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National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries In India

Introduction:

National Parks in India are discussed here along with the Wildlife Sanctuaries. In India, the total area of national parks is only 0.5% of the total landmass, but it is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Many species are endemic to this region and can be seen nowhere else in the world. The basic objective for aiming to create national parks is conservation of biodiversity and also for tourism promotion and economic development. India has a rich history of wildlife protection. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 includes all wild animals, plants, birds and reptiles within its ambit with minimum penalties for offences against them (i.e.- Rs 50 even if harmful or dangerous wildlife species are killed).

What are National Parks?

National Parks, which are also known as ‘Reserves’ or ‘Reserve Forests’, were first established in the country in 1885. These are protected areas, where the private ownership of forest lands has been prohibited. In some cases, they were established with commercial objectives and exploiting resources. However, these were later converted into national parks with a wider objective of preserving wildlife and wildlife habitats.

What are Wildlife Sanctuaries?

A sanctuary is another kind of protected area. Though both are managed by the same authority (Ministry of Environment & Forests), there is a legal distinction between a wildlife sanctuary and national park. Wildlife sanctuaries are managed for habitat protection and conservation of wildlife breeding and resting, whereas a national park is managed for providing opportunities for recreation, education, etc.

Objectives of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries:

1) Provide safe habitat to protect wildlife from poaching and other human activities.

2) Promote conservation of flora and fauna

3) Preserve the geological and ecological balance of the area.

4) Provide required resources for the livelihoods of local people.

5) Preserve our culture and tradition through wildlife.

6) Protect biodiversity for sustainable development.

7) Produce revenue by tourism, ecotourism etc.

8 ) Help in preservation of endangered animal species through working with local communities as a partner to develop their economic potential, increase their human resources and also improve their living standards.

List of National Parks in India:

State/Union Territory

National Parks Name

Establishment Year

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Campbell Bay National Park

1992

Galathea Bay National Park

1992

Mahatma Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) National Park

1982

Middle Button Island National Park

1987

Mount Harriet National Park

1987

North Button Island National Park

1987

Rani Jhansi Marine National Park

1996

Saddle Peak National Park

1987

South Button Island National Park

1987

Andhra Pradesh

Papikonda National Park

2008

Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park

2005

Sri Venkateswara National Park

1989

Arunachal Pradesh

Mouling National Park

1986

Namdapha National Park

1983

Assam

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

1999

Kaziranga National Park

1974

Manas National Park

1990

Nameri National Park

1998

Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park

1999

Bihar

Valmiki National Park

1989

Chhattisgarh

Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park

1981

Indravati (Kutru) National Park

1982

Kanger Valley National Park

1982

Goa

Mollem National Park

1992

Gujarat

Vansda National Park

1979

Blackbuck (Velavadar) National Park

1976

Gir National Park

1975

Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) National Park

1982

Haryana

Kalesar National Park

2003

SultaNational Parkour National Park

1989

Himachal Pradesh

Great Himalayan National Park

1984

Inderkilla National Park

2010

Khirganga National Park

2010

Pin Valley National Park

1987

Simbalbara National Park

2010

Jammu and Kashmir

City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park

1992

Dachigam National Park

1981

Kishtwar National Park

1981

Jharkhand

Betla National Park

1986

Karnataka

Anshi National Park

1987

Bandipur National Park

1974

Bannerghatta National Park

1974

Kudremukh National Park

1987

Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park

1988

Kerala

Anamudi Shola National Park

2003

Eravikulam National Park

1978

Mathikettan Shola National Park

2003

Pampadum Shola National Park

2003

Periyar National Park

1982

Silent Valley National Park

1984

Madhya Pradesh

Bandhavgarh National Park

1968

Fossil National Park

1983

Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park

1975

Kanha National Park

1955

Madhav National Park

1959

Panna National Park

1981

Sanjay National Park

1981

Satpura National Park

1981

Van Vihar National Park

1979

Maharashtra

Chandoli National Park

2004

Gugamal National Park

1975

Nawegaon National Park

1975

Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru) National Park

1975

Sanjay Gandhi (Borivali) National Park

1983

Tadoba National Park

1955

Manipur

Keibul-Lamjao National Park

1977

Meghalaya

Balphakram National Park

1985

Nokrek Ridge National Park

1986

Mizoram

Murlen National Park

1991

Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park

1992

Nagaland

Intanki National Park

1993

Odisha

Bhitarkanika National Park

1988

Simlipal National Park

1980

Rajasthan

Mukundra Hills National Park

2006

Desert National Park

1992

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

1981

Ranthambhore National Park

1980

Sariska National Park

1992

Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park

1977

Tamil Nadu

Guindy National Park

1976

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park

1980

Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park

1989

Mudumalai National Park

1990

Mukurthi National Park

1990

Ladakh

Hemis National Park

1981

Telangana

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park

1994

Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park

1994

Mrugavani National Park

1994

Tripura

Clouded Leopard National Park

2007

Bison (Rajbari) National Park

2007

Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa National Park

1977

Uttarakhand

Corbett National Park

1936

Gangotri National Park

1989

Govind National Park

1990

Nanda Devi National Park

1982

Rajaji National Park

1983

Valley of Flowers National Park

1982

West Bengal

Buxa National Park

1992

Gorumara National Park

1992

Jaldapara National Park

2014

Neora Valley National Park

1986

Singalila National Park

1986

Sunderban National Park

1984

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India:

S.No.

Name of Wildlife Sanctuaries

State

1.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Rajasthan

2.

Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary

Odisha

3.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Kerala

4.

Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Gujarat

5.

Govind Wildlife Sanctuary

Uttarakhand

6.

Mudumalai Sanctuary

Tamil Nadu

7.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Kerala

 

Conclusion:

Biodiversity has been a part of our lives since our childhood. The wealth that we have today is due to this beautiful ecology and heritage. The idea of preserving these beauties is commendable, but we have a long way to go in terms of doing this. We need a better planning mechanism in place so that the dangers of human activities may not be realised. Let us keep ourselves vigilant and ensure that the beauty of this earth is preserved for generations to come!

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the Railway Examination Preparation.

What is the difference between a Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park?

Ans : The two most major differences are the borders of these...Read full

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Ans : As per the latest report by the Ministry of Environment...Read full

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