Wildlife Sanctuary: Importance, List of Top 10 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 11th, 2023
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India are areas that have sufficient ecology, biological diversity, species diversity, geological value, morphological value, and biological and zoological value for safeguarding, re-producing or expanding wildlife. However, this does not apply to areas that are part of forest reserves or territorial waters.
The wildlife sanctuary in India is a crucial part of the Indian geography and UPSC GS 2. Several questions have been asked about the laws and their implementations for the conservation of threatened species in our country and other updates concerning the Wildlife sanctuaries in every examination. In this article, read about the importance of wildlife sanctuaries in India as per the UPSC exam point of view and also know the state-wise list of wildlife sanctuaries in India.
Table of content
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1.
What is Wildlife Sanctuary?
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2.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
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3.
Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
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4.
Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam
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5.
State Nature Wildlife Sanctuaries
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6.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India: State-Wise Area Covered
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7.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India Map
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8.
Wildlife Sanctuary in India
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9.
Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
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10.
Wildlife Sanctuary in India UPSC
What is Wildlife Sanctuary?
A wildlife sanctuary in India is a protected area of nature that reflects regional, national, and religious values while also upholding long-standing traditions and rituals to conserve nature.
- They are all brought together by the noble objective of maintaining the current biological diversity of flora and fauna endemic to the area, in any location, and in the jurisdiction of any state.
- In simple terms, we can say that a wildlife sanctuary is an area where birds, other animals, and flora are safeguarded and preserved safely in their natural habitats to protect them from illicit activities like poaching and animal trafficking.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
According to the Wildlife Institute of India, there are currently 565 wildlife sanctuaries that occupy 12560.85 square kilometres, or 3.73%, of the nation’s total land area (National Wildlife Database, May 2022). The protected area network report suggests 218 additional sanctuaries totalling up to 16,829 square kilometres of area.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India State Wise | Names |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Interview Island Wildlife Sanctuary
Landfall Island Wildlife Sanctuary Lohabarrack (Saltwater Crocodile) Wildlife Sanctuary Spike Island-I and Spike Island-II Wildlife Sanctuaries Tillongchang Island Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala | Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu | Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa | Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh | Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary Sri Penusila Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuary Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana | Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary
Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra | Tadoba Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary Dnyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary Ghodazari Wildlife Sanctuary Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary Painganga Wildlife Sanctuary Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha | Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary
Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh | Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary
Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Mizoram | Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
Tokalo Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Tripura | Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat | Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary Gir Wildlife Sanctuary Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary Purna Wildlife Sanctuary Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand | Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya | Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Manipur | Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in MP | Bagdara Wildlife Sanctuary
Bori Wildlife Sanctuary Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary Karera Wildlife Sanctuary Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary Pench Wildlife Sanctuary Noradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Phen Wildlife Sanctuary Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary Sanjay Dubri Wildlife Sanctuary Sardarpur Wildlife Sanctuary Singhori Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in West Bengal | Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary West Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar | Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary
Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim | Barsey Rhododendron Wildlife Sanctuary
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh | D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary Pakke (Pakhui) Wildlife Sanctuary Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuary Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan | Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Jamwa Ramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Phulwari Ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary Todgarh Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in UP | Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary Patna Wildlife Sanctuary Pilibhit Wildlife Sanctuary Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary Sohelwa Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana | Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand | Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh | Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary
Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary Rupi Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu and Kashmir | Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary Ramnagar Rakha Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh | Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary |
Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
As per the updated list of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, there are approximately 30 in Karnataka. Some of the important ones are listed below.
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
- Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary
- Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
- Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
- Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary
- Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam
There are 15-20 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam. Some of the important and famous ones are listed below.
- Amchang WLS
- Barail WLS
- Barnadi WLS
- Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni WLS
- Burachapori WLS
- Chakrashila WLS
- Deepor Beel WLS
- Dihing Patkai WLS
- East Karbi Anglong WLS
- Garampani WLS
- Hollongapar Gibbon WLS
- Lawkhowa WLS
- Marat Longri WLS
- Nambor WLS
- Nambor Doigrung WLS
- Porbitora WLS
- Pani-Dihing Bird WLS
- Sonai Rupai WLS
State Nature Wildlife Sanctuaries
The objective of a state nature wildlife sanctuary is to safeguard and study the natural course of biological processes and events, the genetic stock of flora and fauna, species and ecosystems of plants and animals, distinctive and notable ecosystems, and environmental education.
- The natural territories of federal importance include the grounds of state parks, natural forests, and wildlife sanctuaries.
- The regions of state wildlife sanctuaries in India can be categorized as having regional or federal significance.
- When creating territorial integrated schemes, land management plans, district, and urban planning initiatives, and land uses, all forms of wildlife sanctuaries should be considered.
- All notably protected natural components and entities (land, water, soil, biological species) on the grounds of a state wildlife sanctuary that serve as an example of the typical natural environment, traditional or unique landscapes, or locations for the preservation of genetic funds of biodiversity are entirely erased from monitory usages.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India: State-Wise Area Covered
As per the Wildlife Institute of India; the state-wise wildlife sanctuaries are listed as follows:
State & UT | State Area (km²) | No. of WLS | Area (km²) | % of State Area |
Andhra Pradesh | 160229 | 13 | 6771.4 | 4.23 |
Arunachal Pradesh | 83743 | 13 | 7614.56 | 9.09 |
Assam | 78438 | 17 | 1728.95 | 2.2 |
Bihar | 94163 | 12 | 2851.67 | 3.03 |
Chhattisgarh | 135191 | 11 | 3760.28 | 2.78 |
Goa | 3702 | 6 | 647.91 | 17.5 |
Gujarat | 196022 | 23 | 16618.42 | 8.48 |
Haryana | 44212 | 7 | 118.21 | 0.27 |
Himachal Pradesh | 55673 | 28 | 6115.97 | 10.99 |
Jharkhand | 79714 | 11 | 1955.82 | 2.45 |
Karnataka | 191791 | 35 | 7923.23 | 4.13 |
Kerala | 38863 | 18 | 2156.21 | 5.55 |
Madhya Pradesh | 308245 | 24 | 7046.19 | 2.29 |
Maharashtra | 307713 | 49 | 7861.7 | 2.55 |
Manipur | 22327 | 7 | 708.14 | 3.17 |
Meghalaya | 22429 | 4 | 94.11 | 0.42 |
Mizoram | 21081 | 9 | 1359.75 | 6.45 |
Nagaland | 16579 | 4 | 43.91 | 0.26 |
Odisha | 155707 | 19 | 7094.65 | 4.56 |
Punjab | 50362 | 13 | 326.6 | 0.65 |
Rajasthan | 342239 | 25 | 5592.38 | 1.63 |
Sikkim | 7096 | 7 | 399.1 | 5.62 |
Tamil Nadu | 130058 | 31 | 6292.07 | 4.84 |
Telangana | 114840 | 9 | 5672.7 | 4.94 |
Tripura | 10486 | 4 | 603.64 | 5.76 |
Uttar Pradesh | 240928 | 26 | 5822.2 | 2.42 |
Uttarakhand | 53483 | 7 | 2690.12 | 5.03 |
West Bengal | 88752 | 16 | 1440.18 | 1.62 |
Andaman & Nicobar | 8249 | 94 | 377.83 | 4.58 |
Chandigarh | 114 | 2 | 26.01 | 22.82 |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 491 | 1 | 92.17 | 18.77 |
Daman & Diu | 112 | 1 | 2.19 | 1.96 |
Delhi | 1483 | 1 | 19.61 | 1.32 |
Jammu & Kashmir | 163090 | 14 | 1729.03 | 1.06 |
Ladakh | 59146 | 2 | 9000 | 15.22 |
Lakshadweep | 32 | 1 | 0.01 | 0.03 |
Puducherry | 480 | 1 | 3.9 | 0.81 |
TOTAL | 3287263 | 565 | 122560.85 | 3.73 |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India Map
It will become easy for students to remember the location of wildlife sanctuaries in India using a visual resource such as a map. The following map shows the important wildlife sanctuaries found in India:
Wildlife Sanctuary in India
One of the best examples of a Wildlife Sanctuary in India is the Ranthambore National Park. It is the largest sanctuary among all situated in Rajasthan. A wildlife sanctuary in India is a place where the animals reside with complete protection from any kind of illegal activity. Such areas provide a safe and secure environment, especially for threatened and endangered species.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Karnataka and is a famous tiger reserve in the country. It consists of a large variety of plant species as well which amount to 120 in number. It further consists of a variety of wild animal species which include elephants, leopards, jackals, sambar and different types of birds. It is a diverse wildlife sanctuary in India.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the state of Kerela. This wildlife sanctuary in India was established in the year 1973. It spans a wide area of 344.44 square km. It is an important area in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The animals that are part of this wildlife sanctuary in India are Tigers, Elephants, Panthers, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Malabar giant squirrels, Wild dogs, etc.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in India is located in the Morigaon district of Assam. It was set up in the year 1987 and is spread across a wide area of 38.85 square kilometres. It is located near the city of Guwahati.
The most famous animal found in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is the great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. The other animals found in this wildlife sanctuary in India are the Barking deer, Wild buffalo, and Leopard and near to 2000 birds who migrated reside here.
Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
The role of wildlife sanctuaries in India is crucial when it comes to preserving and reproducing biological diversity in a region. This is briefly explained in the pointers given below:
Wildlife Conservation:
Since it is difficult and expensive to relocate endangered creatures, these animals are usually kept in their native habitats where they can be closely watched, where they can procreate, and increase their population while still living under the stringent surveillance of the wildlife sanctuary and associated experts.
Preservation of Landscape:
Forests are slowly becoming distant to the human eye. We used to be able to see trees in our immediate surroundings as kids, but today, all we can see are multistorey buildings towering the cities and even towns.
- These forests are cleared to make room for buildings, cities, and urban societies.
- However, as these sanctuaries are on protected land, the woods are safeguarded and permitted to grow unhindered.
Safeguarding the endangered species:
Because of our routines and daily requirements, many plants and animal species are threatened today and are also on the brink of becoming extinct. Wildlife sanctuaries provide a secure land area to the species where nature and the fauna can flourish in an obstructed manner by human activity.
Eco-tourism:
Eco-tourism is the practice of visiting environmentally significant locations to witness and support wildlife protection. Here, members of the public can view animals in their natural habitats, unrestrained, unlike the cages.
- They can observe animals in their groups, together with their young, without worrying about their safety.
- The ability to generate revenue by charging visitors through sanctuary entry fees is one of the main advantages of ecotourism.
- The sanctuary can be expanded with the money made using the entry fees.
Environmental Education:
An average person is not sufficiently aware of the wildlife sanctuaries in India, their functions, and their advantages. However, more and more people are learning about them and becoming a part of support groups, and volunteering with the sanctuaries.
Wildlife Sanctuary in India UPSC
The wildlife sanctuary in India is an important segment of the UPSC Prelims and Mains syllabus. Candidates should also keep a check on current affairs related to the recent events and news about the wildlife sanctuaries, as many questions on the ongoing acts and judgements about famous sanctuaries are asked in the UPSC exam.
Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Question
Check the following sample question on Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Notes to understand the difficulty level and the type of questions generally asked in the exam:
Question: Take a look at the following pairs
- Dampa Tiger reserve – Mizoram
- Gumti wildlife sanctuary – Sikkim
- Saramathi peak – Nagaland
Which of the above combinations is correct?
- 1 only
- Two and three only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3