Wildlife Sanctuaries in India – UPSC & SSC Exam Notes | JKSSB Mock Test
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India – Complete Notes for SSC, UPSC, JKSSB
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India play a crucial role in conserving the country’s biodiversity. India is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, thanks to its diverse climatic zones, topography, and ecosystems. Wildlife sanctuaries are specially designated protected areas where animals, birds, and vegetation are conserved in their natural habitat without human interference. These areas are notified under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
🧭 What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?
A wildlife sanctuary is a natural habitat, owned by the government or private agency, where species are protected from hunting, poaching, and deforestation. Unlike national parks, human activities like grazing (to an extent) may be allowed.
- Notified under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Focus is on protection of animals in their natural habitat
- Human access may be permitted for research, tourism, or controlled grazing
📍 Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
| Aspect | Wildlife Sanctuary | National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Human Activity | Allowed with restrictions | Strictly prohibited |
| Boundary | Not fixed by law | Clearly demarcated |
| Focus | Animals & habitat | Flora, fauna, landscape |
| Example | Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary | Jim Corbett National Park |
🦁 Top Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
India has over 565 Wildlife Sanctuaries (as of 2025) spread across states and union territories. Below are some of the most important ones for exams:
1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
- Located in the Western Ghats
- Famous for elephants and tigers
- Also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve
2. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)
- Located in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts
- Notified as Project Tiger Reserve
- Rich in medicinal plants and birds
3. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
- Part of Aravalli Hills
- Tiger Relocation Project success story
- Also has leopards, jackals, and hyenas
4. Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha)
- Located around Asia's largest brackish water lagoon
- Important for migratory birds
- Home to Irrawaddy dolphins
5. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)
- Known for hornbills, black panthers, and crocodiles
- Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot
6. Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh)
- Named after Sitanadi river
- Tiger, hyena, sloth bear found here
- Part of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve
7. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)
- Second largest wildlife sanctuary in India
- Located in Great Rann of Kutch
- Home to flamingos, foxes, and wild ass
📊 State-Wise List of Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries
| State | Famous Sanctuary | Main Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Uttarakhand | Askot Sanctuary | Musk deer |
| Madhya Pradesh | Kanha, Bori, Panna | Tigers, Barasingha |
| Assam | Chakrashila | Golden langur |
| Himachal Pradesh | Renuka Sanctuary | Cheer pheasant, spotted deer |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Dachigam Sanctuary | Hangul (Kashmir stag) |
🧠 Quick Revision One-Liners (SSC/JKSSB/UPSC)
- Largest Wildlife Sanctuary: Rann of Kutch (Gujarat)
- Oldest Sanctuary: Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Project Tiger First Sanctuary: Jim Corbett (then Hailey NP)
- Chilika Lake: Hosts over 160 species of migratory birds
- Ranthambore: Located in Rajasthan, famous for tigers
🧾 Conclusion
Wildlife Sanctuaries are vital for the ecological balance and for preserving endangered species in India. These protected areas not only serve as habitats but also as ecological classrooms, research grounds, and tourist attractions. In exams like JKSSB, SSC, UPSC and State PSCs, factual knowledge of these sanctuaries is frequently tested.
