Biodiversity By Jitendra Sir

Biodiversity
❑ Biodiversity is defined as ‘the variability among living
organisms from all sources, including terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of which they are a part; this
includes diversity within species, between species and
of ecosystems’ – United Nations Earth Summit (1992).
▪ Endemism is the state of a species being native to a
single defined geographic location, such as an
island, state, nation, country or other defined
zone;
 Biodiversity

❑ Biodiversity is defined as ‘the variability among living

organisms from all sources, including terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are a part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of
ecosystems’ – United Nations Earth Summit (1992).
❑ In our biosphere immense diversity (or heterogeneity)
exists not only at the species level but at all levels of
biological organization ranging from macromolecules
within cells to biomes.
❑ According to IUCN (2004), the total number of plant and
animal species described so far is slightly more than 1.5
million.
❑ More than 70 per cent of all the species recorded are animals,
while plants (including algae, fungi, bryophytes, gymnosperms
and angiosperms) comprise no more than 22 per cent of the
total.
❑ Among animals, insects are the most species-rich taxonomic
group, making up more than 70 per cent of the total.
❑ India accounts for nearly 7% of recorded species.
❑ Largest biodiversity is found in Amazon rain forest on earth.
 Latitudinal gradients: Diversity of
plants and animal is not uniform
throughout the world.
Patterns of Species diversity decreases as we move
Biodiversity: away from the equator towards the
pole.
Tropic harbour more species than
temperature or polar areas
 Why Tropic Account Greater Biological Diversity?
❑ Speciation: It is function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected
to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained
relatively undisturbed for millions of years.
❑ Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal,
relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant
environments promote niche specialization and lead to a greater
species diversity.
❑ More solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to
higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater
diversity.
 SPECIES EVENNESS SPECIES RICHNESS
Measurement of the relative The number of species found in said
frequency of each species. environment.
Species evenness refers to how close
Species richness is the number of
in numbers each species in an
different species represented in an
environment is. Mathematically it is
ecological community, landscape or
defined as a diversity index, a
region. Species richness is simply a
measure of biodiversity which
count of species, and it does not take
quantifies how equal the community
into account the abundances of the
is numerically. So if there are 40
species or their relative abundance
foxes and 1000 dogs, the community
distributions.
is not very even.
 • ALPHA DIVERSITY: Diversity within a
particular area or ecosystem, expressed
by the number of species in that
Note: Species diversity of an ecosystem.
environment is essentially a
• BETA DIVERSITY: Comparison of
combined measurement of
diversity between ecosystems, calculated
richness and evenness.
as change in amount of species between
Sometimes, it is called the
the ecosystem.
“Shannon” Diversity Index.
• GAMA DIVERSITY: Measures overall
diversity for different types of ecosystems
within a region.
 LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY

The differences in DNA content among individuals within

Genetic species and population. Allows species to adapt to changing
Diversity: environments. E.g. butterflies, roses, parakeets or coral in a
myriad hue.
Refers to the variety of living organisms on earth. For example:
Species
the western ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity
Diversity:
than the eastern ghats.
Refers to the different types of habitats. A habitat is the
Ecosystem/
cumulative factor of the climate, vegetation and geography of a
Community
region. Example: deserts, forests, mangroves, coral reefs,
Diversity:
wetlands etc.
 ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

❑ Protection of water resources + Soils formation and protection

+ Nutrient storage and recycling + Pollution breakdown and
absorption + Contribution to climate stability + Maintenance of
ecosystems + Recovery from unpredictable events.
 TERMINOLOGIES RELATED TO SPECIES
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPECIES EXAMPLES
❑ FLAGSHIP SPECIES– Species chosen to
represent an environmental cause, like an Indian tiger, the giant panda, the
ecosystem might be in need of conservation. Golden lion, the African elephant,
Chosen for their Vulnerability, attractiveness Asian elephant, etc.
or distinctiveness.
❑ KEYSTONE SPECIES: Species whose
addition to or subtraction from an ecosystem
leads to major changes in abundance or All top predators like Lion, Tiger,
occurrence of at least one other species. Crocodile, Elephant.
❑ Plays role in structure, functioning or
productivity of a habitat or ecosystem.
 Lichens– indicators of air quality (sensitive
• INDICATOR SPECIES: It defines trait or characteristics of
to sulfur dioxide), Amphibians (e.g. Frog)
the environment.
indicates global warming and air pollution.
• They are chosen as an indicator of, or proxy for, the state of
Fish, invertebrates, periphyton,
an ecosystem or of a certain process within that ecosystem.
macrophytes, etc.
• FOUNDATION SPECIES: Dominant primary producer in
Corals
an ecosystem both in terms of abundance and influence.
• CHARISMATIC SPECIES: Large animal species with Barasingha (Bhoorsingh from kanha
widespread popular appeal that environmental activists use national park), Giant panda, The Bengal
to achieve conservation goals well beyond those species. tiger, Blue whale.
 Conservation of Tiger, efforts have been
• UMBRELLA SPECIES: It acts as umbrella. Conservation made to save the populations of wild
of umbrella species would extend protection to other Tigers in order to save other species that
species as well. are present in the same ecosystems such
as Leopards, Monkey, Hares, Boars, etc
Goat weed, Alternanthera
• INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES OF INDIA: Species that
paronychioides, Prickly poppy, Palmyra,
occur outside their natural range + threaten native plants
Toddy palm, Calotropis/ Madar, Swallow
and animals or other aspects of biodiversity.
wort, Water Hyacinth.
 SOME IMPORTANT TERMS RELATED TO
ECOSYSTEM
Practice in which indigenous knowledge of nature, originating with
Biopiracy: indigenous peoples, is used by others for profit, without authorization or
compensation to the indigenous people themselves.
Systematic and organized search for useful products derived from bioresources
Bioprospecting: including plants, microorganisms, animals, etc., that can be developed further
for commercialization and overall benefits of the society.
Process of using microorganisms (microbes) to extract metals of economic
Biomining: interest from rock ores or mine waste. Biomining techniques may also be used
to clean up sites that have been polluted with metals
A test in which organisms are used to detect the presence or the effects of any
other physical factor, chemical factor or any other type of ecological
Bioassay:
disturbance. It is very common in pollution studies; the aim is to detect lethal
concentration or effective concentration causing mortality or other effects.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOTANICAL GARDEN
AND ZOOLOGICAL PARK
BOTANICAL GARDEN ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Zoo is an establishment, whether stationary
Botanical garden refers to the or mobile, where captive animals are kept
scientifically planned collection of living for exhibition to the public and includes a
trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers and other circus and rescue centers but does not
plants from various parts of the world include an establishment of a licensed
dealer in captive animals – CZA

Die-back: Phenomena in which progressive dying of plant happens, usually

backwards from the tip of any portion of plant. This is one of the adaptive
mechanisms to avoid adverse conditions.
 CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS

Habitat loss and Fragmentation: Habitat loss due to pollution, breaking of large
habitats into small fragments due to various human activities, mammals and birds
requiring large territories, animals with migratory habitat are badly affected, leading
to population decline.
Over Exploitation: Humans have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but
whgen ‘need’ turns to ‘greed’. it leads to over exploitation.
Alien Species Invasions: Alien species are species that occur outside their natural
range. These species when turn invasive and cause decline or extinction of
indigenous species. Ex- like water hyacinth, prosopis juliflora, lantana camara etc.
Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species
associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct.
 BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA

❑ India, a mega diverse country with only 2.4% of the world’s land area, accounts
for 7-8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 species of
plants and 91,000 species of animals.
❑ The country’s diverse physical features and climatic conditions have resulted in
a variety of ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, desert, coastal and
marine ecosystems.
❑ Four of 34 globally identified biodiversity hotspots: The Himalayas, the Western
Ghats, the North-East, and the Nicobar Islands, can be found in India.
❑ In terms of species richness, India ranks seventh in mammals, ninth in birds
and fifth in reptiles.
INDIA REPRESENTS

Ten Bio-
Two ‘Realms’ Five Biomes Twenty-five Bio-geographic provinces
geographic Zones

Large spatial regions It deals with Ecosystem or biotic subdivision of

within which Main groups of
geographical realms
ecosystems share a plants and animals
distribution of
broadly similar living in areas of
plants and
biota. Unifying certain climate
animals.
features of patterns.

geography and fauna

and flora.
Two ‘Realms’ Ten Bio-geographic Zones
1. Trans Himalayas
1. Himalayan region represented by Palearctic realm
2. The Himalayas
2. Rest of subcontinent represented by Malayan realm
3. Desert
Five Biomes
4. Semi-arid
1. Tropical humid forests 5. Western ghats
2. Tropical Dry or Deciduous forests 6. The Deccan Peninsula
3. Warm deserts and semi deserts 7. The Gangetic Plains
4. Coniferous forest 8. The Coasts
5. Alpine meadows 9. Northeast India
10. Islands
Twenty-five Bio-geographic provinces
6A: Deccan Peninsular-Central Highlands
1A: Himalaya – Ladakh Mount.
6B: Deccan Peninsular Chota Nagpur.
1B: Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau
6C: Deccan Peninsular –Eastern Highlands
1C: Trans-Himalaya Sikkim
6D: Deccan Peninsular- Central Plateau
2A: Himalaya-North west Himalaya
6E: Deccan Peninsular-Deccan south.
2B: Himalaya-west Himalaya
7A: Gangetic Plain-Upper Gangetic plains
2C: Himalaya-Central Himalaya
7B: Gangetic Plain- Lower Gangetic Plains
2D: Himalaya-East Himalaya
8A: Coasts-West Coast
3A: Desert –Thar
8b: Coasts- East Coast
3B: Desert-Kachchh
8C: Coasts-Lakshadweep
4A: Semi-arid-Punjab plains
9A: North-East Brahmaputra Valley
4B: Semi-arid Punjab plains
9B: North-East-North East Hills
5A: Western Ghats-Malabar plains.
10A: Islands-Andamans
5B: Western Ghats-Western Ghats Mountains
10B: Islands-Nicobar
 Biodiversity Hotspots In India
A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is
under threat from humans. 3 regions that satisfy these criteria exist in India and
they are:
(1) Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and that falling in
Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar).
(2) Indo-Burma: Includes entire Northeastern India, except Assam. Andaman
group of Islands is also a part of this hotspot. (and Myanmar, Thailand,
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern China).
(3) Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Brunei, Philippines) Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire
Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka).
Types of Conservation Methods
Conservation can broadly be divided into two types:
1.In Situ Conservation Methods
2.Ex Situ Conservation Measures
In Situ Conservation Methods
▪ It is the fundamental & principal method of conservation. It means at the site & it
is fundamental because it prescribes the protection of wildlife where they naturally
occur. This is achieved by establishing a network of Protected areas in which
different species & their natural habitats are adequately maintained & preserved.
▪ It is considered the most appropriate way of conserving biodiversity and includes
various Protected Areas. These protected areas include wildlife sanctuaries,
national parks, biosphere reserves, tiger reserves, Ramsar sites etc.
▪ In-Situ Conservation Measures in India
▪ Various protected areas (reserves) have been established in India for protection
and conservation.
▪ Besides, the government has launched various programmes like ‘Project Tiger’ for
the conservation of wildlife.
Protected Areas of India (In-Situ Conservation)
▪ Protected areas are those in which human occupation or at least the exploitation of
resources is limited.
▪ India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries of the world. With only 2.4% of the
world’s land area, 16.7% of the world’s human population and 18% livestock, it
contributes about 8% of the known global biodiversity, however, putting enormous
demands on our natural resources.
▪ There are various types of protected areas, and the degree of protection varies
according to each country’s enabling legislation or the rules of the international
organisations involved.
▪ The term protected area also includes Marine Protected Areas, the boundaries of which
will include some area of ocean, and Transboundary Protected Areas that overlap
multiple countries which remove the borders inside the area for conservation and
economic purposes.
Wildlife Conservation Programmes in India
▪ Project Hangul or Kashmir Stag, 1970
▪ Gir Lion Project, 1972
▪ Project Tiger, 1973
▪ Crocodile Breeding Project, 1974
▪ Brow antlered deer (Thamin deer) Project (1977)
▪ Rhinoceros Conservation Project, 1987
▪ Project Elephant, 1992
▪ Project Red Panda, 1996
Ex Situ Conservation Measures
Ex-situ conservation is the preservation of components of biological diversity
outside their natural habitats. It means off the Site or away from the Site’. It
involves the preservation of sample populations of various species or their genes
in scientific facilities, such as zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks, sperm banks,
gene banks, pollen banks etc. Some of these includes:
▪ Gene banks, e.g. seed banks, sperm and ova banks, field banks;
▪ In vitro plant tissue and microbial culture collections;
▪ Cryopreservation (preservation at very low temperatures) of gametes and
embryos
▪ Botanical Gardens
Ex Situ Conservation Measures
▪ Zoological Gardens or zoos
▪ Animal translocations to artificial environments like zoos;
▪ Captive breeding of animals and artificial propagation of plants, with possible
reintroduction into the wild
▪ Collecting living organisms for zoos, aquaria, and botanic gardens for research
and public awareness.
In agriculture, ex-situ conservation measures maintain domesticated plants which
cannot survive in nature unaided. Ex-situ conservation provides excellent research
opportunities on the components of biological diversity.
1. Biosphere reserves
They represent natural biomes which contain unique biological communities. They
include land as well as coastal environment. Biosphere reserves were created under
MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme of UNESCO in 1971. Till May 2000 there
were 408 biosphere reserves in 94 countries of the world. In India there are 15
biosphere reserves. There are three zones in a biosphere reserve:
(a) Core (natural) zone - It is inner most zone which is legally protected and
completely undisturbed from human interference,
(b) Buffer zone - In this zone limited human activity is allowed for research and
education purposes.
(c) Transition (manipulation) zone - It is the outermost zone of biosphere reserve
in which large number of human activities are permitted, eg. Cultivation,
domestication, harvesting of natural product, grazing, forestry, settlement and
recreation etc. In this zone the traditional life style of tribals is protected with
their live-stock.
Functions of biosphere reserves
1.For conservation of landscape, ecosystem and genetic resources.
2.For economic development.
3.For scientific research, education and for exchange of information at
national and global level.
Nilgiri is the first biosphere reserve declared in 1986. It includes parts of
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu
 There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country.
Date of
S. No. Name Area (in km2) Location (State)
Notification
Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and
Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and
1 Nilgiri 01.09.1986 5520(Core 1240 & Buffer 4280)
Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Karnataka).
5860.69(Core 712.12, Buffer Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar
2 Nanda Devi 18.01.1988
5,148.570) & T. 546.34) districts (Uttarakhand).
820(Core 47.48 & Buffer 227.92,
3 Nokrek 01.09.1988 Part of Garo hills (Meghalaya).
Transition Zone 544.60)
Southern most islands of Andaman And
4 Great Nicobar 06.01.1989 885 (Core 705 & Buffer 180)
Nicobar (A&N Islands).
10,500 km2Total Gulf area (area of Indian part of Gulf of Mannar between India
5 Gulf of Mannar 18.02.1989
Islands 5.55 km2) and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).
Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta,
6 Manas 14.03.1989 2837(Core 391 & Buffer 2,446)
Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang districts (Assam)
 There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country.
Part of delta of Ganges and
9630(Core 1700 &
7 Sunderbans 29.03.1989 Brahamaputra river system (West
Buffer 7900)
Bengal).
4374(Core 845, Buffer
8 Simlipal 21.06.1994 Part of Mayurbhanj district (Odisha).
2129 & Transition 1400
765(Core 340 & Buffer Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia
9 Dibru-Saikhowa 28.07.1997
425) Districts (Assam)
5111.50(Core 4094.80 Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in
10 Dehang-Dibang 02.09.1998
&Buffer 1016.70) Arunachal Pradesh.
Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad and
11 Pachmarhi 03.03.1999 4926 Chindwara districts of Madhya
Pradesh.
2619.92(Core 1819.34 & Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and
12 Khangchendzonga 07.02.2000
Buffer 835.92) Sikkim.
Part of Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari
districts in Tamil Nadu and
13 Agasthyamalai 12.11.2001 3500.36
Thiruvanthapuram, Kollam and
Pathanmthitta districts in Kerala.
 There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country.
Covers parts of Anupur and
Achanakamar 3835.51(Core 551.55 Dindori districts of M.P. and parts
14 30.3.2005
Amarkantak & Buffer 3283.86) of Bilaspur districts of
Chhattishgarh State.
Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra
15 Kachchh 29.01.2008 12,454 km2 Nagar and Patan Civil Districts of
Gujarat State
Pin Valley National Park and
surroundings; Chandratal and
16 Cold Desert 28.08.2009 7770
Sarchu&Kibber Wildlife
Sancturary in Himachal Pradesh
Seshachalam Hill Ranges
covering parts of Chittoor and
17 Seshachalam Hills 20.09.2010 4755.997
Kadapa districts of Andhra
Pradesh
Part of Panna and Chhattarpur
18 Panna 25.08.2011 2998.98
districts in Madhya Pradesh
International Status of Biosphere Reserves (BR)
The UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere Reserve’ for natural
areas to minimize conflict between development and conservation. BRs are
nominated by national government which meet a minimal set of criteria and
adhere to minimal set of conditions for inclusion in the world network of
Biosphere reserves under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of
UNESCO. Globally, there are 686 biosphere reserves in 122 countries, including
20 transboundary sites.
India has 12 internationally recognised BRs. They are as follows.
1. Nilgiri 2. Gulf of Mannar 3. Sunderban
4. Nanda Devi 5. Nokrek 6. Pachmarhi
7. Similipal 8. Achanakmar-Amarkantak 9. Great Nicobar
10. Agasthyamala 11. Khangchendzonga 12. Panna
2.National Parks
They are reserved for the betterment of wild life, both fauna and flora. In
national parks private ownership is not allowed. The grazing, cultivation,
forestry etc. is also not permitted. The first national park of the world, Yellow
stone, in U.S.A., was founded in 1872
National Park in India 2023 Highlights
Number of National Parks in India 106
Latest National Park in India Raimona National Park, Assam
Who designates a National Park in India State Government
Hailey National Park is the oldest national park
First National Park in India in India, now known as Jim Corbett national
park.
Hemis National Park is the biggest national
Largest National Park in India park in India, located in Ladakh, with an area
of 3350 km².
Keibul Lamjao National Park is a floating
Floating National Park in India
national park, located in Manipur
South Button Island National Park in Andaman
Smallest National Park in India
and Nicobar Islands
Highest National Park in India Hemis National Park
Tiger National Park in India also known as Tiger Reserves
There are a total of 106 national parks in India as per the National Wildlife Database
released in January 2023. The state-wise list of the number of National Parks is provided
here:
State/Union Territory Number of National Parks
Jammu and Kashmir 4
Ladakh 1
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 6
Madhya Pradesh 11
Andhra Pradesh 3
Karnataka 5
Bihar 1
Kerala 6
Goa 1
Gujarat 4
Haryana 2
There are a total of 106 national parks in India as per the National Wildlife Database
released in January 2023. The state-wise list of the number of National Parks is provided
here:
State/Union Territory Number of National Parks
Himachal Pradesh 5
Mizoram 2
Jharkhand 1
Tamil Nadu 5
Sikkim 1
Chhattisgarh 3
Arunachal Pradesh 2
Maharashtra 6
Manipur 2
Assam 7
Tripura 2
Nagaland 1
There are a total of 106 national parks in India as per the National Wildlife Database
released in January 2023. The state-wise list of the number of National Parks is provided
here:
State/Union Territory Number of National Parks
Odisha 2
Rajasthan 5
Meghalaya 2
West Bengal 6
Telangana 3
Uttar Pradesh 1
Uttarakhand 6
Total 106
Latest National Park in India 2023
As per the database, Raimona National Park is the latest addition to National
Parks in India. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also under consideration for
upgrading to the national park status.
▪ Raimona National Park is the 6th national park in Assam. It is in the western
buffer to the Manas National Paark. Pekua river forms a boundary to the park.
▪ There are a total of six marine national parks in India.
▪ Omkareshwar National Park, MP was added in 2013.
▪ Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of national parks in India with a total
of 11 parks.
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Andhra Pradesh Papikonda National Park 1978
Rajiv Gandhi National Park
2005
(Rameswaram)
Sri Venkateswara National Park 1989
Arunachal Pradesh Mouling National Park 1982
Namdapha National Park 1974
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Assam Dibru-Saikhowa National Park 1999
Dehing Patkai National Park 2004
Raimona National Park 2021
Kaziranga National Park 1905
Manas National Park 1990
Nameri National Park 1998
Orang National Park 1985
List of National Parks in India

State Name of the National Park in India Established in

Bihar Valmiki National Park 1978
Chhattisgarh Guru Ghasidas National Park 1983
Indravati National Park 1975
Kanger Ghati National Park 1982
Goa Mollem National Park 1978
Gujarat Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar 1976
Gir Forest National Park 1965
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch 1982
Vansda National Park 1979
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Haryana Kalesar National Park 2003
Sultanpur National Park 1959
Himachal Pradesh Great Himalayan National Park 1984
Inderkilla National Park 2010
Khirganga National Park 2010
Pin Valley National Park 1987
Simbalbara National Park 2010
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Jharkhand Betla National Park 1974
Karnataka Anshi National Park 1987
Bandipur National Park 1974
Bannerghatta National Park 1974
Kudremukh National Park 1987
Nagarhole National Park 1988
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Kerala Anamudi Shola National Park 2003
Eravikulam National Park 1978
Mathikettan Shola National Park 2008
Pambadum Shola National Park 2003
Periyar National Park 1950
Silent Valley National Park 1985
List of National Parks in India
Name of the National Park in
State Established in
India
Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park 1968
Omkareshwar National Park 2013
Kanha National Park 1955
Kuno National Park 1981
Madhav National Park 1958
Mandla Plant Fossils National Park 1983
Panna National Park 1981
Pench National Park 1975
Sanjay National Park 1983
Satpura National Park 1981
Van Vihar National Park 1979
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Maharashtra Chandoli National Park 2004
Gugamal National Park 1974
Navegaon National Park 1975
Sanjay Gandhi National Park 1996
Tadoba National Park 1955
Manipur Keibul Lamjao National Park 1977
Sirohi National Park 1982
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Meghalaya Balphakram National Park 1987
Nokrek National Park 1986
Mizoram Murlen National Park 1991
Phawngpui Blue Mountain
1992
National Park
Nagaland Ntangki National Park 1993
Odisha Bhitarkanika National Park 1975
Simlipal National Park 1980
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Rajasthan Desert National Park 1981
Keoladeo National Park 1982
Mukundra Hills National Park 204
Ranthambore National Park 1980
Sariska Tiger Reserve 1979
Sikkim Khangchendzonga National Park 1977
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Tamil Nadu Guindy National Park 1977
Gulf of Mannar Marine National
1986
Park
Indira Gandhi Sanctuary and
1976
National Park
Mudumalai National Park 1940
Mukurthi National Park 2001
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
Telangana 1994
National Park
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali
1975
National Park
Mrugavani National Park 1994
Tripura Bison (Rajbari) National Park 2007
Clouded Leopard National Park 2007
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa National Park 1977
Uttarakhand Gangotri National Park 1989
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park 1955
Jim Corbett National Park 1936
Nanda Devi National Park 1982
Rajaji National Park 1983
Valley of Flowers National Park 1982
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
West Bengal Buxa Tiger Reserve 1983
Gorumara National Park 1949
Jaldapara National Park 2012
Neora Valley National Park 1986
Singalila National Park 1986
Sundarbans National Park 1984
List of National Parks in India

State Name of the National Park in India Established in

Andaman & Nicobar Islands Campbell Bay National Park 1992
Galathea National Park 1922
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park 1983
Middle Button Island National Park 1979
Mount Harriet National Park 1979
North Button Island National Park 1979
Rani Jhansi Marine National Park 1996
Saddle Peak National Park 1979
South Button Island National Park 1987
List of National Parks in India

Name of the National Park in

State Established in
India
Jammu & Kashmir Dachigam National Park 1981
Kishtwar National Park 1981
Kazinag National Park 1992
Salim Ali National Park 1986
Ladakh Hemis National Park 1981
Top 10 National Parks in India
As per the area covered, here are the top 10 National Parks in India:
1. Hemis National Park – 3350 km²
2. Desert National Park- 3162 km²
3. Gangotri National Park – 2390.02 km²
4. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park – 2191.5 km²
5. Namdapha National Park – 1807.82 km²
6. Khangchendzonga National Park- 1784 km²
7. Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park – 1440.71 km²
8. Sunderban National Park – 1330.1 km²
9. Indravati (Kutru) National Park – 1258.37 km²
10.Papikonda National Park -1012.8588 km²
 National Park, Tiger
State Reserve, Wildlife/Bird Important Facts Why in News
Sanctuary
The Atapaka Bird
Sanctuary has recently
It is located in Kolleru
become a safe breeding
Andhra Pradesh Atapaka Bird Sanctuary Lake, a Ramsar site in
ground for two migratory
India.
bird species- Grey Pelicans
and Painted Storks.
It covers the Guntur,
Prakasam, and Kurnool
districts of Andhra Pradesh
The number of tigers in the
and the Nalgonda and
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam
Mahabubnagar districts of
Tiger Reserve has gone up,
Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Telangana.It was
Andhra Pradesh reversing a declining trend,
Tiger Reserve recognized by Project
thanks to the efforts of the
Tiger in 1983
Tiger Conservation
Located in the deciduous
Foundation (TCF).
Nallamala Forests.
It covers a total area of
about 3,800 sq. Km.
 It is a Wildlife Sanctuary and also
a biodiversity hotspot near Zero town in
Arunachal Pradesh.Situated at an altitude of Recently, a new non-
Arunachal Tally Valley Wildlife 2400 meters. venomous burrowing species
Pradesh Sanctuary Pange, Sipu, Karing, and Subansiri rivers flow of snake-Trachischiumapteii,
through it. was found here.
Clouded Leopard and Pleioblastus Simone
Bamboo are found here.
It is Largest Protected Area in the Eastern
Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.It is also
Recently, The Indian Airforce
the third-largest National Park in India.
has inaugurated a resurfaced
Arunachal It is the only park in the world to be home to
Namdapha National Park runway at Vijaynagar(India’s
Pradesh four cats- snow leopards, clouded leopards,
easternmost village) near
common leopards, and tigers.
Namdapha National Park.
Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species in
India, is found here.
It falls within the Eastern Himalayan The government of Arunachal
biodiversity hotspot.It is also known as Pakhii is planning to build a 692.7
Arunachal
Pakke Tiger Reserve Tiger Reserve. km Highway called the East-
Pradesh
It is famous for its four resident hornbill West industrial corridor
species. through Pakke Tiger Reserve.
 It was declared a National Park in 1974,
a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985 and
a Tiger Reserve in 2007.It has also been
recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by The second wetland bird count
Assam Kaziranga National Park Birdlife International. was conducted here from 9th-
One-horned rhinos, tigers, wild water buffalo, 10th January 2020.
and swamp deer are found here.
River Brahmaputra flows to its North, and
river Diphlu runs through it.
It has the highest density of one-horned
rhinos in the world.It is also known as Mini
Kaziranga. Recently, two Asiatic wild
72% of the sanctuary is wet Savannah. water buffaloes died in
Assam Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Water hyacinth is a major problem in this Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Sanctuary. due to anthrax.
Chinese pangolins and Asiatic wild water
buffalo are also found here in abundance.
 It is the only Dolphin Sanctuary The Ministry of Shipping is
in IndiaIt spreads from Sultanganj planning to restrict the speed
to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur of vessels and blow sirens
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin
Bihar District on the Ganga river in and horns in the Vikramshila
Sanctuary
Bihar. dolphin sanctuary to
National waterways-1 passes safeguard the population of
through it. the Ganges river dolphin.
It is located in the North Goa
district.It was formed in 1999. Mahadayi Wildlife
It has been declared an Sanctuary can be declared as
Goa Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary International Bird Area by a tiger reserve under Project
Birdlife International. Tiger because Royal Bengal
It is located in the Mahadayi river Tiger is found here.
basin.
It is located in South-Eastern Recently, a black panther
Goa Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary Goa.Netravali river originates was spotted here for the first
from this sanctuary. time.
 Recently, The Ministry of
Environment and Forests has
declared an area of 1 kilometre
around the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife
It is spread across the Gurugram and
Sanctuary as an Eco-sensitive
Haryana Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary Faridabad districts of Haryana.It is at the
zone where activities like
end of the Aravali Biodiversity Corridor.
commercial mining, setting up of
industries, and development of
major hydroelectric projects will
not be allowed.
It was formed in the year 2007.It is
located at the tri-junction of Karnataka,
Kerala, and Tamil Nadu states.
It is the largest Protected Area in South
India. National Tiger Conservation
It has the second-highest Tiger population Authority (NTCA) convened an
in India and the largest habitat of wild inter-state meeting of senior
Karnataka Bandipur Tiger Reserve
elephants in South Asia. forest personnel from Karnataka,
it is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Kerala, and Tamil Nadu at
Reserve. Bandipur in June 2019.
Moyar River flows through it.
It shares a boundary with Nagarhole
National Park, Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary, and Mudumalai National Park.
 Malai Mahadeshwara
It is located in the
Wildlife Sanctuary is set to
Chamrajanagar district of
Malai Mahadeshwara be declared a tiger reserve
Karnataka Karnataka.Shola forest is
Wildlife Sanctuary soon, taking the total number
found here in higher
of Tiger Reserves in
altitudes.
Karnataka to six.
It was formed in 1987.It is
located in Karnataka’s
Recently, reports about
Chamrajanagar, Ramanagar,
several wild elephants dying
Karnataka Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Mandya districts.
of electrocution have come
Important species are
up.
Crocodiles, Otters, and
Hump-backed Mahseer Fish.
 It is located in the
Umariya district of MP in Recently, an elephant
Bandhavgarh National the Vidhya Ranges.It was colony was found in
Madhya Pradesh
Park declared National Park in Bandhavgarh Reserve
1968 and Tiger Reserve Forest for the first time.
in 1993.
It is located in the Sagar
district of MP.It spreads
across the Narmada and Recently, a successful
Nauradehi Wildlife
Madhya Pradesh Ganga river basins. tiger relocation program
Sanctuary
It is a Potential Site for was carried out here.
Cheetah re-introduction
in India from Africa.
 It is located in
Bhopal.Many free
Ranging animals like Here an amalgamation of
Chital, Sambhar, natural habitat and
Madhya Pradesh Van Vihar National Park
Chousingha, etc., and modern concept of Zoo
white tigers, leopards, management is present.
hyenas, and sloth bears
are present.
It is located in the Recently, The Madhya
Bhopal-Raisen forest Pradesh government has
Ratapani Wildlife division of Madhya decided to declare the
Madhya Pradesh
Sanctuary Pradesh.It covers an area Ratapani Wildlife
of about 890 sq. km. Sanctuary a Tiger
It has around 40 tigers. Reserve.
 Recently, due to the
It is the core area of the Ramsar dismantling of illegal
site in Chilika Lake.The Island prawn gheries inside
Odisha Nalbana Bird Sanctuary disappears during the Monsoon Chilika Lake, a record
due to flooding and re-emerges number of migratory
in the post-monsoon season. birds arrived at the
Nalbana Bird Sanctuary.
It is located in the Alwar district Recently, the 13th session
of Rajasthan.Famous for Royal of the Ministry of
Bengal Tiger. Tourism’s DEKHO
Rajasthan Sariska Tiger Reserve It’s a part of Project Tiger. APNA DESH webinar
Kankarwadi fort and pandupole titled- Destination-Sariska
temple are located within the Tiger Reserve’ was held
reserve. here.
 It is located in the Khammam district of
Telangana and East Godavari and West
Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.It is
spread across an area of over 1012.86 sq.
Kms.
Recently, the maiden survey
It was declared a National Park in 2008.
of butterfly species was
Telangana Papikonda National Park Godavari River flows through it.
conducted in the Papikonda
Deciduous forest is found in this
National Park.
National Park.
Important species found here are- Tigers,
mouse deer, gaur, etc.
It has been designated as an Important
Bird and Biodiversity Area.
In July 2019, A Ministry of
It is located in Nallamala Hills.It is Environment, Forests,
India’s second-largest tiger reserve, after and Climate change panel
the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger has recommended ‘in-
Telangana Amrabad Tiger Reserve
Reserve. principle’ permission for
Chenchu tribe, a Particularly Uranium survey and
Vulnerable Tribal Group is found here. exploration in Amrabad
Tiger Reserve.
 It is located on the
Indo-Nepal border in
Lakhimpur Kheri and
Bahraich
Recently, the elephant
districts.Many
safari was banned due
Dudhwa National tributaries of the
Uttar Pradesh to the shortage and
Park Ghaghara River flow
aggressive nature of
through it.
elephants.
It is the only place in
UP where both
Rhinos and Tigers are
found together.
Types of National Parks in India
There are two types of national parks in India. A brief explanation of both is shared
hereunder:
▪ Terrestrial National Parks: Terrestrial National Park means an area that is
protected under the guidance and care of the government. This protected area is
mostly spread over an area of at least 1000 hectares that protects the wildlife and
preserves it on land.
▪ Marine National Parks: The Marine National Parks, as the name implies, are
parks designed beside bodies of water, primarily the sea and lakes, to achieve
ecological sustainability and promote recreational activities that benefit coastal
communities.
3.Sanctuaries
In sanctuaries the protection is given to fauna only. The activities like harvesting of
timber, collection of forest products and private ownership rights are permitted so
long as they do not interfere with the wellbeing of the animals. The important wild
life sanctuaries are Chilka Wild Life Sanctuary (Orissa), Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
(Rajasthan), Sultanpur Bird sanctuary (Haryana) and Jalpara Sanctuary (West
Bengal). Maximum sanctuaries belong to Andaman and Nicobar.
The Project Tiger was launched in India in year 1973 with the assistance of WWF
(World Wild life Fund) after the recommendation of IBWL (Indian Board of Wild
Life). At present there are more than 20 tiger projects. (WWF after its silver jubilee
in 1986 has been renamed as World Fund for Nature (WFN). The symbol of WWF is
Giant Panda.
In India National Parks and Sanctuaries were created after formulation of Wild life
(protection) act in 1972. (This act was amended in 1991).
The sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia hills (Meghalaya), Aravalli hills
(Rajasthan), Western ghats (Karnataka and Maharashtra) and Sarguja, Chanda and
Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh.