National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries play a crucial role in conserving India’s rich biodiversity. They are important topics in the Static GK section of the AFCAT 1 2025 exam. This article provides an in-depth overview of these protected areas, their significance, and key facts.
AFCAT 1 2025 Exam Static GK National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
National Parks in India
National Parks are areas designated for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats, where activities like hunting and deforestation are strictly prohibited.
Key Facts About National Parks in India
- Total National Parks in India: 106 (as of 2024)
- First National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand, established in 1936)
- Largest National Park: Hemis National Park (Ladakh)
- Smallest National Park: South Button Island National Park (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
- Newest National Park: Dehing Patkai National Park (Assam, 2021)
List of Some Important National Parks
| National Park | State | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | First National Park of India |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | Home to the largest population of Indian one-horned rhinos |
| Gir National Park | Gujarat | Only habitat of Asiatic lions |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | Largest mangrove forest, home to Royal Bengal Tigers |
| Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | Famous for tiger sightings |
| Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh | Inspiration for “The Jungle Book” |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | High density of Bengal tigers |
| Periyar National Park | Kerala | Known for elephants and tigers |
| Dachigam National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | Habitat of the endangered Hangul deer |
| Nanda Devi National Park | Uttarakhand | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected areas where conservation is the primary objective, but limited human activities like grazing may be permitted.
Key Facts About Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
- Total Wildlife Sanctuaries in India: 567 (as of 2024)
- Largest Wildlife Sanctuary: Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)
- Smallest Wildlife Sanctuary: Bor Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra)
List of Some Important Wildlife Sanctuaries
| Wildlife Sanctuary | State | Significance |
| Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Assam | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Sanctuary) | Rajasthan | Important bird sanctuary |
| Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary | Karnataka | Home to black panthers |
| Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary | Karnataka | Known for tigers and leopards |
| Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary | Ladakh | High-altitude wildlife habitat |
| Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary | Gujarat | Largest wildlife sanctuary in India |
| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | Known for grizzled giant squirrels |
| Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary | Odisha | Home to melanistic tigers |
| Govind Wildlife Sanctuary | Uttarakhand | Habitat of snow leopards |
| Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary | Madhya Pradesh | Reintroduction site for cheetahs in India |
Key Points for AFCAT 1 2025 Exam
- India has 106 National Parks and 567 Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Jim Corbett National Park was India’s first National Park.
- Kaziranga National Park has the highest population of one-horned rhinos.
- Gir National Park is the only place where Asiatic lions are found.
- Ranthambore National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are famous for tiger sightings.
- Sundarbans National Park is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Keoladeo National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Conclusion
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries play a vital role in wildlife conservation. Knowing their locations, unique features, and ecological importance is essential for the AFCAT 1 2025 Static GK section.
