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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!
