Legal & Constitutional Framework (Exam Favourite)

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

         National Parks notified under Section 35

         Hunting, grazing, forestry → Not allowed

         Boundary change → Requires State Legislature approval

Constitutional Provisions

       Article 48A – Protection of environment & wildlife (DPSP)

       Article 51A(g) – Fundamental duty of citizens

Objectives of National Parks

      Protect endangered & endemic species

      Preserve biodiversity & genetic diversity

      Maintain ecological balance

      Promote scientific research & eco-tourism

Key Features of National Parks

     Highest level of legal protection

     No private land ownership

     No human settlements

     Managed by State Forest Departments

     Tourism allowed only in regulated zones

National Park vs Wildlife Sanctuary (Very Important)

Basis	National Park	Wildlife Sanctuary
Protection	Very strict	Comparatively less
Human Activity	Not allowed	Limited allowed
Private Rights	Not allowed	May exist
Boundary Change	Legislature	State Govt

National Parks vs Biosphere Reserves

Aspect	National Park	Biosphere Reserve
Size	Smaller	Very large
Zones	Core only	Core, Buffer, Transition
Focus	Conservation	Conservation + Development

---

How Many National Parks in India? (2026)

Total National Parks: 107

     Spread across States & Union Territories

     States/UTs with highest number:

                  Madhya Pradesh

                 Andaman & Nicobar Islands

IMP National Parks in India

State / UT	National Park	Year	Area (sq km)
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Campbell Bay NP	1992	426.23
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Galathea Bay NP	1992	110
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Mahatma Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) NP	1983	281.5
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Middle Button Island NP	1987	0.44
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Mount Harriett NP	1987	46.62
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	North Button Island NP	1987	0.44
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Rani Jhansi Marine NP	1996	256.14
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Saddle Peak NP	1987	32.54
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	South Button Island NP	1987	0.03
Andhra Pradesh	Papikonda NP	2008	1013
Andhra Pradesh	Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) NP	2005	2.4
Andhra Pradesh	Sri Venkateswara NP	1989	353.6
Arunachal Pradesh	Mouling NP	1986	483
Arunachal Pradesh	Namdapha NP	1983	1808
Assam	Dibru-Saikhowa NP	1999	340
Assam	Kaziranga NP	1974	859
Assam	Manas NP	1990	500
Assam	Nameri NP	1998	200
Assam	Orang NP	1999	78.81
Assam	Raimona NP	2021	422
Assam	Dihing Patkai NP	2021	234
Bihar	Valmiki NP	1989	335.65
Chhattisgarh	Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) NP	1981	1440.7
Chhattisgarh	Indravati (Kutru) NP	1982	1258.4
Chhattisgarh	Kanger Valley NP	1982	200
Goa	Mollem NP	1992	107
Gujarat	Vansda NP	1979	23.99
Gujarat	Blackbuck (Velavadar) NP	1976	34.53
Gujarat	Gir NP	1975	258.71
Gujarat	Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) NP	1982	162.89
Haryana	Kalesar NP	2003	46.82
Haryana	Sultanpur NP	1989	1.43
Himachal Pradesh	Great Himalayan NP	1984	754.4
Himachal Pradesh	Inderkilla NP	2010	104
Himachal Pradesh	Khirganga NP	2010	710
Himachal Pradesh	Pin Valley NP	1987	675
Himachal Pradesh	Simbalbara NP	2010	27.88
UT of J & K	Salim Ali (City Forest) NP	1992	9
UT of J & K	Dachigam NP	1981	141
UT of J & K	Kishtwar NP	1981	425
UT of Ladakh	Hemis NP	1981	3350
Jharkhand	Betla NP	1986	226.33
Karnataka	Anshi NP	1987	417.34
Karnataka	Bandipur NP	1974	874.2
Karnataka	Bannerghatta NP	1974	260.51
Karnataka	Kudremukh NP	1987	600.32
Karnataka	Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi) NP	1988	643.39
Kerala	Anamudi Shola NP	2003	7.5
Kerala	Eravikulam NP	1978	97
Kerala	Mathikettan Shola NP	2003	12.82
Kerala	Pambadum Shola NP	2003	1.318
Kerala	Periyar NP	1982	350
Kerala	Silent Valley NP	1984	89.52
Madhya Pradesh	Bandhavgarh NP	1968	448.85
Madhya Pradesh	Dinosaur Fossils NP	2011	0.8974
Madhya Pradesh	Fossil NP	1983	0.27
Madhya Pradesh	Pench NP	1975	292.85
Madhya Pradesh	Kanha NP	1955	940
Madhya Pradesh	Madhav NP	1959	375.22
Madhya Pradesh	Panna NP	1981	542.67
Madhya Pradesh	Sanjay NP	1981	466.88
Madhya Pradesh	Satpura NP	1981	585.17
Madhya Pradesh	Van Vihar NP	1979	4.45
Maharashtra	Chandoli NP	2004	317.67
Maharashtra	Gugamal NP	1975	361.28
Maharashtra	Nawegaon NP	1975	133.88
Maharashtra	Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru) NP	1975	257.26
Maharashtra	Sanjay Gandhi (Borivali) NP	1983	86.96
Maharashtra	Tadoba NP	1955	116.55
Manipur	Keibul-Lamjao NP	1977	40
Meghalaya	Balphakram NP	1985	220
Meghalaya	Nokrek Ridge NP	1986	47.48
Mizoram	Murlen NP	1991	100
Mizoram	Phawngpui Blue Mountain NP	1992	50
Nagaland	Intanki NP	1993	202.02
Odisha	Bhitarkanika NP	1988	145
Odisha	Simlipal NP	1980	845.7
Rajasthan	Desert NP	1992	3162
Rajasthan	Keoladeo Ghana NP	1981	28.73
Rajasthan	Mukundra Hills NP	2006	200.54
Rajasthan	Ranthambore NP	1980	282
Rajasthan	Sariska NP	1992	273.8
Sikkim	Khangchendzonga NP	1977	1784
Tamil Nadu	Guindy NP	1976	2.82
Tamil Nadu	Gulf of Mannar Marine NP	1980	6.23
Tamil Nadu	Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP	1989	117.1
Tamil Nadu	Mudumalai NP	1990	103.23
Tamil Nadu	Mukurthi NP	1990	78.46
Telangana	Kasu Brahmananda Reddy NP	1994	1.43
Telangana	Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali NP	1994	14.59
Telangana	Mrugavani NP	1994	3.6
Tripura	Clouded Leopard NP	2007	5.08
Tripura	Bison (Rajbari) NP	2007	31.63
Uttar Pradesh	Dudhwa NP	1977	490
Uttarakhand	Jim Corbett NP	1936	520.82
Uttarakhand	Gangotri NP	1989	2390.02
Uttarakhand	Govind NP	1990	472.08
Uttarakhand	Nanda Devi NP	1982	624.6
Uttarakhand	Rajaji NP	1983	820
Uttarakhand	Valley of Flowers NP	1982	87.5
West Bengal	Buxa NP	1992	117.1
West Bengal	Gorumara NP	1992	79.45
West Bengal	Jaldapara NP	2014	216.51
West Bengal	Neora Valley NP	1986	159.89
West Bengal	Singalila NP	1986	78.6
West Bengal	Sundarban NP	1984	1330.1

 

Oldest National Parks in India

            National Parks in India                                           Est. Year

            Corbett National Park                                                 1936

            Kanha National Park                                                   1955

            Tadoba National Park                                                  1955

Newest National Parks in India

            National Parks                                                          Est.Year

            Dihing Patkai National Park                                       2021

            Raimona National Park                                              2021

            Jaldapara National Park                                             2014

Largest National Parks in India (Top 5)

            Rank               National Park                                    Area (km^2)

            1                      Hemis National Park                           3,350

            2                      Desert National Park                           3,162

            3                      Gangotri National Park                       2,390

            4                      Namdapha National Park                    1,808

            5                      Khangchendzonga National Park         1,784

Smallest National Parks (Top 5)

            Rank               National Park                                   Area (km^2)

            1          South Button Island NP                                   0.03

            2          Fossil National Park                                        0.3

            3          North Button Island National Park                 0.4

            4          Middle Button Island National Park                0.9

            5          Dinosaur Fossils National Park                      1.4

Note : As of Jan.2026, India has a total of 107 national parks, which cover approximately 44,402.95 square kilometers, or about (1.35%) of the country's land area. These parks are crucial for wildlife conservation, protecting diverse ecosystems and endangered species across the country.  

Do You Know?

Important National Parks

Jim Corbett National Park – Uttarakhand

First National Park of India (1936)

Tiger conservation

Kaziranga National Park – Assam

One-horned Rhinoceros

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gir National Park – Gujarat

Only natural habitat of Asiatic Lion

Sundarbans National Park – West Bengal

Mangrove ecosystem

Royal Bengal Tiger

Keibul Lamjao National Park – Manipur

World’s only floating National Park

Sangai deer

Hemis National Park – Ladakh

Largest National Park in India

Snow Leopard

20 average-level objective questions strictly based on the given National Parks data, prepared in NDA / CDS / AFCAT pattern.

Q1. Which National Park of Madhya Pradesh was established in 1955?

A. Bandhavgarh
B. Kanha
C. Pench
D. Satpura

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh) was established in 1955, making it one of the oldest national parks in the state.

---

Q2. Keibul-Lamjao National Park is located in:

A. Meghalaya
B. Mizoram
C. Manipur
D. Nagaland

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Keibul-Lamjao National Park is located in Manipur and is famous for being the world’s only floating national park.

---

Q3. Which of the following National Parks has the largest area?

A. Desert National Park
B. Khangchendzonga National Park
C. Gangotri National Park
D. Sundarban National Park

✅ Answer: A

? Explanation:
Desert National Park (Rajasthan) covers about 3162 sq km, which is larger than Gangotri (2390 sq km) and Khangchendzonga (1784 sq km).

---

Q4–Q10 : Statement-Based Questions

Q4. Consider the following statements about Kanha National Park:

1. It is located in Madhya Pradesh.

2. It was established in 1955.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Both statements are correct. Kanha NP is in Madhya Pradesh and was established in 1955.

---

Q5. Consider the following statements about Sariska National Park:

1. It is located in Rajasthan.

2. It was established in 1992.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Sariska NP is in Rajasthan and was declared a national park in 1992.

---

Q6. Consider the following statements about Tamil Nadu National Parks:

1. Guindy National Park has an area less than 5 sq km.

2. Mudumalai National Park was established in 1990.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Guindy NP area is 2.82 sq km (very small) and Mudumalai NP was established in 1990.

---

Q7. Consider the following statements about Madhya Pradesh National Parks:

1. Dinosaur Fossils National Park has the smallest area.

2. Satpura National Park was established in 1981.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Dinosaur Fossils NP has the smallest area (0.8974 sq km) and Satpura NP was established in 1981.

---

Q8. Consider the following statements about Uttarakhand National Parks:

1. Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest.

2. Valley of Flowers National Park was established in 1982.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Jim Corbett (1936) is India’s oldest NP, and Valley of Flowers was established in 1982.

---

Q9. Consider the following statements about Maharashtra National Parks:

1. Chandoli National Park was established after 2000.

2. Tadoba National Park was established before Independence.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Chandoli NP was established in 2004, and Tadoba NP was established in 1955 (pre-Independence era park status).

---

Q10. Consider the following statements about Odisha National Parks:

1. Simlipal National Park has a larger area than Bhitarkanika.

2. Bhitarkanika National Park was established in 1988.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Simlipal NP area (845.7 sq km) is larger than Bhitarkanika (145 sq km) and Bhitarkanika was established in 1988.

---

Q11–Q15 : NOT Correct

Q11. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

A. Van Vihar National Park is in Madhya Pradesh
B. Desert National Park is in Rajasthan
C. Guindy National Park is in Kerala
D. Khangchendzonga National Park is in Sikkim

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Guindy National Park is in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.

---

Q12. Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?

A. Keibul-Lamjao – Manipur
B. Intanki – Nagaland
C. Nokrek Ridge – Mizoram
D. Balphakram – Meghalaya

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Nokrek Ridge NP is in Meghalaya, not Mizoram.

---

Q13. Which statement is NOT correct?

A. Pench National Park is in Madhya Pradesh
B. Gangotri National Park area exceeds 2000 sq km
C. Tadoba National Park was established in 1985
D. Sundarban National Park is in West Bengal

✅ Answer: C

? Explanation:
Tadoba NP was established in 1955, not 1985.

---

Q14. Which of the following is NOT correct?

A. Ranthambore National Park was established in 1980
B. Mukurthi National Park is in Tamil Nadu
C. Rajaji National Park is in Uttarakhand
D. Bison (Rajbari) National Park is in Meghalaya

✅ Answer: D

? Explanation:
Bison (Rajbari) National Park is located in Tripura, not Meghalaya.

---

Q15. Which statement is NOT correct?

A. Madhav National Park was established in 1959
B. Simlipal NP was established before Bhitarkanika NP
C. Valley of Flowers NP is in Uttarakhand
D. Desert NP area is less than Ranthambore NP

✅ Answer: D

? Explanation:
Desert NP (3162 sq km) is much larger than Ranthambore (282 sq km).

---

Q16–Q20 : Correctly Paired

Q16. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

A. Van Vihar – Rajasthan
B. Nokrek Ridge – Meghalaya
C. Phawngpui – Tripura
D. Simlipal – Andhra Pradesh

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Nokrek Ridge National Park is located in Meghalaya.

---

Q17. Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Guindy – Kerala
B. Mukurthi – Tamil Nadu
C. Rajaji – Uttar Pradesh
D. Sundarban – Odisha

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Mukurthi National Park is located in Tamil Nadu.

---

Q18. Which of the following is correctly paired?

A. Gangotri – Himachal Pradesh
B. Khangchendzonga – Sikkim
C. Desert NP – Gujarat
D. Keoladeo Ghana – Madhya Pradesh

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Khangchendzonga National Park is located in Sikkim.

---

Q19. Correctly matched pair is:

A. Chandoli – Gujarat
B. Gugamal – Maharashtra
C. Betla – Odisha
D. Intanki – Manipur

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Gugamal National Park is located in Maharashtra.

---

Q20. Which of the following is correctly paired?

A. Valley of Flowers – 1990
B. Jim Corbett – 1936
C. Sundarban – 1992
D. Ranthambore – 1975

✅ Answer: B

? Explanation:
Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936, making it India’s oldest NP.