India is home to some of the finest forests of the world. From lush green pine and dedoar trees to diverse wildlife ranging from tigers to elephants, India’s forests are home to some of the most amazing living species. A vacation amidst one of these forests can prove to be a rejuvenating and enriching experience. Not only will it make you feel closer to nature, it will also give you a better understanding of your country and the beings that reside in it.
# Sundarbans, West BengalLocated in the eastern state of West Bengal. the Sundarbans are known to be home to the white tiger (a variant of the Royal Bengal tiger). The vast Sundarbans National park is part of the Sundarbans delta which cover close to 10,000 square kilometres and are the largest deltas in the world. The lush green mangrove forest is a tiger reserve and a biosphere reserve.
# Gir forest, GujaratThe best place to spot the Asiatic Lion, Gir forest in Gujarat is a delight for wildlife lovers. The Gir National Park is spread over 1,412 sq km in Junagadh district of Gujarat. It was the erstwhile game preserve of the Nawab of Junagadh and was established as a national park in 1965 with the aim to protect and increase the lion population, which had sunk to two dozen in the early 20th century.
# Namdapha National Park, Arunachal PradeshThe Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh is the third largest national park in the world. Spanning over an area of 1985 sq.km., with 177 sq.km. in buffer zone and 1808 sq.km. in the core area, the Namdapha National Park forms the greatest forest region of India. It is nestled between the Patkai range and Dapha bum range of Mishmi Hills.
# Bandipur National Park, KarnatakaKarnataka’s Bandipur National Park is a forest spread over 874 sq km. It was once the private hunting ground of the Maharaja’s of Mysore. You can find tigers, Indian elephants, spotted deer, gaurs (bison), and antelopes among other species here. The towering Western Ghats surrounding the park give it a breathtaking backdrop.
# Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Tamil NaduStretching to parts of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills in south India, the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve is an International Biosphere reserve that attracts nature lovers all year round. It was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 2012. Tribal groups like the Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Cholanaickens, Allar, and Malayan are native to the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve.