Biggest National Parks in India
A national park is a designated area of land, usually owned and managed by the government of a country, that is set aside and protected for its natural, cultural, or historical significance. National parks are established to preserve and conserve ecosystems, wildlife, unique landscapes, and important cultural or historical sites for the enjoyment and benefit of both present and future generations.
National parks exhibit considerable diversity in their dimensions, geographical placement, and the array of ecosystems and attributes they safeguard. These enclaves might span forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, lakes, coastlines, caves, archaeological sites, and beyond. Moreover, the extent of safeguarding measures and regulations within a national park can fluctuate based on the distinct aims and preferences of the managing entity.
1.Hemis National Park
Location: Ladakh
Establishment Year: 1981
Area: 4,400 sq km
Hemis National Park, situated in Ladakh, stands as India’s largest National Park, spanning 4,400 square kilometers. Established in 1981, this park serves as a sanctuary for the endangered snow leopard, and it’s also home to diverse wildlife such as Brown bears, Red foxes, Tibetan wolves, Bharal, and more.
2.Desert National Park
Location: Rajasthan
Establishment Year: 1992
Area: 3,162 sq km
Nestled within Rajasthan’s Thar desert, Desert National Park secures its position as India’s second-largest National Park, spanning 3,162 square kilometers. Notably, the park shelters the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, a bird species acknowledged as such by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Migratory birds also find refuge within this park’s boundaries.
3.Gangotri National Park
Gangotri National Park, established in 1989, graces Uttarakhand’s landscape. Covering a vast expanse of 2,390.02 square kilometers, the park’s elevation unfurls across a spectrum from 1,800 to 7,084 meters. The National Park cradles the Gangotri glacier, which serves as the fount of the sacred Bhagirathi river. This varied altitude range accommodates an assortment of flora and fauna within the park’s precincts.
4.Namdapha National Park
Location: Arunachal Pradesh
Establishment Year: 1983
Area: 1,985.2 sq km
Situated in the enchanting northeastern realm of Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha National Park emerges as India’s fourth largest National Park. The park, designated in 1983, blankets an expanse of 1,985.2 square kilometers. This dual-role domain serves as both a National Park and a Tiger Reserve, harboring an array of formidable felines: Tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, and snow leopards. An impressive diversity of 1,285 fauna species also graces this landscape.
5.Khangchendzonga National Park
Location: Sikkim
Establishment Year: 1977
Area: 1,784 sq km
Seated within Sikkim’s embrace, Khangchendzonga National Park attains UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This park, also designated as a biosphere reserve, is christened in honor of Kanchenjunga, the planet’s third-highest mountain peak. An assembly of diverse flora and fauna thrives within this realm, unveiling the intricate tapestry of the Eastern Himalayan ecosystem.
Positioned approximately 50 kilometers from the capital city of Gangtok, the park’s inception dates back to 1977. Its expansive grasp envelops an area spanning 1,784 square kilometers.
6.Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park
Location: Chhattisgarh
Establishment Year: 1981
Area: 1,440.7 sq km
Embedded within the verdant embrace of Chhattisgarh, Guru Ghasidas National Park, also recognized as Sanjay National Park, emerges as a prominent presence. This park’s genesis traces back to the year 1981, and it gained the recent distinction of a tiger reserve in 2014. Its stature as one of India’s expansive National Parks is solidified by its sprawling reach, which spans 1,440.7 square kilometers.
7.Gir National Park
Location: Gujarat
Establishment Year: 1965
Area: 1,412 sq km
Gir National Park is located in the western region of India, specifically in Gujarat. The park was established in 1965, encompassing a vast expanse that stretches across 1,412 square kilometers. This National Park stands as the sole location beyond Africa where one can witness a lion in its undisturbed environment.
The lions inhabiting Gir showcase a regal aura, with an average length of 2.75 meters, and distinctive attributes such as a more substantial tail tuft, bushier elbow tufts, and noticeable belly folds, setting them apart from their African relatives who possess a more voluminous mane. Gir’s embrace extends to 40 species of mammals and a diverse array of 425 bird species.
8.Sundarbans National Park
Location: West Bengal
Establishment Year: 1984
Area: 1,330.1 sq km
In the heart of West Bengal lies the renowned Sundarbans National Park, nestled within the embrace of the Sunderbans delta – the planet’s largest river delta. This National Park’s inception in 1984 added to the legacy of this natural wonder. Encompassing an expanse of 1,330.1 square kilometers, it stands as a celebrated bastion of the regal Royal Bengal Tiger. The park, designated as both a Tiger Reserve and a biosphere reserve, beckons explorers to uncover its wild treasures.
9.Jim Corbett National Park
Location: Uttarakhand
Establishment Year: 1936
Area: 1,318 sq km
Jim Corbett National Park, situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state, holds the distinction of being India’s first national park. Its establishment dates back to 1936 during the British Raj when it was christened Hailey National Park in honor of William Malcolm Hailey, the governor of the United Provinces wherein it resided at the time. Following India’s independence, in 1956, the park underwent a renaming, transforming into Corbett National Park as a tribute to the hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett.
Furthermore, the park earned the distinction of being the pioneering participant in the Project Tiger initiative. Encompassing an area of 1,318 square kilometers this exceptional tiger habitat plays the role of a guardian for the nation’s most imperiled species – the majestic Tigers, rightfully termed the Royal wildlife of India.
10.Indravati (Kutru) National Park
Location: Chhattisgarh
Establishment Year: 1975
Area: 1,258 sq km
Yet another expansive conservation realm in Chhattisgarh, the Indravati National Park draws its name from the adjacent Indravati River. This woodland habitat gains prominence for sheltering the endangered Wild Asian Buffalo.
Encompassing a sprawling span of 1,258 square kilometers, the National Park’s inception dates back to 1975. Its significance grew further when it attained the distinction of a Tiger Reserve in 1983.
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