Biosphere Reserves and Sanctuaries in India, List of National Parks
Biosphere Reserves and Sanctuaries in India are important for conserving the country's rich biodiversity. Check UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves list in India and List of Biosphere reserves.
Abhishek Kumar28 Nov, 2023
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Biosphere Reserves and Sanctuaries in India: India has a wide variety of ecosystems and wildlife, and the government has set up a number of protected areas to preserve and protect its rich biodiversity. Reserves of the biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries are examples of these protected areas. Let's discuss the concept of biosphere reserves and some of India's famous wildlife sanctuaries.
Biosphere reserves are large, multifunctional protected areas with the objectives of preserving biodiversity, advancing sustainable development and fostering research and education. They allow scientists to study ecosystems, species, and natural processes in real-world settings while also involving local communities in conservation initiatives. There are currently 18 biosphere reserves designated in India. Among the well-known ones are:Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Location: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka Description: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats mountain range, one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots. It comprises several protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. The reserve is known for its diverse range of plant and animal species, including the Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, and several endemic plant species.Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
Location: West Bengal Description: Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is a unique ecosystem that comprises mangrove forests, tidal rivers, and numerous islands. It is shared between India and Bangladesh and is the largest delta in the world. The reserve is famous for its Royal Bengal tigers and other wildlife, including spotted deer, crocodiles, and various bird species.Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Location: Uttarakhand Description: Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Nanda Devi mountain range, one of the highest peaks in India. It is surrounded by glaciers, alpine meadows, and diverse flora and fauna. The reserve is home to the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, and numerous bird species.Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
Location: Tamil Nadu Description: Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve includes a marine ecosystem with coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. It is one of the richest areas of marine biodiversity in India. The reserve is home to endangered marine species like the dugong, sea turtles, and various fish and coral species.Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Description: Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is located in the southernmost part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is characterized by tropical rainforests, diverse flora, and unique fauna. The reserve is home to the Nicobar megapode, crab-eating macaque, and saltwater crocodile.List of 18 Biosphere Reserves
| No. | Name of Biosphere Reserve | Location (States) | Year of Notification |
| 1 | Nilgiri | Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley, and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka). | 1986 |
| 2 | Nanda Devi | Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand). | 1988 |
| 3 | Nokrek | Part of Garo Hills (Meghalaya). | 1988 |
| 4 | Great Nicobar | Southernmost islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands). | 1989 |
| 5 | Gulf of Mannar | The Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu). | 1989 |
| 6 | Manas | Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup, and Darang districts (Assam). | 1989 |
| 7 | Sunderbans | Part of the delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system (West Bengal). | 1989 |
| 8 | Simlipal | Part of the Mayurbhanj district (Orissa). | 1994 |
| 9 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam). | 1997 |
| 10 | Dehang-Dibang | Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. | 1998 |
| 11 | Pachmarhi | Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. | 1999 |
| 12 | Khangchendzonga | Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim. | 2000 |
| 13 | Agasthyamalai | Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala. | 2001 |
| 14 | Achanakamar-Amarkantak | Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State. | 2005 |
| 15 | Kachchh | Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State. | 2008 |
| 16 | Cold Desert | Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. | 2009 |
| 17 | Seshachalam Hills | Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh. | 2010 |
| 18 | Panna | Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh. | 2011 |
The UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves list in India
| No. | NAME | STATES | YEAR |
| 1 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu | 2000 |
| 2 | Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu | 2001 |
| 3 | Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve | West Bengal | 2001 |
| 4 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand | 2004 |
| 5 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | 2009 |
| 6 | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Meghalaya | 2009 |
| 7 | Simlipal Biosphere Reserve | Odisha | 2009 |
| 8 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Chhattisgarh | 2012 |
| 9 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Great Nicobar | 2013 |
| 10 | Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve | Kerala and Tamil Nadu | 2016 |
| 11 | Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve | Part of North and West Sikkim districts | 2018 |
| 12 | Panna Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | 2020 |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas with the sole purpose of conserving wildlife species and their natural habitats. They support ecological balance and serve as safe havens for a variety of animals and birds. There are many wildlife sanctuaries in India, some of which are renowned internationally for their work in conservation.Jim Corbett National Park
Location: Uttarakhand Description: Established in 1936, Jim Corbett National Park is India's oldest national park. It is named after the renowned hunter and conservationist, Jim Corbett. The park is famous for its population of Bengal tigers, elephants, and other wildlife species. It offers visitors opportunities for wildlife safaris and birdwatching.Ranthambore National Park
Location: Rajasthan Description: Ranthambore National Park is one of the most popular tiger reserves in India. It is known for its high density of tigers, and visitors have a good chance of spotting these majestic cats during safaris. The park is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species.Kaziranga National Park
Location: Assam Description: Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its population of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros. It is also home to elephants, tigers, and various bird species. The park's unique ecosystem comprises grasslands, wetlands, and dense forests.Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Kerala Description: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats and is known for its picturesque setting around the Periyar Lake. It is home to elephants, tigers, leopards, and various bird species. Boat safaris on the Periyar Lake provide opportunities for wildlife sightings.Bandipur National Park
Location: Karnataka Description: Bandipur National Park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is known for its significant tiger and elephant population. The park's diverse landscape includes dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and riverine habitats.Sasan Gir National Park
Location: Gujarat Description: Sasan Gir National Park is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion. It is the only place in India where these majestic big cats are found in the wild. The park also supports a diverse range of other wildlife, including leopards, chinkara, and various bird species. These are only a few of India's numerous biosphere reserves and wildlife refuges. Each of these protected areas makes a significant contribution to the preservation of the nation's distinctive biodiversity and offers opportunities for conservationists and nature enthusiasts to discover and appreciate India's rich natural heritage.List of National Parks in India
| Name of National Park | State | Year of Establishment |
| Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | 1936 |
| Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1955 |
| Tadoba National Park | Maharashtra | 1955 |
| Madhav National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1959 |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1968 |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | 1974 |
| Bandipur National Park | Karnataka | 1974 |
| Bannerghatta National Park | Karnataka | 1974 |
| Gir National Park | Gujarat | 1975 |
| Gugamal National Park | Maharashtra | 1975 |
| Navegaon National Park | Maharashtra | 1975 |
| Pench National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1975 |
| Blackbuck National Park | Gujarat | 1976 |
| Guindy National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1976 |
| Keibul-Lamjao National Park | Manipur | 1977 |
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 1977 |
| Dudhwa National Park | Uttar Pradesh | 1977 |
| Eravikulam National Park | Kerala | 1978 |
| Vansda National Park | Gujarat | 1979 |
| Van Vihar National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1979 |
| Simlipal National Park | Odisha | 1980 |
| Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | 1980 |
| Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1980 |
| Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1981 |
| Dachigam National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | 1981 |
| Hemis National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | 1981 |
| Kishtwar National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | 1981 |
| Panna National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 |
| Sanjay National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 |
| Satpura National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1981 |
| Keoladeo Ghana National Park | Rajasthan | 1981 |
| Indravati National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1982 |
| Kanger Valley National Park | Chhattisgarh | 1982 |
| Marine National Park | Gujarat | 1982 |
| Periyar National Park | Kerala | 1982 |
| Nanda Devi National Park | Uttarakhand | 1982 |
| Valley of Flowers National Park | Uttarakhand | 1982 |
| Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1983 |
| Namdapha National Park | Arunachal Pradesh | 1983 |
| Fossil National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 1983 |
| Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Maharashtra | 1983 |
| Rajaji National Park | Uttarakhand | 1983 |
| Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 1984 |
| Silent Valley National Park | Kerala | 1984 |
| Sunderban National Park | West Bengal | 1984 |
| Balpakram National Park | Meghalaya | 1985 |
| Mouling National Park | Arunachal Pradesh | 1986 |
| Betla National Park | Jharkhand | 1986 |
| Nokrek Ridge National Park | Meghalaya | 1986 |
| Neora Valley National Park | West Bengal | 1986 |
| Singalila National Park | West Bengal | 1986 |
| Middle Button Island National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1987 |
| Mount Harriet National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1987 |
| North Button Island National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1987 |
| Saddle Peak National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1987 |
| South Button Island National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1987 |
| Pin Valley National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 1987 |
| Anshi National Park | Karnataka | 1987 |
| Kudremukh National Park | Karnataka | 1987 |
| Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park | Karnataka | 1988 |
| Bhitarkanika National Park | Odisha | 1988 |
| Sri Venkateswara National Park | Andhra Pradesh | 1989 |
| Valmiki National Park | Bihar | 1989 |
| Sultan National Park | Haryana | 1989 |
| Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1989 |
| Gangotri National Park | Uttarakhand | 1989 |
| Manas National Park | Assam | 1990 |
| Mudumalai National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1990 |
| Mukurthi National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1990 |
| Govind National Park | Uttarakhand | 1990 |
| Murlen National Park | Mizoram | 1991 |
| Campbell Bay National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1992 |
| Galathea Bay National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1992 |
| Mollem National Park | Goa | 1992 |
| City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | 1992 |
| Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park | Mizoram | 1992 |
| Desert National Park | Rajasthan | 1992 |
| Sariska National Park | Rajasthan | 1992 |
| Buxa National Park | West Bengal | 1992 |
| Gorumara National Park | West Bengal | 1992 |
| Intanki National Park | Nagaland | 1993 |
| Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park | Telangana | 1994 |
| Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park | Telangana | 1994 |
| Mrugavani National Park | Telangana | 1994 |
| Rani Jhansi Marine National Park | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1996 |
| Nameri National Park | Assam | 1998 |
| Dibru-Saikhowa National Park | Assam | 1999 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park | Assam | 1999 |
| Kalesar National Park | Haryana | 2003 |
| Anamudi Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 |
| Mathikettan Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 |
| Pampadum Shola National Park | Kerala | 2003 |
| Chandoli National Park | Maharashtra | 2004 |
| Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park | Andhra Pradesh | 2005 |
| Mukundra Hills National Park | Rajasthan | 2006 |
| Clouded Leopard National Park | Tripura | 2007 |
| Bison National Park | Tripura | 2007 |
| Papikonda National Park | Andhra Pradesh | 2008 |
| Inderkilla National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 |
| Khirganga National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 |
| Simbalbara National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2010 |
| Jaldapara National Park | West Bengal | 2014 |
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