Major Forests of India

There are many different types of woods in India, each with its own habitat and fauna. These woods, which range from the recognizable Sundarbans mangroves to the vast Saranda forest, are essential for maintaining biodiversity, offering habitat for wildlife, and assisting local residents. The overall health of India's natural ecosystem depends on the protection and conservation of these significant forests.

Features of Major Forests of India

Her are the descriptions about major forests of India −

Sundarbans

A mangrove ecosystem known as Sundarbans can be found in the Bay of Bengal delta created by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers. The world's largest mangrove forest is located in Bangladesh's Sundarban Reserve Forest (SRF). It extends from the Hooghly River in the Indian state of West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh's Khulna division. It is crossed by numerous tidal streams and channels and includes both closed and open mangrove forests, agricultural land, mudflats, and barren terrain. Mangrove forests cover the greatest area in the world in Sundarbans.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves

The Brahmani River and Baitarani River deltas in Odisha, India, are home to the 650 km (400 mi)-long Bhitarkanika Mangroves. One of the best remaining areas of mangrove forests along the Indian coast, the location is now one of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries because to 25 years of ongoing conservation efforts. It is the second-largest mangrove environment in India and is home to numerous different mangrove species. The Saltwater Crocodile, Indian Python, King Cobra, Black Ibis, Darters, and many other types of flora and animals may be found in the national park.

Vandalur Reserve Forest

A protected area called Vandalur Reserve Forest is situated around 30 kilometres from Chennai's downtown in the Vandalur district. It is intersected by the Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road on the southern side and is bounded by Suddhanandha Bharathi Street on the northern and eastern sides as well as the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road in the west. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park, the largest zoological garden in the Indian Subcontinent, is located in the reserve forest.

Jakanari Reserve Forest

The location of the Forest College and Research Institute is in the Jaccanaire Reserve Forest, also known as Jakanari, which is a reserve forest north of Coimbatore. This woodland is located in the Nilgris foothills of the Jakanari mountain. State Highway 15 travels through this protected forest, Kotagiri Ghat.

Molai Forest

A forest called Molai Forest is located in Majuli District, close to Kokilamukh, Assam, India, along the Brahmaputra River. It bears the name of Indian forestry worker and environmentalist Jadav Payeng. After Indian forestry worker and environmentalist Jadav "Molai" Payeng, the Molai forest bears his name. In addition to monkeys, various species of birds, including a huge number of vultures, Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceroses, over 100 deer, and rabbits currently live in the Molai forest. Every year, a herd of about 100 elephants frequents the woodland and typically stays for about six months.

Annekal Reserved Forest

In India's Western Ghats, there is a protected area called Annekal Reserved Forest.It is the Annekal Forest; the precise location is Chudalli. This is a dangerous area because elaphants frequently visit.

Saranda forest

In the hills West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, and Saraikela districts of the Indian state of Jharkhand, there is a dense forest called Saranda forest. The former royal family of Saraikela, the Singh Deo family, used to use this region as their own hunting preserve. 820 km2 are covered by the forest. The region is home to the Ho people, and there are numerous iron ore mining towns there, including Gua, Chiria, Kiriburu, and Noamundi.

Abujmarh Forest

A hilly forest region in Chhattisgarh, Abujmarh spans 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi) and includes the districts of Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada. Native Indian tribes including the Gond, Muria, Abuj Maria, and Halbaas call it home. Long isolated from the outside world, Abujmarh's vast woodlands are mostly populated by indigenous people and can only be reached via forest trails that begin in Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Basroor. Its geographic separation from the Bastar region is increased by the Indravati river.

Kukrail Reserve Forest

The Kukrail Reserve Forest, an urban forest established in the 1950s as a plantation forest, is situated around 9 km northwest of Lucknow's city centre in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. On picnic area road in Indranagar, next to Mayur Residency Extension, is where you'll find Kukrail Reserve Forest. One of India's three native crocodile species, the freshwater gharial (gavialis gangeticus), maintains a captive breeding and conservation facility there. Its name derives from the Lucknow location of the planting site.

Baikunthapur Forest

In West Bengal, India, south of the foothills of the Himalayas, between the Mahananda River to the west and the Teesta River to the east, is a Terai forest region known as Baikunthapur. Siliguri and Jalpaiguri are the two largest cities in the region. The Jalpaiguri district and the Darjeeling district both contain portions of the forests. A significant ecological area with a large population of wild elephants, Baikunthapur is under danger due to population increase. The Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary contains the least damaged areas. Fans of silt that have been carried down from the Himalayas blanket much of the northern region of West Bengal.

List of Major Forests of India

Here is a table of major forests in India and their locations −

Forest	Location
Sundarbans	West Bengal
Bhitarkanika Mangroves	Odisha
Vandalur Reserve Forest	Tamil Nadu
Jakanari Reserve Forest	Assam
Molai Forest	Assam
Annekal Reserved Forest	Karnataka
Saranda Forest	Jharkhand
Abujmarh Forest	Chhattisgarh
Kukrail Reserve Forest	Uttar Pradesh
Baikunthapur Forest	West Bengal

Conclusions

India is fortunate to have a diverse range of forests, each with distinctive qualities and ecological importance. These large forests, which range from West Bengal's mystic Sundarbans to Odisha's luxuriant Bhitarkanika Mangroves, display off the nation's astounding biodiversity. Among the various forests that contribute to India's natural heritage are the Vandalur Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu, the Molai Forest in Assam, and the Saranda Forest in Jharkhand.

These forests are crucial for the preservation of species, as well as for preserving the ecological balance and supplying local inhabitants with a means of subsistence. Let's investigate India's main forests and take in their beauty and significance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest mangrove forest in India?

The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove forest in India.

Where are the Bhitarkanika Mangroves located?

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are located in Odisha, India.

Which state is Vandalur Reserve Forest located in?

Vandalur Reserve Forest is located in Tamil Nadu.

What is the significance of Molai Forest?

Molai Forest, located in Assam, is known for its restoration efforts by environmentalist Jadav Payeng.

Where can the Saranda forest be found?

Saranda forest is located in the hilly regions of Jharkhand.

Which state is Abujmarh Forest situated in?

Abujmarh Forest is located in Chhattisgarh.

What is the purpose of Kukrail Reserve Forest?

Kukrail Reserve Forest in Uttar Pradesh is known for its captive breeding and conservation facility for freshwater gharials.

Where is Baikunthapur Forest located?

Baikunthapur Forest is situated in West Bengal, between the Mahananda and Teesta Rivers.