Table of Contents
National Parks in India
National parks are areas that are aimed to protect the natural environment by keeping the landscapes and its flora and fauna in their natural state. Generally, no human activity is allowed in a national park but they can be involved in public recreation and enjoyment activities
India is known for its different National Parks and their specifications. National parks can be declared both by the Central Government and State governments. The Chief Wildlife Warden shall be the authority that shall control, manage, and maintain all protected areas.
India is rich in biodiversity which includes 7.6% mammals, 6.2% reptiles, 12.6% birds, and 6.0% flowering plant species under the Indomalayan ecozone. Many eco-regions of our country like Shola forests exhibit high rates of endemism. Forest cover of India covers the area ranging from the tropical rainforest, the Western Ghats, and Northeast India to the coniferous forests in the Himalayan region.
National parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas. India’s first national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand. By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation-reliant species.
As of June 2021, there were 106 national parks encompassing an area of 40,501.13 km2 (15,637.57 sq mi), under-protected areas of India category II comprising 1.33% of India’s total surface area.
This topic is very important from the defence exam’s point of view as every year at least 2 questions are asked from this section. We have provided you the list of national parks in India which will help you in attempting any questions from this section with full confidence.
National Parks in India State Wise
If you want to know about important national parks state-wise, then check the information given below. This classification will help you to give clarity about the location of most of the important national parks.
National Parks in India: Madhya Pradesh
- Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Madhav National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Mandla Fossils National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Van Vihar National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Pench National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Sanjay National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Satpura National Park Madhya Pradesh
National Parks in India: Karnataka
- Bandipur National Park Karnataka
- Bannerghatta National Park Karnataka
- Kudremukh National Park Karnataka
- Nagarhole National Park Karnataka
National Parks in India: Jharkhand
- Betla National Park Jharkhand
- Hazaribagh National Park Jharkhand
National Parks in India: Gujarat
- Blackbuck National Park Gujarat
- Gir Forest National Park Gujarat
- Marine Gulf of Kutch park Gujarat
- Vansda National Park Gujarat
National Parks in India: West Bengal
- Sundarbans National Park West Bengal
- Buxa Tiger Reserve West Bengal
- Gorumara National Park West Bengal
- Jaldapara National Park West Bengal
- Neora Valley National Park West Bengal
- Singalila National Park West Bengal
National Parks in India: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Campbell Bay National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Galathea National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Mahatma National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Middle Button National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Mount Harriet National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- North Button National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- South Button National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Rani Jhansi National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Saddle Peak National Park Andaman and Nicobar Islands
National Parks in India: Maharashtra
- Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
- Negaon National Park Maharashtra
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park Maharashtra
- Tadoba National Park Maharashtra
- Gugamal National Park Maharashtra
National Parks in India: Jammu and Kashmir
- Dachigam National Park Jammu and Kashmir
- Hemis National Park Jammu and Kashmir
- Kishtwar National Park Jammu and Kashmir
- Salim Ali National Park Jammu and Kashmir
National Parks in India: Rajasthan
- Darrah National Park Rajasthan
- Desert National Park Rajasthan
- Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan
- Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary Rajasthan
- Ranthambore National Park Rajasthan
- Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan
National Parks in India: Assam
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Assam
- Kaziranga National Park Assam
- Manas National Park Assam
- Orang National Park Assam
- Nameri National Park Assam
National Parks in India: Odisha
- Nandankanan Zoological Park Odisha
- Simlipal National Park Odisha
National Parks in India: Uttar Pradesh
- Dudhwa National Park Uttar Pradesh
National Parks in India: Bihar
- Valmiki National Park Bihar
National Parks in India: Kerala
- Eravikulam National Park Kerala
- Mathikettan National Park Kerala
- Periyar National Park Kerala
- Silent Valley National Park Kerala
National Parks in India: Tamil Nadu
- Guindy National Park Tamil Nadu
- Gulf of Mannar National Park Tamil Nadu
- Indira Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
- Mudumalai National Park Tamil Nadu
- Mukurthi National Park Tamil Nadu
- Palani Hills National Park Tamil Nadu
National Parks in India: Punjab
- Harike Wetland Punjab
National Parks in India: Haryana
- Kalesar National Park Haryana
- Sultanpur National Park Haryana
National Parks in India: Himachal Pradesh
- Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh
- Pin Valley National Park Himachal Pradesh
National Parks in India: Chhattisgarh
- Indravati National Park Chhattisgarh
- Kanger Ghati National Park Chhattisgarh
National Parks in India: Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett National Park Uttarakhand
- Nanda Devi National Park Uttarakhand
- Rajaji National Park Uttarakhand
- Valley of Flowers National Park Uttarakhand
National Parks in India: Telangana
- Kasu Reddy National Park Telangana
- Vanasthali National Park Telangana
National Parks in India: Manipur
- Keibul Lamjao National Park Manipur
- Sirohi National Park Manipur
National Parks in India: Sikkim
- Khangchendzonga Park Sikkim
National Parks in India: Arunachal Pradesh
- Mouling National Park Arunachal Pradesh
- Namdapha National Park Arunachal Pradesh
National Parks in India: Mizoram
- Murlen National Park Mizoram
- Blue Mountain National Park Mizoram
National Parks in India: Andhra Pradesh
- Papikonda National Park Andhra Pradesh
- Sri Venkateswara Park Andhra Pradesh
National Parks in India: Goa
- Mollem National Park Goa
National Parks in India: Telangana
- Mrugavani National Park Telangana
National Parks in India: Nagaland
- Ntangki National Park Nagaland
National Parks in India PDF
National Parks in India complete list is given above. Candidate can download the National parks in India in PDF form also by clicking on link given below.
List of National Parks in India – Download PDF
National Parks and their famous animals
In exams, candidates are generally asked about certain animals and their association with National Parks. So it becomes important to have the idea of such National Parks with their famous animals. We are providing you with the most important list from an exam point of view. Learn it properly so that you won’t miss any related questions in the exam.
| Animal/Bird | Predominant in Sanctuary/Reserve | State |
| Wild Ass | Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary | Gujarat |
| One horned Rhinoceros | Kaziranga National Park | Assam |
| Elephants | Periyar National Park | Kerala |
| Asiatic Lions | Gir National Park | Gujarat |
| Great Indian Bustard | Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary & Desert National Park | Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan |
| Royal Bengal Tiger | Sunderbans National Park | West Bengal |
| Olive Ridley Turtle | Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary | Orissa |
| Dolphins | Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary | Bhagalpur, Bihar |
| Vulture | Ramdevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary | Karnataka |
| Bear | Daroji Bear Sanctuary | Hampi, Karnataka |
| Sangai | Keibul Lamjao National Park | Loktak Lake (Bishnupur), Manipur |
| Barasingha (Swamp deer) | Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh |
| Siberian cranes | Keoladeo national park | Rajasthan (Bharatpur) |
| Jerdon’s Courser | Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary | Andhra Pradesh |
| Gharial | National Chambal Sanctuary | U.P., Rajasthan, and M.P. |
| Grizzled Giant Squirrel | Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary | Virudhinagar & Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
| Clouded Leopard | Clouded Leopard National Park | Tripura |
| Snow Leopard | Hemis National Park | Ladakh |
| Hoolock Gibbon | Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary | Assam |
| Golden langur | Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary & Raimona National Park | Assam |
| Hangul (Kashmir Stag) | Dachigam Sanctuary | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Nilgiri Tahr | Eravikulam National Park | Kerala |
| Red Panda | Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim |
Important National Parks
Candidates can also find certain questions about some important National Parks. We are providing you with the most important information about some national parks and their detail. Read bout some important national parks in detail below –
1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett National Park is very near to Nainital of Uttarakhand and it is considered one of the favoured destinations for tourists.
- There you can easily spot tigers. Other animals to be spotted here include several species of deer, leopards, jackals, red foxes, black bear, sloth bear, and monkeys.
2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Kaziranga is known as as the home of the “Big Five”
- Kaziranga National Park is known as a habitat of a few wild animals such as Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo and Swamp Deer.
- Unlike Hemis, which is the highest national park in India , this reserve houses some common hilly animal and bird species.
- Covering an area of 378 sq km, the park also offers shelter to bears, leopards, and several species of local and migratory birds, but the biggest attractions remains the one horned Rhino.
- UNESCO declared it to be a World Heritage Site, due to it residing in an Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
3. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
- It is in Gujarat, the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to spot wild Asiatic lions in their natural habitat.
- It used to be the hunting reserve for the Nawabs of Junagadh before it was turned into a sanctuary in the year 1990.
- Earlier there were a mere 12 lions here, and the number has now grown to reach nearly 600.
- Other animals that one might spot here include sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar, black buck and others.
4. Sundarban National Park, West Bengal
- It is located in West Bengal, the Sundarban National Park is a Tiger and Biosphere Reserve on the Ganges Delta.
- Its signature mangrove forest, is a particularly popular attraction here, making it one of the most visited national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
- One can spot the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, wild boars, foxes, leopard cats, huge turtles, Ganges river dolphins and several other varieties of mammals and reptiles, along with a huge variety of local and migratory birds.
5. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- This National Park covers an area of 524 sq km, Satpura National Park is home to a terrain most unique, with sandstone peaks, dense forests, narrow gorges and deep ravines.
- One can spot a large variety of wildlife here, including leopards, wild boar, bears, black buck, several kinds of deer, and a several species of birds.
- Once also spot tigers and barasinghas there.
6. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
- Eravikulam National Park covers an area of 97 sq km.
- It provides protection to the endangered Nilgiri Thar.
- One of the most scenic national parks in south India, it is also home to elephants, deer, jackals, leopards, tiger, otters, mongoose, and a huge variety of birds and butterflies. The national park is also home to Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India.
7. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh is quite famous for providing habitat to Royal Bengal Tigers in its Pench National Park.
- The park is also popular among adventure enthusiasts for rafting.
- It is also the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s famous novel “The Jungle Book”.
- Other than tigers one might also spot deer, elephants, wild boar, wolf, sloth bear, leopard, fox, striped hyena, and much more.
8. Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
- The Sariska National Park is a refuge for Royal Bengal Tigers, located in Rajasthan.
- It is sprawled across an area of 866 sq km and supports a rocky landscape.
- The scrub thorns in the forest make it easier for tourists to spot the elusive “king of the jungle”.
- Other animals that one might spot here include leopards, striped hyenas, wild boars, jackals, serpent eagles, monkeys, hares, as well as several varieties of deer.
9. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- This national park is spread across more than 1,945 sq km.
- Kanha National Park is one of the first national parks in India for tiger reserves to work for Project Tiger.
- It is also known for providing habitat to Barasingha and is known to be one of the most well-maintained National Parks of Asia.
- It has been divided into two separate parts, Banjar and Hallon, named after the rivers that flow across it.
10. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
- One of the largest national parks in North India, Ranthambore National Park covers an area of 392 sq km.
- It is a part of Project Tiger and has been a refuge of Royal Bengal Tigers since 1974.
- Other than tigers, one can also spot other animals such as bears, leopards, jackals, elephants, striped hyena, bison, monkeys and several types of deer.
