NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA

PRERNA FOR IAS

NATIONAL PARKS IN INDIA

(ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT)

1. About National Parks

National Parks are protected areas established to conserve wildlife, natural habitats, and biodiversity. Human activities such as hunting, logging, and settlement are strictly regulated or prohibited. These parks provide safe environments for plants and animals, preserve ecological balance, and contribute significantly to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

2. Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 and is India’s first national park. Located in Uttarakhand, it is famous for Bengal tiger conservation under Project Tiger. The park contains forests, grasslands, and rivers that support diverse wildlife, making it a major center for ecotourism and biodiversity conservation.

3. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is renowned for housing the world's largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros. Established in 1908 and located in Assam, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park supports rich biodiversity, including elephants, tigers, wild buffaloes, and numerous bird species.

4. Manas National Park

Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Assam along the Bhutan border. It is known for its rich biodiversity and rare species such as the golden langur, pygmy hog, and Bengal tiger. The park combines grasslands, forests, and river ecosystems.

5. Sundarbans National Park

Sundarbans National Park is located in the world's largest mangrove forest. Famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger, it consists of tidal waterways, mudflats, and islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and plays an important role in coastal protection and biodiversity conservation.

6. Keoladeo National Park

Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a famous wetland ecosystem in Rajasthan. It attracts thousands of migratory birds from across the world. The park is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as a vital habitat for avian species.

7. Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is one of India’s prominent tiger reserves. Located in Karnataka, it forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park supports elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, and numerous bird species. Its forests are important for wildlife conservation and ecological stability.

8. Kanha National Park