I have been reading about the development of new forest land in Jaipur in the news regularly. The information mentioned the residents of Jaipur will be able to enjoy Sylvan Biodiversity Forest soon. There was no announcement regarding the date, though. A couple of months ago, I read that the work on Sylvan Biodiversity Forest was complete and it was open to the public. I have been planning to explore this new forest in Jaipur for many weeks. Sylvan Forest is on the Jaipur Agra highway, a few kilometers from Ghat Ki Guni and Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh. So, it is not too far away from the heart of Jaipur like the Walled City.

Despite many plans to visit Sylvan Biodiversity Forest, it could not materialize until January 2024. Even though I have been wanting to visit the forest in the early morning, I could manage to visit in the late afternoon.

The doors are closed during the day and we arrived just in time when it was just opened. Sylvan Biodiversity Forest was developed and maintained by the Department of Forest, Jaipur. This department is also responsible for the upkeep and ownership of Smriti Van Jaipur. I have mentioned about Forest department in World Forest Arboretum.

Sylvan Biodiversity Forest & Park | The Complete Guide

Sylvan Biodiversity Forest has been developed by the Department of Forest in association with the Jaipur Development Authority. The forest includes a few trails. The information board marks the trail very well along with other information like the gates, water bodies, benches, and watch towers.

As soon as we entered the park the board mentioned it was inaugurated 8 years ago in the previous government’s reign. However, the board read Sylvan Park rather than Sylvan Forest. It is possible that Sylvan Park was inaugurated earlier and the Sylvan Biodiversity Park followed; the latter is spread over a considerably bigger land. It took us around 15-20 minutes to cover the perimeter of the park until we arrived at the entrance of the Sylvan Forest. Many women groups were taking an evening stroll in Sylvan Park. However, we only saw four to five people in the forest.

Since the sunset in Jaipur in January is early, around 5.30 pm, we decided to merely follow one trail which takes us deeper into the forest. We won’t have enough time to cover the entire forest. Another information board contains all the dos and don’ts. It suggests moving into the forest in a group. Other directions on the board suggest the forest is frequented by the wild animals. We spent around an hour in this forest exploring few of the walking trails.

Area

The forest encloses an area measuring 113 hectares.

Trees and Flora

Trees In Sylvan Forest

On the information board, the following trees are listed in Sylvan Biodiversity Forest.

• Bauhiniapurpurea/ Kachnar
• Salvadora Perseca
• Holoptelia Integrifolia/ Churail
• Bombax Malabricum/ Semal
• Ficus Religiosa/ Peepal
• Aegle Marmelos/Bel
• Tecomella Undulata/ Rohida
• Cassia fistula/ Amaltas

Even though one of the boards mentioned, Khejri trees in the Sylvan Forest, I could not spot one; it is possible I was unable to explore the sections of the forest with Khejri trees due to paucity of time. Khejri trees are likely near gate number 7; this gate is currently closed for entry. Many trees resemble Acacia species in the forest. I have written about the Acacia Nilotica tree before; Sylvan Forest doesn’t have the Acacia Nilotica trees.

Sylvan Forest Features

The forest has been divided into various zones based on plantation or flora:

• Aravali vegetation plantation
• Aravali Flowering Trees
• Aaravali flowering herbs
• Aravali Climbers
• Grassland

The name Aravali implies the geographical region in which Sylvan Forest is located, the Aravali Hills.

bougainvillea varieties

In the Sylvan Park section, a variety of bougainvillea have been planted. Most of us in this part of the world are unaware that there are many bougainvillea varieties. This is because bougainvillea is not a native plant of India; it was imported from South America via colonialism. Many hybrid species of bougainvillea have been developed in India and other countries. The information board lists bougainvillea varieties found in Sylvan Forest. A few Indian varieties of bougainvillea with names are also listed. There are many more bougainvillea varieties than the ones listed here below.

• Bougainvillea Buttiana Blondie
• Bougainvillea Buttiana Lady Mary Baring
• Bougainvillea Buttiana Mahara
• Bougainvillea Buttiana Mohan
• Bougainvillea Buttiana Meera
• Bougainvillea Buttiana Scarlet Queen
• Bougainvillea Peruviana Odissi
• Bougainvillea Peruviana Partha
• Bougainvillea Peruviana Subhra
• Bougainvillea Peruviana Thimma
• Bougainvillea Spectabilis LN Birla
• Bougainvillea Spectabilis Refulgens
• Bougainvillea Tomato Red
• Bougainvillea Deep Cherry
• Bougainvillea Maharaja of Mysore
• Bougainvillea Lady Hudson 

Timing

The Sylvan Park and forest timing is from 6 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 6.30 pm. Currently, the entry to the Sylvan Forest is via gate number 1- Neem Gate. I recommend visiting Sylvan Forest during the morning.

Location and accessibility

The park is located in Jaipur in the Sumel area on the Jaipur-Agra highway. It is possible to reach the park using public transport-buses.

How to reach?

The drive to Sylvan Forest is very easy. I suggest using the Ghat Ki Guni Tunnel; one needs to take a left turn on Sumel Road to reach gate number one of Sylvan Park.

Visitor Tips

• Visitors to Sylvan Forest must carry their own water bottles. There were no drinking water options in the forest.
• Good walking shoes are recommended; the trail doesn’t demand hiking shoes but it is perfectly fine if you prefer it over walking shoes.
• One can access the park trails via wheelchair but the entry gate is not wheelchair compatible.
• Visitor car parking-There is plenty of free roadside parking for visitors near gate number one.

Is Sylvan Biodiversity Forest worth visiting?

Sylvan Forest is worth visiting because it is one of the most rustic forests developed by the Department of Forest in Jaipur. The other example is Kishan Bagh, but it is a unique concept and differently executed. Read an in-depth Kishan Bagh | The Most scenic Point in Jaipur. Sylvan Forest is a less visited forest park in Jaipur, but it is a beautiful one. We enjoyed this visit to the most rustic and quiet forest park in Jaipur. Unlike Central Park Jaipur, not many Jaipur residents have heard about this beautiful forest.