Top 10 Dense Forests in India

Introduction:

There’s a host of forest trails for nature lovers to explore across India. Covering around 67% of the forestry in the world, India is one of the Top 10 Dense Forests in India with rich and dense forest cover. This is a success in itself, although many of the resources were lost due to past felonies of burning the forest and hunting its fauna.

Be it the striking Rhododendron Forest in Sikkim, or the sacred Mawphlang Forest guarded by a local deity the country is a paradise with its range of biosphere reserves and hotspots. 

List Of Top 10 Dense Forests in India:

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand:

Established in 1936, the national park is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is located in the district of Nainital, Uttarakhand. It is famous for its tigers. Jim Corbett has a place of 1318.5 sq. kilometers of area. 

Famous for its wildlife safaris, Jim Corbett National Park has more than one resort set at the riverside. More than 586 species of resident and migratory birds have been categorized, including the crested serpent eagle, blossom-headed parakeet, and the red junglefowl the ancestor of all home fowl. 

In the summer, Indian elephants can be seen in herds of numerous hundred. The whole park is divided into 6 tourism zones and out of these 6, Dhikala is the most well-known and biggest area to visit as it has many species to spot including tigers. 

It stays open from the mid of November to the mid of June months. However, there is a Jhirna region in the park that stays open for entire year long. That’s why it is known as one of the top largest dense forests in India.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest:

The 2d largest Mangrove forest in the world, Pichavaram is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is a village near Chidambaram in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India. 

It is located among the Vellar estuary in the north and the Coleroon estuary in the south. One can be enchanted by the complex river system and canal network that bind this beautiful place together and guide the wealthy biodiversity of the area. 

The area includes some of the islands interspersing a huge expanse of water included with mangrove woodland. The Pichavaram mangrove Forest is one of the largest mangrove forests in India covering about 45 sq km of location. 

The place is loved through a boat trip around the 1100-hectare location of the woodland, which takes you through a narrow canal, and breathtaking sceneries and lets in you to witness the amazing life forms of the Mangrove trees while adoring the hen existence of the forest. 

The sea is just 6 km from the forest and one can see the sand bank which separates the forest from the Bay of Bengal during the boat trip. The mangroves also attract migrants and nearby birds including snipes, cormorants, egrets, storks, herons, spoonbills, and pelicans.

About 177 species of birds belonging to 15 orders and 41 households had been recorded. Moreover it is one of the known top largest and dense forests in India.

Andharbhan:

Andharban, which means dark forest, is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is another woodland worth journeying in the great Western Ghats. The foliage is amply thick with cascading waterfalls in addition to still-water ponds. 

Monsoon season is the best time to enjoy this jungle trek near the city of Pune when the lush green forest has just been replenished by heavy rain. It is an ideal monsoon trek, shaded for the most part, and its forte is that it’s a descending path all the way. 

This is an evergreen Sahyadri forest, covered in mist and a dreamy forest landscape in the Tamhini Ghats. This unusual trail requires you to climb downhill for about 3 to 4 hours till you attain the heart of Andharban. Streams and cascading waterfalls dotting the thick forest all add to its charm. 

The Andharban jungle trek has to preferably be undertaken during the monsoon months so you get to experience the full beauty of the lush green valley. Pre-monsoon and proper after-monsoon is the ideal time slots, which mean the months from June to September. No wonder it is one of the top largest and dense forests in India.

Deoria Tal:

Deoria Tal is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is a lake situated at an altitude of about 8,000 toes and is thought by the Hindus to be the bathing place of the gods.

Situated at an altitude of 2,438 meters (7,999 ft) in the Garhwal Himalayas, it has closely wooded, lush green surroundings with snow-blanketed mountains withinside the backdrop.

The emerald lake treats you with the pristine reflection of the Chaukhamba peaks. Furthermore, this striking spot offers you a clear view of other well-known peaks like Bandarpoonch, Nikantha, Kalanag, Kedar Range, etc. 

This part of the forest path is covered with rhododendron trees, which bloom during the spring. For bird watchers, especially, the hike up to Deoria Tal is full of excitement and surprises. The best time to go to Deoriatal is from March to May and October to November. Overall it is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:

Sprawled across the lush green hills of Nilgiris is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is in the Western Ghats, the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve is an International Biosphere reserve that became recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. The biosphere encompasses a place of 5,520 sq. km and is spread across the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

The best way to explore the wildlife of the biosphere reserve is trekking where you can enjoy not only the sights of animals from a close distance but also the splendid views of the Western Ghats. A major part of the Nilgiri biosphere is reserved under Project Tiger and Project Elephant. 

Hence, it is an essential habitat for two of the most important species of fauna in India. The elephants and tigers remain the unmatched attraction of the place. Apart from this, the reserve is famous for the Indian leopard, gaur, Indian elephant, mongoose, Malabar giant squirrel, lion-tailed macaque, grey langur, and Nilgiri tahr.

 The national park is also famous for its flora which includes quite a few plants and orchids. Out of these, some can only be found at Nilgiri biosphere reserves. Moreover it is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India.

Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal:

Sundarbans National Park is one of the top 10 largest and most dense forests in India. The park is famous for its tiger reserve and biosphere reserve. It is located in West Bengal and a part of Sundarbans falls at the Ganges Delta. The park was established in 1984 and covered 1,330.10 sq km. The delta is thickly covered by mangrove forests and it is spread over India and Bangladesh.

Indian Grey Mongoose, Leopard Cats, Ridley Sea Turtle, Wild Boars, Jungle Cat, Fox, Flying Fox, Fishing Cats, Chital, Pangolin, and plenty of more. Varieties of birds are spotted in the park such as openbill storks, black-capped kingfishers, water hens, common snipes, and numerous others. 

The winter season is the best time not only for a comfortable day trip in the dense woodland but also for the better wildlife animals sighting as they arrive out from the dense forest and bask in the sun at the river banks. No doubt it is one of the top largest and dense forests in India. 

Mawphlan Sacred Forests:

Mawphlang, home to Meghalaya’s Sacred Forest, is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It is a beautiful village situated 25 kilometers away from Shillong, the capital city of the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. The village lies in the district of East Khasi Hills and is famous for its sacred groves. 

The village is called Mawphlang as it’s far one of the several monoliths in the Khasi Hills. They name Mawphlang way Grassy Stone and are a land of legendary stories, sacrifices, and unique culture. For the ones who need a glimpse of the tradition, subculture, and way of life of the Khasis which is fading away in the present-day world, Mawphlang is the region to visit. 

Mawphlang is home to the Khasi Heritage Village which was built to exhibit the traditional lifestyle of the Khasi Tribes. The monolith has been preserved to introduce tourists to the Khasi Tribes and their lifestyle in nature’s lap.

The sacred forest is likewise a famous attraction in Mawphlang that’s of great spiritual importance to the Khasis. The forest is home to a variety of flowers and fauna and is a perfect destination for nature walks or trekking making it a real paradise for nature lovers. That’s why it is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India.

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh:

Kanha National Park is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. It has a center area of 940 square kilometers. Located in the Satpura range, the park has earned the reputation of being the “best tourist-friendly” National Park. 

The Park is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India that forms the primary Indian highlands. The national park is being popularized as the Tiger reserve and interestingly is being declared one of the best wildlife areas in the world. 

Kanha National Park remains open for tourists from 16 October to 30 June, and hence, those months are also the best time to go to Kanha National Park. Overall it is one of the top largest and dense forests in India in India.

Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary:

BhimaShankar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India.  It is set in the Ambegaon and Khed talukas of Pune and is said to be one of the best-protected habitats of the Indian Giant Squirrel which is the state animal of Maharashtra. The sanctuary spreads over a place of around 131 km2 One also can see the famous Jyotirlinga temple of the god Shiva.

A beautiful version of the jungle, the park elopes in the Western Ghat mountain variety and features a waterfall and various water bodies, which obviously makes it a must-visit for trekkers. The natural vegetation of the place is mostly Southern tropical semi-evergreen. 

There are various types of bushes, plants, herbs, shrubs, etc. found here. Some of the chief trees seen here are Mango, Hilda, Bamboo, Jamun, Behda, etc. With such lush flora and the presence of water bodies, here one also can spot endangered species like Greater Spotted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Jerdon’s Baza, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Small Sunbird, and Southern Tree Pie. Overall it is one of the top 10 largest and dense forests in India. 

Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary:

Called a haven for anglers, the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best largest and dense forests in India.  . It is a protected area placed in the Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka, India.

The Cauvery River passes through its midst. An area of 197.11 sq mi. Located on the banks of the Kaveri River, the Sanctuary boasts nearly 200 different species of birds.

The sanctuary is also home to dry deciduous and riverine forests. In addition to this, there are some other super varieties of animals such as spotted dear, jackals, elephants, Sāmbhar, and grizzled large squirrels as well as elephants and leopards. 

Owing to cool and pleasant weather, the great time to go to Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is between September and February. Besides, one can also enjoy different exciting sports like hiking and camping in the midst of the great verdant views of the park. Overall it is one of the top largest and dense forests in India.  

As for conclusion, these are some of the Top 10 Dense Forests in India. These forests are home to thousands of amazing creature’s different species of animals and birds. The forest is enriched with greenery representing beauty.