Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India: A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing, and poaching of animals are strictly prohibited. As of now, India has a total of 573 Wildlife sanctuaries. They play a major role in protecting wildlife and act as a country’s natural wealth.

In this article, we have talked about the list of Wildlife sanctuaries of India, State, and Union Territory wise, the significance of wildlife sanctuaries, and why they are made.

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India

A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing, and poaching of animals are strictly prohibited. As of now, India has a total of 573 Wildlife sanctuaries. They are created to provide animals with a comfortable life. In India, owing to its geographical diversity such wildlife sanctuaries are located in various states and union territories amidst mountains, rivers, and woods.

Wildlife Sanctuaries of India are classified as IUCN Category IV protected areas. The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 allowed the State government to declare specific regions as wildlife sanctuaries if they were deemed to be of sufficient ecological, geomorphologic, and natural value.

The main objective of establishing a wildlife sanctuary is to protect animals & to teach humans how to behave with the animals. Animals are taken care of and live peacefully in their natural habitats.

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Given below is a list of the number of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, State and Union Territory wise.

Serial no.	State/UT	Total number of Wildlife Sanctuaries
1.	Andhra Pradesh	13
2.	Arunachal Pradesh	11
3.	Assam	18
4.	Bihar	12
5.	Chhattisgarh	11
6.	Goa	6
7.	Gujarat	23
8.	Haryana	8
9.	Himachal Pradesh	28
10.	Jammu & Kashmir	15
11.	Jharkhand	11
12.	Karnataka	30
13.	Kerala	17
14.	Madhya Pradesh	25
15.	Maharashtra	42
16.	Manipur	2
17.	Meghalaya	4
18.	Mizoram	8
19.	Nagaland	3
20.	Odisha	19
21.	Punjab	13
22.	Rajasthan	25
23.	Sikkim	7
24.	Tamil Nadu	29
25.	Tripura	4
26.	Uttar Pradesh	25
27.	Uttarakhand	7
28.	West Bengal	15
29.	Telangana	9
30.	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	96
31.	Chandigarh	2
32.	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	1
33.	Lakshadweep	1
34.	Daman & Diu	1
35.	Delhi	1
36.	Pondicherry	1

Significance of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

One way to conserve endangered animals is to build a Wildlife sanctuary. However, this is not an easy task as relocating animals from their native habitats is quite difficult. It is equally important to ensure their safety. Due to which, such endangered animals are carefully monitored in a wildlife sanctuary.

In some wildlife sanctuaries, animals who have been injured are treated, given proper care and once they recover they are released back into the wild. Also, at times a few animals might be preserved to ensure breeding in the conservation areas to increase their chances of survival, to see if they can reproduce in order to increase their number while they are protected. Animal refuges safeguard threatened animals and protect them from predators and people.

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India- State wise

Given below is a list of the some of the famous Wildlife Sanctuaries present in the various states of India.

Sr.  No.	State	Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries
1.	Tripura	Gumti WLS Rowa WLS  Sepahijala WLS
2.	Meghalaya	Baghmara Pitcher Plant WLS  Nongkhyllem WLS Siju WLS
3.	Nagaland	Fakim WLS  Puliebadze WLS  Rangapahar WLS
4.	Sikkim	Barsey Rhododendron WLS  Fambonglho WLS  Kitam WLS (Bird)  Kyongnosla Alpine WLS Maenam WLS Pangolakha WLS
5.	Manipur	Khongjaingamba Ching WLS Yangoupokpi-Lokchao WLS Kailam WLS Jiri-Makru WLS Bunning WLS Zeilad WLS
6.	Mizoram	Dampa WLS  Khawnglung WLS Lengteng WLS Ngengpui WLS Pualreng WLS
7.	Assam	Bura Chapori WLS  Chakrashila WLS Dihing Patkai WLS East Karbi Anglong WLS Garampani WLS  Hoollongapar Gibbon WLS Laokhowa WLS
8.	Arunachal Pradesh	Dibang WLS  Eagle Nest WLS Itanagar WLS Kamlang WLS Kane WLS Mehao WLS Pakhui/ Pakke WLS Sessa Orchid WLS Talle Valley WLS
9.	West Bengal	Ballabhpur WLS  Bethuadahari WLS Bibhutibhusan WLS Buxa WLS Chapramari WLS Chintamani Kar BirdSanctuary Haliday Island WLS Jore pokhri SalamanderWLS  Lothian Island WLS
10.	Uttar Pradesh	Sohagi Barwa WLS  Suhelwa WLS Sur Sarovar WLS Jai Prakash Narayan Bird WLS Turtle WLS Vijai Sagar WLS Pilibhit WLS Bakhira WLS Chandra Prabha WLS Hastinapur WLS Katarniaghat WLS Kishanpur WLS
11.	TamilNadu	Kalakad WLS Kodaikanal WLS  Mudumalai WLS  Mundanthurai WLS  Oussudu Lake Bird Sanctuary Point Calimere WLS Pulicat Lake WLS Satyamangalam WLS Vedanthangal WLS Vallanadu (Blackbuck) WLS Vellode WLS Vettangudi WLS Megamalai  WLS  Theerthangal  WLS Sakkarakottai  WLS
12.	Punjab	Abohar WLS Bir Aishwan WLS Bir Bhadson WLS Bir Bhunerheri WLS Bir Dosanjh WLS Bir Gurdialpura WLS Bir Mehaswala WLS Bir Motibagh WLS Harike Lake WLS
13.	Rajasthan	Jawahar Sagar WLS  Kailadevi WLS  Kesarbagh WLS Kumbhalgarh WLS Mount Abu WLS Nahargarh WLS National Chambal WLS  Phulwari Ki Nal WLS Ramgarh Vishdhari Ramsagar WLS  Sajjangarh WLS Sariska WLS Sawaimadhopur WLS Sawai Man Singh WLS  Shergarh WLS Sitamata WLS  Tal Chhapper WLS
14.	Uttarakhand	Jim Corbett Askot Musk Deer WLS Nandhaur WLS Binsar WLS Govind Pashu Vihar WLS Kedarnath WLS Mussoorie WLS Sonanadi WLS
15.	Orissa	Nandankanan WLS Satkosia Gorge WLS Simlipal WLS Kapilash WLS Badrama WLS Baisipalli WLS Balukhand Konark WLS Bhitarkanika WLS Chandaka Dampara WLS Chilika (Nalaban) WLS Debrigarh WLS Gahirmatha (Marine) WLS
16.	Kerala	Periyar WLS Chinnar WLS Chulannur Peafowl WLS Idukki WLS  Kottiyoor WLS  Kurinjimala WLS Malabar WLS  Mangalavanam Bird WLS  Neyyar WLS  Parambikulam WLS  Peechi-Vazhani WLS
17.	Maharashtra	Amba Barwa WLS  Andheri WLS  Aner Dam WLS Bor WLS Chaprala WLS Deolgaon-Rehkuri WLS Dnyanganga WLS Gautala- Autramghat  WLS Koyana WLS  Lonar WLS Malvan Marine WLS Mansingdeo WLS
18.	Madhya Pradesh	Bagdara WLS  Bori WLS  Gandhi Sagar WLS Ghatigaon WLS Karera WLS Ken Gharial WLS Narsighgarh WLS  National Chambal WLS Noradehi WLS Orchha WLS Pachmarhi WLS Kuno WLS Panna (Gangau) WLS Panpatha WLS
19.	Karnataka	Bhadra WLS  Bhimgad WLS  Brahmagiri WLS Cauvery WLS  Chincholi WLS  Dandeli WLS  Daroji Bear WLS  Ghataprabha Bird WLS  Gudavi WLS  Gudekote Sloth Bear WLS  Malai Mahadeshwara WLS  Melkote Temple WLS  Mookambika WLS
20.	Jharkhand	Hazaribagh WLS  Koderma WLS  Lawalong WLS  Mahauadanr WLS  Palamu WLS  Palkot WLS  Parasnath WLS Topchanchi WLS
21.	Himachal Pradesh	Bandli WLS  Chail WLS  Chandra tal WLS Churdhar WLS  Daranghati WLS  Dhauladhar WLS  Gamgul Siyabehi WLS  Kais WLS  Kalatop-Khajjiar WLS  Kanawar WLS Khokhan WLS
22.	Gujarat	Gaga Great Indian Bustard WLS Gir WLS  Girnar WLS Hingolgadh Nature Reserve WLS  Jambugodha WLS  Jessore WLS Gujarat Lala Great Indian Bustard WLS  Kachchh Desert WLS Khijadiya WLS  Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) WLS  Mitiyala WLS  Nal Sarovar Bird WLS  Narayan Sarovar (Chinkara) WLS Pania WLS
23.	Andhra Pradesh	Coringa WLS  Gundla Brahmeswaram WLS Kambalakonda WLS  Kaundinya WLS  Kolleru WLS  Krishna WLS  Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam WLS Nellapattu WLS Pulicat Lake WLS
24.	Telangana	Eturnagaram WLS  Kawal WLS Lanja Madugu Siwaram WLS Manjeera Crocodile WLS Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam WLS Pakhal WLS
25.	Chhattisgarh	Sukhna Lake WLS  Achanakmar WLS  Badalkhol WLS Barnawapara WLS Bhairamgarh WLS Bhoramdev WLS Sarangarh-Gomardha WLS Pamed Wild Buffalo WLS  Semarsot WLS Sitanadi WLS  Tamor Pingla WLS Udanti Wild Buffalo WLS
26.	Bihar	Bhimbandh WLS  Gautam Buddha WLS  Kanwar jheel WLS Kaimur WLS Kusheshwar Asthan Bird WLS Nagi Dam WLS Nakti Dam WLS Pant (Rajgir) WLS Udaipur WLS Valmiki WLS
27.	Goa	Bondla WLS  Chorao Island (Dr.Salim Ali ) WLS Cotigao WLS Mhadei WLS Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) WLS Netravali WLS
28.	Haryana	Bhindawas WLS Bir Shikargarh WLS Chhilchhila WLS Kalesar WLS  Khaparwas WLS

List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India- Union Territories

Given below is a list of the Wildlife Sanctuaries present in the various Union Territories of India.

Serial no.	Union Territory	Wildlife Sanctuaries
1.	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Bingham Island WLS  Brush Island WLS Buchanan Island WLS Cone Island WLS  Cuthbert Bay WLS Dottrell Island WLS  Duncan Island WLS  East Island WLS  East of Inglis Island WLS Gander Island WLS Girjan Island WLS
2.	Jammu & Kashmir	Hokersar WLS  Jasrota WLS Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS  Lachipora WLS  Limber WLS  Nandi WLS
3.	Lakshadweep	Pitti WLS (Bird)
4.	Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu	Dadra & Nagar Haveli WLS Fudam WLS
5.	Pondicherry	Oussudu  Wildlife Sanctuary

Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

Here are brief descriptions of some important wildlife sanctuaries in India:

• Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand): Amidst he foothills of the Himalayas, exists one of India’s oldest national parks- the Jim Corbett National Park. It os famous for housing Bengal Tigers and a diverse range of flora and fauna like Asian Elephants, Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, and over 600 species of birds.

• Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan): Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park is famous for Bengal Tigers, Indian Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sloth Bears, and a variety of bird species.

• Kaziranga National Park (Assam): Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous worldwide for its population of Indian Rhinoceros, being the highest no. of rhinoceros found in the world. Other major animals found are: Asian Elephants, Bengal Tigers, Wild Water Buffaloes, and a diverse birdlife, including the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork.

• Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal): Sunderbans, a vast mangrove forest, is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s famous for being the home for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Saltwater Crocodile and the Indian Otter are also seen here.

• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala): Amidst the Western Ghats, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its population of Indian Elephants and Bengal Tigers. It also offers boat safaris on the Periyar Lake to spot wildlife.

• Gir Forest National Park (Gujarat): In the world, Gir Forest National Park is the only place where Asiatic Lions can be found. Indian Leopards, Sloth Bears, Indian Cobras, and a variety of bird species are found as well.

• Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh): With one of the highest densities of Bengal Tigers in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s famous for the Indian Bison (Gaur) and various species of deer.

• Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Kanha National Park is famous for its lush forests and diverse wildlife including the Bengal Tigers, Indian Bison (Gaur), Barasingha Deer (Hardground Swamp Deer), Indian Leopards, and various bird species.

Conclusion

A very important role is played by Wildlife sanctuaries. A wildlife sanctuary is an area where in animals and birds are protected and kept safe in their natural habitats and illegal activities like poaching and trafficking are prohibited. Such areas are directly controlled by the government and at times, owned privately by charities and research institutes. India has a total of 543 wildlife sanctuaries.

With India being rich in its geography and diversity, several wildlife sanctuaries are located amongst the picturesque landscape of large rivers, forests and mountains. Thus we see how, Wildlife sanctuaries protect wildlife, enhance research and conservation, spread awareness and promote ecotourism.

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FAQs on Wildlife Sanctuaries of India: Importance & List

What is a wildlife sanctuary?

A wildlife sanctuary is an area where both animals & their natural environment are protected from any kind of interference. In such an area, activities like tourism, trapping, killing and poaching of animals is strictly prohibited.

Which is the 1st largest wildlife sanctuary in India?

Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam is one of the largest wildlife santuary in India.

How many wildlife sanctuaries are in India?

There are 573 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India as of now.

Which is the very famous wildlife sanctuary in India?

Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is a very famous wildlife santuary in India.

Which is the smallest sanctuary in India?

The smallest sanctuary in India is the Mayureshwar Wildlife Sanctuary.