Due to a tropical hot and humid climate with abundant rains, Andaman & Nicobar Islands support a very luxuriant and rich vegetation. Presently about 84 % of the total geographic area of these Islands is under forest cover. Of the total forest cover, 42.1% are very dense forest, 34.1% are moderately dense forest, 8.2% are open forest and are mangrove 9.6%. Prior to December 1996, tropical wet evergreen rain forests, semi evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests were subjected to heavy fellings. After T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs The Union of India and Ors (Writ Petition 202 (Civil) of 1995) judgement by the Supreme court of india, tree felling however, was curtailed.