National Parks in India for UPSC: Complete List and Key Facts

National parks are government-protected areas established to conserve wildlife, natural ecosystems, and biodiversity. They provide the highest level of legal protection to natural environments and wildlife habitats in India.

Key Facts About National Parks in India:

• Total 107 national parks (Latest being Similipal National Park in Odisha)
• Protected areas under IUCN Category II classification.
• Established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Strict restrictions on human activities like hunting, farming, and industrial operations.
• The primary purpose is the conservation of flora, fauna, and natural ecosystems.

Historical Development:

• Started due to threats from deforestation and hunting.
• Jim Corbett (1936) in Uttarakhand: First National park.
• Major expansion after the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act.
• Influenced by the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the environment.

National parks in India are created through a legal process under government laws. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provides the framework for establishing these protected areas to save wildlife and forests.

Legal Framework - Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:

• Provided a legal foundation for establishing national parks.
• Before 1972, India had only 5 national parks.
• The Act enabled the systematic creation and management of protected areas.
• Created the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for tiger reserves.

Process of Formation of a National Park in India

Here’s the detailed process of the establishment of a national park in India: 

1. Identification of Area

• The state government identifies an area requiring protection for wildlife and ecosystems under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

2. Draft Notification

• A draft notification is published in the official gazette under Section 35 of the Act, specifying the proposed park boundaries.

3. Public Objections and Claims

• A six-week window is provided for public objections, land claims, and representations.

4. Resolution of Objections

• The state resolves objections through hearings; dependent communities may be relocated or granted rights under Compensatory Afforestation and Eco-development schemes.

5. Prohibition of Activities

• All activities such as hunting, grazing, mining, and commercial logging are prohibited within the park under Section 35(4).

6. Formation of Management Board

• The state constitutes a National Park Management Board, including conservation experts and local stakeholders, to oversee management.

7. Preparation of Management Plan

• A detailed management plan is approved, covering anti-poaching, habitat restoration, and regulated tourism.

8. Periodic Reviews and Boundary Changes

• Periodic reviews are mandated; any boundary change requires a fresh gazette notification and, if substantial, approval from the National Board for Wildlife.

9. Judicial Safeguards

• The Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal have held that national parks cannot be denotified without strict compliance with Section 35, ensuring irreversible protection.

As of 2025, India has a well-defined network of national parks, protecting biodiversity and conserving ecosystems.

• Total national parks: 107 (Latest being Similipal National Park in Odisha)
• Total area covered: 44,402.95 square kilometres
• Percentage of India's geographical area: 1.35%
• India ranks among the 17 megadiverse countries globally

State-wise Distribution:

• Madhya Pradesh: 9-11 parks (highest)
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 9 parks
• Uttarakhand: 6 parks
• Kerala: 6 parks
• West Bengal: 6 parks

Also read: Mahanadi River Inter-State Water Dispute

India's most important national parks are spread across different states, each protecting unique wildlife and ecosystems. These parks are famous for their conservation success stories and house endangered species like tigers, lions, rhinos, and elephants.

1. Jim Corbett National Park - Uttarakhand

• Established in 1936
• India's oldest national park
• First under Project Tiger (1973)
• 164 tigers and over 600 elephants
• Highest tiger density at 20/100 sq km

Important Species:

• Mammals: Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Asiatic Black Bear, Spotted Deer (Chital), Sambar Deer, Hog Deer.
• Reptiles: Gharial (critically endangered), Mugger Crocodile, King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Russell's Viper, Monitor Lizards.
• Birds: Over 600 species, including Great Pied Hornbill, White-backed Vulture, Pallas Fish Eagle, and Golden Oriole.

2. Kaziranga National Park - Assam

• Established in 1974
• Project Tiger reserves since 2007
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site
• World's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros (2,700 as of 2020)
• Third-highest tiger density after Jim Corbett National Park and Bandipur tiger reserve.

Important Species: 

• Big Five of Kaziranga: One-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant (1,940), Wild Water Buffalo (1,666), Eastern Swamp Deer (468).
• Other Mammals: Indian Bison (Gaur), Sambar (58), Wild Boar, Indian Muntjac, Hoolock Gibbon (only ape in India), Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Golden Langur, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolin.
• Marine Life: Ganges Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin.
• Birds: 478 species, including Lesser White-fronted Goose, Blyth's Kingfisher, and White-bellied Heron.
  Reptiles: Reticulated Python, Indian Rock Python, King Cobra, Indian Cobra, Brown Tortoise.

3. Ranthambore National Park - Rajasthan

• Established in 1980
• Project Tiger reserves since 1973
• Famous for diurnal tigers and a historic fort
• High tiger density in a dry deciduous forest
• Excellent daytime tiger viewing
• Over 320 bird species, 40+ mammal species, 35+ reptile species

Important Species: 

• Large Mammals: Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer (Chital), Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Blackbuck.
• Carnivores: Desert Cat, Caracal, Leopard Cat, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Desert Fox.
• Primates: Common Langur (Hanuman Langur), Rhesus Macaque.
• Reptiles: Mugger Crocodile, Indian Rock Python, Russell's Viper, Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Monitor Lizards.
• Birds: 320+ species, including various raptors, waterbirds, and game birds like Swamp Francolin.

4. Gir National Park - Gujarat

• Established in 1975
• Only the wild habitat of the Asiatic Lions is globally recognised.
• 891 Asiatic lions, according to the Gujarat Forest Department.
• Conservation success from 20 lions in the 1900s.
• 40+ mammal species and 425+ bird species.

Important Species: 

• Star Species: Asiatic Lion
• Carnivores: Indian Leopard, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Indian Grey Mongoose, Honey Badger, Ruddy Mongoose.
• Herbivores: Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar Deer, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Four-horned Antelope.
• Reptiles: Indian Cobra, Python, Crocodile.
• Birds: 425+ species, including Crested Serpent Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Indian Pitta, Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown Fish Owl, and various hornbills.

5. Sundarbans National Park - West Bengal

• Established in 1984
• Project Tiger reserves since 2007
• World's largest mangrove forest.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Only mangrove tiger habitat globally.

Important Species:

• Marine & Terrestrial Mammals: Royal Bengal Tiger (101 individuals), Gangetic Dolphin, Irrawaddy Dolphin, Spotted Deer (Chital), Rhesus Macaque, Leopard Cat, Black Finless Porpoise.
• Reptiles: Saltwater Crocodile (world's largest), Water Monitor Lizard, King Cobra (world's longest venomous snake), Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.
• Unique Species: Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (ancient marine arthropod with blue blood).
• Birds: Numerous waterbirds, migratory species, and coastal birds adapted to the mangrove ecosystem.

6. Bandhavgarh National Park - Madhya Pradesh

• Established in 1968
• “Bandhavgarh” is derived from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, which sits atop a hill in the park.
• Project Tiger reserves since 1993
• Historical birthplace of white tigers.
• 47+ mammal species, 250+ bird species, 100+ butterfly species.

Important Species: 

• Big Cats: Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard.
• Herbivores: Spotted Deer (Chital), Sambar, Barking Deer (Muntjac), Four-horned Antelope (Chausingha), Indian Gazelle (Chinkara), Gaur (Indian Bison).
• Primates: Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque.
• Reptiles: 16+ snake species, including Python, Russell's Viper, Indian Cobra, Common Krait,  and various geckos.

Also read: Soils of India: Classification, Significance & Recent Crisis

7. Kanha National Park - Madhya Pradesh

• Established in 1955
• Saved Barasingha from extinction.
• Barasingha population: 66 (1967) to 800+ (current).
• Project Tiger reserves since 1973

Important Species: 

• Star Species: Hard Ground Barasingha/Swamp Deer.
• Big Cats: Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard
• Herbivores: Spotted Deer (Chital), Sambar Deer, Barking Deer (Muntjac), Four-horned Antelope (Chausingha), Gaur (Indian Bison)
• Other Species: Indian Wolf, Bengal Fox, Porcupine

8. Periyar National Park - Kerala

• Established in 1982
• Project Tiger reserves since 1978
• Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot
• Famous for its elephant population
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• 66 mammal species, 320+ bird species

Important Species: 

• Large Mammals: Asian Elephant (large herds), Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Indian Bison (Gaur), Sambar Deer.
• Endemic Species: Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur (Western Ghats endemics)
• Birds: 342+ species, including Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, Racket-tailed Drongo, Oriental Darter, Brahminy Kite, White-bellied Sea Eagle.

9. Bandipur National Park - Karnataka

• Established in 1974
• Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
• Important tiger and elephant habitat
• Connected wildlife corridor
• Project Tiger reserve since 1974

Important Species: 

• Large Mammals: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Indian Leopard, Indian Bison (Gaur).
• Herbivores: Spotted Deer (Chital), Sambar, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Wild Boar.
• Other Species: Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Giant Flying Squirrel, Indian Pangolin.

10. Valley of Flowers National Park - Uttarakhand

• Established in 1982
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Over 500 flowering plant species
• High-altitude alpine ecosystem
• 13 mammal species recorded

Important Species: 

• High Altitude Predators: Snow Leopard (confirmed presence), Common Leopard (lower elevations), Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear.
• Herbivores: Bharal (Blue Sheep), Himalayan Tahr, Serow, Himalayan Goral, Himalayan Musk Deer.
• Other Mammals: Northern Plains Grey Langur, Flying Squirrel, Red Fox, Himalayan Weasel, Yellow-throated Marten.
• Birds: 114+ species, including Lammergeier, Himalayan Vulture, Yellow-billed Chough, Koklass Pheasant, Himalayan Monal Pheasant, Snow Pigeon.
• Reptiles: Himalayan Ground Skink, Himalayan Pit Viper.
• Butterflies: Lime Butterfly, Common Yellow Swallowtail, Common Blue Apollo.

11. Hemis National Park - Ladakh

• Established in 1981
• India's largest national park
• Famous for snow leopards
• High-altitude cold desert ecosystem
• Trans-Himalayan region wildlife

Important Species: 

• High Altitude Carnivores: Snow Leopard, Eurasian Brown Bear, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf.
• Herbivores: Bharal (Blue Sheep), Ladakhi Urial, Tibetan Argali, Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Gazelle.
• Other Species: Pallas's Cat, Tibetan Sand Fox, Mountain Weasel.

12. Great Himalayan National Park - Himachal Pradesh

• Established in 1984
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Western Himalayan alpine ecosystem
• Important watershed protection
• Pristine mountain wilderness

Important Species: 

• High Altitude Species: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Tahr, Blue Sheep, Serow, Goral.
• Other Mammals: Musk Deer, Common Leopard, Yellow-throated Marten, Stone Marten.
• Birds: Western Himalayan endemic species, Monal Pheasant, various high-altitude birds.

13. Manas National Park - Assam

• Established in 1990
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Tiger reserve since 1973, and a biosphere reserve
• Home to the endangered pygmy hog
• Located in the Himalayan foothills

Important Species: 

• Large Mammals: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo, Indian Bison (Gaur).
• Unique Species: Pygmy Hog (endangered), Golden Langur, Assamese Macaque.
• Other Species: Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Sambar, Spotted Deer.

Also read: Coral Reef Bleaching and Conservation.

14. Namdapha National Park - Arunachal Pradesh

• Established in 1983
• Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot
• Only park with four big cat species
• Pristine tropical rainforest
• Incredible biodiversity

Important Species: 

• Four Big Cats: Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard.
• Other Mammals: Asian Elephant, Sun Bear, Sloth Bear, Red Panda, Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur.
• Herbivores: Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Serow, Goral, Takin.

15. Silent Valley National Park - Kerala

• Established in 1984
• Untouched tropical rainforest
• Environmental movement symbol
• Western Ghats endemic species
• Last pristine rainforest patches

Important Species: 

• Endemic Primates: Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur.
• Other Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Wild Boar.
• Birds: Great Hornbill, Malabar Trogon, various Western Ghats endemic species.

State-wise, India’s national parks cover diverse ecosystems, from Himalayan high-altitudes to coastal mangroves, each safeguarding unique wildlife and habitats across the country.

1. Northern States:

• Uttarakhand (6 parks): Corbett, Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi, Gangotri, Rajaji, Govind
• Himachal Pradesh (5 parks): Great Himalayan, Pin Valley, Khirganga, Inderkilla, Simbalbara
• Jammu & Kashmir (4 parks): Dachigam, Kishtwar, City Forest, Hemis

2. Western States:

• Gujarat (4 parks): Gir, Marine, Blackbuck, Vansda
• Rajasthan (5 parks): Ranthambore, Desert, Sariska, Keoladeo, Mukundra Hills
• Maharashtra (6 parks): Tadoba, Sanjay Gandhi, Pench, Chandoli, Gugamal, Navegaon

3. Central States:

• Madhya Pradesh (9 parks): Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna, Sanjay, others
• Chhattisgarh (3 parks): Indravati, Guru Ghasidas, Kanger Valley

4. Eastern States:

• West Bengal (6 parks): Sundarbans, Jaldapara, Gorumara, Buxa, Singalila, Neora Valley
• Assam (5 parks): Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Nameri, Orang
• Odisha (2 parks): Simlipal, Bhitarkanika

5. Southern States:

• Kerala (6 parks): Periyar, Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Anamudi Shola, others
• Karnataka (5 parks): Bandipur, Nagarahole, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh, Anshi
• Tamil Nadu (5 parks): Mudumalai, Gulf of Mannar, Guindy, Indira Gandhi, Mukurthi

6. Northeast States:

• Arunachal Pradesh (2 parks): Namdapha, Mouling
• Other NE states: Manipur (1), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (2), Nagaland (1), Tripura (2)

India’s national parks protect wildlife and forests, covering 1.35% of the land under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. They save endangered species, support biodiversity, and boost tourism, showing India’s commitment to nature.

For UPSC aspirants, mastering this topic is crucial, as questions on protected areas frequently appear in Prelims and Mains, and a clear understanding can make a significant difference in your exam performance.

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