National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

A park used for conservation purposes and created and protected by the national government is a national park.

These are areas designed to protect the natural environment. A wildlife sanctuary can be defined as a vast, geographically covered land, usually covered with forest, where animals survive in their natural habitat. The main purpose of designating an area as a wildlife sanctuary is to provide shelter or sanctuary for the wildlife and let animals prosper in their natural habitat. 

Wildlife of India

India is home to endangered wildlife such as Asian elephants, tigers, leopards, and a large variety of birds and reptiles. It is a biodiversity hotspot with its diverse ecosystems. India is home to many animals in its countrywide parks, bio-reserves and more than four hundred flora and fauna sanctuaries. 

India is a country that hosts more than half of the world’s biodiversity. However, reckless human intervention and activities like construction and mining in animals’ natural habitats have led to the extinction and loss of several species. India has many biosphere reserves that focus on protecting endangered species. The government has been actively engaged in this to conserve the endemic species by constructing natural parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Niligiri biosphere reserve was India’s first biosphere, established in 1986.

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

India’s wildlife is diverse and specific areas need to be dedicated to their conservation so that the animal species do not go extinct. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are government-declared protected areas whose main objectives are to protect wildlife, protect flora and fauna, and restore the ecological balance of nature. The magnificent natural beauty of India’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries attracts millions of tourists each year, providing livelihood to locals.

National Park

The authorities can claim a place as a national park if it has a considerable ecological, geomorphological, and herbal significance. Human sports are not allowed in these areas. Only tourist activities are. Removal of wooded area produce and cattle grazing are strictly prohibited. Yellowstone was the first national park that was established on 1st March 1872.                

These parks are commonly small reserves spreading from 100 sq. km. to 500 sq. km. In countrywide parks, the emphasis is on protecting a single floral or fauna species. The largest national park in India is located in Jammu and Kashmir, known as Hemis National Park. The smallest national park is in Andaman and Nicobar Island, South Button Island National Park.

Some of the famous national parks in India are:

1. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
2. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
3. Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
4. Gir National Park, Gujarat.
5. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan.
6. Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh.
7. Sundarbans, West Bengal.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

The National Wildlife Refuge is a bordered area to protect certain species of flora and fauna. State authorities may permit limited human activity for the people who live within it. For example, wildlife agencies may allow livestock grazing for certain communities in which they live. Wildlife exploitation is a criminal offence, and the removal of forest products requires permission from the relevant national or state conservation agencies. India has 564 existing Wildlife Refuges covering an area of 122509.33 km², which is 3.73% of the country’s geographic area (National Wildlife Database, December 2021). India’s largest wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. The smallest wildlife sanctuary is situated in Bor Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.

Some of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in India are:

1. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka.
2. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra.
3. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala.
4. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.
5. Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh.
6. Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal.

Differentiate between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

1. Wildlife sanctuaries consist of areas where wildlife and their habitats are protected from disturbances. On the other hand, national parks are wildlife-only landscape areas where wildlife can roam freely and use natural resources.

2. The boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary are not fixed but are marked in national parks.

3. Human activity is partially permitted in the wildlife sanctuary but is strictly prohibited by government authorities in national parks.

4. National Park is a wider term and thus includes wildlife sanctuaries, whereas wildlife sanctuaries do not have national parks.

5. Wildlife sanctuaries aim to maintain a viable population of wildlife and its habitat, whereas national parks aim to protect the area’s natural and historic objects and wildlife.

6. A wildlife sanctuary is a natural habitat owned by a government or private agency that protects certain species of birds and animals, whereas national parks are sanctuaries established by the government for the protection and development of wildlife.

These are some of the points that differentiate between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Conclusion

India’s rich and abundant animal life is due to its diverse climate and geography. There are 372 species of mammals in India. Fauna is suffering from India’s expansion and growth and natural disasters. The rich and fascinating variety of Indian wildlife can be seen in 80 national parks, 440 sanctuaries and 23 tiger sanctuaries established by the Government of India to conserve this richness in biodiversity.