Mapping India's Important National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
India is home to a rich and diverse wildlife, protected in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These areas are designated to conserve the country's natural heritage, including forests, animals, and plants. National parks and sanctuaries are crucial for the survival of endangered species and maintaining ecological balance.
1. National Parks of India
National Parks are protected areas established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. Human activities like forestry, poaching, and hunting are strictly prohibited in these areas.
Important National Parks of India:
Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand):
- Significance: India's first national park, established in 1936, famous for Bengal tigers.
- Key Species: Bengal tiger, elephant, leopards, reptiles.
- River: The Ramganga River flows through the park.
Kaziranga National Park (Assam):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
- Key Species: One-horned rhinos, tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo.
- River: The Brahmaputra River runs through the park.
Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its mangrove forests and Bengal tigers.
- Key Species: Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer.
- Ecosystem: Largest mangrove forest in the world.
Gir National Park (Gujarat):
- Significance: The only place in the world where Asiatic lions exist in the wild.
- Key Species: Asiatic lions, leopards, deer, hyenas.
Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan):
- Significance: Known for its tiger population and historic Ranthambore Fort.
- Key Species: Bengal tigers, sloth bears, sambar deer, Indian leopards.
Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh):
- Significance: Known for its high density of Bengal tigers.
- Key Species: Tigers, leopards, Indian bison, and a variety of birds.
Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site, important for migratory birds.
- Key Species: Siberian cranes, pelicans, ducks, storks.
Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh):
- Significance: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.”
- Key Species: Bengal tigers, barasingha (swamp deer), leopards, Indian wild dog.
2. Wildlife Sanctuaries of India
Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected areas where specific animals or birds are conserved. Unlike national parks, certain human activities like grazing or resource extraction may be allowed with restrictions.
Important Wildlife Sanctuaries of India:
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala):
- Significance: Known for its population of elephants and the artificial lake formed by the Periyar River.
- Key Species: Elephants, tigers, leopards, Nilgiri langurs.
Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka):
- Significance: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, known for its rich biodiversity.
- Key Species: Tigers, Indian bison, elephants, wild dogs.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park) (Rajasthan):
- Significance: Famous for migratory birds, especially during the winter season.
- Key Species: Siberian cranes, painted storks, pelicans.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam):
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its rare and endangered species.
- Key Species: Assam roofed turtles, pygmy hogs, golden langurs.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka):
- Significance: Known for its tiger population and scenic landscapes.
- Key Species: Tigers, leopards, elephants, and Indian gaurs.
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka):
- Significance: A lush forested region rich in flora and fauna.
- Key Species: Black panthers, Indian bison, Malabar giant squirrel.
3. Conservation Significance
Biodiversity Hotspots:
- Many of India’s national parks and sanctuaries are located in biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, and the Sundarbans.
- These regions support a vast range of plant and animal species, many of which are endemic and endangered.
Project Tiger:
- Several national parks like Corbett, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha are part of Project Tiger, launched in 1973 to protect Bengal tigers from extinction.
Project Elephant:
- Wildlife sanctuaries like Periyar and Nagarhole are essential for the conservation of Asian elephants under Project Elephant.
Wetland Ecosystems:
- Keoladeo and Sundarbans are critical wetland ecosystems, protecting migratory bird species and serving as flood control buffers.
Statement-Based MCQs on National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
1. Consider the following statements:
- Kaziranga National Park is famous for its population of Bengal tigers and is located in Assam.
- The Gir National Park is the only natural habitat for Asiatic lions in the world.
- Sundarbans National Park is known for its mangrove forests and is the largest tiger reserve in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2, and 3
d) 2 only
Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because Kaziranga National Park is famous for its Indian one-horned rhinoceroses, not Bengal tigers.
2. Consider the following statements:
- Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Rajasthan.
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is known for its population of Asiatic lions.
- Jim Corbett National Park was the first national park established in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its Assam roofed turtles, pygmy hogs, and golden langurs, not for Asiatic lions.
3. Consider the following statements:
- Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala is known for its population of elephants and is located near an artificial lake formed by the Periyar River.
- Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh has one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in India.
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Karnataka.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2, and 3
d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: c) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: All the statements are correct.
Match the Following MCQs
1. Match the following national parks with their states:
| National Parks | States |
|---|
| 1. Sundarbans National Park | a) Rajasthan |
| 2. Kaziranga National Park | b) Madhya Pradesh |
| 3. Ranthambore National Park | c) Assam |
| 4. Bandhavgarh National Park | d) West Bengal |
Options:
a) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
b) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
c) 1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b
d) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
Answer: a) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
2. Match the following wildlife sanctuaries with their key species:
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | Key Species |
|---|
| 1. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary | a) One-horned rhinoceros |
| 2. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | b) Elephants, Nilgiri langurs |
| 3. Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary | c) Asiatic lions |
| 4. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary | d) Siberian cranes, storks |
Options:
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b
d) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
Answer: a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
