This type of forest is attributed to relatively low rainfall and lower altitude i.e., 300m-400m above MSL. Many species growing in this forest type are common to the moist deciduous forests. However their percentage of occurrence is low. The leaf-fall starts earlier as compared to moist deciduous forests. This is due the quantity of rain received till the end of North-East monsoon. Generally the trees remain leafless between January and May. Physiognomically, the dominant trees attain height 18.3m to 24.4m and are not gregarious. The canopy is comparatively open allowing good percentage of grass and herb to grow. Bamboos occur as under growth which are heavily browsed and become bushy. New culms of Bamboo grow during November - December. These forests are highly prone to fire. By December and January the grass and many herbs dry up and leaf fall starts too. The forest floor is thickly covered with dry twigs and leaves. As tribal settlements and estates are located in the vicinity of these forests. Forest fires are common due to high degree of biotic interference. Due to repeated forest fires in the past, the forests have degraded and thus a few fire-hardy species are growing in these areas.

The north east portion of this sanctuary adjacent to the plains of Tamil Nadu has a small patch of this type of forests covering about an area of 15 sq.km around Thekkady and Keerappady.

Canopy wise Species Distribution