally found in the plains of almost the whole of central and western regions of the state. Bushes and grasses grow here in abundance because of sunlight travelling right upto the ground level. Large tracts of land have, however, been cleared for agricultural purposes in these forests where sal, fig, palash and teak besides trees such as neem, peepal, mango, jamun, mahua and acacia grow around rivers or in places containing moisture. Thorny forests abound, mostly, in the south western parts of the state where rainfall is scanty (40 to 60 cms annually). Long stretches of land are covered with thorny, scurvy bushes and stunted trees, mainly acacia and other fruit-bearing prickly plants. The land appears to be carpeted, temporarily, by short grass during the monsoon. Altogether, this part of the state is permanently open dry woodland in which a variety of trees grow, yielding resin and gum.
Wildlife depends on forests both for food and habitat. The diversity of the fauna in Uttar Pradesh is determined, in some measure, by the diversity of vegetation. A very large number of species of fauna living in water, on land and in the air is found in the state. To sample a few important ones: Fish - Mahaseer, Hilsa, Saul, Tengan, Parthan, Rasela, Vittal, Rohu, Mrigal, Kotta, Labi, Mangur, Cuchia, Eel, Singhi, Mirror Carp, Trout etc. Amphibia - Frog, Toad, Iguana, Tortoise, Crocodile etc. Reptiles - Bamania, Pit-viper, Lizard, Goh, Cobra, Krait, Dhaman etc. Aves - Cheel, Vulture, Peacock, Nightingale, Pigeon, Parrot, Owl, Nilkanth and Sparrow, Pheasant, Partridge, Florican, Duck, Goose and Wader. Mammals - Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sambhar, Cheetal, Chinkara, Black Deer, Nilgai, Black and Brown Bear, Porcupine, Mongoose, Hare, Squirrel, Cat, Dog, Wolf, Hyena, Shrew, Mouse, Goal, Cow, Buffalo etc.