In this article, You will know everything about National Parks in India for UPSC (Environment).
Important National Parks in India act as an apt place for preserving animals by providing natural habitat and prey. Anthropogenic activities like developmental activities, industrial activities, forestry, poaching, hunting, and cultivation are not permitted. The boundaries of National Parks are well defined and no private activities are allowed inside the National Park.
National Parks in India
National parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas. India’s first national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand.
By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species.
As of May 2020, there were 105 national parks encompassing an area of 40,501.13 km2 (15,637.57 sq mi), under-protected areas of India category II comprising 1.23% of India’s total surface area.
Protected Areas
In simplest terms, protected areas are regions or zones of land or sea which are given certain levels of protection for conservation of biodiversity and socio-environmental values. In these areas, human intervention and exploitation of resources are limited.
Protected Areas are the principal mechanism of conservation of biodiversity on Earth and serve as the most important units for in-situ biodiversity conservation.
Protected Areas of India(As on December, 2019)
| No. | Total Area (km2) | Coverage % of Country | |
| National Parks (NPs) | 105 | 40,564.03 | 1.23 |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLSs) | 553 | 119,756.97 | 3.64 |
| Conservation Reserves (CRs) | 86 | 3,858.25 | 0.12 |
| Community Reserves | 163 | 833.34 | 0.03 |
| Protected Areas (PAs) | 907 | 1,65,012.59 | 5.02 |
As of December 2019, there are 907 notified protected areas covering 5.02% of India’s land area. This is far below Target 11 of the Aichi Targets – which states that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas should be conserved under Protected Areas.
There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection. Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, marine protected areas, community reserves, etc.
In terms of protection, National Parks > Wildlife Sanctuary > Reserved forests > Protected forests
Different IUCN categories of Protected areas
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through its World Commission on Protected Areas, has put forward six Protected Area Management Categories. The categories are as follows:
- Category I a– Strict Nature Reserve: Protected areas managed mainly for science and receives the least human intervention. E.g. Urwald Rothwald in Austria
- Category I b – Wilderness Area: Wilderness protection. E.g. wilderness areas in the Sami native region in Finland
- Category II – National Park: ecosystem protection and recreation
- Category III – Natural Monument or Feature: Conservation of specific natural features. E.g. cliffs, caves, forest groves. E.g. Cono de Arita in Argentina.
- Category IV – Habitat/Species Management Area: Conservation of specific species that require protection.
- Category V – Protected Landscape/Seascape: Conservation of entire area. It permits the surrounding community to interact. Example: Great Barrier Reef in Australia
- Category VI – Protected Area with sustainable use of natural resources: Conservation of ecosystem and habitats together with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource management systems.
- Forests and wildlife are included in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution. Therefore, the Union government makes the policies and plans for Wildlife Conservation. On the other hand, the State Forest Departments are the ones implanting those national policies and plans at the state level.
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) puts forward a policy framework for wildlife conservation in India. The Board was constituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is chaired by the Prime Minister.
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (with Amendment Acts of 2003 and 2006)
- It provides for the protection of plants and animals in India. The aim of the Act is to ensure the ecological and environmental security of India.
- It is the principal act that contains provisions for setting up and managing national parks, sanctuaries, and other protected areas.
In India, there are four major categories of Protected areas. These protected areas are constituted under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The four categories of protected areas are:
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- National Parks
- Community Reserves
- Conservation Reserves
Apart from these protected areas, India also has the following:
- Biodiversity Reserves
- Tiger Reserves
- Elephant Reserves
Acronym
- BR: Biosphere Reserve
- NP: National Park
- TR: Tiger Reserve
- WS: Wildlife Sanctuary
- BS: Bird Sanctuary
- PF: Protected Forest
- RF: Reserve Forest
- ER: Elephant Reserve
- RS: Ramsar Site
List of National Parks of India
| Name | State | Year formed | Notability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dehing Patkai National Park | Assam | 2020 | |
| Kuno National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 2018 | Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project |
| Jaldapara National Park | West Bengal | 2012 | Indian rhinoceros |
| Inderkilla National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 | |
| Khirganga National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 | |
| Simbalbara National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 | |
| Papikonda National Park | Andhra Pradesh | 2008 | Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopards, rusty-spotted cat, King CobraIt is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area and home to some endangered species of flora and fauna. |
| Bison (Rajbari) National Park | Tripura | 2007 | |
| Mukundra Hills National Park | Rajasthan | 2006 | |
| Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Rameswaram) | Andhra Pradesh | 2005 | |
| Chandoli National Park | Maharashtra | 2004 | |
| Clouded Leopard National Park | Tripura | 2003 | |
| Anamudi Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 | |
| Mathikettan Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 | Elephants |
| Pambadum Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 | Nilgiri marten, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri flycatcher, Blue rock-thrush |
| Kalesar National Park | Haryana | 2003 | On the bank of Yamuna river |
| Mukurthi National Park | Tamil Nadu | 2001 | Nilgiri tahr |
| Betla National Park | Jharkhand | 1999 | Tiger, Indian bison, elephant, hyenas, monkey, leopard |
| Dibru-Saikhowa National Park | Assam | 1999 | Feral horse |
| Orang National Park | Assam | 1999 | aka Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Orang) |
| Rani Jhansi Marine National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1996 | |
| Gorumara National Park | West Bengal | 1994 | The park is rich in large herbivores including Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bear, chital, and sambar deer |
| Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park | Telangana | 1994 | |
| Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park | Telangana | 1994 | |
| Mrugavani National Park | Telangana | 1994 | |
| Ntangki National Park | Nagaland | 1993 | |
| Buxa Tiger Reserve | West Bengal | 1992 | |
| Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park | Mizoram | 1992 | |
| Salim Ali National Park | Jammu and Kashmir | 1992 | |
| Campbell Bay National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1992 | |
| Galathea National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1992 | |
| Murlen National Park | Mizoram | 1991 | |
| Govind Pashu Vihar National Park | Uttarakhand | 1990 | |
| Manas National Park | Assam | 1990 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Gangotri National Park | Uttarakhand | 1989 | Gaumukh Glacier |
| Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1989 | has 42 tigers ,leopards,elephants,wildboars,deers dholes. |
| Sultanpur National Park | Haryana | 1989 | |
| Sri Venkateswara National Park | Andhra Pradesh | 1989 | |
| Bhitarkanika National Park | Odisha | 1988 | Mangroves, saltwater crocodile, white crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, olive ridley sea turtle, chital |
| Nagarhole National Park | Karnataka | 1988 | aka Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole) |
| Gugamal National Park | Maharashtra | 1987 | |
| Anshi National Park | Karnataka | 1987 | Great hornbill, tiger, leopard, black panther, bear, elephant, |
| Kudremukh National Park | Karnataka | 1987 | |
| Pin Valley National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 1987 | |
| Middle Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1987 | |
| Mount Harriet National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1987 | Important bird area as attributed by BirdLife International |
| South Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1987 | Dugong, dolphin, water monitor lizard, blue whale and smallest National park in India |
| Neora Valley National Park | West Bengal | 1986 | |
| Singalila National Park | West Bengal | 1986 | |
| Balphakram National Park | Meghalaya | 1986 | Wild water buffalo, red panda, elephant, and eight cat species, including the tiger and marbled cat |
| Nokrek National Park | Meghalaya | 1986 | UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve |
| Bannerghatta National Park | Karnataka | 1986 | Tiger, sloth bear, peacock, elephant, sambar deer, mouse deer |
| Mouling National Park | Arunachal Pradesh | 1986 | |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | 1984 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 1984 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Rajaji National Park | Uttarakhand | 1983 | Mainly known for elephants, tigers, leopards and several species of birds, reptiles and mammals. |
| Mandla Plant Fossils National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1983 | |
| Van Vihar National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1983 | |
| Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1983 | |
| Nanda Devi National Park | Uttarakhand | 1982 | UNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve |
| Valley of Flowers National Park | Uttarakhand | 1982 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Sirohi National Park | Manipur | 1982 | |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1982 | 1336 species of endemic plants |
| Periyar National Park | Kerala | 1982 | Malabar parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri laughing thrush, Nilgiri blue robin, great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, lion-tailed macaque, hairy-winged bat |
| Kanger Ghati National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1982 | |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | 1981 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | 1981 | Tiger Reserve. |
| Panna National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 | |
| Sanjay National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 | |
| Satpura National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 | |
| Hemis National Park | Ladakh | 1981 | Largest National park in India |
| Dachigam National Park | Jammu and Kashmir | 1981 | The only area where Kashmir stag is found |
| Kishtwar National Park | Jammu and Kashmir | 1981 | |
| Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1981 | |
| Indravati National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1981 | Wild Asian buffalo, tiger reserve, hill mynas |
| Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1980 | has 8 species of whales and 21 small coral islands |
| Desert National Park | Rajasthan | 1980 | Great Indian Bustard |
| Simlipal National Park | Odisha | 1980 | Tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar |
| Silent Valley National Park | Kerala | 1980 | Indian bison, Travancore flying squirrel, Salim Ali’s fruit bat, Stripe-necked mongoose, Blue-winged parakeet, Crimson-backed sunbird |
| Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch | Gujarat | 1980 | |
| Vansda National Park | Gujarat | 1979 | |
| North Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1979 | |
| Saddle Peak National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 1979 | |
| Eravikulam National Park | Kerala | 1978 | Nilgiri tahr, Strobilanthes kunthiana |
| Mollem National Park | Goa | 1978 | |
| Nameri National Park | Assam | 1978 | |
| Dudhwa National Park | Uttar Pradesh | 1977 | Tiger, Sambar deer, hog deer |
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 1977 | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Keibul Lamjao National Park | Manipur | 1977 | Only floating park in the world |
| Pench National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1977 | Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’ was set in this NP. |
| Guindy National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1976 | Has more than 2000 chitals, 493 blackbucks and 84 jackals. |
| Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar | Gujarat | 1976 | Blackbuck Lodge, the endangered Indian grey wolf, the nocturnal striped hyena, Indian fox, golden jackal, jungle cat and many small mammals like hare, gerbil, field mice, mongoose and hedgehog. |
| Valmiki National Park | Bihar | 1976 | |
| Navegaon National Park | Maharashtra | 1975 | |
| Gir Forest National Park | Gujarat | 1975 | Asiatic lion |
| Bandipur National Park | Karnataka | 1974 | Chital, Bengal tiger, gray langurs, Indian giant squirrel, gaur, leopard, sambar deer, Indian elephants, honey buzzard, red-headed vulture |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | 1974 | Highest known tiger density in the world, Indian rhinoceros, UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Namdapha National Park | Arunachal Pradesh | 1974 | Tiger, easternmost National Park |
| Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Maharashtra | 1969 | Indian Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Bonnet Macaque, Spotted Deer, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer |
| Madhav National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1959 | |
| Sariska Tiger Reserve | Rajasthan | 1955 | |
| Tadoba National Park | Maharashtra | 1955 | Tiger |
| Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1955 | |
| Mudumalai National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1940 | second oldest National park india. Has 103 tigers. |
| Jim Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | 1936 | First national park in India (established in 1936 as Hailey National Park) |
