National Parks

Introduction

• National Parks: Protected areas that preserve natural heritage and ecological balance.
• Important topic in UPSC exams, explained through animation.
• Foundation Course 2024 includes various classes and revision modules.

Biodiversity of India

• Only 2% of India's land, but habitat for more than 7.5% of animal species.
• Significant plant diversity, ranked fourth in Asia and tenth in the world.

History of National Parks

• Under Article 48: Environment, forest, and wildlife protection are state responsibilities.
• Establishment of National Parks under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• First National Park: Halli National Park (now Jim Corbett) in 1936.

Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh

• Hemis National Park: The largest national park in India.
• Dachigam National Park: Famous animals like Hangul or Kashmir stag.
• Salim Ali National Park: Established in 1986, musk deer, Himalayan black deer.
• Nala Catchment, Kaziranga National Park.

Himachal Pradesh

• Inderkilla, Khirganga, Great Himalayan, Pin Valley, Simbal Bara National Parks.

Uttarakhand

• Jim Corbett, Govindpur, Gangotri, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers National Parks.
• Dudhwa National Park: The only national park in Uttar Pradesh.

Bihar

• Valmiki National Park: Various exotic and dangerous species.

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh

• Khangchendzonga: Mixed heritage site.
• Namdapha, Mouling National Parks.

Assam

• Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehing Patkai, Kaziranga, Manas National Parks.
• Amchang, Raimona.

Nagaland

• Intanki National Park: Established by British administrator in 1923.

Manipur

• Keibul Lamjao (Floating), Sirohi National Parks.

Mizoram

• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain), Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tripura

• Clouded Leopard, Rajbari National Parks.

Meghalaya

• Balphakram, Nokrek National Parks.

West Bengal

• Buxa, Gorumara, Jaldapara, Neora Valley, Singalila, Sundarbans National Parks.

Jharkhand

• Betla National Park.

Odisha

• Bhitarkanika, Similipal National Parks.

Andhra Pradesh

• Papikonda, Rajiv Gandhi, Sri Venkateswara National Parks.

Telangana

• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, Mahavir Harina Vanasthali, Mrugavani National Parks.

Tamil Nadu

• Guindy, Gulf of Mannar, Indira Gandhi Annamalai, Mudumalai, Mukurthi National Parks.

Kerala

• Anamudi Shola, Eravikulam, Pampadum Shola, Silent Valley, Periyar National Parks.

Karnataka

• Anshi, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh, Nagarhole National Parks.

Goa

• Mollem National Park (Bhagwan Mahavir) National Park.

Maharashtra

• Gugamal, Navegaon, Pench, Sanjay Gandhi, Tadoba National Parks.

Gujarat

• Blackbuck National Park, Gir, Gulf of Kutch, Vansda National Parks.

Madhya Pradesh

• Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Kuno National Parks, Panna, Dinosaur Fossil, Satpura, Van Vihar National Parks.

Chhattisgarh

• Guru Ghasidas, Indravati National Parks.

Rajasthan

• Desert, Keoladeo, Mukundra Hills, Ranthambore, Sariska National Parks.

Haryana

• Kalesar, Sultanpur National Parks.