Why Are National Parks and Sanctuaries Important in Ecosystems?
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are Government-declared protected areas with the primary objective of protecting biodiversity, saving flora and fauna, and restoring natural ecological balance. Spectacular natural beauty in India's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries attracts millions of tourists every year. There are a few basic distinctions between national parks and sanctuaries.
What is a National Park?
The Government may designate an area of adequate ecological, geo-morphological and natural significance as a national park. There are no human activities permitted while tourism is allowed within the park in some areas. The harvesting of forest resources and the grazing of animals are strictly forbidden. These practices can be carried out by wildlife authorities in coordination with the National or State Wildlife Board.
The first Indian national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, and later renamed Corbett National Park.
In 1972, the Government of India enacted the Wildlife Conservation Act with the intention of effectively protecting the country 's wildlife and regulating wildlife trafficking, smuggling and illegal trade.
Another initiative called 'Project Tiger' was initiated in 1973 to save Royal Bengal Tigers' declining population. India boasts a total of 104 national parks.
'Project Elephant' was introduced later in 1992, with the goal of preserving the vulnerable wild Asian elephants and their habitat.
Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park are among the best national parks in India to spot Royal Bengal Tigers situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala in the southern part of India is very famous for its spectacular sightings of wildlife. The Maharashtra and Gujarat states boast incredibly rich wildlife in the west region.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a popular wildlife destination of Maharashtra located some 145 km from Nagpur. Gir National Park is renowned for its magnificent Asian lions while in Gujarat.
What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?
Wildlife Sanctuary is a demarcated area for the conservation of a particular flora and fauna species.
The State authorities can require restricted human activities for the people living within it. For example, Wildlife authorities can require the grazing of livestock for a particular group living there.
Any neglect of wildlife is criminal crime and destruction of forest resources requires a National or State Wildlife Board approval.
First wildlife sanctuary in India is Vedanthangal Lake Birds Wildlife Sanctuary. It was created in 1936.
Arial Island WLS
Bamboo Island WLS
Wild Ass WLS
Kibber WLS
Narsinghgarh WLS
Tipeshwar WLS
These are some of the list of wildlife sanctuaries in India
In this article, let’s see the difference between wildlife sanctuary and national park.
Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Top 10 national parks in India
Kanha National Park:
It has core zone of 363 square miles
It is the biggest national park in Central India
Approximately 105 Bengal tigers are present
Bandhavgarh National Park:
It has core area of 40 square miles and a buffer area of approximately 154 square miles
It preserves 36 other mammals, including leopards, chital, dhole and nilgai (“blue bulls”), more than 150 species of birds, and approximately 80 species of butterflies.
Kaziranga National Park:
It is listed under UNESCO Natural Heritage in India
It preserves Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, sloth bears, Gangetic dolphin, and many migratory birds.
Nagarhole National Park:
Nagarhole was once the Maharajah of Mysore's hunting grounds, and was declared a tiger reserve in 1999
It preserves herbivores in Asia, and the largest gathering of Asiatic elephants in the world.
Ranthambore National Park:
Ranthambore National Park covers a area of much larger 502 square mile tiger reserve
It preserves approximately 45 Bengal tigers
Periyar National Park:
It has core zone is 135 square miles and creates watershed of two major rivers
Periyar is well known for its thick, tropical evergreen forests.
Gir National Park:
It is the only remaining natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. In fact, it is the only place in the world where you can see lions roaming wild outside of Africa.
Gir National Park is the Asiatic lion's only remaining natural habitat. In reality, Gir is the only place in the world where lions can be seen wildly roaming outside Africa.
However, through the involvement of the Junagadh Nawabs and the Forest Department, Currently 523 lions are there in Gir National Park.
Sundarbans National Park:
It has 513 square miles, Sundarbans National Park is situated within a larger UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve.
Approximately 100 Bengal tigers live in the watery world of the Sundarbans, having adapted to an almost amphibious life.
Nanda Devi Biosphere and Valley of Flowers National Parks:
It is the India’s second highest peak, is acclaimed as a goddess by Hindus, governs the national park, and has helped preserve and protect the region
Both parks contain noteworthy populations of endangered species, including the snow leopard and Himalayan musk deer.
Jim Corbett National Park:
Corbett is home to more than 200 Bengal tigers and is considered as the highest number of any tiger reserve in India. Corbett is also a famous place for birding, with roughly 650 species of resident and migratory bird
Key Points:
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India are created along with Biosphere Reserves solely to protect some of the rare and endangered species of both flora and fauna. The sanctuary of wildlife and national parks are protected areas and all host a large range of wild animals and birds. A sanctuary may be converted to a national park, but not the vice versa.
FAQs on National Parks and Sanctuaries in Biology
1. What is the primary difference between a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary?
The primary difference lies in the level of protection and the types of human activities permitted. A National Park is a highly protected area where almost all human activities, including grazing, forestry, and private tenurial rights, are strictly prohibited. Its boundaries are well-defined and it aims to protect the entire ecosystem. A Wildlife Sanctuary focuses on conserving specific species of flora or fauna, and certain human activities may be permitted as long as they do not interfere with the well-being of the wildlife.
2. What is the main objective of establishing a protected area like a National Park, as per the CBSE syllabus?
According to the CBSE curriculum for Biology and Environmental Science, the main objective of establishing protected areas like National Parks is in-situ conservation. This means conserving and protecting species within their natural habitats. The goal is to maintain viable populations of flora and fauna, especially endemic and endangered species, and to preserve the area's natural ecological processes and biodiversity for present and future generations.
3. Can you list some important examples of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India?
Certainly. Some of India's most well-known protected areas include:
- National Parks: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Gir National Park (Gujarat), Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), and Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh).
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala), Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka), Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha), and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (also known as Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan).
4. How many National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are there in India as of 2025?
According to the most recent data from the National Wildlife Database Centre, India has approximately 106 existing National Parks and 573 existing Wildlife Sanctuaries. These numbers can change as state and central governments declare new protected areas to further conservation efforts across the country.
5. Why are human activities more restricted in a National Park compared to a Wildlife Sanctuary?
Human activities are more restricted in a National Park because its conservation mandate is broader and stricter. A National Park is established to protect an entire ecosystem, including its geological features, landscapes, flora, and fauna, without human interference. In contrast, a Wildlife Sanctuary is typically species-oriented, aiming to secure a safe habitat for a particular species. Therefore, regulated activities like timber harvesting or collection of minor forest produce might be allowed in a sanctuary if they are not detrimental to the primary conservation target.
6. How do National Parks and Sanctuaries contribute to biodiversity beyond just protecting large animals like tigers?
While large animals are often flagship species, the contribution of National Parks and Sanctuaries to biodiversity is much deeper. They protect:
- Genetic Diversity: By providing a safe habitat for a wide range of species, they preserve a vast gene pool.
- Ecosystem Health: They protect entire food webs, from microscopic organisms in the soil to apex predators, ensuring ecological balance.
- Endemic Species: They are crucial for the survival of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world.
- Ecological Processes: They allow natural processes like pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling to occur without disruption, which benefits the surrounding areas as well.
7. Are all forests in India classified as either a National Park or a Sanctuary?
No, this is a common misconception. A significant portion of India's forests are Reserved Forests and Protected Forests, which are managed for timber and other resources. Besides National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, other types of protected areas exist for conservation, including Biosphere Reserves (which have multiple zones for conservation, research, and sustainable use), Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves, each with a specific conservation purpose under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
8. Who has the authority to declare an area as a National Park or a Wildlife Sanctuary in India?
The authority to declare these protected areas lies with the government under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The State Government has the power to declare any area within the state as a Wildlife Sanctuary or a National Park. However, the boundaries of a National Park cannot be altered without a resolution passed by the State Legislature. The Central Government can also declare protected areas in certain circumstances.
