National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India (Complete GK Notes)
📖 Introduction
India is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world. To conserve wildlife, the Government of India has established National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves. These protected areas are frequently asked in GK and competitive exams.
As of 2025:
-
National Parks in India: 106
-
Wildlife Sanctuaries: 564
-
Biosphere Reserves: 18
✅ List of Famous National Parks in India
| National Park | State | Speciality |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand | India’s first National Park (1936), famous for Bengal Tigers |
| Kaziranga | Assam | UNESCO site, home to one-horned rhinoceros |
| Gir | Gujarat | The only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lions |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | World’s largest mangrove forest, Royal Bengal Tigers |
| Ranthambore | Rajasthan | Popular tiger reserve, historic Ranthambore Fort |
| Kanha | Madhya Pradesh | Known for Barasingha (swamp deer) |
| Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | The highest density of tigers in India |
| Periyar | Kerala | Famous for elephants and Periyar Lake |
| Silent Valley | Kerala | Tropical evergreen forests |
| Hemis | Ladakh | Snow leopards and high-altitude wildlife |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Keoladeo (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | Bird sanctuary, UNESCO site |
✅ List of Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
| Wildlife Sanctuary | State | Speciality |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo) | Rajasthan | Migratory birds |
| Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary | Karnataka | Tigers and elephants |
| Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary | Odisha | Migratory birds, Irrawaddy dolphins |
| Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | Oldest waterbird sanctuary in India |
| Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Assam | UNESCO site, tigers, and golden langurs |
| Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary | Odisha | Estuarine crocodiles, mangroves |
| Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary | Karnataka | Black panthers, hornbills |
| Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary | Jharkhand | Elephant corridors |
| Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | Gujarat | Migratory flamingos |
| Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary | Gujarat | Wild ass, desert ecosystem |
📌 Quick Facts for Exams
-
First National Park of India: Jim Corbett (1936).
-
Largest National Park: Hemis (Ladakh).
-
Smallest National Park: South Button Island (Andaman & Nicobar).
-
State with the Maximum National Parks: Madhya Pradesh (11).
-
State with the Maximum Wildlife Sanctuaries: Maharashtra.
-
UNESCO World Heritage National Parks: Kaziranga, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Keoladeo, Manas, and Great Himalayan NP.
📝 Conclusion
India’s National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are crucial for conserving its tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, birds, and rare species like snow leopards and crocodiles. For competitive exams, remember the state-wise list and unique features of each protected area.