India’s wildlife is vast, diverse, and breathtaking. From lush forests to arid deserts, the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India protect countless species and preserve the country’s natural balance. Each park tells its own story of struggle, recovery, and survival. Below is a detailed guide to the top 10 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, complete with facts, figures, and insights that you won’t find in generic articles.
Quick Overview of Top 10 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
| Name | State | Area (km²) | Key Attractions & Species |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | 520 | Bengal tigers, elephants, rich birdlife |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | 890 | One-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, elephants |
| Gir National Park & Sanctuary | Gujarat | 1,153 | Asiatic lions, leopards, antelopes |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 450 | Highest tiger density in India |
| Manas National Park | Assam | 500 | Rhinos, wild buffalo, golden langur |
| Hemis National Park | Ladakh | 4,400 | Snow leopards, Himalayan blue sheep |
| Desert National Park | Rajasthan | 3,162 | Desert fox, Great Indian bustard |
| Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | 392 | Tigers, ancient fort ruins, crocodiles |
| Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | 427 | Elephants, Nilgiri langur, birdlife |
| Silent Valley National Park | Kerala | 90 | Lion-tailed macaque, rare orchids |
Jim Corbett National Park: India’s First National Park and Tiger Conservation Leader
Established in 1936, Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand stands as India’s first and most historic national park. Spanning over 520 square kilometers, Corbett is known for its thick sal forests, grasslands, and river valleys that make it an ideal tiger habitat. The park forms part of the larger Corbett Tiger Reserve, a key section of Project Tiger.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Year of Establishment: 1936
- Famous For: Bengal tigers and Asian elephants
- Best Time to Visit: November to June
- Unique Feature: India’s first eco-tourism destination offering jeep safaris and elephant rides
Why Visit Jim Corbett
Jim Corbett offers a classic wilderness experience dense forest trails, pristine rivers, and thriving biodiversity. It’s perfect for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to explore India’s oldest conservation area.
Kaziranga National Park: The Land of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most successful wildlife conservation stories in India. Located in Assam, this park covers approximately 890 square kilometers and houses over 2,400 one-horned rhinoceroses, which is nearly two-thirds of the world’s total population.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1905 (as a reserve forest), 1974 (as a national park)
- Major Species: Rhino, tiger, swamp deer, and wild buffalo
- Bird Species: Over 480 recorded species
- Ecosystem Type: Floodplain grasslands and wetlands
Why Visit Kaziranga
Kaziranga is not just about rhinos. It’s also a thriving ecosystem with a high tiger population and a paradise for birdwatchers. Safari experiences through its vast wetlands give visitors a real sense of raw, untouched nature.
Gir National Park and Sanctuary: The Only Home of Asiatic Lions
Spread across 1,153 square kilometers, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the last natural refuge of the Asiatic lion. The population has shown a steady increase, crossing 890 individuals as per recent counts, a huge conservation success for India.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1965
- Famous For: Asiatic lions, leopards, and hyenas
- Vegetation Type: Dry deciduous forest and scrubland
- Nearby Attractions: Kamleshwar Dam and Kankai Mata Temple
Why Visit Gir
Gir’s rugged landscape and rising lion population make it one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in India. Visitors can enjoy guided safaris where spotting a lion in the wild feels almost cinematic.
Bandhavgarh National Park: The Tiger Capital of India
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is often called the Tiger Capital of India for its unmatched tiger density. Covering an area of about 450 km², this park is surrounded by lush forests and ancient ruins that blend heritage with wilderness.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1968
- Tiger Density: Highest in India (approx. 8–10 tigers per 100 km²)
- Landscape: Hills, grasslands, and valleys
- Other Wildlife: Sloth bears, leopards, deer species
Why Visit Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh offers visitors one of the best chances to see tigers in the wild. It’s a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts seeking authentic wildlife experiences in central India.
Manas National Park: Assam’s Untamed UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, Manas National Park spans nearly 500 square kilometers along the India-Bhutan border. Known for its scenic beauty and endangered species, Manas is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Tiger Reserve.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1985 (as a national park)
- UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site since 1985
- Major Fauna: Tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhino, wild buffalo
- Vegetation: Grasslands and semi-evergreen forests
Why Visit Manas
Manas offers a mix of wilderness and culture. It’s one of the few parks where elephants and rhinos roam freely amid Himalayan foothills, offering a peaceful yet wild escape.
Hemis National Park: High-Altitude Kingdom of the Snow Leopard
Hemis National Park in Ladakh is India’s largest national park, covering over 4,400 square kilometers. It is also one of the highest-altitude parks in the world, famous for its elusive snow leopards with an estimated 200 individuals living in its cold desert terrain.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Altitude Range: 3,000 to 6,000 meters above sea level
- Main Species: Snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, red fox
- Vegetation: Alpine steppe and sparse meadows
- Best Season: May to September
Why Visit Hemis
Hemis offers adventure and solitude. It’s ideal for trekkers, researchers, and those interested in high-altitude ecology and snow leopard conservation.
Desert National Park: Rajasthan’s Golden Wilderness
Located in Jaisalmer, Desert National Park is one of the largest protected areas in India, covering around 3,162 km². The park showcases how life thrives in extreme arid conditions, from thorny shrubs to desert reptiles.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Main Species: Desert fox, chinkara, Great Indian bustard
- Climate: Hot summers, cool winters, low rainfall
- Vegetation Type: Arid and semi-arid desert flora
- Unique Feature: Fossils dating back 180 million years
Why Visit Desert National Park
It’s not just sand dunes; this park highlights desert biodiversity. The Great Indian Bustard, one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, is a major attraction here.
Ranthambore National Park: Where History Meets Wildlife
Ranthambore National Park, spread across 392 km² in Rajasthan, is one of the most famous tiger reserves in India. The park’s ancient fort, lakes, and dense vegetation provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife safaris.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1980
- Famous For: Bengal tigers and historical ruins
- Topography: Lakes, rocky outcrops, dry deciduous forest
- Accessibility: Well-connected by road and rail from major cities
Why Visit Ranthambore
Ranthambore offers a thrilling blend of history and wildlife. Tigers can often be seen resting near the lakes or ruins, perfect for visitors wanting a scenic, accessible wildlife adventure.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: The Green Heart of Kerala
In Kerala’s Western Ghats, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary covers 427 km² of tropical forest around a serene lake. The sanctuary is known for its elephants, dense vegetation, and eco-tourism initiatives.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Major Species: Elephants, gaurs, Nilgiri langur, birds
- Eco Activities: Boat safaris, nature walks, bamboo rafting
- Landscape: Evergreen forest surrounding Periyar Lake
- Best Time to Visit: October to June
Why Visit Periyar
Periyar offers a peaceful environment where wildlife and human coexistence thrive. It’s an ideal destination for eco-tourism and nature exploration in South India.
Silent Valley National Park: Kerala’s Untouched Rainforest
Silent Valley National Park, nestled in the Nilgiri Hills of Kerala, spans around 90 km² of dense evergreen forest. It is among the least disturbed tropical rainforests in the country and home to many rare and endemic species.
Key Facts and Highlights
- Established: 1984
- Famous For: Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel
- Habitat Type: Evergreen rainforest
- Special Feature: Minimal human interference, unbroken canopy
Why Visit Silent Valley
Silent Valley represents nature at its purest. The untouched forest, clear streams, and unique wildlife make it a must-see for those interested in India’s biodiversity and conservation success.
What is the difference between a Wildlife Sanctuary and a National Park in India?
Understanding the difference between a wildlife sanctuary and a national park in India is essential for students, travelers, and conservation enthusiasts. While both serve the purpose of protecting wildlife, their objectives, boundaries, and legal restrictions differ significantly.
A National Park is primarily established to protect the biodiversity, flora, and fauna of a region. It is a strictly protected area where human activities like hunting, grazing, or private land ownership are completely prohibited. National Parks generally cover larger areas and are clearly demarcated with fixed boundaries.
On the other hand, a Wildlife Sanctuary is created mainly to prevent hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. Sanctuaries often have flexible boundaries and may permit limited human activity under regulation, such as livestock grazing or tourism. Some sanctuaries also include core zones where no human entry is allowed to ensure absolute safety for animals.
Quick Comparison Points
- Purpose: National Parks protect complete ecosystems; Wildlife Sanctuaries focus on species and habitat safety.
- Boundary: National Parks have fixed legal borders; Sanctuaries often have open or flexible boundaries.
- Human Activity: Strictly restricted in National Parks; partly allowed in Sanctuaries.
- Examples: Jim Corbett and Kaziranga (National Parks); Dudhwa and Bandipur (Sanctuaries).
FAQs on National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
1. How many National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are there in India in 2025?
India has 170 National Parks and 565 Wildlife Sanctuaries as of 2025.
2. Which is India’s first National Park?
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, established in 1936, is India’s first.
3. Which National Park is famous for one-horned rhinoceroses?
Kaziranga National Park in Assam is world-famous for its one-horned rhinos.
4. Where can you see Asiatic lions in India?
Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only home of Asiatic lions in the wild.
5. Which National Park has the highest tiger density in India?
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger density.
6. What makes Manas National Park special?
Manas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rhinos, tigers, and golden langurs.
7. Which is the largest National Park in India?
Hemis National Park in Ladakh, covering 4,400 km², is India’s largest.
8. Which park protects the Great Indian Bustard?
The Desert National Park in Rajasthan safeguards this critically endangered bird.
9. What is the key difference between National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries?
National Parks protect entire ecosystems with strict laws; Sanctuaries focus on species protection with limited human activity.
10. Which is the best National Park for eco-tourism in South India?
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is famous for its eco-tourism and lake safaris.