Protected Area Networks | Environment for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


PROTECTED AREA NETWORK 
Page 2


PROTECTED AREA NETWORK 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
India with 2.4% of the world's land area is home to 7-8% 
of the recorded species of the world,  
which includes 46,000 plant species and 91,000 animal 
species.  
Conservation of wild flora and fauna has been an integral 
part of Indian history. 
 
 From a network of 54 national parks and 373 sanctuaries 
giving a combined coverage of 3.34% of the country's 
geographical area in 1988, the protected area network 
has grown steadily. 
 
Page 3


PROTECTED AREA NETWORK 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
India with 2.4% of the world's land area is home to 7-8% 
of the recorded species of the world,  
which includes 46,000 plant species and 91,000 animal 
species.  
Conservation of wild flora and fauna has been an integral 
part of Indian history. 
 
 From a network of 54 national parks and 373 sanctuaries 
giving a combined coverage of 3.34% of the country's 
geographical area in 1988, the protected area network 
has grown steadily. 
 
PROTECTED AREAS IN INDIA 
 
As of July 2016, the Protected Areas (PAs) in India 
comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and 
conservation and community reserves cover about 
4.89% of the country's geographical area.  
 
Currently, Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar 
islands have maximum numbers of national parks 
(nine each), followed by Kerala, Maharashtra and 
Uttarakhand and West Bengal (six each).  
 
Maximum numbers of wildlife sanctuaries are present in 
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96) followed by 
Maharashtra (41) and Tamil Nadu (29). 
 
Page 4


PROTECTED AREA NETWORK 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
India with 2.4% of the world's land area is home to 7-8% 
of the recorded species of the world,  
which includes 46,000 plant species and 91,000 animal 
species.  
Conservation of wild flora and fauna has been an integral 
part of Indian history. 
 
 From a network of 54 national parks and 373 sanctuaries 
giving a combined coverage of 3.34% of the country's 
geographical area in 1988, the protected area network 
has grown steadily. 
 
PROTECTED AREAS IN INDIA 
 
As of July 2016, the Protected Areas (PAs) in India 
comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and 
conservation and community reserves cover about 
4.89% of the country's geographical area.  
 
Currently, Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar 
islands have maximum numbers of national parks 
(nine each), followed by Kerala, Maharashtra and 
Uttarakhand and West Bengal (six each).  
 
Maximum numbers of wildlife sanctuaries are present in 
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96) followed by 
Maharashtra (41) and Tamil Nadu (29). 
 
National parks and sanctuaries are areas of significant 
ecological, floral, faunal or natural significance.  
 
They are notified by the State Governments; and 
protected by the Forest Departments under the 
provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 & its 
amendments, Indian Forest Act of 1927 , Forest 
(Protection) Act of 1980, Biological Diversity Act, 2002 
and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest 
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.  
 
Hunting of wild animals, encroachment and/or 
destruction of habitat, construction of tourist lodges 
and other such activities are prohibited in protected 
areas. 
 
Page 5


PROTECTED AREA NETWORK 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 
India with 2.4% of the world's land area is home to 7-8% 
of the recorded species of the world,  
which includes 46,000 plant species and 91,000 animal 
species.  
Conservation of wild flora and fauna has been an integral 
part of Indian history. 
 
 From a network of 54 national parks and 373 sanctuaries 
giving a combined coverage of 3.34% of the country's 
geographical area in 1988, the protected area network 
has grown steadily. 
 
PROTECTED AREAS IN INDIA 
 
As of July 2016, the Protected Areas (PAs) in India 
comprising national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and 
conservation and community reserves cover about 
4.89% of the country's geographical area.  
 
Currently, Madhya Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar 
islands have maximum numbers of national parks 
(nine each), followed by Kerala, Maharashtra and 
Uttarakhand and West Bengal (six each).  
 
Maximum numbers of wildlife sanctuaries are present in 
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96) followed by 
Maharashtra (41) and Tamil Nadu (29). 
 
National parks and sanctuaries are areas of significant 
ecological, floral, faunal or natural significance.  
 
They are notified by the State Governments; and 
protected by the Forest Departments under the 
provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 & its 
amendments, Indian Forest Act of 1927 , Forest 
(Protection) Act of 1980, Biological Diversity Act, 2002 
and the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest 
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.  
 
Hunting of wild animals, encroachment and/or 
destruction of habitat, construction of tourist lodges 
and other such activities are prohibited in protected 
areas. 
 
 A National park is a protected area which is 
reserved for the conservation of only 
animals, where no human interference in any 
form of harvesting of timber, collecting minor 
forest products and private ownership rights 
is allowed 
while a wildlife sanctuary is a protected area 
which is reserved for the conservation of only 
animal and human activities like harvesting 
of timber, collecting minor forest products 
and private ownership rights are allowed as 
long as they do not interfere with the well-
being of animals.