Geography

Protected Areas: National Parks, Sanctuaries, Reserves

Protected areas in India are mainly governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. National parks have the highest protection and allow no human activity such as grazing, while wildlife sanctuaries allow some regulated activities. Biosphere reserves are designated by the Government of India under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Last reviewed 2026-10-15

Types of protected areas

National park: strict protection, no grazing or private rights. Corbett (1936) was the first national park in India.
Wildlife sanctuary: limited human activity, such as grazing, may be allowed with permission.
Conservation reserve and community reserve: added by the 2002 amendment to the Wildlife Act, for areas near existing parks and sanctuaries and for community-owned land.
Tiger reserve: declared under Project Tiger (1973), managed with the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Biosphere reserve: aims to conserve ecosystems and genetic diversity. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1986) was the first in India.

Ramsar sites

The Ramsar Convention (1971) protects wetlands of international importance. Keoladeo (Rajasthan) and Chilika (Odisha) were among the first Indian wetlands listed, in 1981. The number of Indian sites keeps growing, so check the latest count in current affairs.

Frequently asked questions

Which law governs national parks in India?

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

When was Project Tiger launched?

In 1973.

Which was the first national park in India?

Corbett National Park, established in 1936.