Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India: A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing, and poaching of animals are strictly prohibited. As of now, India has a total of 573 Wildlife sanctuaries. They play a major role in protecting wildlife and act as a country’s natural wealth.
In this article, we have talked about the list of Wildlife sanctuaries of India, State, and Union Territory wise, the significance of wildlife sanctuaries, and why they are made.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing, and poaching of animals are strictly prohibited. As of now, India has a total of 573 Wildlife sanctuaries. They are created to provide animals with a comfortable life. In India, owing to its geographical diversity such wildlife sanctuaries are located in various states and union territories amidst mountains, rivers, and woods.
Wildlife Sanctuaries of India are classified as IUCN Category IV protected areas. The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 allowed the State government to declare specific regions as wildlife sanctuaries if they were deemed to be of sufficient ecological, geomorphologic, and natural value.
The main objective of establishing a wildlife sanctuary is to protect animals & to teach humans how to behave with the animals. Animals are taken care of and live peacefully in their natural habitats.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Given below is a list of the number of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, State and Union Territory wise.
Serial no. |
State/UT |
Total number of Wildlife Sanctuaries |
---|---|---|
1. |
Andhra Pradesh |
13 |
2. |
Arunachal Pradesh |
11 |
3. |
Assam |
18 |
4. |
Bihar |
12 |
5. |
Chhattisgarh |
11 |
6. |
Goa |
6 |
7. |
Gujarat |
23 |
8. |
Haryana |
8 |
9. |
Himachal Pradesh |
28 |
10. |
Jammu & Kashmir |
15 |
11. |
Jharkhand |
11 |
12. |
Karnataka |
30 |
13. |
Kerala |
17 |
14. |
Madhya Pradesh |
25 |
15. |
Maharashtra |
42 |
16. |
Manipur |
2 |
17. |
Meghalaya |
4 |
18. |
Mizoram |
8 |
19. |
Nagaland |
3 |
20. |
Odisha |
19 |
21. |
Punjab |
13 |
22. |
Rajasthan |
25 |
23. |
Sikkim |
7 |
24. |
Tamil Nadu |
29 |
25. |
Tripura |
4 |
26. |
Uttar Pradesh |
25 |
27. |
Uttarakhand |
7 |
28. |
West Bengal |
15 |
29. |
Telangana |
9 |
30. |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
96 |
31. |
Chandigarh |
2 |
32. |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
1 |
33. |
Lakshadweep |
1 |
34. |
Daman & Diu |
1 |
35. |
Delhi |
1 |
36. |
Pondicherry |
1 |
Significance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
One way to conserve endangered animals is to build a Wildlife sanctuary. However, this is not an easy task as relocating animals from their native habitats is quite difficult. It is equally important to ensure their safety. Due to which, such endangered animals are carefully monitored in a wildlife sanctuary.
In some wildlife sanctuaries, animals who have been injured are treated, given proper care and once they recover they are released back into the wild. Also, at times a few animals might be preserved to ensure breeding in the conservation areas to increase their chances of survival, to see if they can reproduce in order to increase their number while they are protected. Animal refuges safeguard threatened animals and protect them from predators and people.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India- State wise
Given below is a list of the some of the famous Wildlife Sanctuaries present in the various states of India.
Sr. No. |
State |
Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries |
1. | Tripura |
|
2. | Meghalaya |
|
3. | Nagaland |
|
4. | Sikkim |
|
5. | Manipur |
|
6. | Mizoram |
|
7. | Assam |
|
8. | Arunachal Pradesh |
|
9. | West Bengal |
|
10. | Uttar Pradesh |
|
11. | TamilNadu |
|
12. | Punjab |
|
13. | Rajasthan |
|
14. | Uttarakhand |
|
15. | Orissa |
|
16. | Kerala |
|
17. | Maharashtra |
|
18. | Madhya Pradesh |
|
19. | Karnataka |
|
20. | Jharkhand |
|
21. | Himachal Pradesh |
|
22. | Gujarat |
|
23. | Andhra Pradesh |
|
24. | Telangana |
|
25. | Chhattisgarh |
|
26. | Bihar |
|
27. | Goa |
|
28. | Haryana |
|
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India- Union Territories
Given below is a list of the Wildlife Sanctuaries present in the various Union Territories of India.
Serial no. |
Union Territory |
Wildlife Sanctuaries |
---|---|---|
1. |
Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
|
2. |
Jammu & Kashmir |
|
3. |
Lakshadweep |
|
4. |
Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu |
|
5. |
Pondicherry |
|
Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Here are brief descriptions of some important wildlife sanctuaries in India:
- Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand): Amidst he foothills of the Himalayas, exists one of India’s oldest national parks- the Jim Corbett National Park. It os famous for housing Bengal Tigers and a diverse range of flora and fauna like Asian Elephants, Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, and over 600 species of birds.
- Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan): Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is famous for Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sloth Bears, and a variety of bird species.
- Kaziranga National Park (Assam): Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous worldwide for its population of Indian Rhinoceros, being the highest no. of rhinoceros found in the world. Other major animals found are: Asian Elephants, Bengal Tigers, Wild Water Buffaloes, and a diverse birdlife, including the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork.
- Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal): Sunderbans, a vast mangrove forest, is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for being the home for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Saltwater Crocodile and the Indian Otter are also seen here.
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala): Amidst the Western Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its population of Indian Elephants and Bengal Tigers. It also offers boat safaris on the Periyar Lake to spot wildlife.
- Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat): In the world, Gir Forest National Park is the only place where Asiatic Lions can be found. Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, Indian Cobras, and a variety of bird species are found as well.
- Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh): With one of the highest densities of Bengal Tigers in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s famous for the Indian Bison (Gaur) and various species of deer.
- Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Kanha National Park is famous for its lush forests and diverse wildlife including the Bengal Tigers, Indian Bison (Gaur), Barasingha Deer (Hardground Swamp Deer), Indian Leopards, and various bird species.
Conclusion
A very important role is played by Wildlife sanctuaries. A wildlife sanctuary is an area where in animals and birds are protected and kept safe in their natural habitats and illegal activities like poaching and trafficking are prohibited. Such areas are directly controlled by the government and at times, owned privately by charities and research institutes. India has a total of 543 wildlife sanctuaries.
With India being rich in its geography and diversity, several wildlife sanctuaries are located amongst the picturesque landscape of large rivers, forests and mountains. Thus we see how, Wildlife sanctuaries protect wildlife, enhance research and conservation, spread awareness and promote ecotourism.
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FAQs on Wildlife Sanctuaries of India: Importance & List
What is a wildlife sanctuary?
A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing and poaching of animals is strictly prohibited.
Which is the 1st largest wildlife sanctuary in India?
Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam is one of the largest wildlife santuary in India.
How many wildlife sanctuaries are in India?
There are 573 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India as of now.
Which is the very famous wildlife sanctuary in India?
Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is a very famous wildlife santuary in India.
Which is the smallest sanctuary in India?
The smallest sanctuary in India is the Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.