National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are special areas made to protect animals, birds, and plants. These places help to keep nature safe and protect animals that are in danger of disappearing, like tigers, lions, elephants, and rare birds. Each park and sanctuary has its own unique animals, trees, and plants. People can visit these places to see wild animals in their natural homes.
National Parks are fully protected areas where no human activities like farming or hunting are allowed. Wildlife Sanctuaries also protect animals, but some human activities like grazing and collecting wood are allowed in certain areas. Both places are important for keeping our environment healthy.
These parks and sanctuaries are controlled by the government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They help in saving animals and plants that are important for nature. Some well-known National Parks in India are Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, and Gir.
Knowing about these parks and sanctuaries is important for competitive exams like SSC, Railways, and government job exams. Questions about the names, locations, and special animals of these places are often asked in exams. So, students should study this topic carefully to score better in their exams.
National Parks in India
| State | Total Number of National Parks | National Park Names |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | Papikonda National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Rajiv Gandhi National Park |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 2 | Namdapha National Park, Mouling National Park |
| Assam | 7 | Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Orang National Park |
| Bihar | 1 | Valmiki National Park |
| Chhattisgarh | 3 | Indravati National Park, Kanger Valley National Park, Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park |
| Goa | 1 | Mollem National Park |
| Gujarat | 4 | Gir National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Marine National Park, Vansda National Park |
| Haryana | 2 | Kalesar National Park, Sultanpur National Park |
| Himachal Pradesh | 5 | Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Inderkilla National Park, Khirganga National Park, Simbalbara National Park |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 4 | Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park, Salim Ali National Park |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Betla National Park |
| Karnataka | 5 | Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Anshi National Park |
| Kerala | 6 | Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park |
| Madhya Pradesh | 11 | Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura National Park, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, etc. |
| Maharashtra | 6 | Tadoba National Park, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Navegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Chandoli National Park, Pench National Park (Maharashtra part) |
| Manipur | 2 | Keibul Lamjao National Park, Sirohi National Park |
| Meghalaya | 2 | Balpakram National Park, Nokrek National Park |
| Mizoram | 2 | Murlen National Park, Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park |
| Nagaland | 1 | Intanki National Park |
| Odisha | 2 | Simlipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park |
| Rajasthan | 5 | Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Sariska National Park, Desert National Park, Mukundra Hills National Park |
| Sikkim | 1 | Khangchendzonga National Park |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Mudumalai National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Anamalai National Park |
| Telangana | 3 | Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park, Mrugavani National Park |
| Tripura | 2 | Clouded Leopard National Park, Rajbari National Park |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 | Dudhwa National Park |
| Uttarakhand | 6 | Jim Corbett National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Rajaji National Park, Gangotri National Park, Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, Valley of Flowers National Park |
| West Bengal | 6 | Sundarbans National Park, Jaldapara National Park, Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Singalila National Park, Neora Valley National Park |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
| State | Total Number of Wildlife Sanctuaries | Wildlife Sanctuary Names |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 13 | Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 11 | Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Assam | 18 | Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Bihar | 12 | Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Chhattisgarh | 11 | Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary, Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Goa | 6 | Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Gujarat | 23 | Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, etc. |
| Haryana | 8 | Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Himachal Pradesh | 33 | Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 14 | Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Jharkhand | 11 | Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary, etc. |
| Karnataka | 30 | Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Kerala | 18 | Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Madhya Pradesh | 24 | Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Maharashtra | 42 | Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary, Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary, etc. |
| Manipur | 7 | Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary, Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Meghalaya | 3 | Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, Siju Wildlife Sanctuary, Baghmara Pitcher Plant Sanctuary |
| Mizoram | 9 | Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Nagaland | 3 | Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Odisha | 19 | Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Rajasthan | 26 | Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Sikkim | 7 | Shingba Rhododendron Wildlife Sanctuary, Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary, Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Tamil Nadu | 15 | Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Telangana | 9 | Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Tripura | 4 | Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary, Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Uttar Pradesh | 25 | Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| Uttarakhand | 7 | Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
| West Bengal | 15 | Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Jorepokhri Wildlife Sanctuary, Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. |
FAQs on National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
- What is a National Park?
A National Park is a protected area where animals, birds, plants, and their natural environment are fully protected. No human activities like farming, hunting, or cutting trees are allowed here. - What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?
A Wildlife Sanctuary is a place where animals and plants are protected, but some limited human activities like grazing and collecting firewood are allowed in certain areas. - What is the difference between a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary?
- National Park: No human activities are allowed.
- Wildlife Sanctuary: Limited human activities like grazing and wood collection are allowed in some areas.
- Which is the first National Park in India?
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, established in 1936, was the first national park in India. - Which is the largest National Park in India?
Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the largest National Park in India. - Which is the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in India?
Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. - Which animals are commonly protected in National Parks?
Tigers, elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and many rare birds are protected in National Parks. - Under which law are National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries protected?
They are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. - Which National Park is famous for tigers?
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka are famous for tigers. - Which National Park is famous for one-horned rhinoceros?
Kaziranga National Park in Assam is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros. - Which National Park is famous for lions?
Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only home for Asiatic lions in India. - Which National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
- Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
- Manas National Park (Assam)
- Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)
- Which Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for birds?
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) in Rajasthan is famous for migratory birds. - Which state in India has the most National Parks?
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of National Parks in India. - Why are National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries important?
They help protect endangered animals, plants, and their natural habitat. They also maintain the ecological balance of nature. - What are Biosphere Reserves? Are they different from National Parks?
Yes, Biosphere Reserves are larger areas that may include National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and human settlements. Their main purpose is to promote the sustainable use of natural resources. - Which Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for elephants?
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is famous for elephants. - How many types of protected areas are there in India?
There are four types:- National Parks
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Biosphere Reserves
- Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves
- Which river flows through Jim Corbett National Park?
The Ramganga River flows through Jim Corbett National Park. - Which National Park is famous for swamp deer (Barasingha)?
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is famous for the swamp deer, also known as Barasingha.
