10 Indian states with the largest forest cover

India has a diverse array of forests, ranging from the verdant tropical rainforests in the Western Ghats to the vast deciduous woodlands in central areas and the unique mangrove ecosystems along the coast. Within these varied habitats, a multitude of plant and animal species flourish, highlighting the ecological richness of India. Noteworthy inhabitants include revered species like tigers, elephants, lions, and rhinoceros, alongside numerous plants and animals that are exclusive to the region.

Certain Indian states stand out for their remarkable forest expanses, offering travelers immersive experiences in ecotourism. Let's explore some of these states renowned for their extensive forest cover.

Madhya Pradesh boasts the largest expanse of forest cover in India, encompassing a total area of 94,689 sq km, which constitutes 30.7% of the state's overall geographical expanse. The state is home to a rich variety of forests, spanning from tropical moist deciduous to tropical dry deciduous and subtropical hill forests. Renowned names among these diverse woodlands include Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Panpatha, and Pench.

Arunachal Pradesh boasts around 83,743 sq km of forest area, ranking closely behind the state with the largest forest cover in India. Renowned for its diverse wildlife and untouched forests, the region features a wide range of forests, from tropical rainforests to subalpine forests. Surveys indicate that Arunachal Pradesh harbors approximately 20% of India's fauna.

With a sprawling forest cover totaling 61,907.08 sq km, Maharashtra showcases a rich variety of forest ecosystems, encompassing tropical deciduous forests, thorn forests, and mangrove forests lining its coastlines. The Sahyadris, also known as the Western Ghats, significantly contribute to this diversity. Notable districts in Maharashtra, including Amravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Thane, and Yavatmal, stand out for their extensive forest coverage, with Gadchiroli leading the pack.

Odisha boasts vast forested areas spanning around 61,204.17 sq km, encompassing diverse ecosystems such as tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, and coastal mangrove forests. This makes it a prime destination for immersing oneself in nature's wonders.

Chhattisgarh is home to vast expanses of forests, including tropical moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests, making it one of the states with significant forest cover in India. Approximately, an area of 59,772 sq km is recorded as forest area.

With 43,382 sq km of total recorded forest area, Karnataka is home to five Tiger Reserves, 30 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 15 Conservation Reserves and 1 Community Reserve. The forests of Karnataka have always attracted wildlife and nature enthusiasts. There are no dull moments when there are places like Bandipur, Kabini, Kudremukh, Nagarhole and Agumbe to name some.

Andhra Pradesh has significant forest cover (approximately 37,258 sq km), including tropical dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and mangrove forests along its coastline. When in Andhra Pradesh, one can’t simply ignore the Nallamala Forest, one of the largest undisturbed stretches of forest in South India. The forest is spread across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and is a part of the Eastern Ghats

The total recorded forest area of Assam is 26,832 sq km, which makes up 34.21% of the state’s geographical area. When in Assam, it’s impossible to ignore the wilds of Kaziranga, Manas and Dehing Patkai, and interestingly, Molai forest in Jorhat, which is also the world's largest single-handedly man-made forest.

With a total of 23,605 sq km under forest cover, Jharkhand is a nature lover’s paradise. Did you know that Jamshedpur’s Saranda forest is the largest Sal forest in Asia? Quite interestingly, the name Jharkhand translates to land covered with forests.

The recorded forest area of Tamil Nadu is 22,877 sq km which is 17.59% of the state's total geographical area. Here we find the famous Nilgiri range, the gem of the Eastern Ghats. The forests of Tamil Nadu give nature and wildlife enthusiasts great opportunities to see several endemic species of flora and fauna.