India is a land of rich and diverse landscapes. Its terrains are known for its rich biodiversity. It is home for some of the largest forests in the world that also have ecological significance the lush green landscapes in these forests plays an important role in enhancing and maintaining ecological balance. They also support the rich flora and fauna of the country and renders tremendous ecological services as well.
1. Sundarbans, West Bengal
The Sundarbans is located in West Bengal, in the Eastern part of India. These forests constitute the largest forest in the country and have an expanse of over 10,000 square kilometers. One of the main specialties of this forest is that, they are present in the lush green mangrove forests and is also known for its population of white tigers. This forest is destined to be a national reserve for the tigers. It also shelters diverse fauna including the leopard cats, fishing cats and the grey mongoose, native to India.
2. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat:
This is perhaps the second largest forest in India, and has its space expanding to over 1,412 square kilometers. It was established in the year 1965 and is home for the majestic Asiatic lions. The main essence of this park is that, it safeguards the population of the Asian Lions, which are just a few dozens in number in our country. This forest is home to the diverse wildlife, which also includes the sloth bears, the leopards, and the cobras. This forest is a perfect example of the conservation of biodiversity in the country.
3. The Sacred Grooves, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
The Khasi Hills are indeed a unique nature wonder and features the sacred grooves or the sacred forests. This landscape is known to have upheld very rich religious traditions. Its preserved woodlands are exemplified by the Mawphland Sacred Forests that are over 25 kilometers from Shillong. This forest showcases a rich tapestry of plant life and also possesses a rich fauna of orchids, flowering trees and the butterflies. This forest is indeed a haven for nature enthusiasts. But this forest has a cardinal rule for all its visitors. They should leave no trace in the forest and should refrain from taking or bringing anything in this pristine forest environment.
4. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spreads over a land of over 5520 square kilometers and is located in the Western Ghats in TAmilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The other name of these forests in the Blue Mountains and this name come from the blue-purple color flowers spread across its landscape. The plant belongs to the Strobilanthes Kunthiana family and is known to bloom only once in twelve years. A number of sanctuaries and national parks serve as a part of this reserve and includes the Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai, Mukurthi etc. These sanctuaries are home for the rare species of Asian elephants, Nilgiri tahr, and tigers.
5. Namdapha Forests:
This national park is in Arunachal Pradesh and spans over 1,985 square kilometers in space. This is one of the most biodiverse regions in the entire eastern Himalayas. It is one of the few forests in India that has differing altitudes. Its height varies between 200 to 4500 meters and has habitats from alpine, to the tropical and the temperate rain forests. The forests are also known for its unique assemblage of wild fauna such as the snow leopard, tigers, clouded leopards, etc. It is also home for some of the rare species of red Panda and the Nemaha flying squirrel. Both of this spec Top 10 Biggest Forests in Indicates is found only in this region.
6. Jim Corbett National Park – Bamboo forests:
The Bamboo forests present in the Jim Corbett National Park are situated in Uttarakhand and cover a vase expanse of 1318 square kilometers. It was also one of the first national parks that were established in the year 1936. The forest is home for some of the rare species of Bengal Tigers, that are considered to be one of the most sensitive and endangered species. The landscape of this forest is hilly and it also comprises of riverine belts, large marshy depressions and high grasslands. The forest also comprises of a wide variety of vegetation and ecosystems as well.
7. Kanha Tiger Reserve forest, Madhya Pradesh:
This forest covers an area of 940 square meters. Apart from being a forest and a national park, it also serves as a critical area for the conservation of the Bengal tigers. This forest was declared to be a Tiger Reserve in the year 1973 and is a region of the very thick Sal forests. Lush bamboo and the large grasslands are its biodiversity. The large expanse of this grassland is ideal for different types of animals to flourish, which includes the endangered barasingha.
8. Saranda Forest:
The Saranda Forest in Jharkhand is one of the largest Sal forest in Asia and covers the area of roughly 820 square meters. This site features a rich diversity of flora and fauna and also enhances the livelihood of the local community people. It also has a very huge deposit of iron ore and sustains many animals such as the leopards, elephants and is also home for diverse bird species.
9. Pichavaram Forest:
This forest is located near the coast of Tamilnadu and extends over 110 square kilometers. It has one of the largest expanses of mangrove ecosystems in India. It is also home for some of the rare species of fish and marine life. It also has a number of water channels and islands that form out of it. It serves as a natural buffer to protect against tsunamis and cyclones.
10. Bandipur National Park:
This national park is in Karnataka and covers a land area of 868.63 square kilometers. It is located at the intersection of the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats. It has a rich variety of dry and moist deciduous forests and is one of the chosen sites for the protection of the Bengal Tiger.
Life without our forests cannot thrive on earth and they are an integral part of our ecosystem. They indeed make this world a sustainable and a beautiful place to live.
