Explore the Prominent Forests of India – Part I

The flora and fauna of India are a splendid combination of mountains, oceans, rivers, and dense forests. The wildness in the lush green foliage of the finest forests is quite an attraction for visitors around the world. I have created my bucket list of the most amazing forests of India. If you want to enrich yourself in the vivid landscape amidst the heavy population of tall and thick trees, then you need to plan a vacation to these wild forests.

Sunderbans

The Sunderbans are located in the eastern part of India. It is a marshy land full of mangrove trees. It is believed that there are 78 species of mangrove trees in the forest. The forest is famous for the inhabitance of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The forest is huge covering an area of about 40,000 sq. km. Many species of animals reside in the forest starting from the tigers, leopards, wild boars, foxes, and even the mongoose.

Sunderbans is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is situated on the delta of the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. The place is perfect for a weekend vacation and you can enjoy a boat ride while traversing through the forest. The forest will greet you with the chirping sound of the birds. All along an incredible experience within the heart of the wilderness.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park, home to the white tigers, is located in the central part of India. It is a perfect place for wildlife excursions with a family of animals the royal Bengal tigers, leopards, deer, fox, elephants, wild boars, and nilgai. Many species of birds peacocks, eagles, and many more flock to the forest. The forest is said to have the highest number of tigers. Though there are different opinions on the count at least there are 22 tigers existing in the forest.

The forest spreads over an area of 820 sq. km, densely populated with the tropical trees like Sal and the marshy grasslands. The name is derived from the Bandhavgarh Fort located near the forest. You can go on a safari for a visit around the forest on an elephant or a jeep.

Gir Forest

Gir Forest is located in the western part of India. The forest topography is beautified by the thick deciduous forest. It is home to many species of animals and birds especially the Asiatic lions, leopards, antelopes, vultures, woodpeckers, owls, foxes, hyenas, crocodiles and the mighty pythons.

It is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in India. The area of the forest is approximately 1412 sq. km. It is well protected by the Department of Forest and the population of the lions especially have increased to more than 500. The national park is well known for its collection of many species of reptiles especially the crocodiles and the snakes. Both elephant rides and jeep safaris are available in Gir Forest.

Kanha National Park

Kanha national park-like Bandhavgarh is also located in the central part of India, but much larger in area. It covers an area of about 940 sq. km. It is amazing to watch the green wilderness along with its gift of animals and birds. Rudyard Kipling had referred to Kanha national park in his famous “Jungle Book”.

The forest is home to the Royal Bengal tigers, bears, sloths, jackals, leopards, wolves, and many species of birds. The park is a combination of dense forests and wide grasslands. It is also inhabited by migratory birds. It is mostly populated with tropical deciduous trees and bamboo with open meadows and marshy swamps. One can enjoy the flora and fauna of the forest along with its innumerable species of wild animals and an array of birds.

Jim Corbett National Park

The park is named after the legendary Jim Corbett. He was from Britain and was a famous wildlife hunter and naturalist. He had hunted a number of man-eating tigers and other animals. The ‘Man-eaters of Kumaon” is one of his famous books.

The forest is located in the northern part of India and is famous for its tigers, leopards, elephants, crocodiles, otters, and many other species of birds. It is one of the prestigious forest reserves in India, traversing an area of about 1318 sq. km. The landscape is captivating with the sparkling lakes, the dense moist deciduous trees, the gushing rivers, and marshy grasslands. Elephant rides and jeep safaris are available in abundance for a tour around the park.

Bandipur National Park

Bandipur national park is located in the southern part of India. The park has a lesser number of tigers compared to the others. It is densely inhabited by deer, elephants, bison, peacocks, antelopes, and squirrels. It is said that the forest houses the largest number of wild elephants in South Asia.

The forest has several places for bird watching and one can even have a boat ride around the river backwaters. Deciduous trees dominate the forest landscape. Jeep safaris and elephant rides are common. During the monsoons, the forest's beauty enhances by the wetlands and the rain-soaked trees.

I hope I was able to drive you through a short tour of the most prominent forests of India. There are still many which can be explored and I will talk about those in my next articles and blogs. Please visit them and immerse them in the mesmerizing wilderness.

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