National Parks, Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves
Overview
India has 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and 18 Biosphere Reserves (as of latest data). These protected areas conserve biodiversity under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. SSC CGL and CHSL frequently test specific states, animals, establishment years, and UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserves. India's first National Park is Jim Corbett (1936), and the first Biosphere Reserve is Nilgiri (1986). Knowing state-wise locations and flagship species is essential for scoring in the Static GK section.
Typed Notes
Important National Parks — State & Flagship Species
SSC frequently asks state-park-animal combinations. Key pairs: Kaziranga (Assam) — One-horned Rhino; Manas (Assam) — Golden Langur & Tiger; Ranthambore (Rajasthan) — Tiger; Sariska (Rajasthan) — Tiger; Kanha (Madhya Pradesh) — Barasingha (Hard-ground Swamp Deer); Bandhavgarh (MP) — highest tiger density; Periyar (Kerala) — Elephant & Tiger; Nagarhole (Karnataka) — Elephant; Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand) — alpine flora, UNESCO WHS. Remembering the state is as important as the park name in SSC papers.
Biosphere Reserves — UNESCO MAB List (12 Recognised)
India's 12 UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserves (exam-critical): 1. Nilgiri (2000) — first; 2. Gulf of Mannar (2001); 3. Sundarbans (2001); 4. Nanda Devi (2004); 5. Nokrek (2009) — Meghalaya; 6. Pachmarhi (2009) — MP; 7. Simlipal (2009) — Odisha; 8. Achanakmar-Amarkantak (2012); 9. Great Nicobar (2013); 10. Agasthyamala (2016) — Kerala/Tamil Nadu; 11. Khangchendzonga (2018) — Sikkim; 12. Panna (2020) — MP. Tip: Nilgiri covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka — largest Biosphere Reserve in India.
Wildlife Sanctuaries & Project Tiger / Project Elephant
Project Tiger was launched on 1 April 1973 at Jim Corbett; India now has 53 Tiger Reserves. Project Elephant launched 1992. Key sanctuaries: Bharatpur (Keoladeo Ghana) — Rajasthan, UNESCO WHS, migratory birds; Chilika Lake — Odisha, largest coastal lagoon, Irrawaddy dolphins; Vedanthangal — Tamil Nadu, oldest bird sanctuary; Sultanpur — Haryana, birds. Dachigam (J&K) — Hangul (Kashmir Stag). Manjira (Telangana) — Gharial. SSC often asks 'which sanctuary is famous for which animal/bird'.
Memory Hooks & Exam Tips
Use acronyms to recall UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: 'Nilgiri Gulf Sunder Nanda NOkrek Pach Simli Achan Great Agas Khan Panna' — first letters N-G-S-N-N-P-S-A-G-A-K-P. Remember: National Parks allow NO human activity; Sanctuaries allow limited human activity; Biosphere Reserves have core, buffer, and transition zones. Highest number of National Parks: Madhya Pradesh (11). Largest National Park: Hemis (Ladakh). Smallest National Park: South Button Island (Andaman & Nicobar). These superlatives are SSC favourites.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand, 1936) — India's FIRST National Park; named after hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett; Project Tiger launched here in 1973.
- 02India has 18 Biosphere Reserves; 12 of them are recognised by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme — Nilgiri was the FIRST (2000).
- 03Kaziranga National Park (Assam) — UNESCO World Heritage Site; home to 2/3 of world's one-horned rhinoceroses; also has tigers, elephants, wild buffalo.
- 04Sundarbans (West Bengal) — largest mangrove forest in the world; UNESCO WHS; famous for Royal Bengal Tiger; also a Biosphere Reserve.
- 05Gir National Park (Gujarat) — ONLY habitat of Asiatic Lion in the wild; established 1965; also called Sasan Gir.
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
Which National Park was the first to be established in India and in which state is it located?
How many Biosphere Reserves in India are recognised by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, and which was the first?
Gir National Park is the only natural habitat of which animal, and in which state is it situated?
Kaziranga National Park is famous for which animal and in which state is it located? What is its UNESCO status?
Which is the largest National Park in India and where is it located?
For SSC CGL/CHSL, focus on: India's firsts (Jim Corbett NP, Nilgiri BR), UNESCO-listed sites (Kaziranga, Sundarbans, Manas, Keoladeo, Valley of Flowers), state-park-animal linkages, 12 UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves, Project Tiger (1973) and Project Elephant (1992) launch details, and superlatives like largest, smallest, and highest-density parks. Revise state locations carefully as options often swap states.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.Project Tiger was launched in India in which year?
Q2.Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is located in which state?
Q3.Which Biosphere Reserve in India is the largest and covers three states?
Q4.Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO in 2009, is located in which state?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.