Overview — India’s Protected Area Network
India’s protected area network is one of the most extensive in the world, reflecting its status as one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries. As of 2025, the network includes:
| Category | Count | Total Area |
|---|---|---|
| National Parks | 107 | ~44,403 km² (~1.35% of India’s area) |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | 567 | ~1,22,564 km² |
| Tiger Reserves | 58 | ~84,500 km² |
| Biosphere Reserves | 18 (13 UNESCO-recognised) | ~85,940 km² |
| Ramsar Wetland Sites | 98 | ~1,36,080 hectares |
| Conservation Reserves | 105 | — |
| Community Reserves | 220+ | — |
Governing law: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2006, 2022) Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
UPSC-Relevant National Parks — State-Wise
India has 107 national parks as of 2025. The table below focuses on the ~55 most frequently tested parks.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands (9 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi Marine NP | 1983 | 281.5 | Coral reefs, sea turtles, saltwater crocodile |
| Rani Jhansi Marine NP | 1996 | 256.1 | Dugong, coral reefs |
| Saddle Peak NP | 1979 | 32.5 | Andaman wild pig, Narcondam hornbill |
| Mount Harriet NP | 1979 | 46.6 | Andaman hill myna |
| South Button Island NP | 1987 | 0.03 | Smallest national park in India |
| Campbell Bay NP | 1992 | 426.2 | Megapode, Nicobar pigeon |
Assam (7 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaziranga NP | 1974 | 858.98 | Indian one-horned rhinoceros (UNESCO WHS, 1985); highest density of tigers in the world |
| Manas NP | 1990 | 500 | Golden langur, pygmy hog, Assam roofed turtle (UNESCO WHS, 1985) |
| Nameri NP | 1998 | 200 | White-winged wood duck |
| Dibru-Saikhowa NP | 1999 | 340 | Feral horse, Gangetic dolphin |
| Orang NP | 1999 | 78.81 | One-horned rhino — “Mini Kaziranga” |
| Raimona NP | 2021 | 422 | Golden langur |
| Dihing Patkai NP | 2021 | 231.65 | Hoolock gibbon, White-winged wood duck |
Gujarat (4 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gir NP | 1965 | 258.71 | Only home of Asiatic lion |
| Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch | 1982 | 162.89 | Coral reefs, dugong |
| Blackbuck NP, Velavadar | 1976 | 34.08 | Blackbuck, Indian wolf |
| Vansda NP | 1979 | 23.99 | Leopard, four-horned antelope |
Himachal Pradesh (5 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Himalayan NP | 1984 | 754.4 | Western tragopan, snow leopard (UNESCO WHS, 2014) |
| Pin Valley NP | 1987 | 675 | Snow leopard, Siberian ibex |
| Khirganga NP | 2010 | 710 | Western tragopan, musk deer |
| Inderkilla NP | 2010 | 104 | Himalayan brown bear |
| Simbalbara NP | 2010 | 27.88 | Ghoral, sambar |
Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh (5 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemis NP (Ladakh) | 1981 | 4,400 | Largest national park in India; snow leopard |
| Dachigam NP (J&K) | 1981 | 141 | Hangul (Kashmir stag) — critically endangered |
| Kishtwar NP (J&K) | 1981 | 425 | Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard |
| Salim Ali NP (J&K) | 1992 | 9.07 | Migratory birds — only NP named after an ornithologist |
Karnataka (5 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandipur NP | 1974 | 872.24 | Tiger, elephant; first among Project Tiger reserves in South India |
| Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) NP | 1988 | 643.39 | Tiger, elephant; part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
| Bannerghatta NP | 1971 | 104.27 | Closest NP to a metro city (Bengaluru) |
| Anshi NP | 1987 | 417.34 | Black panther; merged into Kali Tiger Reserve |
| Kudremukh NP | 1987 | 600.32 | Lion-tailed macaque; Western Ghats shola grasslands |
Kerala (6 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periyar NP | 1982 | 350 | Elephant, tiger; Periyar Lake |
| Silent Valley NP | 1984 | 89.52 | Lion-tailed macaque; saved from hydroelectric project by public movement |
| Eravikulam NP | 1978 | 97 | Nilgiri tahr — largest population |
| Anamudi Shola NP | 2003 | 7.5 | Shola-grassland ecosystem |
| Mathikettan Shola NP | 2003 | 12.82 | Nilgiri marten |
| Pampadum Shola NP | 2003 | 1.32 | Smallest NP in Kerala |
Madhya Pradesh (11+ NPs — most of any state)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanha NP | 1955 | 940 | Barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer) — inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book |
| Bandhavgarh NP | 1968 | 448.85 | Highest density of tigers in India; white tigers historically |
| Panna NP | 1981 | 542.67 | Tiger reintroduction success story; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2020) |
| Satpura NP | 1981 | 524.37 | Denwa River; Indian giant squirrel |
| Pench NP | 1977 | 292.85 | Tiger; setting of Kipling’s Mowgli stories |
| Madhav NP | 1959 | 375.22 | George Castle; 58th Tiger Reserve (March 2025) |
| Sanjay NP | 1981 | 466.88 | Tiger, wild dog |
| Fossil NP (Mandla) | 1983 | 0.27 | Plant fossils 40-150 million years old |
| Van Vihar NP | 1979 | 4.45 | Urban NP in Bhopal — functions as a modern zoo |
Maharashtra (6 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tadoba-Andhari NP | 1955 | 625.4 | Tiger; oldest NP in Maharashtra |
| Sanjay Gandhi (Borivali) NP | 1983 | 86.96 | Leopard; inside Mumbai — most visited NP in Asia |
| Chandoli NP | 2004 | 317.67 | Part of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve |
| Navegaon NP | 1975 | 133.88 | Mugger crocodile, Indian bison |
| Gugamal NP | 1975 | 361.28 | Melghat Tiger Reserve |
Manipur (1 NP)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keibul Lamjao NP | 1977 | 40 | Only floating national park in the world (on Loktak Lake); Sangai deer (Manipur brow-antlered deer) |
Meghalaya (2 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nokrek NP | 1986 | 47.48 | Red panda; Citrus indica (wild citrus); UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| Balpakram NP | 1985 | 220 | Red panda, wild buffalo |
Odisha (2 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simlipal NP | 1980 | 845.7 | Melanistic tiger; Sal forests; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| Bhitarkanika NP | 1988 | 145 | Saltwater crocodile; Olive Ridley turtle nesting nearby (Gahirmatha) |
Rajasthan (5 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranthambore NP | 1980 | 392 | Tiger; famous for daytime tiger sightings; medieval Ranthambore Fort |
| Keoladeo Ghana NP (Bharatpur) | 1981 | 28.73 | Migratory birds (UNESCO WHS, 1985); Siberian crane (historically) |
| Sariska NP | 1982 | 866 | Tiger reintroduction after local extinction (2005) |
| Desert NP | 1981 | 3,162 | Great Indian Bustard (critically endangered); largest NP in Rajasthan |
| Mukundra Hills NP | 2004 | 200.54 | Tiger; rock paintings |
Tamil Nadu (5 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guindy NP | 1976 | 2.82 | Smallest NP in a metro city (Chennai); blackbuck |
| Gulf of Mannar Marine NP | 1980 | 6.23 | Dugong, coral reefs; 21 islands |
| Mudumalai NP | 1940 | 321 | Tiger, elephant; Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
| Indira Gandhi (Anamalai) NP | 1989 | 117.1 | Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr |
| Mukurthi NP | 2001 | 78.46 | Nilgiri tahr; Palghat Gap ecosystem |
Uttarakhand (6 NPs)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett NP | 1936 | 520.8 | India’s first national park (est. as Hailey NP); first Project Tiger reserve (1973) |
| Nanda Devi NP | 1982 | 630.33 | UNESCO WHS (1988); snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer |
| Valley of Flowers NP | 1982 | 87.5 | UNESCO WHS (2005); 600+ flowering plant species |
| Rajaji NP | 1983 | 820 | Elephant; combined from Rajaji, Motichur, Chilla sanctuaries |
| Gangotri NP | 1989 | 2,390 | Source of Ganga; snow leopard, Himalayan tahr |
| Govind Pashu Vihar NP | 1990 | 472.08 | Snow leopard; Tons River valley |
Uttar Pradesh (1 NP)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dudhwa NP | 1977 | 490.29 | Swamp deer, tiger, Indian rhinoceros (reintroduced) |
West Bengal (1 NP — but ecologically critical)
| National Park | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundarbans NP | 1984 | 1,330.1 | Royal Bengal tiger (UNESCO WHS, 1987); largest mangrove forest in the world |
Other Notable National Parks
| National Park | State | Established | Area (km²) | Key Species / Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namdapha NP | Arunachal Pradesh | 1983 | 1,985.23 | Only park with 4 big cats (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard) |
| Mouling NP | Arunachal Pradesh | 1986 | 483 | Red panda, takin |
| Ntangki NP | Nagaland | 1993 | 202.02 | Hoolock gibbon, golden langur |
| Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) NP | Mizoram | 1992 | 50 | Highest peak in Mizoram |
| Khangchendzonga NP | Sikkim | 1977 | 1,784 | UNESCO WHS (2016); mixed cultural-natural site; snow leopard |
| Indravati NP | Chhattisgarh | 1981 | 1,258.37 | Wild buffalo; only habitat of wild buffalo in central India |
| Betla NP | Jharkhand | 1986 | 226.33 | Tiger, elephant; Palamau Tiger Reserve |
| Gorumara NP | West Bengal | 1994 | 79.45 | Indian rhinoceros |
Tiger Reserves of India — Complete List
Total: 58 tiger reserves across 18 states (as of March 2025) Governing body: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), established under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 Project Tiger: Launched April 1, 1973 with 9 reserves; Jim Corbett was the first
All 58 Tiger Reserves (State-wise)
Andhra Pradesh / Telangana (1+1)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | 1983 | Largest tiger reserve in India (~3,728 km²); spans AP and Telangana |
| Amrabad | 2014 | Carved from Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam; Nallamala Hills |
Arunachal Pradesh (3)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Namdapha | 1983 | 4 big cat species; easternmost tiger reserve |
| Pakke (Pakhui) | 1999 | Hornbill capital of India |
| Kamlang | 2016 | Named after Kamlang River |
Assam (4)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Manas | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; UNESCO WHS |
| Nameri | 1999 | White-winged wood duck |
| Kaziranga | 2006 | Highest tiger density; one-horned rhino |
| Orang | 2016 | “Mini Kaziranga” |
Bihar (1)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Valmiki | 1990 | Only tiger reserve in Bihar |
Chhattisgarh (3)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Indravati | 1983 | Wild buffalo habitat |
| Udanti-Sitanadi | 2009 | Wild buffalo conservation |
| Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | 2024 | 56th tiger reserve; connects Bandhavgarh-Palamu corridor |
Jharkhand (1)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Palamau | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; first tiger census in India (1932) |
Karnataka (5)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Bandipur | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; Nilgiri Biosphere |
| Bhadra | 1998 | Successful village relocation model |
| Dandeli-Anshi (Kali) | 2007 | Black panther sightings |
| Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) | 1999 | Kabini River; elephant corridor |
| BRT Hills (Biligiri Ranganatha) | 2011 | Bridge between Western and Eastern Ghats |
Kerala (2)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Periyar | 1978 | Original Project Tiger reserve; Periyar Lake |
| Parambikulam | 2009 | Kannimara teak — oldest teak tree in the world |
Madhya Pradesh (9 — most of any state)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Kanha | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; barasingha conservation |
| Bandhavgarh | 1993 | Highest tiger density |
| Pench | 1992 | Kipling’s Jungle Book setting |
| Panna | 1994 | Tiger reintroduction success; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve |
| Satpura | 1999 | Denwa River; walking safaris |
| Sanjay-Dubri | 2008 | Tiger corridor to Palamau |
| Veerangana Durgavati | 2022 | 54th tiger reserve |
| Ratapani | 2024 | 57th tiger reserve |
| Madhav | 2025 | 58th tiger reserve |
Maharashtra (6)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Melghat | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve |
| Tadoba-Andhari | 1995 | Oldest NP in Maharashtra |
| Pench (Maharashtra) | 1999 | Contiguous with MP Pench |
| Sahyadri | 2009 | Western Ghats; Koyna WLS |
| Nawegaon-Nagzira | 2013 | Central Indian tiger corridor |
| Bor | 2014 | Smallest tiger reserve in India (~138 km²) |
Mizoram (1)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Dampa | 1994 | Westernmost tiger habitat in northeast India |
Odisha (2)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Simlipal | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; melanistic tigers |
| Satkosia | 2007 | Gharial conservation; Mahanadi Gorge |
Rajasthan (4)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Ranthambore | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; daytime tiger sightings |
| Sariska | 1978 | Tiger reintroduction after 2005 local extinction |
| Mukundra Hills | 2013 | Tiger relocation from Ranthambore |
| Ramgarh Vishdhari | 2022 | 52nd tiger reserve; buffer for Ranthambore |
Tamil Nadu (5)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Kalakad-Mundanthurai | 1988 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere; lion-tailed macaque |
| Anamalai | 2007 | Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque |
| Mudumalai | 2007 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
| Sathyamangalam | 2013 | Largest wildlife corridor in southern India |
| Srivilliputhur-Megamalai | 2021 | Connects Western Ghats reserves |
Uttar Pradesh (2)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Dudhwa | 1987 | Terai ecosystem; swamp deer |
| Ranipur | 2022 | 53rd tiger reserve; first in Bundelkhand |
Uttarakhand (3)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | 1973 | India’s first tiger reserve; first Project Tiger reserve |
| Rajaji | 2015 | Shivalik elephant corridor |
| Nandhaur | 2012 | Part of Terai Arc Landscape |
West Bengal (2)
| Tiger Reserve | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Sundarbans | 1973 | Original Project Tiger reserve; mangrove tigers; UNESCO WHS |
| Buxa | 1983 | Dooars region; elephant corridor to Bhutan |
Tiger Census Data (All India Tiger Estimation)
| Year | Tiger Population | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | ~1,827 | Baseline |
| 2006 | 1,411 | Decline triggered reforms |
| 2010 | 1,706 | +4.1% |
| 2014 | 2,226 | +6.7% |
| 2018 | 2,967 | +7.2% |
| 2022 | 3,682 | +6.1% |
- India is home to approximately 75% of the global wild tiger population
- State with most tigers (2022): Madhya Pradesh (785), followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560)
- Next census: 5th cycle expected 2026
Biosphere Reserves of India — Complete List
Total: 18 Biosphere Reserves (13 recognised by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme)
| No. | Biosphere Reserve | State(s) | Year | Area (km²) | UNESCO Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nilgiri | TN, KL, KA | 1986 | 5,520 | 2000 | India’s first biosphere reserve; largest BR |
| 2 | Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | 1988 | 5,860.69 | 2004 | Nanda Devi peak (7,816 m); Valley of Flowers |
| 3 | Nokrek | Meghalaya | 1988 | 820 | 2009 | Wild citrus (Citrus indica); red panda |
| 4 | Great Nicobar | A&N | 1989 | 885 | 2013 | Leatherback turtle nesting; southernmost point |
| 5 | Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | 1989 | 10,500 | 2001 | 21 islands; coral reefs; dugong |
| 6 | Manas | Assam | 1989 | 2,837 | — | Golden langur, pygmy hog |
| 7 | Sundarbans | West Bengal | 1989 | 9,630 | 2001 | Largest mangrove ecosystem; Royal Bengal tiger |
| 8 | Simlipal | Odisha | 1994 | 4,374 | 2009 | Melanistic tigers; Sal forests |
| 9 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Assam | 1997 | 765 | — | Feral horse; largest salix swamp forest |
| 10 | Dehang-Debang | Arunachal Pradesh | 1998 | 5,111.5 | — | Mishmi takin; alpine meadows |
| 11 | Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh | 1999 | 4,981.72 | 2009 | Satpura Range; Bori WLS (India’s first forest reserve) |
| 12 | Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | 2000 | 2,619.92 | 2018 | World’s 3rd highest peak; UNESCO mixed WHS (2016) |
| 13 | Agasthyamalai | KL, TN | 2001 | 3,500.36 | 2016 | Western Ghats; lion-tailed macaque |
| 14 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak | MP, CG | 2005 | 3,835.51 | 2012 | Origin of Narmada and Son rivers |
| 15 | Kachchh | Gujarat | 2008 | 12,454 | — | Largest BR by area; Rann of Kutch; wild ass |
| 16 | Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh | 2009 | 7,770 | 2025 | Snow leopard; Pin Valley; Spiti |
| 17 | Seshachalam Hills | Andhra Pradesh | 2010 | 4,755.997 | — | Red sanders (endemic); Tirumala hills |
| 18 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 2011 | 2,998.98 | 2020 | Tiger reintroduction success story |
5 NOT yet UNESCO-recognised: Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Debang, Kachchh, Seshachalam Hills
Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of International Importance)
Total as of January 2026: 98 Ramsar sites covering ~1,36,081 hectares India’s global rank: 3rd highest number of Ramsar sites (after UK — 176 and Mexico — 144)
Key Ramsar Facts for UPSC
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Ramsar Sites (1981) | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan) |
| Largest Ramsar Site | Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal (~4,230 km²) |
| Smallest Ramsar Site | Renuka Lake, Himachal Pradesh (~20 hectares) |
| State with most Ramsar sites | Tamil Nadu (20) |
| Convention signed | Ramsar, Iran (February 2, 1971); India joined 1982 |
| Nodal body in India | MoEFCC |
Important Ramsar Sites for UPSC
| Ramsar Site | State | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | 1981 | Largest brackish water lagoon in Asia; Irrawaddy dolphins |
| Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | 1981 | UNESCO WHS; Siberian crane (historical) |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | 1990 | Largest freshwater lake in NE India; Keibul Lamjao floating NP |
| Wular Lake | J&K | 1990 | Largest freshwater lake in India |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | 1990 | Largest inland saltwater lake in India |
| Vembanad-Kol | Kerala | 2002 | Longest lake in India (96.5 km); Kumarakom backwaters |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | 2002 | Only Ramsar site in Assam; adjutant stork |
| Tsomoriri | Ladakh | 2002 | High-altitude lake (4,595 m); black-necked crane |
| East Kolkata Wetlands | West Bengal | 2002 | World’s largest sewage-fed aquaculture system |
| Renuka Lake | Himachal Pradesh | 2005 | Smallest Ramsar site in India |
Key Wildlife Laws — Summary
1. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enacted | September 9, 1972; effective April 1, 1973 |
| Objective | Protect wild animals, birds, plants; regulate hunting and trade |
| Constitutional basis | Entry 17B, Concurrent List (42nd Amendment, 1976) |
| Major Amendments | 1982, 1986, 1991, 2002, 2006, 2022 |
Schedule System (post-2022 Amendment):
| Schedule | Protection Level |
|---|---|
| Schedule I | Highest protection — endangered species (tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, lion, snow leopard) |
| Schedule II | Lesser protection but hunting still prohibited |
| Schedule III | Protected plant species |
| Schedule IV | Species listed under CITES Appendices |
Key 2022 Amendment changes:
- Reduced 6 schedules to 4 (merged old Schedules III and IV into new Schedule II)
- Formally integrated CITES obligations (new Schedule IV)
- Central Government empowered to regulate invasive alien species
- Increased penalties: Schedule I offences minimum Rs 25,000
- Decriminalised certain minor offences
2. Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enacted | October 25, 1980 |
| Renamed (2023) | Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 |
| Objective | Restrict de-reservation of forests; regulate diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes |
Key 2023 Amendment changes:
- Exempts strategic linear projects within 100 km of international borders
- Exempts up to 10 ha for security infrastructure
- Adds ecotourism, zoo, safari as permissible “forestry activities”
3. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enacted | 2002; notified February 5, 2003 |
| International obligation | Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Rio 1992 |
| Three-tier structure | NBA (Chennai) > State Biodiversity Boards > Biodiversity Management Committees |
Key 2023 Amendment changes:
- Decriminalised all offences — replaced imprisonment with monetary penalties
- Enhanced SBB powers for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) fee collection
- Exempted registered AYUSH practitioners from certain approval requirements
Important One-Liners for Prelims
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| First national park in India | Jim Corbett NP, Uttarakhand (1936, as Hailey NP) |
| Largest national park | Hemis NP, Ladakh (4,400 km²) |
| Smallest national park | South Button Island NP, A&N (0.03 km²) |
| Only floating national park | Keibul Lamjao NP, Manipur (on Loktak Lake); Sangai deer |
| Only NP named after a person | Salim Ali NP, J&K |
| State with most national parks | Madhya Pradesh (11+) |
| First Project Tiger reserve | Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand (1973) |
| Largest tiger reserve | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (~3,728 km²) |
| Smallest tiger reserve | Bor Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra (~138 km²) |
| 58th (latest) tiger reserve | Madhav NP, Madhya Pradesh (March 2025) |
| State with most tiger reserves | Madhya Pradesh (9) |
| Tiger population (2022 census) | 3,682; India has ~75% of world’s tigers |
| State with most tigers (2022) | Madhya Pradesh (785) |
| Project Tiger launched | April 1, 1973 (9 reserves initially) |
| NTCA established under | Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 |
| India’s first biosphere reserve | Nilgiri (1986) |
| Total biosphere reserves | 18 (13 UNESCO-recognised) |
| Latest UNESCO biosphere reserve | Cold Desert, HP (2025) |
| Total Ramsar sites | 98 (as of January 2026) |
| First Ramsar sites | Chilika Lake and Keoladeo Ghana NP (both 1981) |
| Largest Ramsar site | Sundarban Wetland, WB (~4,230 km²) |
| Smallest Ramsar site | Renuka Lake, HP (~20 hectares) |
| State with most Ramsar sites | Tamil Nadu (20) |
| Only NP with 4 big cats | Namdapha NP, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Only habitat of Asiatic lion | Gir NP, Gujarat |
| Largest freshwater lake in India | Wular Lake, J&K |
| Largest brackish water lagoon in Asia | Chilika Lake, Odisha |
| UNESCO WHS national parks | Kaziranga, Manas, Keoladeo, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Valley of Flowers, Great Himalayan NP, Khangchendzonga |
| NP with plant fossils | Fossil NP, Mandla, MP (40-150 million years old) |
| India’s biodiversity hotspots | Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundaland (Nicobar) |
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: National parks and their states, tiger reserves, biosphere reserves (UNESCO vs non-UNESCO), Ramsar sites, Wildlife Protection Act schedules, IUCN categories. Mains GS-3: Human-wildlife conflict, Project Tiger success, Forest Rights Act vs conservation, wetland degradation, Western Ghats conservation (Gadgil vs Kasturirangan), eco-sensitive zones.
Facts Corner – Knowledgepedia
India’s Protected Area Network:
- Total national parks: 107 (as of 2025)
- Total wildlife sanctuaries: 567
- Total tiger reserves: 58 (across 18 states)
- Total biosphere reserves: 18 (13 UNESCO-recognised)
- Total Ramsar sites: 98 (as of January 2026)
- Protected area coverage: ~5.26% of India’s geographical area
Tiger Census 2022:
- Total tiger population: 3,682 (growth rate: 6.1% per annum from 2018)
- India has ~75% of global wild tiger population
- Top 3 states: Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560)
Key Milestones:
- 1936: Hailey NP (now Jim Corbett) — India’s first national park
- 1972: Wildlife (Protection) Act enacted
- 1973: Project Tiger launched with 9 reserves
- 1980: Forest (Conservation) Act enacted
- 1981: India’s first Ramsar sites — Chilika and Keoladeo
- 1986: Nilgiri — India’s first biosphere reserve
- 2002: Biological Diversity Act enacted
- 2006: NTCA established; Forest Rights Act passed
- 2022: Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act — schedules reduced to 4
- 2025: Madhav NP becomes 58th tiger reserve; Cold Desert gets UNESCO BR recognition
Other Relevant Facts:
- India is one of 17 mega-biodiverse countries (identified by UNEP/WCMC)
- IUCN Red List categories: LC > NT > VU > EN > CR > EW > EX
- CBD COP-15 adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022)
- Endangered species under Schedule I: tiger, Asiatic lion, snow leopard, one-horned rhino, elephant, Great Indian Bustard, Gangetic dolphin
Sources: NTCA, Wildlife Institute of India, MoEFCC, Ramsar Convention, UNESCO MAB Programme, PIB
