Top 7 Best Forests in India That Are a Must Visit

I love the forest. It is the place where you hear yourself better. – Fahadh Faasil 

If you are a nature lover, you may surely resonate with the above quote. The woods are nature's best gift to mankind, for they play an important part in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Nature has been extremely kind in blessing India with some of the best forests in the world and we have shared 7 best forests in India.

From the unexplored and virgin forests replete with lush greenery, marshy lands, and unique wildlife in the north-east to the dry deciduous forests on the west coast of India, there is plenty of wilderness that you can explore. If you are looking for an adventure vacation in the woods, you can go to these top forests in India. Before exploring the list of top forests in India, let’s delve into some interesting facts about forests in India. 

Top 7 Forests in India

• Sundarbans, West Bengal 

Home to the Royal Bengal Tigers, the rare White Tiger, and a host of other wild and big cats, the Sundarbans forest in West Bengal stretches about 10,000 square kilometres and is one of the largest deltas in the world. The lush green mangrove forest is a Tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve.  

The mighty Brahmaputra River flowing through the Sundarbans forest adds to the charm. The Sundarbans is a delight for nature lovers as you get to know about a variety of rare animal and plant species that are the natives here. 

• Gir Forest, Gujarat 

One of the most famous forests in India to spot the rare and endangered Asiatic lions, the Gir Forest is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Spread over 1412 square kilometres, the forest was once a private game preserve of the Nawab of Junagadh. It was later converted into a national park in 1965 and special efforts were taken to conserve and protect the lion population in the jungle, which was reduced to less than 15.  

Apart from the Asiatic lions, this dry deciduous forest is home to several other animals, including sloth bears, leopards, Indian mongoose, chital, four-horned antelopes, wild boar, golden jackals, and more. You can go on a jungle safari here; the jeep ride takes you to the heart of the forest, where you can get up close and personal with the wildlife and different species of unique plants.

• Corbett, Uttarakhand

One of the most popular forests in India, Corbett has the distinction of being the first national park established in India. It was opened in 1936, and since then it has been attracting many wildlife lovers and photographers from all over the world who come here to revel in the wilderness of the forest and enjoy watching the wild animals’ antics in their natural habitat. 

The most commonly found wildlife at Corbett include langurs, spotted deer, barking deer, otters, peacocks, wild elephants, bears, and tigers. If you are not fond of wildlife, you can still take a jungle safari and enjoy a wonderful time in the tranquil environment inside the forest; it would definitely calm your mind and rejuvenate your senses. 

• Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh 

The Kanha National Park is credited for being the forest that inspired British Author Rudyard Kipling to write the all-time kids’ favourite and best-selling novel, The Jungle Book. The ethereal beauty of this popular Indian forest lies in its pristine wilderness and the vast expanse of bamboo and sprawling Sal plantations.  

The forest is home to some of the most exotic wildlife, birds, and a variety of plant species. Many people come here to see the Royal Bengal tigers that roam the forests freely and the more shy and rarely visible leopards. While on a Jungle safari, you may also come across guars, Indian wild dogs, sloth bears, sambhars, and different deer species.

• Vandalur Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu 

As the name suggests, Vandalur Reserve Forest is a protected forest area in Chennai. It is one of the best forest reserves in South India. It also houses the Madras Zoo, which is a popular tourist attraction. Surrounded by the Vandalur hills, you can enjoy a stunning view of lush green inside the forest. It is an excellent offbeat holiday location where you can spend a peaceful time amidst nature and enjoy watching the wildlife.   

• Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh 

One of the biggest forests in India, this forest area is spread over 1985 square kilometres in the buffer zone and 1808 square kilometres in the core area. Nestled between the Patkai mountain ranges and the Dapha Bum range, it also has the distinction of being the third-largest National Park in the world.  

Probably the greatest and most dense forest region in India, it is home to some of the best wildlife species in India that you may not find elsewhere, including the rare and critically endangered snow leopards, the flying squirrels, and the Red Panda. You can also find many indigenous and migratory birds and species of monkeys, including capped langurs, Assamese Macaques, etc.

• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu 

Being one of India’s first biosphere reserves, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’s main aim of the reserve is to conserve nature and facilitate sustainable development. Established in 1986, the forest is popular among nature enthusiasts for its rich diversity of plants. The forest also has many mammals, reptiles, and birds, among others. 

Interesting Facts About Forests in India 

1. 24.39% of India’s geographical land is covered with forests and trees. 
   
   
2. India is one of the ten forest-rich countries in the world, along with Russia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Sudan, and others.
   
   
3. There are different types of forests in India, ranging from the dry alpine forests of the north to the tropical moist forest of the south and the thorny forests of the west to the wet evergreen forests of the north-east.
    
4. India is ranked 10th in the world, with 24.4% of its land dedicated to forestry.
    
5. Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur have more than 75% forest cover. Followed by Tripura, Goa, Sikkim, Kera, Chhattisgarh, and Assam.

A holiday spent in the jungle resort amidst nature is always rejuvenating and enriching. It not only makes you feel closer to nature but also gives you an understanding of India’s topographical diversity and the flora and fauna that reside in it. Now that you know of the different forests in India, which one are you most excited about?