National Parks In India, Name, Origin, Classifications

National Parks are areas that are protected in order to establish conservation of wildlife and natural ecosystems to provide a safe habitat for species. The importance lies in saving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance while offering opportunities for research, tourism and recreation. In this article, we are going to look into the history, classification, objectives and challenges faced by National Parks in India. 

National Parks Overview

• National Parks are areas protected to conserve the environment, wildlife and ecosystems. 
• National Parks act as a safe habitat for flora and fauna and prohibits human activities like deforestation, industrialisation and hunting. 
• The National Parks play an important role in preserving biodiversity, wildlife conservation, protecting endangered species and maintaining ecological balance. 
• From Himalayan highlands to western ghats and sundarbans, India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries and safeguards the unique ecosystems. 

National Parks In India Origin 

The Origin and history of National Parks of India showcases the commitment to saving the country’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage. Deforestation, hunting and habitat loss were a few reasons that led to the development of the concept of National Parks in India in early 20th century. Jim Corbett National Park, originally named as Hailey National Park, was the first national park to be set up in 1936. The gol was to protect Bengal Tigers and save the diverse ecosystems, marking a start to start a structured approach to wildlife conservation in India. 

Post- Independence, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was adopted providing a legal framework for conservation of wildlife, setting guidelines for establishing national parks, wildlife conservation in India. The 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment has played a significant impact in shaping the global conservation movements in India. Organisations like WWF and IUCN have been very instrumental in providing feedbacks and guidance with India’s commitment to global initiatives like Convention on Biological Diversity, strengthening the conservation policies. 

Today, India is home to over 100 national parks, playing a crucial role in safeguarding diverse species and ecosystems, demonstrating the country's ongoing dedication to environmental protection and sustainability.

National Parks in India Objectives 

The objectives of National Parks in India include: 

• Protecting endangered and threatened species and providing a safe sanctuary to reproduce and thrive. 
• Balancing and maintaining the genetic diversity of animal and plant species. 
• Maintaining ecological balance of regions and regulating ecosystems to prevent soil erosion and protecting water resources. 
• National Parks serve as natural laboratories for scientific research and study and monitor the ecosystems and conduct research on conservation strategies. 
• Spreads environmental education and awareness in visitors.

National Parks Classifications

National Parks in India are classified based on geography, ecosystems, and species they protect. Here’s a detailed classification: 

This table outlines the classifications of national parks in India, showcasing their diverse roles in preserving geography, ecosystems, and species.

National Parks Flora and Fauna

From Mammals to endemic plants, national parks serve as a haven for protecting ecosystems. 

• National Parks serve as ecological zones from tropical rainforests in western ghats to dry deciduous forests in Central India. 
• Fauna includes mammals like tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, birds, reptiles and insects and includes flora like shrubs, grasses, medical plants. 
• Project Tiger, launched in 1973, aimed at Tiger conservation, with a brink of extinction. 
• In 1992, Project Elephant was launched in order to provide protection to elephant habitats and reduce human elephant conflicts.

Environmental and Legal Importance of National Parks 

National Parks have the following Legal and Environmental Importance:

• The Wildlife Protection Act 1972, governs all National Parks in India providing a legal framework for setting up and managing protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 
• The aim of these legislations is to regulate human activities within national parks and ensure that the wildlife is impacted by minimum disturbances. 
• National Parks play an important role in saving the biodiversity, preventing deforestation, climate change and maintaining ecological balance. 
• The goal is to promote sustainable development practices, anti-poaching measures and addressing the challenges such as illegal logging, poaching and human-wildlidw conflicts. 
• The National Parks create buffers zones that foster coexistence in between human population and wildlife while curbing curbing deforestation and reducing habitat fragmentation. 

National Parks of India FAQs

Q1. How many national parks are there in India?
Ans. There are 106 national parks in India.

Q2. What are the top 10 national parks in India with names?
Ans. Jim Corbett, Kaziranga, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sundarbans, Periyar, Gir, Silent Valley, and Nanda Devi.

Q3. What are the 5 largest national parks in India?
Ans. Hemis (Ladakh), Desert (Rajasthan), Gangotri (Uttarakhand), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh), and Khangchendzonga (Sikkim).

Q4. What is the name of the 106th national park of India?
Ans. Dihing Patkai National Park (Assam).

Q5. Which is the 105th national park?
Ans. Raimona National Park (Assam).

Q6. Which is the 55th Tiger Reserve in India?
Ans. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).