List of national parks of India explained

National parks in India are International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) category II protected areas. India's first national park was established in 1936, now known as Jim Corbett National Park, in Uttarakhand. In 1970, India had only five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger in 1973 to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species and currently there are 106 national parks in India. Further legislation strengthening protection for wildlife was introduced in the 1980s.

There are 106 existing national parks in India covering an area of 44,402.95 km2 which is 1.35% of the geographical area of the country. In addition to the above, 75 other National Parks covering an area of are proposed in the Protected Area Network Report. The network of parks will go up 176 after full implementation of the above report.

State-wise List of National Parks

Source:[1]

State & UTState Area (km2)No. of NPArea (km2)% of State AreaNotes
Andaman & Nicobar Islands824991,216.9514.75
Andhra Pradesh16022931368.870.85
Arunachal Pradesh8374322,290.822.74
Assam7843872,664.583.40
Bihar941631335.650.36
Chandigarh11400.000.00
Chhattisgarh13519132,899.082.14
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 49100.000.00
Delhi148300.000.00
Goa37021107.002.89
Gujarat1960224480.120.24
Haryana44212248.250.11
Himachal Pradesh5567352,256.284.05
Jammu & Kashmir16309042432.451.49
Jharkhand797141226.330.28
Karnataka19179152,794.051.46
Kerala388636558.161.44
Ladakh5914613350.005.66
Lakshadweep3200.000.00
Madhya Pradesh308245124349.141.41
Maharashtra30771351,273.600.41
Manipur223272140.000.63
Meghalaya224292267.481.19
Mizoram210812150.000.71
Nagaland165791202.021.22
Odisha1557072990.700.64
Puducherry48000.000.00
Punjab5036200.000.00
Rajasthan34223953,947.071.15
Sikkim709611,784.0025.14
Tamil Nadu1300585827.510.64
Telangana114840319.620.02
Tripura10486236.710.35
Uttar Pradesh2409281490.000.20
Uttarakhand5348364,915.029.19
West Bengal8875261,981.482.23
TOTAL32,87,26310644,402.951.35

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Campbell Bay National Park
1992Part of Great Nicobar Biosphere ReserveCrab-eating macaque, Nicobar treeshrew
Galathea National Park1992Giant robber crab, Nicobar pigeon, MegapodeGalathea River
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National ParkWandoor1983
Middle Button Island National ParkMiddle Button Island1979Water Lizard, Monitor lizard, Blue Whale
Mount Harriet National ParkMount Manipur1987Important bird area as attributed by BirdLife InternationalThe park is also a butterfly hotspot.Andaman wild pigs, saltwater crocodiles, turtles, robber crabs.
North Button Island National ParkNorth Button Island1979Dugong, Dolphin
Rani Jhansi Marine National ParkRitchie's Archipelago1996
Saddle Peak National ParkSaddle Peak1987Kalpong Dam Reservoir
South Button Island National ParkSouth Button Island1987Smallest National Park in India

Andhra Pradesh

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Papikonda National ParkNear Rajamahendravaram2008Important bird and biodiversity area by BirdLife InternationalRoyal Bengal Tiger, Leopards, rusty-spotted cat, King cobra.[2] Godavari River
Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Rameswaram)2005Penna River
Sri Venkateswara National ParkNear Tirumala, Seshachalam Hills and Tirumala Hills1989Yellow-throated bulbul, White-rumped vulture

Arunachal Pradesh

NameImageLocationFormedAreaNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Mouling National ParkSiang Valley1986483 Km2Forms the western part of Dihang-Dibang biosphere reservetakin, goral, Indian leopard, Bengal tiger, barking deer, serow and red pandaSiyom River
Namdapha National ParkNear Miao19831985 km2part of Mizoram–Manipur–Kachin rain forestsSapria himalayana, Namdapha flying squirrel, red panda, dhole, Malayan sun bear, Indian wolf, Asiatic black bear, gaur, stump-tailed macaque, Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque.Noa Dihing River

Assam

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Dibru-Saikhowa National ParkNear Tinsukia1999Largest Swamp Forest in North-east IndiaFeral horse, Wild water buffalo, Ganges river dolphin etc. Brahmaputra River, Lohit River, Dibru River
Dehing Patkai National ParkNear Digboi, Margherita2021Declared as reserve under Project Elephant and largest lowland forest in IndiaWhite-winged duck, Slow lorisDihing river
Raimona National ParkNear Gossaigaon2021Part of Eastern Himalayan FoothillsGee's golden langurSankosh River
Kaziranga National Park
1974Declared asUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985Largest population of Indian Rhinoceros, wild water buffalo and Eastern Swamp DeerIndian rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild water buffalo, Asian elephant, Eastern Swamp DeerBrahmaputra River, Mora Dhiplu, Dhiplu, Mora Dhansiri
Manas National Park
Near Barpeta Road1990Declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 contiguous with Royal Manas National Park, BhutanAlso a biosphere reserve and Elephant reserveIndian Elephants, Wild water Buffalo, Capped langur, Rare species such as,Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hogManas River, Beki River
Nameri National Park
NearBhalukpong1998Kameng River, Other tributaries Nameri, Dinai, Diji etc.
Orang National ParkNorth bank of the Brahmaputra river1999The Great Indian rhinoceros (VU), pygmy hog (EN), Asian elephant, wild water buffalo (EN), Bengal tiger, hog deer, Gangetic dolphin (EN), Indian pangolin (EN)Named Rajiv Gandhi National Park in 1992, but rolled back because of public opposition The river Dhanshiri flows along the western edge of the park

Chhattisgarh

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Guru Ghasidas National ParkNear Sidhi, Manendragarh, Chirimiri1981Largest national park of Chhattisgarh
Indravati National ParkNear Dantewada1982Wild Asian buffalo, tiger reserve, hill mynasIndravati River
Kanger Ghati National ParkNear Jagdalpur1982Indoreonectes evezardi

Gujarat

See main article: List of protected areas of Gujarat.

Name ImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Blackbuck National Park, VelavadarNear Bhavnagar, Vallabhipur, Dholera, Dhandhuka1976A grassland ecosystem for conservation of Blackbuck, Lesser floricanSuccessful conservation programs for the blackbuck, wolf and lesser florican, bustardBlackbucks, Indian grey wolf, striped hyena, Bengal fox, golden jackal, jungle cat and many other small mammals
Gir Forest National ParkNear Sasangir, Tulsishyam, Talala, Gir Gadhada1965Only habitat of Asiatic LionAsiatic lion, Indian Leopard, Stripped Hyna, Golden Jackle Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda Rivers
Marine National Park, Gulf of KutchNear Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Okha1982There are 42 island and park is situated on coral reefsCorals, sponges, jellyfish, endangered sea turtles such as green sea turtles, olive ridleys and leatherbacks, dugongs, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, blue whales
Vansda National ParkNear vansda city1979Leopard, Dhole, Rhesus Macaque, Common Palm Civet, Hanuman Langur, Small Indian Civet, Four-Horned Antelope, Wild Boar, Indian Porcupine, Barking Deer, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Flying Squirrel, Pangolin and Indian Giant Squirrel.There are 443 species of flowering plants. This includes teak, sadad, khakhro, kadad, humb, timru, kalam, bamboo, dudhkod, mahudo, behada, umaro, kusum, tanach, asan, shimlo, ambla, sisam, chopadi bondaro, etc. There is a variety of colourful orchids at Ambika river

Haryana

NameImageLocationFormed Notable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Kalesar National ParkNear Bilaspur(Yamunanagar district), Paonta Sahib2003Located in Sivalik HillsYamuna River
Sultanpur National ParkNear Gurugram1991Declared as Ramsar Wetland in 2021

Himachal Pradesh

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Great Himalayan National ParkNear Kullu1984Declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014popular trekking and ecotourism destinationBharal, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, Musk deerSainj River, Parvati River, Beas River, Tirthan River, Jiwa Nal River
Inderkilla National ParkNear Manali2010Beas River
Khirganga National ParkNear Kasol2010Popular destination for Hiking, CanyoningParvati River
Pin Valley National ParkNear Karzey1987Cold Desert area Cedrus deodara, Himalayan snowcock, ChoughPin River
Simbalbara National ParkNear Paonta Sahib2010Goral, Sambar deer, Chital

Jammu and Kashmir

NameImageLocationFormedNotable FeaturesFlora and FaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Dachigam National ParkNear Srinagar1981Only area where Hangul is found[3] Hangul, Thar, Leopard cat, Musk deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, OtterSarband Reservoir
Kishtwar National ParkNear Kishtwar1981Himalayan snowcock, Brown bearMarusudar River, Chenab River
Kazinag National ParkNear Baramulla1992Located on Line of ControlMarkhor, Himalayan musk deer, Golden eagle, Snow pigeon, Flora- Deodar, Fir, Spruce, KailJhelum River
Salim Ali National ParkNear Srinagar1986Turned into the Royal Springs Golf CourseHangul, Brown bear, Indian paradise flycatcher, Himalayan Serow, Ring Dove, The Lesser KestrelDal lake

National Parks not under the administration of the Government of India

S.NoNational parkEstablishedAreaDistrict(s)De facto administrationCoordinates
92009Pakistan-administered Kashmir32.8926°N 74.3032°W
102004Pakistan-administered Kashmir35.0069°N 74.2003°W
11Musk Deer National Park2009Pakistan-administered Kashmir34.7315°N 74.7867°W
201996Pakistan-administered Kashmir34.5066°N 73.5651°W
242005Pakistan-administered Kashmir33.6392°N 73.8467°W
252010Pakistan-administered Kashmir33.5553°N 73.916°W
29Toli Pir2005Pakistan-administered Kashmir34.1209°N 73.6331°W
30Panjal Mastan National Park2005BaghPakistan-administered Kashmir34.0574°N 73.7381°W

Karnataka

NameNotable FeaturesFormedFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Anshi National ParkPart of Kali Tiger ReserveGreat hornbill, tiger, leopard, black panther, bear, elephant.Kali River (Karnataka)
Bandipur National ParkKabini River, Moyar River
Bannerghatta National ParkThe park is part of a wildlife corridor for elephants which connects the BR Hills and the Sathyamangalam forest.Moist deciduous forest valleys and scrubland on higher areasTiger, sloth bear, peacock, elephant, sambar deer, mouse deer, Leopard, Baboons, Reptiles, Asiatic Elephants, Lion, Birds, Butterflies, Nilgai, Wilddogs, Jackals, Wolves, Hyenas, Giraffe.Etc.
Kudremukh National ParkThe Tunga River and Bhadra River flow freely through the parklands
Nagarhole National ParkKabini reservoir separates Nagarhole from Bandipur National Park

Kerala

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Anamudi Shola National Park[4] The park is administered by Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby Mathikettan Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary, with Anamudi Shola providing connectivity between all these protected areas.Elephant, Tiger, Nilgiri tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Sloth Bear, Flying SquirrelsPambar River
Eravikulam National Park[5] The land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve yearsAnamudi, the highest peak of western ghats, is located hereVegetation - Rolling grasslands, with shola forests in upper partsNilgiri tahr, Neelakurinjilion-tailed macaques, gaur, Indian muntjac and sambar deerPambar River (Kerala)
Mathikettan Shola National ParkThe park is located between other reserve forests like Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National ParkElephants
Pambadum Shola National ParkForms part of Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby Mathikettan Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala SanctuaryIt is a part of Palani hills

Keystone species - Nilgiri Marten

Nilgiri marten, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri flycatcher, Blue rock-thrush
Periyar National ParkAn elephant reserve and a tiger reserveLocated high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats

The sanctuary surrounds Periyar Lake, a reservoir that formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was erected in 1895.

The park is made up of tropical evergreen and moist deciduous forests, grasslands and stands of eucalyptus

Malabar parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri laughing thrush, Nilgiri blue robin, great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, lion-tailed macaque, hairy-winged batPeriyar river, Pambar River (Kerala)
Silent Valley National Park[6] Located in Nilgiri Biosphere ReserveHome to the largest population of lion-tailed macaquesFamous for "Save Silent Valley" movementKunthipuzha River

Ladakh

National Parks not under the administration of the Government of India

S.NoNational parkEstablishedAreaDistrict(s)De facto administrationCoordinates
1Himalaya National Park2020[7] Pakistan Occupied Kashmir35.3503°N 74.8589°W
22012Pakistan Occupied Kashmir33.8652°N 73.1388°W
3Nanga Parbat National Park2020Pakistan Occupied Kashmir35.3503°N 74.8589°W
5Central Karakoram1993Pakistan Occupied Kashmir36.8977°N 75.0935°W
81993Skardu Pakistan Occupied Kashmir34.9726°N 75.3964°W
14K2Pakistan Occupied Kashmir35.7882°N 76.1829°W
161975Pakistan Occupied Kashmir36.5008°N 75.6436°W
26Qurumber2011Pakistan Occupied Kashmir36.8631°N 73.781°W
31Fairy Meadows National Park1995[8] Pakistan Occupied Kashmir35.3503°N 74.8589°W

Madhya Pradesh

NameLocationNotable FeaturesFormedFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Bandhavgarh National ParkDistrict UmariaVery high tiger density, so the saying Gaurs reintroduced from Kanha National Park

Panpatha wildlife sanctuary

1968Bengal tiger, striped hyena, caracal, gaur, sambar deer, nilgai, barking deer, chital, Sone River, Ban sagar Lake
Dinosaur Fossil National Park2011
Ghughua Fossil National ParkDindori district1983
Kanha National ParkMandla districtBalaghat districtlargest of the state of Madhya Pradesh with area 941.793 km2.1955Barasingha or swamp deerHalo and Banjar rivers
Kuno National ParkSheopur & Morena DistrictsKhathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregionArea 748.761 km2.2018Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project, India's first cheetah sanctuaryKuno River
Madhav National ParkShivpuri DistrictSakhya Sagar, a man-made reservoir within the park, has been designated as a Ramsar site since 2022.1959
Panna National ParkPanna DistrictKen Gharial Sanctuary 1981Ken river
Pench National Park[9] Pench Tiger Reserve 1975Rudyard Kipling's 'Jungle Book' was set in this NP.Pench river
Sanjay National Park[10] Narmada Valley dry deciduous forests ecoregion, Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve1981
Satpura National ParkNarmadapuram DistrictBori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries1981-
Van Vihar National ParkBhopal district1979

Maharashtra

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Chandoli National Park2004
Gugamal National Park
Navegaon National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Indian Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Bonnet Macaque, Spotted Deer, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox, Indian Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Asian Palm Civet, Mouse Deer
Tadoba Andhari National Park

Manipur

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Keibul Lamjao National ParkOnly floating national park in the worldSangai Deer, Wild Boar, Musk Shrew etc.Loktak Lake
Shirui National ParkFamous for Shirui Lily; Tropical Forests all over except at hilltops where there are temperate forestsTragopan, Tiger and LeopardA number of rivers originate here

Meghalaya

NameLocationNotable FeaturesFaunaFloraRivers and lakes inside the national park
Balphakram National Parksouth of Garo HillsBalphakram means 'land of the eternal wind' according to the myth of the Garos .grassland, bamboo forest, tropical deciduous trees and carnivorous plants like the pitcher-plant and Drosera
Nokrek National Parkapproximately 2 km away from Tura Peak, is located in the middle of the West, East and North Garo Hills DistrictsUNESCO World Biosphere Reserve

Mizoram

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Murlen National ParkIs close to the Chin Hills. It lies north of Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary in the same district
Phawngpui Blue Mountain National ParkIt bears the name of the mountain Phawngpui, often called the Blue Mountain of Mizoram, which is the highest mountain peak in the state, reaching 2,157 mChhimtuipui River flowing towards Burma

Odisha

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Bhitarkanika National ParkA ramsar site, Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary are to the east, separating the swamp region and mangroves from the Bay of Bengal Brahmani River, Baitarani River, Pathsala
Simlipal National ParkIt is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes three protected areas, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.It is UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves Tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, sambar, barking deer, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar

Rajasthan

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Desert National ParkChinkara (Gazella bennettii), Indian desert cat, demoiselle crane, great Indian bustard and MacQueen's bustard.
Keoladeo National ParkUNESCO World Heritage SiteRamsar Wetland
Mukundara Hills National ParkNational Chambal Sanctuary is part of the national parkChambal river, Kali river, Ahu river, Ramzan river.
Ranthambore National Parkecoregion includes Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests Tiger Reserve. Banas, Chambal
Sariska Tiger ReserveKhathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregionIt is an important biodiversity area in the Northern Aravalli leopard and wildlife corridor

Tamil Nadu

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaFloraRivers and lakes inside the national park
Indira Gandhi Sanctuary and National ParkAlso called as Anaimalai Tiger Reserve Tigers, leopards, elephants, wildboars, deers, dhole.
Guindy National ParkHas more than 2000 chitals, 493 blackbucks and 84 jackals.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Parkhas 8 species of whales and 21 small coral islandsMangroove species like Rhizophora, Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops and Lumnitzera.
Mudumalai National ParkPart of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Second oldest National Park in India. Largest National Park in Tamil Nadu.Bengal tiger, indian leopard, dhole, golden jackal, sloth bear, Indian elephants, gray langur, Lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, gaur, sambar deer, chital deer, Indian muntjac, Indian spotted chevrotain, wild boar Rodents include the Indian giant squirrel and the red giant flying squirrelMoyar River
Mukurthi National ParkPart of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is also UNESCO World Heritage Site.The park was created to protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri tahrcharacterized by montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas Nilgiri tahr

Uttarakhand

NameNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Gangotri National ParkGaumukh Glacier Ganga
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park
Jim Corbett National ParkFirst national park in India (established in 1936 as Hailey National Park).Report titled ‘Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India’, released by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for 2018-19 revealed that national park has 14 tigers per 100 square kilometers which is highest in India.

Dhikala grasslands

Ramganga
Nanda Devi National ParkUNESCO World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
Rajaji National ParkMainly known for elephants, tigers, leopards and several species of birds, reptiles and mammals. Ganga river
Valley of Flowers National ParkUNESCO World Heritage Site, Most beautiful national park in the world

West Bengal

NameLocationNotable FeaturesFaunaRivers and lakes inside the national park
Buxa Tiger ReserveThe Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan is contiguous to the north of BTRTo the south-west, the Chilapata Forests form an elephant corridor to the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary"Terai Eco-System" Northern boundary along international border with Bhutan and eastern boundary touches AssamThe fragile "Terai Eco-System" constitutes a part of this reserveBuxa, serves as an international corridor for Asian elephant migration between India and BhutanRajabhatkhawa Vulture Breeding Centre was established by Bombay Natural History Society to emulate the success of Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore
Gorumara National ParkThe park is rich in large herbivores including Indian rhinoceros, gaur, Asian elephant, sloth bear, chital, and sambar deer Jaldhaka, Naora
Jaldapara National ParkTorsa River
Neora Valley National ParkConnected to the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan red panda (EN)
Singalila National ParkTonglu mountain in the Singalila Ridge on the border with Nepal Rangeet River, Rammam river
Sundarbans National ParkUNESCO World Heritage SiteRamsar siteTiger reserve

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://wii.gov.in/nwdc_national_parks https://wiienvis.nic.in/Database/npa_8231.aspx
  2. Web site: 2-ANDHRA PRADESH AND TELANGANA.pdf. 2020-08-06. Google Docs.
  3. http://relivearth.com/endangered-species/kashmir-stag-hangul/ Kashmir Stag (Hangul)
  4. Web site: National Parks. 2019-09-03. wiienvis.nic.in.
  5. Web site: Eravikulam National Park.
  6. Web site: Silent Valley - Kerala Forest Dept.
  7. Web site: 2 December 2020 . PM inaugurates two national parks in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir . 23 September 2022 . Pakistan Today.
  8. News: Lawrence S. Hamilton . 15 June 1995 . New Parks for Pakistan . 3 . Mountain Protected Areas Update . International Union for Conservation of Nature . dead . 28 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130828194855/http://protectmountains.org/storage/downloads/update-newsletters/UPDATE-Jun1995.pdf . 28 August 2013.
  9. The Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh parts of the Pench National Park are administered separately. Tigris called Collar Wali is found there which has given 29 cubs in total.
  10. The Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh parts of the Sanjay National Park are administered separately.