Environment and Ecology — Protected Areas of India: National Parks
1. National Parks — Overview
Context: National Parks are protected areas established by the government to conserve the natural environment and biodiversity. They have stricter regulations compared to wildlife sanctuaries, with well-defined boundaries.
- Primary Goal: To safeguard ecosystems and wildlife.
- Total National Parks in India: 106
- Maximum National Parks: Madhya Pradesh (11) & Andaman & Nicobar Islands (9)
- First National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (1936)
- Largest National Park: Hemis National Park
- Smallest National Park: South Button National Park
- Newest National Parks: Dihing Patkai National Park (9th June 2021) and Raimona National Park (5th June 2021), Assam
Key Statistics:
- India has 106 national parks covering 44,378 km² (1.35% of the country's land).
- The Protected Area Network Report proposes 75 more parks spanning 16,608 km².
- Upon full implementation, India would have 176 national parks.
2. Regulations in National Parks
- Human activities are strictly prohibited in National Parks. (UPSC 2012)
- Grazing and private land rights are not allowed. (UPSC 2012)
- No destruction, exploitation, or removal of wildlife/forest produce from a sanctuary without a permit.
- Habitat and water flow changes prohibited without authorization.
- Permit granted only by Chief Wildlife Warden with State Government and NBWL approval.
- No commercial use; forest produce allowed only for locals' bona fide needs.
3. Declaration & Governance
- National Parks are established and managed under Section 35 (State Government) and Section 38 (Central Government) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Both the Central and State Governments have the authority to declare national parks.
- No alteration of the boundaries of a National Park by the State Government shall be made except on a recommendation of the National Board of Wildlife (Section 35 (5) of WPA, 1972).
Key Point: National Parks are governed under Sections 35 and 38 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Boundary changes require NBWL recommendation.
4. Important National Parks — Additional Facts
Kanha National Park
- Well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha).
- The Barasingha thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous. (UPSC 2020)
Keibul-Lamjao National Park
- Unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity. (UPSC 2015)
- Located in Manipur, it is the last refuge of the Sangai deer (brown-antlered deer).
Desert National Park
- Spread over two districts in Rajasthan.
- One of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. (UPSC 2020)
Gangotri National Park
- Has musk deer in its natural habitat. (UPSC 2020)
- Located in Uttarakhand.
Valley of Flowers National Park
- Completely in the temperate alpine zone. (UPSC 2019)
- Located in Uttarakhand; a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Key Points — UPSC Highlights:
- Kanha NP: Hard ground Barasingha (graminivorous) — UPSC 2020
- Keibul-Lamjao NP: Floating vegetation swamp — UPSC 2015
- Desert NP: Great Indian Bustard habitat — UPSC 2020
- Gangotri NP: Musk deer — UPSC 2020
- Valley of Flowers NP: Temperate alpine — UPSC 2019
5. Summary: National Parks at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total National Parks | 106 (covering 44,378 km² — 1.35% of land) |
| Maximum National Parks | Madhya Pradesh (11) & Andaman & Nicobar Islands (9) |
| First National Park | Jim Corbett National Park (1936) |
| Largest National Park | Hemis National Park |
| Smallest National Park | South Button National Park |
| Newest National Parks | Dihing Patkai (9 June 2021) and Raimona (5 June 2021), Assam |
| Governing Act | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Sections 35 & 38) |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Total NPs: 106 (44,378 km²); proposed: 176
- First NP: Jim Corbett (1936)
- Largest NP: Hemis
- Smallest NP: South Button
- Maximum: Madhya Pradesh (11) & Andaman & Nicobar (9)
- Newest: Dihing Patkai & Raimona (Assam, 2021)
- Regulation: Human activities, grazing, private land rights prohibited — UPSC 2012
- Governance: WPA, 1972 — Sections 35 & 38; boundary changes require NBWL approval
- Kanha NP: Hard ground Barasingha (graminivorous) — UPSC 2020
- Keibul-Lamjao NP: Floating swamp vegetation — UPSC 2015
- Desert NP: Great Indian Bustard — UPSC 2020
- Gangotri NP: Musk deer — UPSC 2020
- Valley of Flowers NP: Temperate alpine — UPSC 2019
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (National Parks)
Q1. How many national parks are there in India as of December 2024?
Correct Answer: C. India has 106 national parks covering 44,378 km² (1.35% of the country's land). The Protected Area Network Report proposes 75 more parks.
Q2. Which state has the maximum number of national parks in India?
Correct Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of national parks (11), followed by Andaman & Nicobar Islands (9).
Q3. Which was the first national park established in India?
Correct Answer: B. Jim Corbett National Park (established in 1936) was the first national park in India.
Q4. Which is the largest national park in India?
Correct Answer: B. Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the largest national park in India.
Q5. National Parks are governed under which sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
Correct Answer: C. National Parks are established and managed under Section 35 (State Government) and Section 38 (Central Government) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Q6. Which national park is known for the conservation of hard ground Barasingha?
Correct Answer: B. Kanha National Park is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives on hard ground. (UPSC 2020)
Q7. Which national park is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation?
Correct Answer: B. Keibul-Lamjao National Park in Manipur is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity. (UPSC 2015)
Q8. Which national park is a natural habitat for the Great Indian Bustard?
Correct Answer: C. Desert National Park in Rajasthan is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. (UPSC 2020)
Q9. Which national park has musk deer in its natural habitat?
Correct Answer: B. Gangotri National Park in Uttarakhand has musk deer in its natural habitat. (UPSC 2020)
Q10. Which national park is completely in the temperate alpine zone?
Correct Answer: C. Valley of Flowers National Park is completely in the temperate alpine zone. (UPSC 2019)