National parks and tiger reserves
India's protected areas: over 100 national parks, hundreds of sanctuaries and 58 tiger reserves under the 1972 wildlife law.
What the paper can ask
- About 107 national parks covering 44,403 sq km, 1.35 percent of India; Madhya Pradesh has the most (11). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Hemis is the largest national park; Keibul Lamjao is the world's only floating park.
- Tiger reserves rose from 47 to 58 in a decade, and Ramsar wetland sites from 26 in 2014 to 103 in October 2026. (as of 2 Nov 2026)
- Before the 1972 Act India had only five national parks; Project Tiger came soon after it.
Latest
Nameri Tiger Reserve (Assam) received CA|TS Approved status in September 2026, joining Kaziranga, Manas and Orang; its tiger count rose from 3 (2022) to 12 (end 2025).
Why exams ask
Which state a park is in, the first and largest parks, which park is famous for which animal, and the newest tiger reserve are asked.
The full story
A national park is an area protected by law under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 where no human activity except tourism and research is allowed; a wildlife sanctuary allows some rights. India has about 107 national parks covering 1.35 percent of its area; Madhya Pradesh has the most. Tiger reserves, created under Project Tiger, now number 58 and are overseen by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
In the news
Test yourself
1.Sundarbans National Park, a natural World Heritage Site, is in which state?
Correct. Sundarbans National Park, inscribed in 1987, is in West Bengal.
Not quite. Sundarbans National Park, inscribed in 1987, is in West Bengal. It goes into your error book.
2.Project Tiger was launched in India in:
Correct. Project Tiger began on 1 April 1973 with nine reserves, Corbett being the first. It completed 50 years in 2023.
Not quite. Project Tiger began on 1 April 1973 with nine reserves, Corbett being the first. It completed 50 years in 2023. It goes into your error book.
3.Which is the largest tiger reserve in India by total area?
Correct. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve covers about 3,296 sq km, the largest in NTCA's list; Manas and Guru Ghasidas follow.
Not quite. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve covers about 3,296 sq km, the largest in NTCA's list; Manas and Guru Ghasidas follow. It goes into your error book.