National Parks in India
National Parks (NPs) are strictly protected areas notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA). They are characterized by a high degree of protection where human activities like developmental works, forestry, poaching, hunting, and grazing on cultivation are strictly prohibited.
Statutory Framework and Administration
- Legal Origin: Established under Section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Notification Authority: Both the Central and State Governments have the power to declare an area as a National Park.
- Boundary Alteration: Boundaries of a National Park can only be altered by a resolution passed by the State Legislature after recommendation from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
- Rights of People: No private rights are allowed within a National Park. Unlike Wildlife Sanctuaries, where limited grazing or rights may be permitted, all rights must be settled (extinguished) before the final notification of a National Park.
Vital Statistics (2026 Update)
- Total Count: As of 2026, there are 107 National Parks in India.
- Latest Additions:
- Simlipal National Park (Odisha): Formally notified as a National Park in April 2025.
- Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park (Assam): Notified in February 2025, becoming the 8th NP in Assam.
- Geographical Coverage: They cover approximately 44,402 sq km, representing roughly 1.35% of India’s total land area.
National Park Superlatives
| Category | National Park | Location | Distinctive Fact |
| First/Oldest | Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand | Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. |
| Largest | Hemis | Ladakh | Only NP north of the Himalayas; famous for Snow Leopards. |
| Smallest | South Button Island | A&N Islands | Part of the Rani Jhansi Marine National Park complex. |
| Only Floating | Keibul Lamjao | Manipur | Features Phumdis (floating mats of vegetation); home to Sangai Deer. |
| First Marine | Marine NP | Gujarat | Located in the Gulf of Kutch. |
| Highest Tiger Density | Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | Located in the Vindhya Hills. |
Regional Distribution and Key Biodiversity
Northern and Himalayan Region
- Dachigam (J&K): The last viable habitat for the Hangul (Kashmir Stag).
- Great Himalayan NP (Himachal): A UNESCO World Heritage site known for the Western Tragopan.
- Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand): Renowned for endemic alpine flowers and diverse flora.
- Khangchendzonga (Sikkim): India’s first “Mixed Criteria” UNESCO World Heritage Site.
North-Eastern Region
- Kaziranga (Assam): Hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned Rhinoceroses.
- Manas (Assam): Only wild habitat for the Pygmy Hog (World’s smallest pig).
- Namdapha (Arunachal): Only park in the world to host four big cat species: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard.
- Nokrek (Meghalaya): A hotspot for the mother of all citrus species (Citrus indica).
Central and Western Region
- Gir (Gujarat): The only natural habitat in the world for the Asiatic Lion.
- Desert NP (Rajasthan): One of the largest NPs; the primary habitat of the Great Indian Bustard.
- Kanha (MP): Famous for the reintroduction of the Hard-ground Barasingha (Swamp Deer).
- Panna (MP): Significant for its successful tiger reintroduction program and Ken River.
Southern and Coastal Region
- Silent Valley (Kerala): Known for its tropical evergreen rain forests and the Lion-tailed Macaque.
- Eravikulam (Kerala): Natural habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
- Sundarbans (West Bengal): World’s largest mangrove forest; home to “swamp tigers” adapted to saline water.
- Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu): A biosphere and marine park famous for the Dugong (Sea Cow).
Comparative Analysis: NP vs. Wildlife Sanctuary
| Feature | National Park | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Protection Level | Greater (Strictly prohibited activities) | Lesser (Some activities allowed) |
| Human Activity | Not allowed | Limited (Grazing, wood collection) |
| Ownership | State-owned | Can be private or state-owned |
| IUCN Category | Category II | Category IV |
| Conversion | Cannot be downgraded to Sanctuary | Can be upgraded to National Park |
Notable Rivers through National Parks
- Ramganga: Flows through Jim Corbett National Park.
- Brahmaputra: Flows through Kaziranga and Orang National Parks.
- Ken: Flows through Panna National Park.
- Mora Dhansiri: Flows through Kaziranga National Park.
- Indravati: Flows through Indravati National Park (Chhattisgarh).
- Kunthipuzha: Flows through Silent Valley National Park.
Last Modified: April 20, 2026
