National Parks in India

National Parks in India

• 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.
• A national park has more restrictions as compared to a wildlife sanctuary. Their boundaries are fixed and defined.
• Here, no human activity is allowed. They cannot be downgraded to the status of a ‘sanctuary’. National parks can be declared both by the Central Government and State governments.
• 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 April 2025, there were 107 national parks encompassing an area of 44,402.95 km², under-protected areas of India category II comprising 1.35% of India’s total surface area.
• The Chief Wildlife Warden shall be the authority who shall control, manage, and maintain all protected areas.

Origin of National Parks

• The history and evolution of national parks in India have been shaped by a growing awareness of the need to preserve the country’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage.
• The idea of national parks in India started to take root in the early 20th century, driven by the recognition of the threats posed by deforestation, hunting, and habitat destruction.
• The first major milestone in the development of national parks in India was the establishment of India’s first national park, Jim Corbett National Park, in 1936, originally named Hailey National Park.
  • Located in Uttarakhand, it was created to protect the dwindling population of Bengal tigers and to conserve the area’s diverse ecosystems.
  • This marked the beginning of a formalised approach to wildlife conservation in India.
• Over time, the number of national parks expanded, particularly after India’s independence.
• Adopting the Wildlife Protection Act in 1972 was a watershed moment in conservation history.
  • The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provided a legal framework for wildlife protection and established the rules for creating national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves.
• Global conservation movements have also heavily influenced India’s national park system. The rise of global awareness about environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, particularly after the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, prompted India to enhance its efforts to protect its ecosystems.
  • International conservation bodies like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have also guided policies and supported conservation initiatives in India.
• India’s commitment to global conservation goals, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, has further reinforced its efforts to expand and strengthen the management of national parks.
• Today, India is home to over 100 national parks, each critical to protecting diverse species and ecosystems.

Objectives of National Parks

• The objectives of National Parks are as follows:
  • To protect endangered and threatened species and their habitats and provide safe sanctuaries for wildlife to thrive and reproduce.
  • To maintain the genetic diversity of plant and animal species.
  • To maintain the ecological balance of the region and regulate ecosystems, prevent soil erosion, and protect water resources.
  • To serve as natural laboratories for scientific research and study the behavior of wildlife, monitor ecosystems, and conduct research on conservation strategies.
  • To promote environmental education and awareness among visitors.

Classification of National Parks

National Parks in India can be classified based on various factors such as geography, ecosystems, and the species they protect. The detailed classification of national parks is as follows:

Classification on basis of Geography

India’s diverse geography influences the type of national parks found in different regions. They are classified based on their location across the country’s varied landscapes:

• Himalayan Region: These national parks are located in the mountainous regions of northern India, characterised by alpine and subalpine ecosystems.
  • Examples:
    • Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh),
    • Nanda Devi National Park (Uttarakhand),
    • Hemis National Park (Ladakh).
• Western Ghats: The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are known for their rich biodiversity. National parks here preserve tropical and subtropical moist forests.
  • Examples:
    • Silent Valley National Park (Kerala),
    • Bandipur National Park (Karnataka),
    • Periyar National Park (Kerala).
• Northeast India: Northeast India is known for its dense forests and high rainfall, and this region is home to unique species and ecosystems.
  • Examples:
    • Kaziranga National Park (Assam),
    • Namdapha National Park (Arunachal Pradesh),
    • Manas National Park (Assam).
• Central India: Central India is characterised by dry deciduous forests and grasslands, and this region hosts many tiger reserves.
  • Examples:
    • Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh),
    • Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh),
    • Panna National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
• Desert and Semi-Arid Region: These parks are located in desert ecosystems and arid landscapes and focus on conserving species adapted to dry conditions.
  • Examples:
    • Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan),
    • Desert National Park (Rajasthan),
    • Blackbuck National Park (Gujarat).
• Coastal and Marine National Parks: These parks protect the marine and coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and salt marshes.
  • Examples:
    • Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal),
    • Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (Tamil Nadu),
    • Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Classification on basis of Ecosystem

National parks can also be classified based on the type of ecosystems they protect:

• Forested Ecosystems: These ecosystems protect large areas of forest, preserving biodiversity and serving as habitats for wildlife.
  • Examples:
  • Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand),
  • Satpura National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
• Wetlands and Riverine Ecosystems: These ecosystems focus on the conservation of wetlands, rivers, and aquatic life.
  • Examples:
  • Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan),
  • Kaziranga National Park (Assam).
• Grassland Ecosystems: Grassland Ecosystems are focused on preserving grasslands and their unique flora and fauna.
  • Examples:
  • Velavadar Blackbuck National Park (Gujarat),
  • Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan).
• Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: These ecosystems protect marine biodiversity, coral reefs, and coastal areas.
  • Examples:
    • Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal),
    • Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park (Gujarat).

Classification on basis of Species Conservation

Many national parks are known for the protection of specific species and play a vital role in their conservation:

• Tiger Reserves: National parks that serve as dedicated tiger reserves under Project Tiger.
  • Examples:
    • Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand),
    • Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan),
    • Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
• Elephant Reserves: National parks that focus on protecting the Asian elephant.
  • Examples:
    • Periyar National Park (Kerala),
    • Mudumalai National Park (Tamil Nadu).
• Bird Sanctuaries: National parks are important for bird conservation, particularly migratory birds.
  • Examples:
    • Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan),
    • Bhitarkanika National Park (Odisha).

List of National Parks of India

Top 10 Largest National Parks in India

Largest and Smallest National Parks in India

National Parks and their famous Animals

State-wise National Parks, Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Ramsar Sites of India