National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India Static GK for Competitive Exams with Memory Tricks
India’s National Parks (NPs) and Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) are among the most asked topics in Static GK / General Awareness for SSC, IBPS, UPSC Prelims, Railways, Defence, and State PCS exams. Questions are usually asked in the form of match the following, state-wise location, tiger reserve linkage, and biodiversity hotspots.
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 What are National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries?
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected areas declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to conserve wildlife, forests, biodiversity, wetlands, deserts, and marine ecosystems.
- National Parks (NPs) → Strict protection, no human interference.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) → Limited human activity allowed.
Why important for exams?
This topic is frequently asked in:
- UPSC Prelims (Environment Section)
- SSC CGL / CHSL
- IBPS PO / Clerk
- Railways NTPC
- Defence & State PCS
2. REGION-WISE CLASSIFICATION (EASY MEMORY LOGIC)
2.1 North India
Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett NP – First NP (1936)
- Valley of Flowers NP – UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Nanda Devi NP
- Rajaji NP
Exam Tip: Corbett is repeatedly asked in SSC & Banking.
Rajasthan
- Ranthambore NP
- Keoladeo NP (Bird Sanctuary)
- Desert NP
- Sariska NP
Why asked? → Tiger reserve + Bird sanctuary combination questions.
2.2 Central India (Tiger Hub)
Madhya Pradesh – “Tiger State”
Major NPs:
- Kanha
- Bandhavgarh
- Pench
- Satpura
- Panna
Why important? → Highest tiger reserves → UPSC favorite.
2.3 South India
Tamil Nadu
- Mudumalai NP
- Gulf of Mannar Marine NP
- Guindy NP (Smallest NP)
- Mukurthi NP
Exam Focus: Marine parks + Elephant corridor.
Karnataka
- Bandipur NP
- Nagarhole NP
- Bannerghatta NP
- Kudremukh NP
UPSC often asks match-the-following.
2.4 North-East India
Assam
- Kaziranga – One-horned rhinoceros
- Manas – UNESCO Site
- Nameri
- Dibru-Saikhowa
UPSC frequently asks biodiversity-based questions.
Manipur
- Keibul Lamjao NP – Only floating NP in the world.
SSC favorite fact.
3. EXAM-FRIENDLY TABLES
3.1 States with Highest Numbers
| State | No. of NPs | No. of WLS | Exam Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 10+ | 25+ | Tiger Hub |
| Tamil Nadu | 5+ | 15+ | Marine & Elephant |
| Rajasthan | 5 | 20+ | Desert & Tiger |
| Assam | 5 | 15+ | Rhino |
| Uttarakhand | 6 | 7+ | First NP |
3.2 Major Tiger Reserves
| State | Major Tiger Reserves |
|---|---|
| MP | Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench |
| Karnataka | Bandipur, Nagarhole |
| Maharashtra | Tadoba |
| Rajasthan | Ranthambore |
| West Bengal | Sundarbans |
4. STICKY MEMORY ZONE
4.1 Mnemonics
- KBP-SPP → MP Tiger Parks
- K → Kanha
- B → Bandhavgarh
- P → Pench
- S → Satpura
- P → Panna
- RAM in Rajasthan
- R → Ranthambore
- A → Abu
- M → Mukundra
- Floating MANI
- MANI → MANIpur → Floating park
4.2 Don’t Confuse
- Don’t confuse Kaziranga (Assam) with Corbett (Uttarakhand).
- Don’t confuse Desert NP (Rajasthan) with Rann of Kutch (Gujarat).
- Don’t confuse Marine NP (Gulf of Kutch) with Gulf of Mannar (TN).
- Don’t confuse Keoladeo (Bird) with Sariska (Tiger).
- Don’t confuse Kanha (MP) with Bandipur (Karnataka).
5. KEY POINTS FOR EXAMS
- Governed under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Project Tiger started in 1973.
- MP = Tiger State of India.
- Keibul Lamjao = Only floating NP.
- Sundarbans = Largest mangrove forest.
6. IMPORTANT ONE-LINERS FOR SSC/Banking/UPSC Prelims
- First NP – Jim Corbett (1936)
- Floating NP – Keibul Lamjao
- Rhino park – Kaziranga
- Desert NP – Rajasthan
- Marine NP – Gulf of Kutch
- Highest Tiger Reserves – MP
- Mangrove forest – Sundarbans
- Smallest NP – Guindy (TN)
- Valley of Flowers – Uttarakhand
- One-horned Rhino – Assam
7. ONE-LINER REVISION POINTS
- Corbett → First NP
- MP → Tiger State
- Manipur → Floating park
- Rajasthan → Desert NP
- Gujarat → Marine NP
- Assam → Rhino
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