List of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India 2026

April 24, 2026

List of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of India | Exam Prep Zone (EPZ)

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India: Background and Brief Discussion

For the protection of India’s wildlife and ecological balance, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are extremely important topics. Multiple questions are asked every year from this topic in all competitive exams including SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS, GD), Railways (RRB), Police (Constable & SI), WBCS, PSC Clerkship, Teaching Exams, and Banking.

Conservation Law: The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 was introduced for the conservation of wildlife in India.
First National Park: India’s first national park, ‘Hailey National Park’ (now Jim Corbett), was established in 1936.
Main Objective: To ensure the conservation of endangered species and the protection of the ecosystem.
Number (2026): Currently, there are 106 National Parks and more than 566 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India.
Conservation Method: These are primarily part of the In-situ Conservation method (conservation in the natural habitat).

Difference between National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Feature	National Park	Wildlife Sanctuary
Objective	To protect the entire ecosystem.	To protect a specific animal or plant species.
Restrictions	Very strict; human entry and livestock grazing are completely prohibited.	Relatively less strict; entry is possible with prior permission.
Boundary	Legally defined and fixed.	Boundaries may not always be legally fixed or specific.
Status	A Sanctuary can be upgraded to a National Park.	A National Park cannot be downgraded to a Sanctuary.

Special Highlights: National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

First National Park: Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand), established in 1936 as ‘Hailey National Park’.
Largest National Park: Hemis National Park (Ladakh), it is also the highest national park in India.
Smallest National Park: South Button Island (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
First Marine National Park: Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat).
Only Floating National Park: Keibul Lamjao (Manipur), located on Loktak Lake.
State with Maximum National Parks: Madhya Pradesh (contains 11 national parks).
State/UT with Maximum Wildlife Sanctuaries: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96).
Natural Habitat of Asiatic Lions: Gir National Park (Gujarat).
Famous for One-horned Rhinoceros: Kaziranga National Park (Assam) and Jaldapara (West Bengal).
Main Area of Royal Bengal Tiger: Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal).

State-wise List of Important National Parks and Sanctuaries

Andhra Pradesh

Important National Parks in Andhra Pradesh

Papikonda National Park: Located in the Godavari River basin.
Sri Venkateswara National Park: It is part of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve.
Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Andhra Pradesh

Coringa Sanctuary: Famous for its mangrove forests.
Pulicat Lake Sanctuary: Famous for Flamingo birds.
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Sanctuary: The largest tiger reserve in India.

Arunachal Pradesh

Important National Parks in Arunachal Pradesh

Namdapha National Park: Snow leopards and clouded leopards are found here.
Mouling National Park: Located on the banks of the Siang River.

Important Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh

Pakke (Pakhui) Sanctuary: Famous for Hornbill birds.
Dibang Sanctuary: Known for Musk Deer.

Assam

Important National Parks in Assam

Kaziranga National Park: World-famous for the one-horned rhinoceros (UNESCO site).
Manas National Park: A Tiger Reserve and Biosphere Reserve.
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park: Known for the white-winged wood duck.
Nameri National Park: Famous for elephants and tigers.
Orang National Park: Also known as ‘Mini Kaziranga’.
Raimona and Dehing Patkai: These are the newest national parks in Assam.

Important Sanctuaries in Assam

Pobitora Sanctuary: Has the highest density of rhinoceros.
Garampani Sanctuary: Known for its hot springs.

Bihar

Important National Parks in Bihar

Valmiki National Park: The only national park and tiger reserve in Bihar.

Important Sanctuaries in Bihar

Bhimbandh Sanctuary: Located in Munger district.
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: India’s only sanctuary for dolphin conservation.

Chhattisgarh

Important National Parks in Chhattisgarh

Indravati National Park: Known for wild buffalo conservation.
Kanger Valley National Park: Famous Kutumsar Caves are located here.
Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh

Achanakmar Sanctuary: An important Biosphere Reserve.
Sitanadi Sanctuary: Famous for its wildlife and natural beauty.

Goa

Important National Parks in Goa

Mollem National Park: Part of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary.

Important Sanctuaries in Goa

Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: Famous bird sanctuary located on the banks of the Mandovi River.
Netravali Sanctuary: Part of the Western Ghats.

Gujarat

Important National Parks in Gujarat

Gir National Park: The only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion.
Marine National Park: India’s first marine park, located in the Gulf of Kutch.
Velavadar Blackbuck National Park: Famous for Blackbuck deer.
Vansda National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Gujarat

Rann of Kutch (Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary): Famous for the Indian Wild Ass.
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary.

Haryana

Important National Parks in Haryana

Sultanpur National Park: Famous for migratory birds.
Kalesar National Park: Located at the foothills of the Shivalik ranges.

Important Sanctuaries in Haryana

Bhindawas Sanctuary: An important wetland.
Bir Shikargarh Sanctuary.

Himachal Pradesh

Important National Parks in Himachal Pradesh

Great Himalayan National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pin Valley National Park: Known for the Snow Leopard.
Khirganga and Inderkilla National Park.
Simbalbara National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh

Chail Sanctuary: Located near the world’s highest cricket ground.
Dhauladhar Sanctuary.

Jharkhand

Important National Parks in Jharkhand

Betla National Park: A famous tiger reserve located in Palamu district.

Important Sanctuaries in Jharkhand

Dalma Sanctuary: Especially known for herds of elephants.
Hazaribagh Sanctuary: Known for various species of deer and tigers.
Palamu Sanctuary: The site of India’s first tiger census.

Karnataka

Important National Parks in Karnataka

Bandipur National Park: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and a famous tiger reserve.
Bannerghatta National Park: India’s first Butterfly Park is located here.
Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park: Known for elephants and tigers.
Anshi National Park: Currently part of the Kali Tiger Reserve.
Kudremukh National Park: Rich in biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Important Sanctuaries in Karnataka

Brahmagiri Sanctuary: Located in the Western Ghats.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: A famous bird sanctuary located on the banks of the Kaveri River.

Kerala

Important National Parks in Kerala

Silent Valley National Park: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and famous for the Lion-tailed Macaque.
Eravikulam National Park: Known for the conservation of the Nilgiri Tahr.
Periyar National Park: A famous elephant and tiger conservation center.
Anamudi Shola and Pambadum Shola National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Kerala

Wayanad Sanctuary: A part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Idukki Sanctuary: Known for elephants and various wildlife.

Madhya Pradesh

Important National Parks in Madhya Pradesh

Kanha National Park: One of India’s largest tiger reserves and famous for ‘Barasingha’ (Swamp Deer).
Bandhavgarh National Park: White Tigers can be seen here.
Panna National Park: Part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Pench (Priyadarshini) National Park: Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ is set in this forest area.
Madhav, Satpura, Van Vihar, and Kuno National Park: Cheetahs from Namibia were introduced in Kuno National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh

Bori Sanctuary: Part of India’s oldest forest conservation area.
Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary: Located near the Rajasthan border.

Maharashtra

Important National Parks in Maharashtra

Sanjay Gandhi (Borivali) National Park: Located within Mumbai city.
Tadoba National Park: Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park.
Gugamal, Navegaon, and Chandoli National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Maharashtra

Koyna Sanctuary: A World Heritage site in the Western Ghats.
Radhanagari Sanctuary: Known for the conservation of Bison (Indian Gaur).

Manipur

Important National Parks in Manipur

Keibul Lamjao National Park: The world’s only floating national park (located on Loktak Lake) and famous for the Sangai deer.
Shirui National Park: Famous for the Shirui Lily flowers.

Important Sanctuaries in Manipur

Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Sanctuary: Located on the India-Myanmar border.

Meghalaya

Important National Parks in Meghalaya

Balpakram National Park: Located in the Garo Hills and known for the Red Panda.
Nokrek Ridge National Park: An important Biosphere Reserve.

Important Sanctuaries in Meghalaya

Nongkhyllem Sanctuary: Located in the Ri-Bhoi district.
Siju Bird Sanctuary: Located on the banks of the Simsang River.

Mizoram

Important National Parks in Mizoram

Murlen National Park: Located near the Chin Hills.
Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park: Named after the highest peak in Mizoram.

Important Sanctuaries in Mizoram

Dampa Sanctuary: The largest wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve in Mizoram.

Nagaland

Important National Parks in Nagaland

Ntangki National Park: Located in the Peren district.

Important Sanctuaries in Nagaland

Fakim Sanctuary: Located on the India-Myanmar border.
Pulie Badze Sanctuary.

Odisha

Important National Parks in Odisha

Bhitarkanika National Park: Famous for saltwater crocodiles and mangrove forests.
Simlipal National Park: A tiger reserve and home to Asiatic elephants.

Important Sanctuaries in Odisha

Chilika (Nalaban) Bird Sanctuary: Asia’s largest brackish water lake.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: Famous as a nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles.
Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary: Located in the Mahanadi River basin.

Punjab

Important Sanctuaries in Punjab

Harike Lake Sanctuary: An important wetland in North India (Ramsar Site).
Abohar Sanctuary: Known for the conservation of Blackbuck.
Bir Moti Bagh Sanctuary.

Rajasthan

Important National Parks in Rajasthan

Ranthambore National Park: One of India’s most famous tiger reserves.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (UNESCO site).
Sariska National Park: Known for tigers and Nilgai.
Desert National Park: Famous for the Great Indian Bustard.
Mukundra Hills National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary: Famous for wolf conservation.
Mount Abu Sanctuary: The only hill station sanctuary in Rajasthan.

Sikkim

Important National Parks in Sikkim

Khangchendzonga National Park: India’s only ‘Mixed’ UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Important Sanctuaries in Sikkim

Fambong Lho Sanctuary: Known for Red Pandas and various birds.
Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary.

Tamil Nadu

Important National Parks in Tamil Nadu

Mudumalai National Park: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park: Known for Dugong (Sea Cow) conservation.
Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park.
Guindy National Park: Located within Chennai city.
Mukurthi National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary: The oldest bird sanctuary in India.
Point Calimere Sanctuary.

Telangana

Important National Parks in Telangana

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park: Located in Hyderabad city.
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park.
Mrugavani National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Telangana

Kawal Sanctuary: An important tiger reserve.
Pakhal Sanctuary.

Tripura

Important National Parks in Tripura

Clouded Leopard National Park: Part of the Sepahijala Sanctuary.
Rajbari (Bison) National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Tripura

Gumti Sanctuary: A large water body known for migratory birds.
Trishna Sanctuary: Famous for the Indian Bison (Gaur).

Uttar Pradesh

Important National Parks in Uttar Pradesh

Dudhwa National Park: The only national park and tiger reserve located on the India-Nepal border.

Important Sanctuaries in Uttar Pradesh

Chandraprabha Sanctuary: Located near Varanasi.
National Chambal Sanctuary: Famous for Gharial conservation.
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary.

Uttarakhand

Important National Parks in Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park: India’s first national park (1936).
Rajaji National Park: Famous for elephant conservation.
Nanda Devi National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Valley of Flowers National Park: Famous for its natural beauty.
Gangotri and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Uttarakhand

Kedarnath Sanctuary: Known for Musk Deer conservation.
Binsar Sanctuary.

West Bengal

Important National Parks in West Bengal

Sundarbans National Park: Famous for Royal Bengal Tigers (UNESCO site).
Jaldapara National Park: Known for the one-horned rhinoceros.
Buxa National Park: An important tiger reserve in the Dooars region.
Gorumara National Park: Famous for rhinoceros and elephants.
Neora Valley National Park: Known for Red Panda conservation.
Singalila National Park: Located at the highest point in West Bengal.

Important Sanctuaries in West Bengal

Betuadahari Sanctuary: Located in the Nadia district.
Ballavpur Sanctuary: Located near Shantiniketan (Deer Park).
Lothian Island Sanctuary: Known for crocodile conservation.

Also Check: Complete List of Important Dams, Lakes, and Waterfalls in India (Updated)

Union Territory-wise List of Important National Parks and Sanctuaries

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Important National Parks in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

South Button Island National Park: It is the smallest national park in India.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) National Park: Famous for coral reefs and marine life.
Mount Harriet National Park: It has been recently renamed ‘Mount Manipur’.
Campbell Bay and Galathea Bay National Park.
Saddle Peak National Park: Located at the highest peak of North Andaman.

Important Sanctuaries in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Barren Island Sanctuary: Located around India’s only active volcano.
Narcondam Island Sanctuary: Known for the endangered Narcondam Hornbill.

Jammu and Kashmir

Important National Parks in Jammu and Kashmir

Dachigam National Park: The only place for the conservation of Hangul (Kashmiri Stag).
Kishtwar National Park: Known for the Himalayan brown bear.
Kazinag National Park.

Important Sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir

Gulmarg Sanctuary: A famous tourist and wildlife center.
Karakoram Sanctuary: Located near the Ladakh border.

Ladakh

Important National Parks in Ladakh

Hemis National Park: India’s largest national park and famous for the Snow Leopard.

Important Sanctuaries in Ladakh

Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary: Kiang (wild ass) is found here.

Chandigarh

Important Sanctuary in Chandigarh

Sukhna Lake Sanctuary: An important wetland located at the foothills of the Shivalik hills.

Delhi

Important Sanctuary in Delhi

Asola Bhatti Sanctuary: Part of the Aravalli mountain range.

Puducherry & Daman-Diu

Important Sanctuary in Daman and Diu

Fudam Sanctuary: A small wildlife center located in Diu.

Important Sanctuary in Puducherry

Oussudu Lake Bird Sanctuary: An important wetland area.

📌 Smart Study Tips: National Parks and Sanctuaries in India

Map Reading: Keep a map of India in front of you while studying. Seeing which National Park is located in which state on a map helps you remember faster.
Species-based List: Create a separate list of which animals are famous for which parks (e.g., Asiatic Lion – Gir, Rhino – Kaziranga).
First and Largest: Always revise these three facts—’First, Largest, Smallest’—before exams, as they are most likely to be asked.
Revision Strategy: Quickly glance through the state-wise list at least once a week to avoid confusing important facts.

🌟 Success Message: Remember, hard work never goes in vain. Every new piece of information you learn today brings you one step closer to your dream job. Keep studying regularly with patience; success will surely be yours. To strengthen your exam preparation further, Check out all the important Static GK study notes on our website. Here, every topic is presented in a simple way, tailored for exams.

Also Check: Comprehensive List of States and Union Territories of India with Important Facts (Updated)

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