National Parks & Tiger Reserves in India (2025)
1. National Parks
Definition:
- Protected areas under IUCN Category II.
- First National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand, 1936).
- Governed by the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
- Project Tiger launched in 1973 for conservation efforts.
- Total National Parks: 106 (approximately 1.35% of India’s geographical area).
National Parks by State:
- Andhra Pradesh: Papikonda, Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram), Sri Venkateswara.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Mouling, Namdapha.
- Assam: Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Nameri, Raimona.
- Bihar: Valmiki.
- Chhattisgarh: Guru Ghasidas, Indravati, Kanger Valley.
- Goa: Mollem.
- Gujarat: Gir, Blackbuck (Velavadar), Marine (Gulf of Kachchh), Vansda.
- Haryana: Kalesar, Sultanpur.
- Himachal Pradesh: Great Himalayan, Pin Valley, Inderkilla, Khirganga.
- Jharkhand: Betla.
- Karnataka: Bandipur, Nagarhole, Kudremukh, Bannerghatta, Anshi.
- Kerala: Periyar, Eravikulam, Silent Valley, Mathikettan Shola.
- Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, Kuno.
2. Tiger Reserves
Definition:
- Established under Project Tiger (1973), managed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- Total Tiger Reserves (2025): 55.
- India hosts 80% of the world's tiger population.
- Tiger Population: Increased from 1,411 (2006) to 3,167 (2022) with continued growth projected.
Tiger Reserves by State:
- Andhra Pradesh: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Namdapha, Pakke, Kamlang.
- Assam: Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Orang.
- Bihar: Valmiki.
- Chhattisgarh: Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar.
- Jharkhand: Palamau.
- Karnataka: Bandipur, Nagarhole, Bhadra, Dandeli-Anshi (Kali).
- Kerala: Periyar, Parambikulam.
- Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri.
3. Key Takeaways
- Jim Corbett (1936) was the first National Park.
- Kaziranga (Assam) & Sundarbans (West Bengal) are UNESCO sites.
- Largest National Park: Hemis (Ladakh) – 3,350 sq. km.
- Largest Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh) – 3,296 sq. km.
- Project Tiger (1973): Crucial in increasing tiger numbers and habitat conservation.