Table of Content:
- Jim Corbett National Park– The First National Park in India
- Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
- Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
- Sundarban National Park, West Bengal
- Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
India has been blessed with rich culture, heritage, diverse landscapes, and natural beauty. Nestled within a vast expanse are some of the most prestigious national parks in India. They are created to preserve animals in their natural habitat. However, hunting, industrial activities, and cultivation are prohibited in the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
There are more than 100 of the total national parks in India that are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Today's blog will take you to the list of national parks in India that play an integral part in defining the vast landscape of Indian geography as well as environmental conservation.
Top 10 National Parks in India
1. Jim Corbett National Park– The First National Park in India
Jim Corbett is the first national park in India, situated near Nainital. It is a favorite destination for people who have a keen eye for spotting tigers. As a matter of fact, people on their way to catch a glimpse of a tiger sometimes encounter other animals like leopards, red foxes, black bears, and gibbons. So when visiting Jim Corbett Park, don't forget to take an early morning jeep safari to explore the variety of species in this first national park in India.
2. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan
This is one of the largest national parks in India and covers an area of around 392 sq km. Since 1974, Ranthambore National Park has played an integral role as a refuge for the Royal Bengal tigers. Tourists often spot animals like bears, leopards, jackals, wild elephants, and different types of deer.
One interesting fact about one of the famous national parks in India is that the tigers present here fear humans and still continue hunting.
3. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Spread across 1945 sq km, this tiger reserve in India works for a tiger conservation programme known as Project Tiger.
Kanha National Park is divided into two parts: Banjar and Hallon. It is one of the national parks in India that is a refuge for Barasingha. Tourists often spot wildlife species like leopards, wild dogs, black buck, and deer.
The best time to visit this tiger reserve in India is from November to June.
4. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Kaziranga National Park is one of the most incredible national parks in India, where one can find wild animals like rhinoceroses, tigers, wild elephants, wild buffalos, and swamp deer. Spread around 378 sq km of area, Kaziranga resides in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot - a UNESCO-approved World Heritage Site.
It is well connected to Kohara (the closest town by road) if you plan to enjoy elephant safari with your gang.
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5. Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat
Gir Forest in Gujarat is one of the most prestigious national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. No doubt, it is the best place to find Asiatic lions. In earlier days, the Gir Forest National Park was reserved for hunting by the Nawabs of Junagadh before becoming a sanctuary in 1990.
Tourists often spot animals like sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar, and black buck.
Furthermore, it is well connected by roads to Rajkot and other cities. You can plan your visit to Gir Forest between December and March.
6. Sundarban National Park, West Bengal
Another one on the list of national parks in India is Sundarban National Park, situated in West Bengal. It is a famously known Biosphere Reserve and the Tiger Reserve in India.
The largest mangrove forest houses Bengal tigers, saltwater crocodiles, and an array of birds.
You can only explore Sundarban by boat. But beware, as tigers here have developed the ability to swim in the saline water.
7. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
The Satpura National Park covers an area of around 524 sq km. It is one of the national parks in India that is home to various species of wildlife like leopards, wild boars, bears, black bucks, etc.
Tourists enjoy jeep and elephant safaris and even boating. The nearest railway station to reach Satpura National Park is Piparia.
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8. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Another one of the famous national parks in India that one cannot dare to miss is the Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Tourists who are into adventurous activities like rafting are often seen visiting this national park. It's rare to see tigers here, as their population is quite low, but one can easily spot other animals like elephants, wild boars, wolves, sloth bears, deer, etc.
The best time to visit Pench National Park is between November and May. This national park of India has good accessibility via road with the closest city being Seoni.
9. Sariska National Park, Rajasthan
Spread across 866 sq km, Sariska National Park is an abode for Royal Bengal tigers.
One interesting feature of this tiger reserve in India is that the presence of scrub thorns in the forest makes it more convenient for visitors to observe lions. Other animals like jackals, eagles, monkeys, striped hyenas, leopards, etc are easily seen in this national park in India.
Sariska National Park is well connected by road, and the best time to visit this park is from October to June.
10. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh is a famous tiger reserve in India located in Madhya Pradesh and is famous for having the highest number of tigers in the world.
As one of the largest national parks in India, it is also home to 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Unlike any other national park in India, this has some of the rare species of animals like Asiatic jackals, Mongoose ratels, Wild boars, Chinkaras, and Striped hyenas.
The nearest airport to Bandhavgarh is at Khajuraho which is 270 km away, while the nearest railway station is Umaria, which is at a distance of 35 km.
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The national parks in India are mainly located in areas of outstanding natural beauty that offer exquisite landscape, lush greenery, and pristine surroundings. Although there are no residential properties allowed near the national parks in India, cities which are located on the outskirts of the reserved area benefit from having closeness to nature with a serene and peaceful environment. The charm of national parks in India attracts investors who want to pay a premium for properties in such areas.