- National Parks in India serve as ideal habitats for preserving wildlife, providing natural environments and prey.
- Activities such as development, industry, forestry, poaching, hunting, and cultivation are strictly prohibited within their well-defined boundaries.
- Both the Central and State governments have the authority to declare national parks, which are classified as IUCN category II protected areas.
- India’s first national park, originally established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and now known as Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, marked the beginning of this conservation effort.
- With the enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger in 1972, aimed at safeguarding habitats for conservation-dependent species, the number of national parks in India has grown significantly.
- As of June 2023, there were 106 national parks covering an area of 40,501.13 km2, accounting for 1.33% of India’s total land area. The Chief Wildlife Warden holds the responsibility for controlling, managing, and maintaining all protected areas.
Here is the list of National Parks in India categorized by state:
1-Andhra Pradesh:
- Papikonda
- Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram)
- Sri Venkateswara
2-Arunachal Pradesh:
- Mouling
- Namdapha
3-Assam:
- Dibru-Saikhowa
- Kaziranga
- Manas
- Nameri
- Rajiv Gandhi (Orang)
- Dehing Patkai
- Raimona
4-Bihar:
- Valmiki
5-Chhattisgarh:
- Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay)
- Indravati (Kutru)
- Kanger Valley
6-Goa:
- Mollem
7-Gujarat:
- Blackbuck (Velavadar)
- Gir
- Marine (Gulf of Kachchh)
- Vansda
8-Haryana:
- Kalesar
- Sultanpur
9-Himachal Pradesh:
- Great Himalayan
- Inderkilla
- Khirganga
- Pin Valley
- Col. Sherjung Simbalbara
10-Jharkhand:
- Betla
11-Karnataka:
- Anshi
- Bandipur
- Bannerghatta
- Kudremukh
- Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi)
12-Kerala:
- Anamudi Shola
- Eravikulam
- Mathikettan Shola
- Pambadum Shola
- Periyar
- Silent Valley
13-Madhya Pradesh:
- Bandhavgarh
- Dinosaur Fossils
- Fossil
- Pench
- Kanha
- Kuno
- Madhav
- Panna
- Sanjay
- Satpura
- Van Vihar
14-Maharashtra:
- Chandoli
- Gugamal
- Nawegaon
- Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru)
- Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli)
- Tadoba
15-Manipur:
- Keibul-Lamjao
- Shiroi
16-Meghalaya:
- Balphakram
- Nokrek Ridge
16-Mizoram:
- Murlen
- Phawngpui (Blue Mountain)
17-Nagaland:
- Intanki
18-Odisha:
- Bhitarkanika
- Simlipal
19-Rajasthan:
- Desert
- Keoladeo Ghana
- Mukundra Hills
- Ranthambhore
- Sariska
20-Sikkim:
- Khangchendzonga
21-Tamil Nadu:
- Guindy
- Gulf of Mannar Marine
- Indira Gandhi (Annamalai)
- Mudumalai
- Mukurthi
22-Telangana:
- Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
- Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali
- Mrugavani
23-Tripura:
- Clouded Leopard
- Bison (Rajbari)
24-Uttar Pradesh:
- Dudhwa
25-Uttarakhand:
- Corbett
- Gangotri
- Govind
- Nanda Devi
- Rajaji
- Valley of Flowers
26-West Bengal:
- Buxa
- Gorumara
- Jaldapara
- Neora Valley
- Singalila
- Sunderban
27-Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
- Campbell Bay
- Galathea Bay
- Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor)
- Mount Harriett
- Rani Jhansi Marine
- Saddle Peak
28-Jammu & Kashmir:
- City Forest (Salim Ali)
- Dachigam
- Kazinag
- Kishtwar High Altitude
29-Ladakh:
- Hemis
This comprehensive list outlines the national parks in each state of India, highlighting the diversity of protected areas across the country.
MAJOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
- A wildlife sanctuary is an area deemed to possess significant ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological importance.
- These sanctuaries are established with the aim of protecting, propagating, or developing wildlife and its habitat.
- While some rights of local residents may be permitted within the sanctuary, they are primarily dedicated to wildlife conservation.
- Before officially notifying the sanctuary, the Collector, in consultation with the Chief Wildlife Warden, may allow certain rights of individuals residing within the sanctuary boundaries.
- Wildlife sanctuaries in India are designated as IUCN Category IV protected areas, indicating their importance for conservation efforts.
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 empowers state governments to declare certain areas as wildlife sanctuaries if they are deemed to possess adequate ecological, geomorphological, and natural significance.
- As of December 2021, India has established a total of 564 wildlife sanctuaries, covering approximately 3.73% of the country’s geographical area.
- Among these sanctuaries, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary near Chennai in Tamil Nadu holds the distinction of being the oldest, established in the year 1796.
Here’s a list of Wildlife Sanctuaries in the States and Union Territories of India:
Assam:
- Nambour Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dihing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
- East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
- Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary
Bihar:
- Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pant (Rajgir) Wildlife Sanctuary
- Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary
Chhatisgarh:
- Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary
- Udanti Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary
Goa:
- Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
- Madei Wildlife Sanctuary
Gujarat:
- Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
- Porbandar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jambugodha Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sasan Gir Sanctuary
- Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary
Haryana:
- Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
- N Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary
Himachal Pradesh:
- Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Talra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary
Jharkhand:
- Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary
- Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary
- Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary
Karnataka:
- Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Kerala:
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
- Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
- Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary
Madhya Pradesh:
- Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary
- National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Orcha Wildlife Sanctuary
Maharashtra:
- Koyana Wildlife Sanctuary
- Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary
Manipur:
- Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary
Meghalaya:
- — (No specified sanctuary)
Mizoram:
- Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary (TR)
- Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
- Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary
Nagaland:
- Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary
- Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Odisha:
- Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary
Punjab:
- Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Jhajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary
Rajasthan:
- Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
- Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Sikkim:
- Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kitam Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird)
- Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary
Tamil Nadu:
- Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) Wildlife Sanctuary
- Karaivetti Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pulicat Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
- Vedanthangal Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary
Tripura:
- Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
- Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary
Uttarakhand:
- Askot Musk Deer Wildlife Sanctuary
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Uttar Pradesh:
- Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sur Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary
- National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
West Bengal:
- Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary
- Holiday Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
These are the Wildlife Sanctuaries in the Union Territories of India:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
- Bamboo Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Barren Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chanel Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Peacock Island Wildlife Sanctuary
- Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
- Limber Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
Lakshadweep:
- Pitti Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird)
Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu:
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Fudam Wildlife Sanctuary
FAQs about National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
1. What is the purpose of National Parks in India?
A: National Parks in India serve as protected areas aimed at preserving wildlife and their habitats. They are meant to conserve biodiversity, provide natural environments for animals to thrive, and restrict human activities that could harm the ecosystem.
2. How are National Parks different from Wildlife Sanctuaries?
A: While both National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries aim to conserve wildlife, National Parks have stricter regulations regarding human activities and development within their boundaries. Activities like development, industry, hunting, and cultivation are strictly prohibited in National Parks, whereas some rights of local residents may be permitted in Wildlife Sanctuaries.
3. How many National Parks are there in India, and where are they located?
A: As of June 2023, there are 106 National Parks in India, covering an area of 40,501.13 km2. They are located across various states and union territories, with each region having its unique biodiversity and ecosystems.
4. What is the oldest National Park in India, and when was it established?
A: Jim Corbett National Park, originally known as Hailey National Park, is considered the oldest National Park in India. It was established in 1936 in Uttarakhand and marked the beginning of conservation efforts in the country.
5. How many Wildlife Sanctuaries are there in India, and what is their purpose?
A: India has established a total of 564 Wildlife Sanctuaries, covering approximately 3.73% of the country’s geographical area. Wildlife Sanctuaries are designated areas meant to protect and propagate wildlife and their habitats while allowing certain rights of local residents within the sanctuary boundaries.
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