hamburger

National Parks in India – Map, List, Top 10 National Parks of India

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

National Parks in India are the protected areas at a site to protect the local wildlife, flora, fauna, and natural environment. State Government notifies a sanctuary to be a National park to preserve the area for its faunal, floral, ecological, geomorphological, or zoological association of importance.

As per the latest update, there are a total of 106 National Parks in India as of 2023. They are required to conserve, enhance, or develop the local wildlife or its ecosystem. The first national park in India was Jim Corbett National Park, named after the naturalist Jim Corbett in 1936. Below mentioned is the complete and updated list of national parks in India.

National Parks in India

A national park is a region under government security where a vast variety of animals, fauna, flora, and geomorphological site, and the entire ecosystem are preserved for security, education, and recreational purposes.

The national parks in India are areas which are protected and secured and allow minimum human interference in them. This means any activity which can ill-treat the wildlife and environment, like poaching and hunting, is strictly banned at national parks.
BYJU'S UPSC Toppers 2023

Facts about National Parks of India

Check out all the important facts and highlights below about the national parks in India.

National Park in India 2023 Highlights
Number of National Parks in India 106
Latest National Park in India Raimona National Park, Assam
Who designates a National Park in India State Government
First National Park in India Hailey National Park is the oldest national park in India, now known as Jim Corbett national park.
Largest National Park in India Hemis National Park is the biggest national park in India, located in Ladakh, with an area of 3350 km².
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

How Many National Parks are there in India?

There are a total of 106 national parks in India as per the National Wildlife Database released in January 2023. The state-wise list of the number of National Parks is provided here:

State/Union Territory Number of National Parks
Jammu and Kashmir 4
Ladakh 1
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 6
Madhya Pradesh 11
Andhra Pradesh 3
Karnataka 5
Bihar 1
Kerala 6
Goa 1
Gujarat 4
Haryana 2
Himachal Pradesh 5
Mizoram 2
Jharkhand 1
Tamil Nadu 5
Sikkim 1
Chhattisgarh 3
Arunachal Pradesh 2
Maharashtra 6
Manipur 2
Assam 7
Tripura 2
Nagaland 1
Odisha 2
Rajasthan 5
Meghalaya 2
West Bengal 6
Telangana 3
Uttar Pradesh 1
Uttarakhand 6
Total 106

Latest National Park in India 2023

As per the database, Raimona National Park is the latest addition to National Parks in India. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also under consideration for 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.
  • Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of national parks in India with a total of 11 parks.

List of National Parks in India

Go through the updated list of state-wise national parks in India. The list contains the state it is located in, and the year it was established. All national parks in India contribute to safeguarding the species of flora and fauna along with their habitats.

State Name of the National Park in India Established in
Andhra Pradesh Papikonda National Park 1978
Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Rameswaram) 2005
Sri Venkateswara National Park 1989
Arunachal Pradesh Mouling National Park 1982
Namdapha National Park 1974
Assam Dibru-Saikhowa National Park 1999
Dehing Patkai National Park 2004
Raimona National Park 2021
Kaziranga National Park 1905
Manas National Park 1990
Nameri National Park 1998
Orang National Park 1985
Bihar Valmiki National Park 1978
Chhattisgarh Guru Ghasidas National Park 1983
Indravati National Park 1975
Kanger Ghati National Park 1982
Goa Mollem National Park 1978
Gujarat Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar 1976
Gir Forest National Park 1965
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch 1982
Vansda National Park 1979
Haryana Kalesar National Park 2003
Sultanpur National Park 1959
Himachal Pradesh Great Himalayan National Park 1984
Inderkilla National Park 2010
Khirganga National Park 2010
Pin Valley National Park 1987
Simbalbara National Park 2010
Jharkhand Betla National Park 1974
Karnataka Anshi National Park 1987
Bandipur National Park 1974
Bannerghatta National Park 1974
Kudremukh National Park 1987
Nagarhole National Park 1988
Kerala Anamudi Shola National Park 2003
Eravikulam National Park 1978
Mathikettan Shola National Park 2008
Pambadum Shola National Park 2003
Periyar National Park 1950
Silent Valley National Park 1985
Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park 1968
Omkareshwar National Park 2013
Kanha National Park 1955
Kuno National Park 1981
Madhav National Park 1958
Mandla Plant Fossils National Park 1983
Panna National Park 1981
Pench National Park 1975
Sanjay National Park 1983
Satpura National Park 1981
Van Vihar National Park 1979
Maharashtra Chandoli National Park 2004
Gugamal National Park 1974
Navegaon National Park 1975
Sanjay Gandhi National Park 1996
Tadoba National Park 1955
Manipur Keibul Lamjao National Park 1977
Sirohi National Park 1982
Meghalaya Balphakram National Park 1987
Nokrek National Park 1986
Mizoram Murlen National Park 1991
Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park 1992
Nagaland Ntangki National Park 1993
Odisha Bhitarkanika National Park 1975
Simlipal National Park 1980
Rajasthan Desert National Park 1981
Keoladeo National Park 1982
Mukundra Hills National Park 204
Ranthambore National Park 1980
Sariska Tiger Reserve 1979
Sikkim Khangchendzonga National Park 1977
Tamil Nadu Guindy National Park 1977
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 1986
Indira Gandhi Sanctuary and National Park 1976
Mudumalai National Park 1940
Mukurthi National Park 2001
Telangana Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park 1994
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park 1975
Mrugavani National Park 1994
Tripura Bison (Rajbari) National Park 2007
Clouded Leopard National Park 2007
Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa National Park 1977
Uttarakhand Gangotri National Park 1989
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park 1955
Jim Corbett National Park 1936
Nanda Devi National Park 1982
Rajaji National Park 1983
Valley of Flowers National Park 1982
West Bengal Buxa Tiger Reserve 1983
Gorumara National Park 1949
Jaldapara National Park 2012
Neora Valley National Park 1986
Singalila National Park 1986
Sundarbans National Park 1984
Andaman & Nicobar Islands Campbell Bay National Park 1992
Galathea National Park 1922
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park 1983
Middle Button Island National Park 1979
Mount Harriet National Park 1979
North Button Island National Park 1979
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park 1996
Saddle Peak National Park 1979
South Button Island National Park 1987
Jammu & Kashmir Dachigam National Park 1981
Kishtwar National Park 1981
Kazinag National Park 1992
Salim Ali National Park 1986
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 km²
  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 – 1440.71 km²
  8. Sunderban National Park – 1330.1 km²
  9. Indravati (Kutru) National Park – 1258.37 km²
  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 they are in News.

State National Park, Tiger Reserve, Wildlife/Bird Sanctuary Important Facts Why in News
Andhra Pradesh Atapaka Bird Sanctuary It is located in Kolleru Lake, a Ramsar site in India. The Atapaka Bird Sanctuary has recently become a safe breeding ground for two migratory bird species- Grey Pelicans and Painted Storks.
Andhra Pradesh Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve It covers the Guntur, Prakasam, and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh and the Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts of Telangana.

It was recognized by Project Tiger in 1983

Located in the deciduous Nallamala Forests.

It covers a total area of about 3,800 sq. Km.

The number of tigers in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve has gone up, reversing a declining trend, thanks to the efforts of the Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF).
Arunachal Pradesh Tally Valley Wildlife Sanctuary It is a Wildlife Sanctuary and also a biodiversity hotspot near Zero town in 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.

Recently, a new non-venomous burrowing species of snake-Trachischiumapteii, was found here.
Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha National Park It is Largest Protected Area in the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.

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.

Recently, The Indian Airforce has inaugurated a resurfaced runway at Vijaynagar(India’s easternmost village) near Namdapha National Park.
Arunachal Pradesh Pakke Tiger Reserve It falls within the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.

It is also known as Pakhii Tiger Reserve.

It is famous for its four resident hornbill species.

The government of Arunachal is planning to build a 692.7 km Highway called the East-West industrial corridor through Pakke Tiger Reserve.
Assam Kaziranga National Park It was declared a National Park in 1974, a UNESCO World 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.

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

The second wetland bird count was conducted here from 9th-10th January 2020.
Assam Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary It has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world.

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.

Recently, two Asiatic wild water buffaloes died in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary due to anthrax.
Bihar Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary It is the only Dolphin Sanctuary in India

It spreads from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur District on the Ganga river in Bihar.

National waterways-1 passes through it.

The Ministry of Shipping is planning to restrict the speed of vessels and blow sirens and horns in the Vikramshila dolphin sanctuary to safeguard the population of the Ganges river dolphin.
Goa Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the North Goa district.

It was formed in 1999.

It has been declared an International Bird Area by Birdlife International.

It is located in the Mahadayi river basin.

Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary can be declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger because Royal Bengal Tiger is found here.
Goa Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in South-Eastern Goa.

Netravali river originates from this sanctuary.

Recently, a black panther was spotted here for the first time.
Haryana Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary It is spread across the Gurugram and Faridabad districts of Haryana.

It is at the end of the Aravali Biodiversity Corridor.

Recently, The Ministry of Environment and Forests has declared an area of 1 kilometre around the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-sensitive zone where activities like commercial mining, setting up of industries, and development of major hydroelectric projects will not be allowed.
Karnataka Bandipur Tiger Reserve It was formed in the year 2007.

It is located at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil 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 the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Moyar River flows through it.

It shares a boundary with Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mudumalai National Park.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) convened an inter-state meeting of senior forest personnel from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu at Bandipur in June 2019.
Karnataka Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the Chamrajanagar district of Karnataka.

Shola forest is found here in higher altitudes.

Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is set to be declared a tiger reserve soon, taking the total number of Tiger Reserves in Karnataka to six.
Karnataka Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary It was formed in 1987.

It is located in Karnataka’s Chamrajanagar, Ramanagar, and Mandya districts.

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

Recently, reports about several wild elephants dying of electrocution have come up.
Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park It is located in the Umariya district of MP in the Vidhya Ranges.

It was declared National Park in 1968 and Tiger Reserve in 1993.

Recently, an elephant colony was found in Bandhavgarh Reserve Forest for the first time.
Madhya Pradesh Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the Sagar district of MP.

It spreads across the Narmada and Ganga river basins.

It is a Potential Site for Cheetah re-introduction in India from Africa.

Recently, a successful tiger relocation program was carried out here.
Madhya Pradesh Van Vihar National Park It is located in Bhopal.

Many free Ranging animals like Chital, Sambhar, Chousingha, etc., and white tigers, leopards, hyenas, and sloth bears are present.

Here an amalgamation of natural habitat and modern concept of Zoo management is present.
Madhya Pradesh Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the Bhopal-Raisen forest division of Madhya Pradesh.

It covers an area of about 890 sq. km.

It has around 40 tigers.

Recently, The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to declare the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary a Tiger Reserve.
Odisha Nalbana Bird Sanctuary It is the core area of the Ramsar site in Chilika Lake.

The Island disappears during the Monsoon due to flooding and re-emerges in the post-monsoon season.

Recently, due to the dismantling of illegal prawn gheries inside Chilika Lake, a record number of migratory birds arrived at the Nalbana Bird Sanctuary.
Rajasthan Sariska Tiger Reserve It is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan.

Famous for Royal Bengal Tiger.

It’s a part of Project Tiger.

Kankarwadi fort and pandupole temple are located within the reserve.

Recently, the 13th session of the Ministry of Tourism’s DEKHO APNA DESH webinar titled- Destination-Sariska Tiger Reserve’ was held here.
Telangana Papikonda National Park It is located in the Khammam district of Telangana and East 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.

Recently, the maiden survey of butterfly species was conducted in the Papikonda National Park.
Telangana Amrabad Tiger Reserve It is located in Nallamala Hills.

It is India’s second-largest tiger reserve, after the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve.

Chenchu tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group is found here.

In July 2019, A Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate change panel has recommended ‘in- principle’ permission for Uranium survey and exploration in Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa National Park It is located on the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri and 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.

Recently, the elephant safari was banned due to the shortage and aggressive nature of elephants.

Types of National Parks in India

There are two types of national parks in India. A brief explanation of both is shared hereunder:

  • 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 in India Map

Candidates can also refer to the map below to locate all national parks in India easily.

National Parks in India

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Know the difference between national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to better understand the role of each establishment towards safeguarding the environment.

National Parks Wildlife Sanctuaries
A national park is a protected area that the government takes care of to preserve wildlife. Wildlife sanctuaries are somewhat similar to National parks but are governed by administrative bodies and private institutions.
National parks are established to save vulnerable species of flora and fauna. Wildlife sanctuaries mostly focus on preserving birds, animals, and small insects, including reptiles.
The national parks are highly protected, and commoners’ entry is strictly restricted. Tourists can visit the wildlife sanctuaries without any restrictions.
If anyone wants to visit a national park, special permission is required. There is no concept of official permission required to enter the wildlife sanctuaries.
The national parks are always bounded, and the government and administration officials set these boundaries. There are no boundaries fixed for the wildlife sanctuaries.
No harmful human activity is allowed in national parks. Although human activity is permitted still with restrictions and to specific limits.

Importance of National Parks in India

National Parks are the protected boundaries by the government to preserve nature’s wilderness area. They play a very important role in the environment because of the following reasons:

  • They act as the in-situ environment for wildlife.
  • The government protects National Parks to preserve the natural environment, wildlife, flora, and fauna.
  • They also promote education in the field of environmental studies.
  • Establishing them not only aids in conserving wildlife and other living things but also promotes outdoor recreational activities.
  • It is important to have national parks as they preserve biodiversity, which, if somehow disturbed, may affect the ecosystem of a particular area on a large scale.

National Parks in India UPSC

National parks in India UPSC topic is widely covered in the subject of the environment as well as the Geography syllabus. Each year at least 1 to 2 questions in the UPSC Prelims exam are fixed from this portion hence it is important to learn about national parks in India.

If preparing for the upcoming UPSC Exam, aspirants must be well versed with the updated list of National Parks in India 2023. Also, download the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to practice questions from the topic.

National Parks in India UPSC Question

Question: Which among the following is the ‘Mixed World heritage Site’?

  1. Kaziranga National Park
  2. Gir National Park
  3. Khanchendzonga National Park
  4. Periyar National Park

Choose the correct option from the following-

A) 1 only

B) 3 only

C) 2 and 3

D) None of the above

Correct Answer – Option B

☛ Try to Attempt these Questions:

Our Apps Playstore
POPULAR EXAMS
SSC and Bank
Other Exams
GradeStack Learning Pvt. Ltd.Windsor IT Park, Tower - A, 2nd Floor, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201303 help@byjusexamprep.com
Home Practice Test Series Premium