National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in INDIA | IBPS PO Prelims & Mains Preparation - Bank Exams PDF Download

National Parks in India

•  Both the Central and State governments have the power to declare national parks, which are recognized as IUCN category II protected areas. 
•  The journey of national parks in India began with Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, originally established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. This marked the start of efforts to conserve wildlife in their natural habitats. 
•  The situation improved significantly with the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger in 1972, which aimed to protect habitats vital for species that depend on these environments. Since then, the number of national parks in India has increased notably. 
•  As of June 2023, India boasts 106 national parks covering an area of 40,501.13 km², which is about 1.33% of the country’s total land area. The Chief Wildlife Warden is responsible for the control, management, and maintenance of all protected areas in the country. 

National Parks in India by State 

National parks are protected areas in India that conserve wildlife and natural resources. Here’s a detailed list of national parks across different states in India:

 1. Andhra Pradesh:

• Papikonda National Park
• Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park
• Sri Venkateswara National Park

2. Arunachal Pradesh:

• Mouling National Park
• Namdapha National Park

3. Assam:

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Manas National Park
• Nameri National Park
• Rajiv Gandhi (Orang) National Park
• Dehing Patkai National Park
• Raimona National Park

4. Bihar:

• Valmiki National Park

5. Chhattisgarh:

• Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park
• Indravati (Kutru) National Park
• Kanger Valley National Park

6. Goa:

• Mollem National Park

7. Gujarat:

• Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park
• Gir National Park
• Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) National Park
• Vansda National Park

8. Haryana:

• Kalesar National Park
• Sultanpur National Park

9. Himachal Pradesh:

• Great Himalayan National Park
• Inderkilla National Park
• Khirganga National Park
• Pin Valley National Park
• Col. Sherjung Simbalbara National Park

10. Jharkhand:

• Betla National Park

11. Karnataka:

• Anshi National Park
• Bandipur National Park
• Bannerghatta National Park
• Kudremukh National Park
• Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park

12. Kerala:

• Anamudi Shola National Park
• Eravikulam National Park
• Mathikettan Shola National Park
• Pambadum Shola National Park
• Periyar National Park
• Silent Valley National Park

13. Madhya Pradesh:

• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Dinosaur Fossils National Park
• Fossil National Park
• Pench National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Kuno National Park
• Madhav National Park
• Panna National Park
• Sanjay National Park
• Satpura National Park
• Van Vihar National Park

14. Maharashtra:

• Chandoli National Park
•  Gugamal National Park
• Nawegaon National Park
• Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru) National Park
• Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park
• Tadoba National Park

 15. Manipur:

• Keibul-Lamjao National Park
• Shiroi National Park

16. Meghalaya:

• Balphakram National Park
• Nokrek Ridge National Park

17. Mizoram:

• Murlen National Park
• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) National Park

18. Nagaland:

• Intanki National Park

19. Odisha:

• Bhitarkanika National Park
• Simlipal National Park

20. Rajasthan:

• Desert National Park
• Keoladeo Ghana National Park
• Mukundra Hills National Park
• Ranthambhore National Park
• Sariska National Park

21. Sikkim:

• Khangchendzonga National Park

22. Tamil Nadu:

• Guindy National Park
• Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park
• Mudumalai National Park
• Mukurthi National Park

23. Telangana:

•  Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park 
•  Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park 
•  Mrugavani National Park 

 24. Tripura:

•  Clouded Leopard National Park 
•  Bison (Rajbari) National Park 

 25. Uttar Pradesh:

•  Dudhwa National Park 

26. Uttarakhand:

• Jim Corbett National Park
• Gangotri National Park
• Govind National Park
• Nanda Devi National Park
• Rajaji National Park
• Valley of Flowers National Park

27. West Bengal:

• Buxa National Park
• Gorumara National Park
• Jaldapara National Park
• Neora Valley National Park
• Singalila National Park
• Sunderban National Park

28. Andaman & Nicobar Islands:

• Campbell Bay National Park
• Galathea Bay National Park
• Mahatma Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) National Park
• Mount Harriett National Park
• Rani Jhansi Marine National Park
• Saddle Peak National Park
• Middle Button Island National Park
• North Button Island National Park
• South Button Island National Park

29. Jammu & Kashmir:

• City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park
• Dachigam National Park
• Kazinag National Park
• Kishtwar High Altitude National Park

 30. Ladakh:

• Hemis National Park

This list showcases the extensive network of national parks in India, each contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage.

Major Wildlife Sanctuaries 

•  A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area recognized for its significant ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological value. The primary purpose of establishing these sanctuaries is to safeguard, propagate, and develop wildlife and their habitats. 
• While some rights of local residents may be allowed within the sanctuary, the focus remains on wildlife conservation. Before officially designating a sanctuary, the local authorities, in consultation with wildlife experts, may permit certain rights of individuals living within the sanctuary boundaries.
• In India, wildlife sanctuaries are classified as IUCN Category IV protected areas, highlighting their crucial role in conservation efforts. The legal framework for establishing these sanctuaries is provided by the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, which empowers state governments to declare areas with adequate ecological, geomorphological, and natural significance as wildlife sanctuaries.
• As of December 2021, India has a total of 564 wildlife sanctuaries covering approximately 3.73% of the country’s geographical area. Among these, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, established in 1796, holds the distinction of being the oldest wildlife sanctuary in India. 

Below is a list of wildlife sanctuaries organized by state and union territory:

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

 1. Assam:

• Nambour Wildlife Sanctuary
• Dihing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
• East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
• Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Bihar:

• Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pant (Rajgir) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Chhattisgarh:

• Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary
• Udanti Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary

4. Goa:

• Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary
• Madei Wildlife Sanctuary

5. 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

6. Haryana:

• Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
• N Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary

7. Himachal Pradesh:

• Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary
• Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Talra Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary

8. Jharkhand:

• Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary
• Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary
• Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary

9. Karnataka:

• Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
• Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

10. Kerala:

• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
• Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
• Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary

11. Madhya Pradesh:

• Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary
• National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
• Orcha Wildlife Sanctuary

12. Maharashtra:

• Koyana Wildlife Sanctuary
• Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary

13. Manipur:

• Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary

14. Meghalaya:

• No specified sanctuary

15. Mizoram:

• Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary (TR)
• Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
• Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary

 16. Nagaland:

• Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary

17. Odisha:

• Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
• Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary

18. Punjab:

• Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
• Jhajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary

19. Rajasthan:

• Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
• Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ramsagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary

20. Sikkim:

• Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kitam Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird)
• Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary

21. Tamil Nadu:

• Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) Wildlife Sanctuary
• Karaivetti Wildlife Sanctuary
• Pulicat Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
• Vedanthangal Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary

22. Tripura:

• Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
• Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary

23. Uttarakhand:

• Askot Musk Deer Wildlife Sanctuary
• Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary

24. Uttar Pradesh:

• Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sohagibarwa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sur Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary
• National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

25. West Bengal:

• Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary 
• Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary 
• Holiday Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
• Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary 
• Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
• Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary 

Union Territories Wildlife Sanctuaries

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

•  Bamboo Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
•  Barren Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
•  Chanel Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
•  Peacock Island Wildlife Sanctuary 
•  Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary 

2. Jammu & Kashmir:

• Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
• Limber Wildlife Sanctuary
• Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Lakshadweep:

• Pitti Wildlife Sanctuary (Bird)

 4. Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: 

•  Dadra & Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary 
•  Fudam Wildlife Sanctuary