When we plan our travels, we always seek out the most verdant destinations as they provide us with a rejuvenating experience. Usually, these include hills and villages, but there are also numerous cities that are abundant in greenery, promoting a sustainable way of life for their residents. Such green cities are committed to expanding and preserving parks and other open spaces throughout their urban areas. India boasts a number of cities that are dedicated to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and working towards ecological preservation. If you're interested in discovering these places, continue reading to learn about the top 8 greenest cities in India.

1. Karnataka's Mysore

Mysore, with its numerous city gardens, enchanting lakes, and waterfalls, has been declared as the greenest city in India. The presence of various zoological gardens further adds to its natural beauty. The city has also been recognized as the cleanest city by Swachh Bharat Urban. It must be a wonderful experience to live in a place surrounded by such scenic beauty.

2. Karnataka's Bengaluru 

The second position on the list of greenest cities in India is held by Bengaluru, a city in the state of Karnataka. Despite being known for its heavy traffic, Bengaluru has lovely tree-lined avenues that add to its appeal. The road trips to Bengaluru are quite enjoyable as well. Moreover, the city boasts some of the most stunning urban parks in the country.

3. Mumbai, Maharashtra 

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Arbor Day Foundation have honored Mumbai as the Tree City of the World for the year 2021, along with Hyderabad. Despite being the most densely populated city in India, Mumbai has managed to maintain a considerable amount of greenery. Its forest cover has also shown a significant increase, which is a remarkable feat worthy of praise.

4. Jamshedpur, Jharkhand

Although Jamshedpur is famously referred to as the 'steel city' of India, it is also the most populated city in Jharkhand and boasts a considerable amount of greenery. According to studies, approximately 33% of the city's land area is covered with greenery.

5. Hyderabad, Telangana

Hyderabad has been consistently committed to conserving its greenery, which has earned it recognition from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Arbor Day Foundation. In 2020, it was honored with the title of "2020 Tree City of the World." This title was conferred on Hyderabad once again in 2021, which it shared with Mumbai.

6. Chandigarh

Chandigarh, which serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is also a Union Territory and widely regarded as one of the most stunning cities in India. Apart from its well-planned layout, the city is also renowned for its eco-friendliness. It is quite common to come across numerous gardens and large trees while traversing the city.

7. Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Gandhinagar must not be overlooked when discussing cities with the most substantial green cover. It is noteworthy that the city boasts an impressive greenery of 22 trees per individual, which is quite remarkable. The city's ecological balance is also aided by its pleasant climate.