Are you a nature lover or a wildlife photographer? Are you looking for some adventure in the woods? Let’s find the top ten forest destinations in India for our next trip.
India is the country with the highest population in the world, and it has a lot of unclaimed land dedicated to the conservation of wild animals. Starting from natural forests, sanctuaries, and wildlife reserves, there are many kinds of forests in this country, and you can get a complete dose of wilderness through these iconic forest destinations. Whether you are a wildlife photographer or an enthusiast of natural adventures, here are the top 10 destinations for you to embark on a jungle adventure this year.
- Sunderbans in West Bengal
Sunderbans in the state of West Bengal is best known as the biggest mangrove forest in the Asian region. The trees here grow on the salted soil, which is also part of the earth’s biggest delta formations. The name ‘Sunderbans’ came from the Sundari Mangrove trees, and the part of the forest can be found in India and Bangladesh too. This is the only forest to offer the Royal Bengal Tigers a natural habitat. This coastal mangrove forest spans over 40,000 sq km and is situated in the south of the state, right beside the Bay of Bengal. You can easily find hotels, boats, and good food, and the best natural honey from this region.
- Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand
This is one of the oldest forest reserves of India, which was first established in 1936. Although it was established as Hailey National Park in the beginning, the name was changed later under the influence of Edward James Corbett, who was a British hunter, writer, and nature enthusiast. This forest can offer you 488 species of flora, along with 580 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and 25 species of reptiles. The rich diversity of this place attracts a lot of tourists every year for the jungle safari.
- Khasi Hills in Meghalaya
Khasi is a range of hills in Meghalaya that is covered with dense forest. Due to its beautiful green landscapes, this place is also known as the ‘Scotland of the East’. The beautiful landscape formation, along with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, has become a favorite of many. The best time to visit this place would be after the monsoon, when it rains less and the woods remain clean and fresh.
- Kanha National Park
‘Kanha’ refers to Lord Krishna, and the greatest existence of God can be found in the majestic presence of the wild animals. This national park is also the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, which gathered global attention. This national park was established back in 1955, and by 1974, it included tiger projects for their conservation. Not sure whether you will find lord Krishna in the forest or not, but there is a high chance of meeting ‘Sher Khan’. Other than tigers, you can also find Swamp Deer or Barasingha, animals which are almost on the verge of extinction.
- Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in Tamil Nadu
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in Tamil Nadu is the second-largest mangrove forest in the world, which consists of a total of 50 islands. This place is the perfect destination for a peaceful weekend, and you can also enjoy boating adventures through its system of 4400 canals. There are more than 200 species of birds in this forest, which is considered a buffer zone after the terrifying Tsunami in 2004. The best time to visit this place would be from November to February.
- Gir National Park in Gujarat
This is the only forest in the world, after Africa, where lions can roam and hunt freely without any feeling of being caged. The forest was specially established in 1965 in order to save Asiatic lions, and this project was highly successful. It started with 20 lions, and currently, there are 891 lions thriving with their pride. Gir offers a subtle piece of Africa, as not only lions but you can also find leopards and cheetahs in this zone. Do not forget to enjoy the jeep safari here, which is the most iconic experience you can ever have in your country.
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
‘Nilgiri’ translates to Blue Mountains, which is situated at the convergence of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats mountain range. The hills turn blue and purple during the blossoms of Nilakurunji, and it blooms after 12 years. There are more than 3500 species of flowering plants on this mountain range, and it offers the most spectacular view for the tourists. This massive forest is built with a combination of seasonal rainforest, tropical montane forest, and moist deciduous forest, offering a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Just like the name suggests, this forest is considered to be sacred due to the presence of the local deity Labasa. The locals believe that Labasa transforms into a leopard when needed and hunts down the evil. Labasa keeps the forest safe along with the people in the villages who live nearby. Spanning over 192 acres of land, it is a visit for every nature lover.
- Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh
Namdapha is the fourth biggest national park in India, which is still an off-beat location for travel and tourism. Spanning over an area of 1985 sq. km, this forest is absolutely massive and beautiful for all kinds of wild spirits, and if you are one of them, make sure to visit this extensive bamboo forest. You can find 1000 floral and 1400 faunal species, which makes this national park the richest biologically diverse hotspot.
- Saranda Forest in Jharkhand
This forest range in Jharkhand is part of history as the land was previously used as the private hunting ground of the Singh Deo royal family. The family reigned over Saraikela in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, and this forest spans over 820 sq km. Other than flora and fauna, this place is also enriched with many mineral ores.
So what are you waiting for? Plan for your next forest destination today!
