- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Thu, 03 Apr 2025 06:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Largest Forests In India: India is home to some of the largest and most diverse forests, providing shelter to a wide variety of wildlife and birds. These forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and are rich in natural beauty. From the Sundarbans, famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers, to the Western Ghats, home to rare plant species, India’s forests are a paradise for nature lovers. The Gir Forest, Kaziranga, and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve are also among the largest and most scenic. These lush green landscapes not only support biodiversity but also attract tourists, researchers, and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world.
Here is the list of top 10 largest forests in India, their area and features and which kind of habitats live there.
1. Sundarbans- 10,000 sq km
Top 10 Largest Forests In India (Image: Canva)
The Sundarbans is the largest forest in India, famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers and vast mangrove ecosystem. Spread across West Bengal and Bangladesh, it is home to crocodiles, deer, and rare bird species like the masked finfoot and fish eagles.
2. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – 5,520 sq km
Located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-listed site. It shelters elephants, leopards, and Indian gaurs, along with unique flora, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
3. Simlipal National Park – 2,750 sq km
Situated in Odisha, Simlipal National Park is known for its dense forests, waterfalls, and rich wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and rare orchids. It is a part of the Eastern Ghats and a vital tiger reserve.
4. Khasi Hills Forest – 2,741 sq km
Located in Meghalaya, the Khasi Hills Forest is known for its living root bridges, lush green landscapes, and diverse birdlife. It is home to the rare Khasi hill fox and clouded leopards.
5. Namdapha Forest – 1,985 sq km
Top 10 Largest Forests In India (Image: Canva)
Namdapha Forest, in Arunachal Pradesh, is India’s third-largest national park, famous for its snow leopards, red pandas, and clouded leopards. Its thick rainforest and hilly terrain make it a paradise for wildlife lovers.
6. Gir Forest – 1,412 sq km
Located in Gujarat, the Gir Forest is the only place in the world where the Asiatic Lion is found in the wild. It also shelters leopards, hyenas, and a variety of birds, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
7. Jim Corbett National Park – 1,318 sq km
Established in Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett is India’s oldest national park, best known for its Bengal Tigers. It also has a rich variety of elephants, crocodiles, and over 600 bird species.
8. Kanha National Park – 940 sq km
The Kanha National Park, in Madhya Pradesh, inspired Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. It is home to tigers, barasingha (swamp deer), leopards, and wild dogs in its lush sal forests.
9. Bandipur National Park – 868 sq km
Located in Karnataka, Bandipur National Park is famous for its large elephant population. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and shelters tigers, deer, and over 200 bird species.
10. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary – 834.5 sq km
Top 10 Largest Forests In India (Image: Canva)
Situated in Karnataka, Dandeli is known for its dense forests, river valleys, and adventure activities. It is home to black panthers, hornbills, elephants, and crocodiles, attracting nature lovers and thrill-seekers.