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

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 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:

• Which State has the Highest National Parks?
• How Many National Parks are there in Manipur?
• Which Country has the World’s Largest National Park by Area?