Introduction: National Parks in India
India contains a network of 109 National Parks throughout India that are designed to preserve wildlife, natural habitats and biodiversity while limiting human interaction (e.g., the Himalayas, Western Ghats, deserts and coasts plus mangroves, grasslands and islands). Protecting national parks is meant to conserve animals in their naturalness (unobstructive habitats) from an economic perspective, (most will use the national park for tourism and employment).
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 establishes National Parks under the Act and confers the strongest level of legal protection for ecologically sensitive areas of India. Human activities within national parks, such as grazing livestock, private land ownership, resource extraction and similar activities are prohibited by this Act.
An understanding of the location, physiographic features (e.g. mountain ranges, plateaus, coasts) of parks and their landscapes (e.g. rivers, lakes) will provide information necessary to develop answers for the UPSC exam. Those species that are flagship, endangered or endemic will also assist students preparing for exams by identifying these species in parks.
State-wise List of National Parks in India (Total: 109)
| State / UT | No. of National Parks | National Parks |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 9 | Campbell Bay, Galathea Bay, Mahatma Gandhi Marine (Wandoor), Middle Button Island, Mount Harriett (Mount Manipur), North Button Island, Rani Jhansi Marine, Saddle Peak, South Button Island |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | Papikonda, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram), Sri Venkateswara |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 2 | Mouling, Namdapha |
| Assam | 8 | Dibru-Saikhowa, Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang, Raimona, Dehing Patkai, Sikhna Jwhwlao |
| Bihar | 1 | Valmiki |
| Chhattisgarh | 3 | Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay), Indravati, Kanger Valley |
| Goa | 1 | Mollem |
| Gujarat | 4 | Vansda, Blackbuck (Velavadar), Gir, Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) |
| Haryana | 2 | Kalesar, Sultanpur |
| Himachal Pradesh | 5 | Great Himalayan, Inderkilla, Khirganga, Pin Valley, Simbalbara |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Betla |
| Karnataka | 5 | Anshi (Kali), Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh, Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) |
| Kerala | 6 | Anamudi Shola, Eravikulam, Mathikettan Shola, Pampadum Shola, Periyar, Silent Valley |
| Madhya Pradesh | 11 | Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Madhav, Panna, Pench, Sanjay, Satpura, Van Vihar, Kuno, Fossil (Ghughua), Singhori |
| Maharashtra | 6 | Chandoli, Gugamal, Nawegaon, Pench (MH), Sanjay Gandhi, Tadoba |
| Manipur | 1 | Keibul Lamjao |
| Meghalaya | 2 | Balpakram, Nokrek |
| Mizoram | 2 | Murlen, Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) |
| Nagaland | 1 | Intanki (Ntangki) |
| Odisha | 2 | Bhitarkanika, Similipal |
| Rajasthan | 5 | Desert, Keoladeo, Mukundra Hills, Ranthambore, Sariska |
| Sikkim | 1 | Khangchendzonga |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Guindy, Gulf of Mannar Marine, Indira Gandhi (Anamalai), Mudumalai, Mukurthi |
| Telangana | 3 | Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali, Mrugavani |
| Tripura | 2 | Clouded Leopard, Rajbari |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 | Dudhwa |
| Uttarakhand | 6 | Corbett, Gangotri, Govind, Nanda Devi, Rajaji, Valley of Flowers |
| West Bengal | 6 | Buxa, Gorumara, Jaldapara, Neora Valley, Singalila, Sundarbans |
| Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh | 5 | City Forest (Salim Ali), Dachigam, Kishtwar, Hemis (Ladakh), Kazinag |
National parks in news
Students should also become familiar with the current status of parks because the media regularly reports about parks (e.g. new parks established or listed as UNESCO sites; reintroducing endangered species, etc.). For example, large amounts of biodiversity and habitats affected by climate change and destruction should be noted in Mains responses.
1. Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area ( Himachal Pradesh).
Geographic Area: Western Himalayas (alpine meadows/glaciers).
Rivers: Tirthan, Sainj, Jiwa Nal (tributaries of the Beas).
Species: Snow Leopard (rare), Himalayan Brown Bear, Western Tragopan.
Newspaper Coverage: UNESCO World Heritage Site; conservation success & eco-tourism regulation
2. Kaziranga National Park (Assam)
Geography: Brahmaputra floodplains
Landform: Alluvial grasslands, wetlands
River: Brahmaputra (south bank)
Species: One-horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo, tiger
Why in news: Flood management, rhino conservation, tourism & carrying capacity debates
3. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)
Geography: Man-made wetland in semi-arid region
Water Source: Gambhir & Banganga basins (managed inflows)
Species: Migratory waterbirds; formerly Siberian crane
Why in news: Ramsar/UNESCO wetland management & migratory bird influx
4. Nanda Devi National Park
Geography: Located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand
River / Reservoir:
- Rishi Ganga River (a tributary of the Dhauli Ganga) flows through the core area
- Fed by glaciers such as Uttari Rishi and Dakshini Rishi
Species:
- Snow leopard (flagship species)
- Himalayan musk deer (endangered)
- Bharal (blue sheep)
- Himalayan brown bear
- Rich alpine flora with several endemic and medicinal plants
Why in news:
- Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with Valley of Flowers)
- Frequently in news due to climate change impacts, glacial hazards, and strict regulation of human access for conservation
- Referenced in biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism discussions for UPSC
5. Valley of Flowers National Park
Geography: Central Himalayas
Ranges: Nanda Devi massif (India’s 2nd highest peak)
Rivers: Rishi Ganga, Pushpawati
Species: Snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer; alpine flora (endemic flowers)
Why in news: UNESCO site; climate sensitivity & regulated access
6. Betla National Park (Jharkhand)
Geography: Chota Nagpur Plateau
River: North Koel
Landmark: Betla Fort
Species: Elephant, sloth bear
Why in news: Eco-tourism & tribal landscape conservation
7. Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim)
Geography: Eastern Himalayas
Peak: Mt. Khangchendzonga (3rd highest in world)
Species: Snow leopard, red panda
Why in news: IUCN assessment noted strong protection outcomes
8. Debrigarh National Park (Odisha)
Geography: Eastern Ghats fringe
River / Reservoir: Hirakud reservoir (Mahanadi)
Species: Leopard, sloth bear
Why in news: Proposed as Odisha’s 3rd National Park
9. Madhav National Park
Region: Vindhyan plateau
River: Sindh
Species: Tiger, leopard
Why in news: Declared India’s 58th Tiger Reserve
10. Kuno National Park
Region: Vindhyan hills
River: Kuno
Species: Cheetah (reintroduction), leopard
Why in news: Project Cheetah—Indian-born cubs & second-generation success
11. Similipal National Park
Geography: Eastern Ghats plateau
Rivers: Budhabalanga, Salandi
Species: Melanistic tigers, elephant
Why in news: Notified as India’s 107th National Park
12. Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
Geography: Foothills & forested plains
Species: Elephant, primates
Why in news: Declared Assam’s 8th National Park
13. Nagarhole National Park
Region: Western Ghats
Rivers: Kabini
Species: Tiger, elephant
Why in news: Jenu Kuruba community rehabilitation & rights
14. Periyar National Park
Region: Western Ghats
Lake: Periyar Lake
Species: Tiger, elephant
Why in news: Nilgiri Tahr census & biodiversity monitoring
15. Papikonda National Park
Region: Eastern Ghats
River: Godavari gorge
Species: Tiger
Why in news: Tiger reintroduction under Operation Stripes
16. Panna National Park
Region: Vindhyan range
River: Ken
Species: Tiger, gharial (downstream)
Why in news: Tiger population revival & eco-tourism model
17. Great Nicobar- Campbell Bay National Park (north) and Galathea National Park (south).
Region: Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Ecosystem: Tropical rainforest, coastal systems
Why in news: NGT clearance with stringent safeguards.
UPSC PYQ’s on National Parks
1. Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’
- the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
- hunting is not allowed in such area
- people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
- people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
Correct answer: (b) Only two
2. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
- It is spread over two districts.
- There is no human habitation inside the Park.
- It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
Correct answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
3. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam
(d) Sundarbans
Correct answer: (c) Nagarjunasagar–Srisailam
4. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin?
- Nagarhole National Park
- Papikonda National Park
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
Correct answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
5. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) Kanha National Park
(b) Manas National Park
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
Correct answer: (a) Kanha National Park
6. Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?
- Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gangotri National Park
- Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
7. Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) Manas National Park
(b) Namdapha National Park
(c) Neora Valley National Park
(d) Valley of Flowers National Park
Correct answer: (d) Valley of Flowers National Park
8. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) Corbett National Park
(b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Sariska National Park
Correct answer: (b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
9. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
(b) Nallamala Forest
(c) Nagarhole National Park
(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
Correct answer: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
10. Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) Bhitarkanika National Park
(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
(c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
(d) Sultanpur National Park
Correct answer: (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
11. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) biosphere reserves
(b) botanical gardens
(c) national parks
(d) wildlife sanctuaries
Correct answer: (a) biosphere reserves
12. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) Biosphere Reserves
(b) National Parks
(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Correct answer: (b) National Parks
