National Parks in India are protected areas established by the government to preserve the country’s diverse and unique wildlife, plants, and natural landscapes. These parks provide a safe haven for many endangered species, including Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, and Asiatic lions, as well as a wide range of other animals and plants.
Many of these parks are also popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see the wildlife and experience the natural beauty of India. The Indian government through its Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is responsible for the management and conservation of these national parks. The national parks in India are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which also establishes the rights and responsibilities of the authorities and local communities in their management and conservation.
Table of Content
National Parks in India
- Corbett National Park
- Ranthambhore National Park
- Sasan Gir National Park
- Bandhavgarh National Park
- Pench National Park
- Palamau National Park
- Simplipal National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Eravikulam National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
There are approximately 110 national parks in India, spread across different states and Union Territories. Some of the most famous national parks in India include:
Corbett National Park
The Corbett National Park lies at the foothills of Himalayas, 300 kms. North east of Delh,. The Ramganga River, flows through it. In 1952, park was named Corbett National Park after Jim Corbett who shot the man-eaters of this area and who was responsible for the establishment of the park.
Ranthambhore National Park
Ranthambhore National Park lies132 kms from Jaipur and it is last and virgin forest of Central India and what is left is very small stretches of verdant bush. The park is known for its tiger population. The tiger safari promoted by the forest department is a model wildlife tourism promotion in the country.
Sasan Gir National Park
Outside Africa this is the only free habitat of the lion. The National Park is located among the low, undulating and excellently irrigated hills in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
Bandhavgarh National Park
The Bandhavgarh National Park is situated in the Vindhya Mountain Range of Madhya Pradesh, and it is 195 kms. from Jabalpur and 237 kms. from Khajuraho. Mixed vegetation is found in the forests of the national park. It has grassy fields and also the surfaces which are rugged and hilly. Bandhavgarh National park is a valley with Sal and mixed forest in the upper parts of the valley.
Pench National Park
Pench National park is situated 93 kms. from Nagpur. The park has got tropical moist deciduous forest and was recently declared as Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger, which was set up for the better protection of the tigers and prevent them from extinction.
Palamau National Park
At a distance of 170 kms from Ranchi lies the beautiful forest of Palamau National Park. The reserve forest has landscape of Sal forest. Palamau was originally established in 1960 at a much lesser area and then extended to present area.
Simplipal National Park
The national park is situated at the North Eastern part of Odisha. The landscape is thickly wooded slopes and ridges with beautiful varied hills. The region is accessible from both Bhubaneswar and Kolkata.
Kaziranga National Park
The national park is well known for the preservation of single horned rhinoceros. This Reserve Forest is situated on the banks of river Brahmaputra. It is the home of the great Indian one -horned Rhinoceros besides a range of bird species.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur is situated among the foothills of Western Ghats. It is a typical South Indian forest. The Park is situated on Mysore – Ooty highway. This place is 80 kms. to the south of Mysore. It has in its fold the wild elephants and deers which attract the tourists to the national park.
Eravikulam National Park
It is located at a distance of 135 Kms. from Kochi, this Wildlife Sanctuary is set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a wild goat which is the only one to be found south of the Himalayas, in other parts of the country.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park is located 80 kms. from Mysore, it is India’s largest stretch of protected forest, the neighbouring sanctuaries of Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wyanaad are also included in the protected forests of this stretch.