10 Most beautiful Forests in India

Vast green forest. Photo by Rhema Kallianpur- Unsplash

10 Most beautiful Forests in India

India has some of the best forests in the world. India’s forests are home to some of the most amazing living species, from lush green pine and deodar trees to diverse wildlife ranging from tigers to elephants.

A holiday in one of these forests can be both nourishing and enlightening. It will not only bring you closer to nature, but it will also give you a better understanding of your country and the beings who inhabit it.

Here are the 10 most amazing forests in India you must check out at least once. 

1. Sundarbans, West Bengal

West Bengal is a state in eastern India. The Sundarbans are well-known for being the home of the white tiger (a variant of the Royal Bengal tiger). The huge Sundarbans National Park is part of the Sundarbans delta, which pretty much covers 10,000 square kilometres and is one of the biggest deltas in the world.

The mangrove forest is a tiger reserve as well as a biosphere reserve. The forest is home to many Sundari trees, as well as fishing cats, leopard cats, macaques, wild boar, Indian grey mongoose, fox, jungle cat, flying fox, pangolin, and chita.

Location: Khulna Division, Bangladesh; Presidency division, West Bengal, India

2. Khasi Hills, Meghalaya – Picturesque Forest in India

The breathtaking Khasi Hills in Meghalaya are part of the eco-region of subtropical forests. These hills are named after the Meghalayan Khasi tribe. Deep valleys and conical peaks add to the beauty of these beautiful Khasi forests, which are surrounded by pristine greenery.

The high amount of rainfall in this region is responsible for Meghalaya’s clean and rejuvenating atmosphere.

It is a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The state’s vast expanse of deciduous and semi-evergreen forests is nothing short of heavenly.

These forests’ ecoregion is home to 110 species of mammals, including the clouded leopard, Asian elephant, sloth bear, tiger, bear macaque, and others.

Districts: East Khasi Hills; West Khasi Hills; South West Khasi Hills; Ri-Bhoi

3. Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

Red fox with her baby in the woodlands. Photo by Jeremy Hynes- Unsplash

The Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh is the world’s third-largest national park. The Namdapha National Park is India’s largest forest area, spanning 1985 square kilometres, with 177 square kilometres in the buffer zone and 1808 square kilometres in the core area.

It is located between the Mishmi Hills’ Patkai and Dapha bum ranges. Snow leopards, clouded leopards, common leopards, tigers, dholes, wolves, Asiatic black bears, red pandas, red foxes, yellow-throated martens, Slow Loris, Hoolock Gibbons, Capped Langurs, Assamese Macaques, and Rhesus Macaques can all be found in the park.

The critically endangered Namdapha Flying Squirrel, which can only be found here, is its main draw.

Address: Miao Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh 792122, India

4. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is one of India’s major attractive destinations, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts. It was India’s first national park, founded in 1936.

Wild elephants, sloth bears, langurs, rhesus macaques, peacocks, schools of otters, and many kinds of deer such as chital (spotted deer), sambars, hog deer, and barking deer are among the most frequently encountered wildlife at Jim Corbett. It is one of the best forests in India for a relaxing holiday.

Address: Nainital District, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand 244715, India

5. Bandipur National Park, Karnataka

Baby elephant trailing the wilderness with its mom in the background. Photo by Chris Rhoads- Unsplash

Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is an 874-square-kilometer wilderness. It was once the Maharajas of Mysore’s private hunting ground. Among the several species found here are tigers, Indian elephants, spotted deer, gaurs (bison), and antelopes. The park is surrounded by the towering Western Ghats, which provide a stunning background.

Address: NH 67, Hangala Village, Gundlupet Taluk, Bandipur, Karnataka 571126, India

6. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which stretches across parts of the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Hills in south India, is an International Biosphere Reserve that tends to attract nature lovers all year.

In 2012, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to tribal groups such as the Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Cholanaickens, Allar, and Malayan.

Address: HQF4+78G, Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu 643223, India

7. Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur

A waterfall in the middle of the green vegetation. Photo by Chris Rhoads- Unsplash

The Keibul Lamjao National Park, located in northeast India, is best known for being the world’s only floating park. It is a part of the popular Loktak Lake and was designated as a National Park to protect the natural habitat of the threatened Manipur Eld’s deer, also known as the dancing deer, which is mentioned as a threatened animal by the IUCN.

Address: FRHQ+GR6, Keibul Lamjao Rd, Manipur 795133, India

8. Vandalur Reserve forest

The Vandalur Reserve Forest, located in the southwestern part of Chennai, is one of the greatest forest reserves in South India. It also included the Madras Zoo, a major tourist destination. Vandalur Hill offers breathtaking beautiful scenery and makes for an outstanding offbeat vacation.

Address: V38V+P9W, Vandalur R.F., Tamil Nadu 603210, India

9. Kanha National Park

Then there’s Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh’s country’s biggest park. It is well-known for being home to over 300 different species of resident and migratory birds. However, it is best known for the barasingha (swamp deer).

Kanha’s vast sal and bamboo forests make it simple to spot the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, sambhars, chitals, gaur, and the Indian wild dog. Kanha is also attributed with inspiring British author Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book.

Address: Madhya Pradesh, India

10. Gir National Park, Gujarat – Serene Forest in India

Gir National Park is home to Asiatic lions, which are a threatened animals that must be protected at all costs. Aside from Asiatic lions, many other threatened animals are guarded in this park. There are a total of 2375 faunal organisms, including 38 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles, and 2000 species of insects.

Among the fauna are leopards, chausinghas, spotted deer, hyenas, and others. This park provides a wildlife safari amidst the greenery where you can observe the wildlife up close. Gir Jungle trail is a must-see for adventure seekers. This 1000-square-kilometer park is surrounded by green deciduous forests and will take you on an adventure-filled ride.

You can visit the largest water reserve, ‘Kamleshwar Dam,’ which is the forest’s lifeline during water shortages.

Address: Gujarat, India