2. National Park
An area of scenic beauty, historical importance, etc. owned and maintained
by a national government.
One or several ecosystems not materially altered by human exploitation and
occupation, where plant and animal species, geomorphological sites and
habitats are of special scientific, educational, and recreational interest or which
contain a natural landscape of great beauty.
National parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas.
In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to
safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species.
India's first national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park,
now known as Jim Corbett National Park. By 1970, India only had five
national parks.
3. As of April 2012, there were 102 national parks. All national park
lands then encompassed a total 39,919 km2 (15,413 sq mi) km²,
comprising 1.21% of India's total surface area.
There are over 100 national parks and 500 wildlife sanctuaries in
India, which reflect the importance that the country places on
nature and wildlife conservation
5. No Name State Established
Notable flora
and fauna
1 Ranthambore
National Park Rajasthan 1980 Tigers, Leopards,
Boars
2 Corbett
National Park Uttarakhand 1936 Tigers, Leopards,
Elephants
3 Bandhavgarh
National Park
Madhya
Pradesh 1982 Tigers, leopards,
bears
4 Periyar
National Park Kerala 1982 Nilgiri langur,
flying squirrel
5 Kaziranga
National Park Assam 1974 Rhinos,
Elephants, Tigers
6 Sunderbans West Bengal 1984
Royal Bengal
Tiger, Fishing
Cats
7 Kanha National
Park Madhya Pradesh 1955 Tigers, leopars,
elephants
Top 20 National Parks of India
6. 8 Gir Wildlife
Sanctuary
Gujarat 1975 Asiatic Lion
9 Keoladeo
National Park
Rajasthan 1981 Siberian cranes,
ruddy
shelducks
10 Manas national
park
assam 1990 Assam roofed
turtle, golden
langur
11 Bandipur
national Park
Karnataka 1974 Asian
Elephants, tiger
12 Panna National
Park
Madhya
Pradesh
1973 Tiger, wolf,
chital, sloth
bear
13 Sariska
National Park
Rajasthan 1982 Four- hourned
Deer, Carecal,
Leopard
14 Dudhwa
National Park
Uttar Pradesh 1977 Tiger,
Rhinoceros
7. 15 Nandadevi
National Park
Uttarakhand 1988 Tiger, leopard
16 Valley of
Flowers
National Park
Uttarakhand 1980 Snow Leopard,
Musk Deer,
Red fox
17 Hemis National
Park
Jammu &
Kashmir
1981 Snow Leopard
18 Madhav
National Park
Madhya
Pradesh
1959 Indian Gazelle,
Nilgai, sambar
19 Eravikulam
national Park
Kerala 1978 Nilgiri Tahr,
Atlas Moth,
Elephant
20 Mudumalai
National Park Tamil Nadu
8. Corbett National Park
Established in 1936, Corbett National Park is India's first Eco Park , located in
the state of Uttarakhand.
Spanning across the span of 920.9 square km, Corbett National Park is India's
most popular national park.
It is the home to 50 mammal species, 110 tree species, 25 reptile species and 580
bird species.
It is also a Tiger Reserve Project of the country preserving the endangered Bengal
Tiger.
This oldest park in the country is considered as the perfect adventurous
destination.
Accommodation facilities at Corbett are excellent .
9. Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of
southeastern Rajasthan.
National Park area: 275km² core area. 392km² including buffer zone.
Besides tigers, the reserve has thriving bird population with more than 270
different species of birds here.
Inside the park is a formidable fort that was built in the 10th century and
coveted by many rulers due to its strategic position between north and
central India.
The park itself is characterized by rocky plains and steep cliffs.
10. Kaziranga National Park
Located in the state of Assam, it is a famous wildlife park of India. It is also a
UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site.
Kaziranga covers an area of 378 km2 (146 sq mi), with approximately
51.14 km2 (20 sq mi) lost to erosion in recent years.
It cherishes its population of one horned rhinoceros, though its also a Tiger
Reserve. It can also be applauded for water buffaloes, elephants and other
animals.
Crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and the park
includes numerous small bodies of water.
Kaziranga is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for
conservation of avifaunal species.
The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as
a reserve forest.
11. Sunderbans
Located in the state of West Bengal, and Created in 1973, the core area of
Sunderban was declared a National Park in 1984.
It was declared a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The splendid mangrove forests of Bengal, are included within this area, which got
its name from the throngs of sundari trees.
Sunderbans has amazing river bodies as well as forest areas. Bengal tigers,
crocodiles and snakes are some creatures you can spot here.
It is one only one of its kind in the world. It is spread over more than 50 islands
and extends into neighboring country of Bangladesh.
The park can be only accessed by boat. And the exploring the park & surrounding
is truly a thrilling experience which should not be missed on wildlife tours in India.
It is the wildlife park in India where tigers know how to swim.
12. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the state of Gujarat, it is also known as the Sasan Gir National
Park.
Established in 1965, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over an area of 2450
hectares of area.
Very popular for its handsome Asiatic lions, It is a haven encompassing around
300 Tigers in its vicinity.
With amazing flora and fauna, the park is treated well and is looked after by the
government forest department and various NGOs.
A nice place to check out the lions and reservoir.
13. Periyar National Park
Situated on the Western Ghats, and touching the borders of Tamil Nadu, this
national park in Kerala, is very popular for its sheer beauty and tourism.
This one is also a Project Tiger Reserve of the country, and also offer jeep safaris
for its tourists.
Spanning over 350 sq km, Periyar National Park is known for encompassing two
majestic mammals – Elephants and Tiger.
Located in Kerala, Periyar National Park is the most visited ecoparks of India.
Herds of Indian elephants can be seen near the Periyar Lake.
Tourists can enjoy rich flora and fauna of the park by taking boat cruise over the
picturesque Periyar Lake.
The beautiful lakes, and rafting on them enhances the fun.
14. Keoladeo National Park
This is another World Heritage Site situated in Bharatpur region of Rajasthan.
It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971.
It is famous for the various species of birds and migratory birds like Siberian
cranes.
These diverse habitats are home to 366 bird species, 379 floral species,
50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian
species,7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates.
The 29 km2 (11 sq mi) reserve is locally known as Ghana, and is a mosaic of
dry grasslands, woodlands, woodland swamps, and wetlands.
It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the
hibernal season.
15. Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, located in
West Himalaya, in the state of Uttarakhand and is one of the very few places in
India where God have showered his immense blessings.
Spanning over an area of 87.5 Sq. Kms, the Valley of Flower was declared a
National Park in the year 1982. This Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network
of Biosphere Reserves since 2004
It is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora.
This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including
the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue
sheep. Birds found include Himalayan Monal Pheasant and other high altitude
birds.
At 3600 meters above sea level,(3352 to 3658 meters) the gentle landscape of
the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness
of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together they encompass a unique
transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya.
wide.
16. Kanha National Park
Kanha is a popular Tiger Reserve of India located in Madhya Pradesh was
created in 1974 under Project Tiger.
Spanning over an area of 940 sq kms, in the two
districts Mandla and Balaghat. Kanha National Park houses the largest
population of Tigers in India.
With brilliant flora and forest areas, this park is famous for its sloth bear,
leopard, wild dog, and of course the Bengal tiger.
This was the park that the Central Indian Barasingha, also known as the hard
ground barasingha, was brought back from the virtual edge of extinction.
The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows and ravines of Kanha
provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "Jungle Book "
17. Bandhavgarh National Park
Located in the Umaria district of the state of Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh
National Park is a wonderful wildlife destination in India.
Tigers dominate the 437 km² reserve in numbers rarely seen on the
subcontinent.
The park is rich its flora and fauna. It is known for housing big population of
tigers and Along with that, a lot of leopards and deer's can be seen. other
wildlife attractions like mammals, avifauna, reptiles, vegetations, etc are
there.
Tourists can explore the park conveniently by exciting jeep safari or
elephant safari in the park.
As with so many other national parks in India, Bandhavgarh also has a fair
share of cultural attractions as well.