National Parks in India

[UPSC Notes]
What is a National Park?
A national park is a large area that is protected by the government where a vast variety
of animals, flora, fauna, any geomorphological site, and the entire ecosystem are
preserved for security, education, and recreational purposes. The first national park in
India was Jim Corbett National Park, named after the naturalist Jim Corbett in 1936.

The national parks in India are highly secured and protected and allow minimum human
interference in them. This means any type of activity which can harm the environment
and wildlife, like hunting and poaching, is strictly prohibited at national parks.

National Parks in India - Major Highlights

Check out all the important facts and highlights below.

National Park in India 2022 Highlights

Number of National Parks in 108

India

Latest addition to the total Raimona National Park, Assam

National Parks in India 2022

Who designates a National State Government

Park in India

First National Park in India Hailey National Park is the oldest national park in
India, now known as Jim Corbett national park

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 Largest National Park in India Hemis National Park is the biggest national park in
India, located in Ladakh with an area of 3350km2

Floating National Park in India Keibul Lamjao National Park is a floating national
park, located in Manipur

Smallest National Park in India South Button Island National Park in Andaman and
Nicobar Islands

Highest National Park in India Hemis National Park

Tiger National Park in India also known as Tiger Reserves

Latest National Parks in India 2022

As per the database, Raimona National Park is the latest addition to National Parks in India.
Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also under the consideration of upgrading to the national
park status.

• Raimona National Park is the 6th national park in Assam. It is in the western buffer to the
Manas National Park. Pekua river forms a boundary to the park.
• There are a total of six marine national parks in India.
• Omkareshwar National Park, MP was added in 2013.

List of National Parks in India [2022]

Go through the updated list of state-wise national parks in india

S. No Name of State Name of the National Park in India Established in

1 Andhra Pradesh Papikonda National Park 1978
2
Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Rameswaram) 2005
3
Sri Venkateswara National Park 1989

2
4 Arunachal Pradesh
Mouling National Park 1982
5
Namdapha National Park 1974
6 Assam
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park 1999
7
Dehing Patkai National Park 2004
8
Raimona National Park 2021
9
Kaziranga National Park 1905
10
Manas National Park 1990
11
Nameri National Park 1998
12
Orang National Park 1985
13 Bihar Valmiki National Park 1978
14 Chhattisgarh Guru Ghasidas National Park 1983
15
Indravati National Park 1975
16
Kanger Ghati National Park 1982
17 Goa Mollem National Park 1978
18 Gujarat Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar 1976
19
Gir Forest National Park 1965
20
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch 1982
21
Vansda National Park 1979
22 Haryana Kalesar National Park 2003
23
Sultanpur National Park 1959
24 Himachal Pradesh Great Himalayan National Park 1984
25
Inderkilla National Park 2010
26
Khirganga National Park 2010
27
Pin Valley National Park 1987
28
Simbalbara National Park 2010
29 Jharkhand Betla National Park 1974
30 Karnataka Anshi National Park 1987
31
Bandipur National Park 1974
32
Bannerghatta National Park 1974
33
Kudremukh National Park 1987
34
Nagarhole National Park 1988

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35 Kerala Anamudi Shola National Park 2003
36
Eravikulam National Park 1978
37
Mathikettan Shola National Park 2008
38
Pambadum Shola National Park 2003
39
Periyar National Park 1950
40
Silent Valley National Park 1985
41 Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park 1968
42
Omkareshwar National Park 2013
43
Kanha National Park 1955
44
Kuno National Park 1981
45
Madhav National Park 1958
46
Mandla Plant Fossils National Park 1983
47
Panna National Park 1981
48
Pench National Park 1975
49
Sanjay National Park 1983
50
Satpura National Park 1981
51
Van Vihar National Park 1979
52 Maharashtra Chandoli National Park 2004
53
Gugamal National Park 1974
54
Navegaon National Park 1975
55
Sanjay Gandhi National Park 1996
56
Tadoba National Park 1955
57 Manipur Keibul Lamjao National Park 1977
58
Sirohi National Park 1982
59 Meghalaya Balphakram National Park 1987
60
Nokrek National Park 1986
61 Mizoram Murlen National Park 1991
62
Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park 1992
63 Nagaland Ntangki National Park 1993
64 Odisha Bhitarkanika National Park 1975
65
Simlipal National Park 1980

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66 Rajasthan Desert National Park 1981
67
Keoladeo National Park 1982
68
Mukundra Hills National Park 204
69
Ranthambore National Park 1980
70
Sariska Tiger Reserve 1979
71 Sikkim Khangchendzonga National Park 1977
72 Tamil Nadu Guindy National Park 1977
73
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 1986
74

Indira Gandhi Sanctuary and National Park 1976

75
Mudumalai National Park 1940
76
Mukurthi National Park 2001
77 Telangana Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park 1994
78
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park 1975
79
Mrugavani National Park 1994
80 Tripura Bison (Rajbari) National Park 2007
81
Clouded Leopard National Park 2007
82 Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa National Park 1977
83 Uttarakhand Gangotri National Park 1989
84
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park 1955
85
Jim Corbett National Park 1936
86
Nanda Devi National Park 1982
87
Rajaji National Park 1983
88
Valley of Flowers National Park 1982
89 West Bengal Buxa Tiger Reserve 1983
90
Gorumara National Park 1949
91
Jaldapara National Park 2012
92
Neora Valley National Park 1986
93
Singalila National Park 1986
94
Sundarbans National Park 1984
95 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Campbell Bay National Park 1992
96
Galathea National Park 1922

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 97
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park 1983
98
Middle Button Island National Park 1979
99
Mount Harriet National Park 1979
100
North Button Island National Park 1979
101
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park 1996
102
Saddle Peak National Park 1979
103
South Button Island National Park 1987
104 Jammu & Kashmir Dachigam National Park 1981
105
Kishtwar National Park 1981
106
Kazinag National Park 1992
107
Salim Ali National Park 1986
108 Ladakh Hemis National Park 1981

Top 10 National Parks in India

As per the area covered, here are the Top 10 National Parks in India
1. Hemis National Park - 3350 km 2

2. Desert National Park- 3162 km2

3. Gangotri National Park - 2390.02 km2
4. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park - 2191.5 km2
5. Namdapha National Park - 1807.82 km2
6. Khangchendzonga National Park- 1784 km2
7. Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park - 1440.71km2
8. Sunderban National Park - 1330.1km2
9. Indravati (Kutru) National Park - 1258.37km2
10. Papikonda National Park -1012.8588 km2

Important National Parks in India

Go through the list of Important National Parks in India, the Tiger Reserve, and Wildlife
Sanctuary and why are they in News.

State National Park, Important Facts Why in News

Tiger Reserve,
Wildlife/Bird
Sanctuary

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Andhra Atapaka Bird It is located in Kolleru Recently, The Atapaka Bird
Pradesh Sanctuary Lake, a Ramsar site in Sanctuary has become a safe
India. breeding ground for two migratory
bird species- Grey Pelicans and
Painted Storks.

Andhra Nagarjunasagar It covers the Guntur, The number of tigers in the

Pradesh Srisailam Tiger Prakasam, and Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger
Reserve Kurnool districts of Reserve has gone up, reversing a
Andhra Pradesh and declining trend, thanks to the
the Nalgonda and efforts of the Tiger Conservation
Mahabubnagar Foundation (TCF).
districts of Telangana.
It was recognized by
the Project Tiger in
1983
Located in the
deciduous Nallamala
Forests.
It covers a total area of
about 3,800 sq. Km.

Arunachal Tally Valley It is a Wildlife Recently, a new non-venomous

Pradesh Wildlife Sanctuary Sanctuary and also a burrowing species of snake-
biodiversity hotspot Trachischiumapteii was found
near Zero town in here.
Arunachal Pradesh.
Situated at an altitude
of 2400 meters.
Pange, Sipu, Karing,
and Subansiri rivers
flow through it.
Clouded Leopard and
Pleioblastus Simone
Bamboo are found
here.

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Arunachal Namdapha It is Largest Protected Recently, The Indian Airforce has
Pradesh National Park Area in the Eastern inaugurated a resurfaced runway
Himalayan biodiversity at Vijaynagar(India’s easternmost
hotspot. village) near Namdapha National
Park.
It is also the third-
largest National Park
in India.
It is the only park in the
world to be home to
four cats- snow
leopards, clouded
leopards, common
leopards, and tigers.
Hoolock Gibbons, the
only ape species in
India is found here.

Arunachal Pakke Tiger It falls within the The government of Arunachal is

Pradesh Reserve Eastern Himalayan planning to build a 692.7 km
biodiversity hotspot. Highway called the East-West
industrial corridor through Pakke
It is also known as Tiger Reserve.
Pakhii Tiger Reserve.
It is famous for four
resident hornbill
species.

Assam Kaziranga It was declared a The second wetland bird count

National Park National Park in 1974 was conducted here from 9 -10
th th

and a UNESCO World January 2020.

Heritage site in 1985
and a Tiger Reserve in
2007.
It has also been
recognized as an
Important Bird Area
(IBA) by Birdlife
International.
One-horned rhinos,
tigers, wild water
buffalo, and swamp
deer are found here.

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 River Brahmaputra
flows to its North and
river Diphlu runs
through it.

Assam Pobitora Wildlife It has the highest Recently, two Asiatic wild water
Sanctuary density of one-horned buffaloes died in Pobitora Wildlife
rhinos in the world. Sanctuary due to anthrax.
It is also known as Mini
Kaziranga.
72% of the sanctuary
is wet Savannah.
Water hyacinth is a
major problem in this
Sanctuary.
Chinese pangolins and
Asiatic wild water
buffalo are also found
here in abundance.

Bihar Vikramshila It is the only Dolphin The Ministry of shipping is

Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in India planning to restrict the speed of
Sanctuary vessels and blow sirens and horns
It spreads from in the Vikramshila dolphin
Sultanganj to sanctuary to safeguard the
Kahalgaon in population of the Ganges river
Bhagalpur District on dolphin.
the Ganga river in
Bihar.
National waterways-1
pass through it.

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Goa Mahadayi Wildlife It is located in the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary can
Sanctuary North Goa district. be declared as a tiger reserve
under Project Tiger because Royal
It was formed in 1999. Bengal Tiger is found here.
It has been declared
an International Bird
Area by Birdlife
International.
It is located in the
Mahadayi river basin.

Goa Netravali Wildlife It is located in South- Recently, a black panther was

Sanctuary Eastern Goa. spotted here for the first time.
Netravali river
originates from this
sanctuary.

Haryana Asola-Bhatti It is spread across the Recently, The Ministry of

Wildlife Sanctuary Gurugram and Environment and Forests has
Faridabad districts of declared an area of 1 kilometer
Haryana. around the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife
Sanctuary as an Eco-sensitive
It is at the end of the zone where activities like
Aravali Biodiversity commercial mining, setting up of
Corridor. industries, and development of
major hydroelectric projects will
not be allowed.

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Karnataka Bandipur Tiger It was formed in the National Tiger Conservation
Reserve year 2007. Authority (NTCA) convened an
inter-state meeting of senior forest
It is located at the tri- personnel from Karnataka, Kerala,
junction of Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu at Bandipur in
Kerala, and Tamil June 2019.
Nadu states.
It is the largest
Protected Area in
South India.
It has the second-
highest Tiger
population in India and
the largest habitat of
wild elephants in South
Asia.
it is a part of Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve.
Moyar River flows
through it.
It shares a boundary
with Nagarhole
National Park,
Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary, and
Mudumalai National
Park.

Karnataka Malai It is located in the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife

Mahadeshwara Chamrajanagar district Sanctuary is set to be declared a
Wildlife Sanctuary of Karnataka. tiger reserve soon, taking the total
number of Tiger Reserves in
Shola forest is found Karnataka to six.
here in higher
altitudes.

Karnataka Cauvery Wildlife It was formed in 1987. Recently, reports about several
Sanctuary wild elephants dying of
It is located in the electrocution have come up.
Chamrajanagar,
Ramanagar, and
Mandya districts of
Karnataka.

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 Important species
are Crocodiles, Otters,
and Hump-backed
Mahseer Fish.

Madhya Bandhavgarh It is located in the Recently, for the first time, an

Pradesh National Park Umariya district of MP elephant colony was found in
in the Vidhya Ranges. Bandhavgarh Reserve Forest.
It has been declared
National Park in 1968
and Tiger Reserve in
1993.

Madhya Nauradehi It is located in the Recently, a successful tiger

Pradesh Wildlife Sanctuary Sagar district of MP. relocation program was carried out
here.
It spreads across the
Narmada and Ganga
river basins.
It is a Potential Site for
Cheetah re-
introduction in India
from Africa.

Here an amalgamation of natural

Madhya Van Vihar It is located in Bhopal. habitat and modern concept of
Pradesh National Park Zoo management is present.
Many free Ranging
animals like Chital,
Sambhar, Chousingha,
etc., and white tiger,
leopards, hyena, and
sloth bear are present.

Madhya Ratapani Wildlife It is located in the Recently, The Madhya Pradesh

Pradesh Sanctuary Bhopal-Raisen forest government has decided to
division of Madhya declare the Ratapani Wildlife
Pradesh. Sanctuary a Tiger Reserve
It covers an area of
about 890 sq. kms.

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 It has around 40 tigers.

Odisha Nalbana Bird It is the core area of Recently, due to the dismantling of
Sanctuary the Ramsar site in illegal prawn gheries inside Chilika
Chilika Lake. Lake, a record number of
migratory birds arrived at the
The Island disappears Nalbana Bird Sanctuary.
during the Monsoon
due to flooding and re-
emerges in the post-
monsoon season.

Rajasthan Sariska Tiger It is located in the Recently, the 13 session of the

th

Reserve Alwar district of Ministry of Tourism’s DEKHO

Rajasthan. APNA DESH webinar titled-
Destination-Sariska Tiger Reserve'
Famous for Royal was held here.
Bengal Tiger.
It's a part of Project
Tiger.
Kankarwadi fort and
pandupole temple are
located within the
reserve.

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Telangana Papikonda It is located in the Recently, the maiden survey of
National Park Khammam district of butterfly species was conducted in
Telangana and East the Papikonda National Park.
Godavari and West
Godavari districts of
Andhra Pradesh.
It is spread across an
area of over 1012.86
sq. Kms.
It was declared a
National Park in 2008.
Godavari River flows
through it.
Deciduous forest is
found in this National
Park.
Important species
found here are- Tigers,
mouse deer, gaur, etc.
It has been designated
as an Important Bird
and Biodiversity Area.

Amrabad Tiger It is located in In July 2019, A Ministry of

Telangana Reserve Nallamala Hills. Environment, Forests, and Climate
change panel has recommended
It is India’s second- 'in- principle' permission for
largest tiger reserve, Uranium survey and exploration in
after the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
Nagarjunasagar
Srisailam Tiger
Reserve.
Chenchu tribe, a
Particularly Vulnerable
Tribal Group is found
here.

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 Uttar Dudhwa National It is located on the Recently, the elephant safari was
Pradesh Park Indo-Nepal border in banned due to the shortage and
Lakhimpur Kheri and aggressive nature of elephants.
Bahraich districts.
Many tributaries of the
Ghaghara River flow
through it.
It is the only place in
UP where both Rhinos
and Tigers are found
together.

Types of National Parks in India

There are two types of national parks in India. They are

Terrestrial National Parks: Terrestrial National Park means an area that is protected
under the guidance and care of the government. This protected area is mostly spread
over an area of at least 1000 hectares that protects the wildlife and preserves it on
land.

Marine National Parks: The Marine National Parks, as the name implies, are parks
designed beside bodies of water, primarily the sea and lakes, to achieve ecological
sustainability and promote recreational activities that benefit coastal communities.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Know the difference between national parks and wildlife sanctuaries

National Parks Wildlife Sanctuaries

A national park is a protected area that Wildlife sanctuaries are somewhat similar
is taken care of by the government to to National parks but they are governed
preserve the wildlife. by administrative bodies as well as
private institutions.

National parks are established to save Wildlife sanctuaries mostly focus on

vulnerable species of flora and fauna. preserving the birds, animals, and small
insects including the reptiles too.

The national parks are highly protected Tourists can visit the wildlife sanctuaries
and entry for commoners is strictly without any restrictions.
restricted in them

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 If anyone wants to visit a national park There is no concept of official permission
special permission is required. required to enter the wildlife sanctuaries.

The national parks are always There are no boundaries fixed for the
bounded and these boundaries are set wildlife sanctuaries.
by the officials of the Government and
administration.

No harmful human activity is allowed in Although human activity is permitted still

national parks. with restrictions and to specific limits.

Importance of National Parks in India

National Parks is the protected boundaries by the government to preserve nature’s area
of wilderness. National parks play a very important role in the environment as

• National Parks act as the in-situ environment for wildlife.

• National Parks are protected by the government to preserve the natural
environment, wildlife, flora, and fauna.
• National Parks also promote education in the field of environmental studies.
• The establishment of national parks not only aids in the conservation of wildlife
and other living things but also promotes outdoor recreational activities.

• It is important to have national parks as it preserves biodiversity, which if

somehow gets disturbed, may affect the ecosystem of a particular area on a
large scale.

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