Jim Corbett National Park, established in 1936, is India’s first national park. It is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand and is named after the British hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett. The park is known for its diverse wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and leopards.
Largest national park in India
The largest national park in India is the Hemis National Park, located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It has an area of about 4,400 square kilometers. It is also the second-largest protected area in India after the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. This park is famous for its snow leopards and also for the rare animals like the bharal (blue sheep), marmot, and the Himalayan musk deer.
How many national parks are in India?
As of 2021, there are 103 national parks in India, spread across 26 states and 4 union territories. These national parks are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. They are established to protect and conserve the country’s rich biodiversity and wildlife. Some of the well-known national parks in India include Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, and Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan.
Top 10 national parks in India
- Kaziranga National Park, Assam – Known for its large population of one-horned rhinoceroses.
- Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand – India’s first national park and home to a wide variety of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and leopards.
- Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh – Famous for its hardground Barasingha and tigers.
- Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan – Known for its tigers and ancient fortresses.
- Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal – Home to the Bengal tiger, as well as a variety of other wildlife species.
- Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat – The only place in the world where Asiatic lions can be found in the wild.
- Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka – Known for its elephants, tigers, and leopards.
- Periyar National Park, Kerala – Famous for its elephants, bison, and sambar deer.
- Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh – Known for its high density of tigers and leopards.
- Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra – Known for its tigers and rich biodiversity.
Smallest national park in India
The smallest national park in India is the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It has an area of about 10.5 square kilometers. It is also a biosphere reserve, formed in 1986, and is the first marine biosphere reserve of India. It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar and is known for its diverse marine life, including coral reefs, mangroves, and a variety of fish and invertebrate species.
Latest national park in India
As of 2021, the most recent national park established in India is the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, which was declared a national park by the Gujarat government on October 2021. It is spread over an area of around 123 sq km, located in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. It is known for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of fauna and flora, and is home to many rare and endangered species such as the leopard, Indian bison, and the four-horned antelope.
Asia’s first national park
Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, established in 1976, is considered the first national park in Asia. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the Solukhumbu district, and is known for its spectacular mountain views and rich biodiversity. The park is named after Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepali, which is the highest peak in the world and is located within the park’s boundaries. The park is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the Himalayan tahr, snow leopard, and musk deer. It is also home to many ethnic groups such as Sherpa, whose culture and lifestyle are closely linked to the park’s biodiversity and its resources.
first national park in Assam
The first national park established in the state of Assam, India is the Kaziranga National Park. It was established in 1908 as a reserve forest and was later declared a national park in 1974. The park is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state and is known for its large population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as a variety of other wildlife such as elephants, tigers, and water buffaloes. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Jim Corbet national park
Jim Corbett National Park is a national park located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The park covers an area of approximately 520 square kilometers and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, leopards, and over 600 species of birds. It is a popular destination for wildlife tourism and is known for its scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities such as jungle safaris, bird watching, and fishing.