The forests in India are also very important in carbon storage, ecological balance and in sustainable development, in addition to the fact that they are very important in terms of biodiversity. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) focuses on the forest and tree cover distribution by states and cities with a high concentration on how urban and semi-urban areas still have abundant green areas. This report will guide policymakers, scholars and the citizens to gain knowledge of where in the country the conservation of forests is doing well and where their efforts to rescue areas that need emergency work. We shall be examining the 15 largest forest covered cities according to the results of the ISFR.
Top 15 Cities with the Largest Forest Cover
| Rank | City | State/UT | Forest Cover (sq km) | Key Highlights |
| 1 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 1,200+ | Surrounded by dense forest belts |
| 2 | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 1,100+ | Known for urban greenery & eco-parks |
| 3 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 950+ | Major afforestation under Haritha Haram |
| 4 | Pune | Maharashtra | 930+ | Protected Western Ghats forest patches |
| 5 | Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 900+ | Located in India’s green heartland |
| 6 | Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 870+ | Rich biodiversity hotspot |
| 7 | Guwahati | Assam | 860+ | Gateway to Northeast forests |
| 8 | Ranchi | Jharkhand | 850+ | Surrounded by sal and teak forests |
| 9 | Nagpur | Maharashtra | 830+ | Famous for tiger reserves nearby |
| 10 | Shillong | Meghalaya | 800+ | High forest density in Khasi hills |
| 11 | Imphal | Manipur | 780+ | Green cover above 75% of area |
| 12 | Kohima | Nagaland | 770+ | Dense hilly forests dominate |
| 13 | Itanagar | Arunachal Pradesh | 760+ | Located in India’s most forest-rich state |
| 14 | Port Blair | Andaman & Nicobar | 750+ | Surrounded by tropical forests |
| 15 | Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala | 730+ | Protected forests and backwaters |
Forest Cover Insights
According to the ISFR, the cities such as Bhopal, Hyderabad and Pune are recording massive successes in the harmonization of urban growth as well as forest cover preservation. Cities like Shillong, Imphal, and Kohima in the northeastern part have retained a high percentage of natural forest cover; some areas had levels of over 75% green cover. In the meantime, tropical and mangrove ecosystems such as those found in island areas such as Port Blair demonstrate the importance of these ecologies in making India rich with biodiversity.
The trends mentioned by this distribution are that metropolitan cities have urban forestry programs and traditionally forest-rich states, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, have not lost their natural advantage. Combined, these cities are instrumental towards the climate resiliency and sustainable development of India.
FAQs
What city in India has the greatest forest cover?
The state that is highest in terms of forest cover is Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
What city in the northeast is the most densely covered with forests?
The best of these are Shillong and Imphal, where more than three quarters of the land is under forest.
What is so great about forest cover in urban areas?
It controls the temperature, enhances the quality of air, contributes to biodiversity, and alleviates climate change.
What states have the greatest area in urban forests?
The contribution is high in Uttar Pradesh, (Madhya Pradesh), Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
What is the total percentage in forest and tree cover in India according to ISFR?
The geographical area of India has a total forest and tree cover of 25.17%.
