Wildlife Sanctuary | Oxford Student ATLAS: Maps & Tests - UPSC PDF Download

What is Wildlife Sanctuary?

A wildlife sanctuary in India is a protected area of nature that reflects regional, national, and religious values while also upholding long-standing traditions and rituals to conserve nature.

• They are all brought together by the noble objective of maintaining the current biological diversity of flora and fauna endemic to the area, in any location, and in the jurisdiction of any state.
• In simple terms, we can say that a wildlife sanctuary is an area where birds, other animals, and flora are safeguarded and preserved safely in their natural habitats to protect them from illicit activities like poaching and animal trafficking.

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

According to the Wildlife Institute of India, there are currently 565 wildlife sanctuaries that occupy 12560.85 square kilometres, or 3.73%, of the nation’s total land area (National Wildlife Database, May 2022). The protected area network report suggests 218 additional sanctuaries totalling up to 16,829 square kilometres of area.

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Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka

As per the updated list of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, there are approximately 30 in Karnataka. Some of the important ones are listed below.

• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
• Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
• Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
• Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
• Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
• Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
• Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam

There are 15-20 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam. Some of the important and famous ones are listed below.

• Amchang WLS
• Barail WLS
• Barnadi WLS
• Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni WLS
• Burachapori WLS
• Chakrashila WLS
• Deepor Beel WLS
• Dihing Patkai WLS
• East Karbi Anglong WLS
• Garampani WLS
• Hollongapar Gibbon WLS
• Lawkhowa WLS
• Marat Longri WLS
• Nambor WLS
• Nambor Doigrung WLS
• Porbitora WLS
• Pani-Dihing Bird WLS
• Sonai Rupai WLS

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State Nature Wildlife Sanctuaries

The objective of a state nature wildlife sanctuary is to safeguard and study the natural course of biological processes and events, the genetic stock of flora and fauna, species and ecosystems of plants and animals, distinctive and notable ecosystems, and environmental education.

• The natural territories of federal importance include the grounds of state parks, natural forests, and wildlife sanctuaries.
• The regions of state wildlife sanctuaries in India can be categorized as having regional or federal significance.
• When creating territorial integrated schemes, land management plans, district, and urban planning initiatives, and land uses, all forms of wildlife sanctuaries should be considered.
• All notably protected natural components and entities (land, water, soil, biological species) on the grounds of a state wildlife sanctuary that serve as an example of the typical natural environment, traditional or unique landscapes, or locations for the preservation of genetic funds of biodiversity are entirely erased from monitory usages.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India: State-Wise Area Covered

As per the Wildlife Institute of India; the state-wise wildlife sanctuaries are listed as follows:

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India Map

It will become easy for students to remember the location of wildlife sanctuaries in India using a visual resource such as a map. The following map shows the important wildlife sanctuaries found in India:

Wildlife Sanctuary in India

One of the best examples of a Wildlife Sanctuary in India is the Ranthambore National Park. It is the largest sanctuary among all situated in Rajasthan. A wildlife sanctuary in India is a place where the animals reside with complete protection from any kind of illegal activity. Such areas provide a safe and secure environment, especially for threatened and endangered species.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Karnataka and is a famous tiger reserve in the country. It consists of a large variety of plant species as well which amount to 120 in number. It further consists of a variety of wild animal species which include elephants, leopards, jackals, sambar and different types of birds. It is a diverse wildlife sanctuary in India.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the state of Kerela. This wildlife sanctuary in India was established in the year 1973. It spans a wide area of 344.44 square km. It is an important area in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

The animals that are part of this wildlife sanctuary in India are Tigers, Elephants, Panthers, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Malabar giant squirrels, Wild dogs, etc.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in India is located in the Morigaon district of Assam. It was set up in the year 1987 and is spread across a wide area of 38.85 square kilometres. It is located near the city of Guwahati.

The most famous animal found in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is the great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. The other animals found in this wildlife sanctuary in India are the Barking deer, Wild buffalo, and Leopard and near to 2000 birds who migrated reside here.

Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

The role of wildlife sanctuaries in India is crucial when it comes to preserving and reproducing biological diversity in a region. This is briefly explained in the pointers given below:

Wildlife Conservation:

Since it is difficult and expensive to relocate endangered creatures, these animals are usually kept in their native habitats where they can be closely watched, where they can procreate, and increase their population while still living under the stringent surveillance of the wildlife sanctuary and associated experts.

Preservation of Landscape:

Forests are slowly becoming distant to the human eye. We used to be able to see trees in our immediate surroundings as kids, but today, all we can see are multistorey buildings towering the cities and even towns.

• These forests are cleared to make room for buildings, cities, and urban societies.
• However, as these sanctuaries are on protected land, the woods are safeguarded and permitted to grow unhindered.

Safeguarding the endangered species:

Because of our routines and daily requirements, many plants and animal species are threatened today and are also on the brink of becoming extinct. Wildlife sanctuaries provide a secure land area to the species where nature and the fauna can flourish in an obstructed manner by human activity.

Eco-tourism:

Eco-tourism is the practice of visiting environmentally significant locations to witness and support wildlife protection. Here, members of the public can view animals in their natural habitats, unrestrained, unlike the cages.

• They can observe animals in their groups, together with their young, without worrying about their safety.
• The ability to generate revenue by charging visitors through sanctuary entry fees is one of the main advantages of ecotourism.
• The sanctuary can be expanded with the money made using the entry fees.

Environmental Education:

An average person is not sufficiently aware of the wildlife sanctuaries in India, their functions, and their advantages. However, more and more people are learning about them and becoming a part of support groups, and volunteering with the sanctuaries.