India’s largest forest, covering 10,277 km², Sundarbans in West Bengal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its biodiversity, including the Royal Bengal Tiger.
1. Sundarbans:
1. Sundarbans:
Spanning across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala,this region is famed for its 'blue mountains' and houses tigers, elephants, and the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
Located in Arunachal Pradesh, this biodiversity hotspot boasts tropical rainforests to alpine forests, home to the rare red panda.
3. Namdapha National Park:
3. Namdapha National Park:
Spread over 1,410.30 km² in Gujarat, it is the sole habitat of the Asiatic lion, surrounded by dry deciduous forests and diverse bird species.
4. Gir National Park:
4. Gir National Park:
India’s oldest national park is in Uttarakhand and is crucial for Bengal tiger conservation.
5. Jim Corbett National Park:
5. Jim Corbett National Park:
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha covers 940 km² and is a vital tiger reserve with dense sal forests and expansive grasslands.
6. Kanha National Park:
6. Kanha National Park:
Within Karnataka’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Bandipur is a key site for Bengal tiger protection, alongside Indian elephants and gaurs.
7. Bandipur National Park:
7. Bandipur National Park:
Asia’s largest sal forest is in Jharkhand, and rich in biodiversity and supports local communities with diverse flora and fauna.
8. Saranda Forest:
8. Saranda Forest:
This grove on Meghalaya is revered by the Khasi tribe, untouched by humans and teeming with unique ecosystems.
9. Mawphlang Sacred Grove:
9. Mawphlang Sacred Grove:
Near Tamil Nadu’s coast, Pichavaram’s 110 km² of mangrove forests are crucial for marine life and serve as natural barriers against cyclones.