National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries protect India’s diverse flora and fauna by restricting hunting, deforestation, and other human activity. They play a key role in conserving endangered species, maintaining ecological balance, and supporting eco-tourism.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Static GK – National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries
Must-Know National Parks in India
India’s National Parks stand out both for their uniqueness and historical significance. Find below a selection of especially important parks to focus on for the exam:
Static GK Exam Highlights
- Total National Parks:Â 107
- Total Wildlife Sanctuaries:Â 567
- First National Park: Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand, 1936)​
- Largest National Park: Hemis (Ladakh)​
- Smallest National Park: South Button Island (Andaman & Nicobar)​
- Newest National Park: Dehing Patkai (Assam, 2021)​
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites among parks: Manas, Nanda Devi, Keoladeo, Sundarbans​
Must-Know Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife Sanctuaries focus on protection and conservation of specific animals, sometimes with unique habitats:
- Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan): Important migratory bird sanctuary​
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka): Known for black panthers
- Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh): Blackbuck revival, tropical dry deciduous forest, rich birdlife​
- Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary (Odisha): Largest brackish water lagoon, migratory birds​
Key Tips for AFCAT 1 2026 Static GK
- Learn the location and special species/landscapes for each major National Park and Sanctuary.​
- Revise unique features like the largest, smallest, oldest parks; and UNESCO status.​
- Take note of recent news like species recovery or new additions (e.g., blackbuck revival at Barnawapara Sanctuary).​
- Familiarize yourself with major migratory bird sanctuaries and those famous for one particular fauna (tigers, rhinos, lions, etc.).​
Quick Reference: National Parks by State
India’s National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are distributed across all states and union territories. For deeper study, focus on parks listed in high-weightage states such as Madhya Pradesh (Bandhavgarh, Kanha), Assam (Kaziranga), Rajasthan (Ranthambore, Keoladeo), Kerala (Silent Valley, Periyar), and West Bengal (Sundarbans).
