Complete notes on National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries for BPSC and Other Competitive Exams in 2025
General Science- 26 (Environment)
Conservation Efforts – National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
1. Introduction
- Conservation aims to protect biodiversity, habitats, and ecological balance.
- National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are important in-situ conservation methods (protecting species in their natural habitats).
- They form part of India’s network of Protected Areas (PAs).
2. Legal Framework
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Provides for creation of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves.
- 2006 amendment: Added National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Tiger Reserves.
- 2022 amendment: Stricter penalties, alignment with CITES.
3. National Parks
Definition:
Protected areas for conservation of entire ecosystems (flora, fauna, landscapes) with stricter protection than sanctuaries.
Key Points:
- Declared under Section 35 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- No human activity is permitted except for tourism and research.
- Boundaries notified and cannot be altered without Parliamentary approval.
Examples:
- First National Park in India: Jim Corbett NP (1936, Uttarakhand)
- Largest NP: Hemis NP (J&K)
- Notable:
- Kaziranga NP – One-horned rhinoceros
- Gir NP – Asiatic lion
- Sundarbans NP – Royal Bengal tiger (mangroves)
- Keoladeo NP – Bird sanctuary & Ramsar site
4. Wildlife Sanctuaries
Definition:
Protected areas for species-specific conservation; more human activity allowed compared to National Parks.
Key Points:
- Declared under Section 18 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Grazing, tourism, and regulated resource use may be allowed.
- Easier to alter boundaries than National Parks.
Examples:
- Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (now Keoladeo NP) – Rajasthan
- Periyar WLS – Kerala
- Bhadra WLS – Karnataka
- Bhitarkanika WLS – Odisha (saltwater crocodiles)
5. Differences Between National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary
| Feature | National Park | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Legal Provision | Sec 35, WPA 1972 | Sec 18, WPA 1972 |
| Objective | Entire ecosystem conservation | Specific species protection |
| Human Activity | Not allowed (except tourism, research) | Regulated activity may be allowed |
| Boundary Change | Parliamentary approval needed | State Govt. approval possible |
6. Other In-situ Conservation Categories
- Biosphere Reserves – e.g., Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi
- Conservation Reserves – Between NP/WLS & community land
- Community Reserves – Managed by local communities
7. Related International Conventions
- CITES – Regulates trade in endangered species
- CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) – Aichi Targets, post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
- Ramsar Convention – Wetland protection
8. India’s Protected Area Network (as of 2024)
- National Parks: 106
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: 564
- Conservation Reserves: 100+
- Biosphere Reserves: 18 (UNESCO recognised: 12)
- Ramsar Sites: 80+
(Exact numbers change; always check latest MoEFCC data before exam)
9. Current Affairs Pointers
- New National Parks: Raimona NP (Assam, 2021), Dehing Patkai NP (Assam, 2021)
- Recent UNESCO Sites: Dholavira, Santiniketan (Cultural) — though not protected areas, often linked in conservation discussions
- Species Recovery Success: Asiatic lions in Gir, tiger population increase (2022 census: 3167 tigers in India)
10. Challenges in Conservation
- Encroachment & habitat fragmentation
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Poaching & illegal wildlife trade
- Climate change impacts
- Funding & manpower shortage
11. Strategies for Improvement
- Eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around PAs
- Community participation (Ecodesign, eco-tourism)
- Use of technology – drones, camera traps, GIS mapping
- Strengthening anti-poaching units
- Linking PAs with wildlife corridors
MCQs for Practice
Q1. Which is the first National Park in India?
A) Kanha NP
B) Jim Corbett NP
C) Kaziranga NP
D) Gir NP
Q2. Under which section of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are National Parks declared?
A) Section 18
B) Section 25
C) Section 35
D) Section 50
Q3. Which of the following is a saltwater crocodile habitat?
A) Periyar WLS
B) Bhitarkanika WLS
C) Manas NP
D) Bandhavgarh NP
Q4. Hemis National Park is famous for:
A) Asiatic Lion
B) Snow Leopard
C) One-horned Rhinoceros
D) Olive Ridley Turtle
Q5. Which of the following statements is correct?
A) Human activities like grazing are prohibited in all Wildlife Sanctuaries
B) Boundaries of National Parks can be altered only by State Governments
C) National Parks are declared under Section 35 of WPA
D) There are more National Parks than Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Bihar