Wildlife sanctuaries in India form a critical part of the country’s protected area network — sheltering endangered species, preserving biodiversity, and functioning as buffer zones around national parks.
India has over 570 wildlife sanctuaries covering approximately 4% of the country’s geographical area. Questions on sanctuary names, states, key species, and their differences from national parks appear consistently in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking, Railways, and State PSC exams — especially in the Environment and Ecology section. This page gives you a complete, state-wise list of all major wildlife sanctuaries with area, key species, Ramsar status, and exam-ready facts for 2026.
⚡ Quick Facts
- India has 570+ wildlife sanctuaries covering ~1,19,776 sq. km (~3.6% of India’s area).
- Rann of Kutch WLS (Gujarat, ~7,505 sq. km) — largest WLS in India; Indian Wild Ass; flamingo nesting.
- Unlike National Parks, limited human activities (grazing, forest produce collection) are permitted inside Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Chilika Lake (Odisha) — India’s largest coastal lagoon; Asia’s largest bird sanctuary; Irrawaddy dolphins; Ramsar site since 1981.
- India has 80 Ramsar sites (2024) — the highest number of any country; Chilika & Keoladeo Ghana were first (1981).
NP vs WLS: No grazing in National Parks (Parliament must approve boundary changes); limited grazing allowed in Wildlife Sanctuaries (state govt can change boundary). Biosphere Reserves are NOT statutory — they have no legal backing under Indian law (unlike NPs and WLSs). Ramsar = international designation, not Indian domestic law. Gir WLS = Asiatic Lion (NOT Bengal Tiger). Gangetic Dolphin = Vikramshila Sanctuary, Bihar (not Chilika — Chilika has Irrawaddy Dolphin). Oldest bird sanctuary = Vedanthangal (TN), not Keoladeo Ghana.
✅ My Progress Tracker
🐘 Wildlife Sanctuaries of India — Complete List
| # ↕ | Sanctuary ↕ | State | Area (km²) ↕ | Region ↕ | Key Species | Key Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rann of Kutch WLS | Gujarat | 7,505 | West | Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur), Flamingo, Wolf | 🏆 Largest WLS in India; world’s largest flamingo nesting ground |
| 2 | Dibang WLS | Arunachal Pradesh | 4,149 | Northeast | Mishmi Takin, Red Panda, Hoolock Gibbon | One of largest WLS in Northeast India; Himalayan biodiversity |
| 3 | Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam WLS | AP / Telangana | 3,568 | South | Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear | 🏆 Largest Tiger Reserve in India; spans 5 districts across 2 states |
| 4 | Desert WLS | Rajasthan | 3,162 | North | Great Indian Bustard (GIB), Chinkara, Desert Fox | Largest WLS in Rajasthan; critical for Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered) |
| 5 | Simlipal WLS | Odisha | 2,750 | East | Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Gaur | Largest WLS in Odisha; Biosphere Reserve; Project Tiger |
| 6 | Gir (Sasan Gir) WLS | Gujarat | 1,153 | West | Asiatic Lion | 🏆 Only place in world with wild Asiatic Lions outside Africa |
| 7 | Nauradehi WLS | Madhya Pradesh | 1,197 | Central | Chital, Blackbuck, Sloth Bear, Wolf | Largest WLS in MP; cheetah reintroduction considered |
| 8 | Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary | Odisha | 1,100 | East | Irrawaddy Dolphin, Flamingo, Eurasian Wigeon | 🏆 Largest coastal lagoon in India; Asia’s largest bird sanctuary; Ramsar site (1981 — first) |
| 9 | Papikonda WLS | Andhra Pradesh | 1,012 | South | Tiger, Giant Squirrel, Crocodile | On Godavari River; converted to National Park in 2008 |
| 10 | Kedarnath WLS | Uttarakhand | 975 | North | Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear | Highest WLS in Uttarakhand; alpine ecosystem |
| 11 | Govind Pashu Vihar WLS | Uttarakhand | 958 | North | Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Ibex | Shares border with Himachal Pradesh; high-altitude Himalayan species |
| 12 | Kawal WLS | Telangana | 893 | South | Tiger, Leopard, Wild Boar | Converted to Kawal Tiger Reserve (2012) |
| 13 | Valmiki WLS | Bihar | 899 | East | Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Gharial | Adjacent to Valmiki Tiger Reserve; West Champaran district |
| 14 | Sariska WLS | Rajasthan | 866 | North | Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Chital | Adjacent to Sariska Tiger Reserve; Alwar district |
| 15 | Eturnagaram WLS | Telangana | 806 | South | Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Wild Boar | Largest WLS in Telangana |
| 16 | Rajaji WLS | Uttarakhand | 820 | North | Asian Elephant, Tiger, Leopard | Adjacent to Rajaji National Park; elephant corridor |
| 17 | Ratapani WLS | Madhya Pradesh | 824 | Central | Tiger, Leopard, Wild Boar | Near Bhimbetka rock shelters (UNESCO); proposed Tiger Reserve |
| 18 | Dandeli WLS | Karnataka | 834 | South | Black Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur | Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve; famous for black panther sightings |
| 19 | Khangchendzonga WLS | Sikkim | 1,784 | Northeast | Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr | Part of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve; Kangchenjunga peak (3rd highest) |
| 20 | Bhitarkanika WLS | Odisha | 672 | East | Saltwater Crocodile, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | 🏆 Largest population of saltwater crocodiles in India; mangroves; Ramsar site (2002) |
| 21 | National Chambal Sanctuary | MP / Rajasthan / UP | 635 | Central | Gharial, Gangetic Dolphin, Mugger Crocodile | 🏆 Tri-state sanctuary; India’s most important gharial habitat; Chambal = cleanest major river |
| 22 | Askot WLS | Uttarakhand | 600 | North | Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr | Kumaon Himalayas; near Nepal border |
| 23 | Grizzled Squirrel WLS | Tamil Nadu | 485 | South | Grizzled Giant Squirrel (endemic) | Srivilliputtur; endemic species; State animal of Tamil Nadu |
| 24 | Pench WLS | Madhya Pradesh | 449 | Central | Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gaur | Part of Pench Tiger Reserve; inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book |
| 25 | Wayanad WLS | Kerala | 344 | South | Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Leopard | Contiguous with Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve; important elephant corridor |
| 26 | Mudumalai WLS | Tamil Nadu | 321 | South | Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Leopard | Buffer zone of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve; adjacent to Wayanad and Nagarhole |
| 27 | Sonanadi WLS | Uttarakhand | 301 | North | Elephant, Tiger, Leopard | Part of Corbett-Rajaji elephant corridor |
| 28 | Parambikulam WLS | Kerala | 285 | South | Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Crocodile | Parambikulam Tiger Reserve; one of best protected areas in South India |
| 29 | Ranthambore WLS | Rajasthan | 392 | North | Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear | Buffer zone of Ranthambore NP; most photographed tigers in India |
| 30 | Corbett WLS | Uttarakhand | 797 | North | Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Gharial | Buffer zone of Jim Corbett NP; Ramganga River |
| 31 | Brahmagiri WLS | Karnataka | 181 | South | Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Nilgiri Langur | Western Ghats; part of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve |
| 32 | Hazaribagh WLS | Jharkhand | 184 | East | Leopard, Sloth Bear, Chital, Sambar | Chota Nagpur Plateau; scenic hill sanctuary |
| 33 | Dalma WLS | Jharkhand | 195 | East | Asian Elephant | Major elephant habitat in Jharkhand; near Jamshedpur |
| 34 | Lawalong WLS | Jharkhand | 207 | East | Leopard, Sloth Bear | Chatra district; forested area |
| 35 | Ken WLS | Madhya Pradesh | 45 | Central | Vulture, Sloth Bear | Panna Tiger Reserve adjacent; Ken-Betwa Link Project controversy |
| 36 | Gangetic Dolphin WLS (Vikramshila) | Bihar | 50 | East | Gangetic River Dolphin | 🏆 Protects India’s National Aquatic Animal; blind dolphin; Critically Endangered |
| 37 | Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | Gujarat | 120 | West | Flamingo, Pelican, Migratory Birds | Ramsar site (2012); important wetland near Ahmedabad |
| 38 | Keoladeo Ghana WLS (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | 28.7 | North | Siberian Crane (rare), Migratory Birds | 🏆 UNESCO World Heritage; Ramsar site (1981 — first India); formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary |
| 39 | Tal Chappar WLS | Rajasthan | 7.19 | North | Blackbuck, Chinkara, Demoiselle Crane | Famous for blackbuck herds; Sujangarh, Churu district |
| 40 | Fambong Lho WLS | Sikkim | 52 | Northeast | Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Clouded Leopard | Near Gangtok; temperate broadleaf forest; Red Panda habitat |
| 41 | Eagle Nest WLS | Arunachal Pradesh | 218 | Northeast | Snow Leopard, Takin, Red Panda, Hoolock Gibbon | Himalayan biodiversity hotspot; Hoolock Gibbon (only ape in India) |
| 42 | Chinnar WLS | Kerala | 90 | South | Elephant, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Leopard | Dry deciduous forest; borders Tamil Nadu |
| 43 | Malabar WLS | Kerala | 74 | South | Malabar Large-Spotted Civet (endemic), Lion-tailed Macaque | Rare endemic Western Ghats species; Malabar civet (Critically Endangered) |
| 44 | Nongkhyllem WLS | Meghalaya | 29 | Northeast | Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Hoolock Gibbon | Dense subtropical forest; Eastern Himalayan biodiversity |
| 45 | Point Calimere WLS | Tamil Nadu | 17.26 | South | Flamingo, Blackbuck, Migratory Birds | Ramsar site (2002); important coastal wetland |
| 46 | Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary | Karnataka | 0.67 | South | Painted Stork, Darter, Spot-billed Pelican | Smallest Ramsar site in Karnataka (Ramsar 2022); on Kaveri River near Mysuru |
| 47 | Rollapadu WLS | Andhra Pradesh | 6.14 | South | Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican | Critical habitat for Great Indian Bustard in AP |
| 48 | Narcondam Island WLS | Andaman & Nicobar | 6.82 | East | Narcondam Hornbill (endemic), Sea Turtle | Endemic Narcondam Hornbill (Critically Endangered); active volcano; restricted access |
| 49 | Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | 0.74 | South | Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Cormorant | 🏆 Oldest bird sanctuary in India (~250 years old); colonial nesting waterbirds |
| 50 | Attiveri Bird Sanctuary | Karnataka | 2.23 | South | Migratory Birds, Spot-billed Duck | Uttara Kannada district; migratory bird habitat |
| Category | Governing Law | Human Activity | Count in India | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Park | Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | ❌ Strictly prohibited; no grazing, no habitation | 106 | Highest protection; boundaries cannot be changed without Parliament |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | ⚠️ Limited permitted (grazing, some collection) | 570+ | Less strict than NP; state govt can alter boundaries |
| Conservation Reserve | WPA 1972 (amended 2002) | ✅ Community use permitted | 100+ | Buffer between WLS and human use areas |
| Community Reserve | WPA 1972 (amended 2002) | ✅ Community-managed | 200+ | Local community has legal rights; lesser protection |
| Biosphere Reserve | UNESCO / MoEFCC (NOT statutory) | Zonation: Core, Buffer, Transition | 18 | Not statutory; no legal backing like NP/WLS; for scientific study |
| Tiger Reserve | Project Tiger / NTCA | Strict in core; buffer allows limited use | 55 | Established under Project Tiger; managed by NTCA |
| Elephant Reserve | Project Elephant | Corridor protection; limited interference | 33 | For elephant movement; less strict than Tiger Reserve |
| Ramsar Site | Ramsar Convention (Iran, 1971) | Varies — wetland-specific | 80 (2024) | International recognition only; not Indian domestic law |
| # | Sanctuary | State | Area (sq. km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rann of Kutch WLS | Gujarat | 7,505 |
| 2 | Dibang WLS | Arunachal Pradesh | 4,149 |
| 3 | Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam WLS | AP / Telangana | 3,568 |
| 4 | Desert WLS | Rajasthan | 3,162 |
| 5 | Simlipal WLS | Odisha | 2,750 |
| 6 | Khangchendzonga WLS | Sikkim | 1,784 |
| 7 | Nauradehi WLS | Madhya Pradesh | 1,197 |
| 8 | Gir WLS | Gujarat | 1,153 |
| 9 | Chilika Lake WLS | Odisha | 1,100 |
| 10 | Kedarnath WLS | Uttarakhand | 975 |
| Sanctuary / Wetland | State | Ramsar Year | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | 1981 ⭐ First | Asia’s largest bird sanctuary; Irrawaddy dolphin |
| Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | 1981 ⭐ First | Siberian crane; UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Wular Lake | J&K | 1990 | Largest freshwater lake in India |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | 1990 | Only floating lake in India (phumdis); Sangai Deer |
| Harike Wetland | Punjab | 1990 | Indus Dolphin; largest wetland in North India |
| Bhitarkanika | Odisha | 2002 | Saltwater crocodile; Olive Ridley sea turtle |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | 2002 | Elephant; migratory birds; near Guwahati |
| Point Calimere | Tamil Nadu | 2002 | Flamingo; blackbuck; coastal wetland |
| Nal Sarovar | Gujarat | 2012 | Flamingo; migratory birds near Ahmedabad |
| Ranganthittu | Karnataka | 2022 | Painted stork; smallest Ramsar in Karnataka; Kaveri River |
| Species | Key Sanctuary | State | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asiatic Lion | Gir WLS / Gir NP | Gujarat | Only wild population of Asiatic Lions outside Africa |
| Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur) | Rann of Kutch WLS / Little Rann of Kutch | Gujarat | Near Threatened; fastest wild equine in India |
| Great Indian Bustard (GIB) | Desert WLS, Rollapadu WLS | Rajasthan, AP | Critically Endangered; State bird of Rajasthan |
| Gharial | National Chambal Sanctuary | MP / Rajasthan / UP | Critically Endangered; only species in family Gavialidae |
| Gangetic Dolphin | Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin WLS | Bihar | National Aquatic Animal; blind; navigates by echolocation |
| Irrawaddy Dolphin | Chilika Lake | Odisha | Rare marine mammal; found in Chilika’s brackish water |
| Snow Leopard | Kedarnath WLS, Khangchendzonga WLS | Uttarakhand, Sikkim | Endangered; found only at high altitude |
| Red Panda | Khangchendzonga WLS, Fambong Lho WLS | Sikkim | Endangered; State animal of Sikkim; also called Firefox |
| Narcondam Hornbill | Narcondam Island WLS | Andaman & Nicobar | Endemic; Critically Endangered; only on Narcondam Island |
| Sangai Deer | Keibul Lamjao NP (floating) | Manipur | Critically Endangered; found on floating vegetation islands (phumdis) |
| Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | Bhitarkanika WLS, Gahirmatha | Odisha | Mass nesting (Arribada) at Gahirmatha beach |
| Saltwater Crocodile | Bhitarkanika WLS | Odisha | Largest reptile in the world; India’s largest population here |
| Grizzled Giant Squirrel | Srivilliputtur Grizzled Squirrel WLS | Tamil Nadu | Endemic; State animal of Tamil Nadu |
| Hoolock Gibbon | Eagle Nest WLS | Arunachal Pradesh | Only ape found in India; Endangered |
| Blackbuck | Tal Chappar WLS, Desert WLS | Rajasthan | India’s fastest land animal; State animal of AP and Punjab |
⚖️ Compare Two Sanctuaries
📝 Key Notes & Memory Tips
A National Park has the highest level of protection — human activities including grazing and forest produce collection are strictly prohibited, and its boundaries cannot be altered without Parliament’s approval. A Wildlife Sanctuary has lower protection — limited human activities (grazing, some resource collection) are permitted, and state governments can alter its boundaries. Key exam test: “Can grazing be allowed?” — Yes in WLS, No in NP.
The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary (7,505 sq. km) is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India. It is famous for the Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur) and is part of the Little Rann of Kutch. The Great Rann of Kutch is a seasonal saltwater marsh — it fills with water during monsoon and dries out in winter, enabling the world’s largest flamingo nesting event in India.
The National Chambal Sanctuary stretches across three states (Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh) along the Chambal River. It is India’s most important habitat for the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) — one of India’s most critically endangered reptiles and the only species in the family Gavialidae. The Chambal River itself is one of India’s cleanest rivers, undammed and largely free of industrial pollution.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu (just 0.74 sq. km) is the oldest bird sanctuary in India, having been protected for approximately 250 years. It hosts large colonies of painted storks, cormorants, and pelicans. Though tiny in area, it is significant for its colonial nesting waterbirds and for being among India’s first formally protected wildlife areas.
India has 80 Ramsar sites as of 2024 — the highest number of any country in the world. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (1971, Iran). Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) were India’s first two Ramsar sites in 1981. Ramsar sites are not the same as wildlife sanctuaries — the designation is international, not domestic legal protection.
“Asiatic Lion — Gir | Wild Ass — Rann | Gharial — Chambal | Gangetic Dolphin — Vikramshila | Snow Leopard — Kedarnath”
→ One species, one primary sanctuary — the five most direct exam questions
“NP = No People (strict); WLS = Wildlife + Limited Settlement (some human use allowed)”
→ No grazing in NP | Limited grazing allowed in WLS
→ Parliament must approve NP boundary change | State govt can change WLS boundary
🃏 Flashcards
Click a card to flip · Use arrows to navigate
🧩 Practice Quiz
5 questions · Answer all · Check your score
The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, covering approximately 7,505 sq. km. It is home to the Indian Wild Ass (Ghudkhur), flamingos, and wolves, and hosts the world\u2019s largest flamingo nesting event.
The key legal difference is that human activities including grazing are strictly prohibited in National Parks. In Wildlife Sanctuaries, limited activities (including regulated grazing) may be permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden. Also, National Park boundaries cannot be altered without Parliament\u2019s approval, while state governments can alter Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries.
The Gangetic River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India\u2019s National Aquatic Animal and is one of the world\u2019s most endangered river dolphins. It is blind \u2014 navigating entirely by echolocation. The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin WLS in Bihar is its most important protected habitat. Chilika Lake has the Irrawaddy Dolphin \u2014 a different species.
Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) in Rajasthan were designated as India\u2019s first Ramsar sites in 1981. India now has 80 Ramsar sites (as of 2024) \u2014 the highest number of any country in the world.
The National Chambal Sanctuary (MP, Rajasthan, UP) is India\u2019s most important habitat for the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) \u2014 a critically endangered fish-eating crocodilian. The Chambal River remains one of India\u2019s cleanest major rivers, making it an ideal gharial habitat. The sanctuary also supports Gangetic dolphins and mugger crocodiles.
\u2705 Key Takeaways
\u2753 Frequently Asked Questions
India has over 570 wildlife sanctuaries as of 2026, covering approximately 1,19,776 sq. km \u2014 about 3.6% of India\u2019s total geographical area. Together with national parks (106), conservation reserves, and community reserves, these form India\u2019s Protected Area (PA) network, which covers over 5% of the country\u2019s land area. Wildlife sanctuaries are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and are managed by state governments.
The key differences are: (1) Protection level \u2014 National Parks have the highest legal protection; no human activity including grazing is permitted. Wildlife Sanctuaries allow limited human activities such as regulated grazing. (2) Boundary changes \u2014 National Park boundaries cannot be altered without the approval of Parliament; Wildlife Sanctuary boundaries can be altered by the respective state government. (3) Both are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, but National Parks are considered inviolate zones while Wildlife Sanctuaries are managed with some flexibility.
India has 80 Ramsar sites as of 2024 \u2014 the highest number of any country in the world. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention (signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971). India\u2019s first two Ramsar sites \u2014 Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) in Rajasthan \u2014 were designated in 1981. Ramsar designation does not automatically grant legal protection under Indian law; the area must also be notified under domestic legislation for statutory protection.
The most exam-tested sanctuaries are: Gir WLS (Asiatic Lion, Gujarat), Rann of Kutch WLS (largest; Indian Wild Ass), National Chambal Sanctuary (gharial; tri-state), Chilika Lake (Ramsar; Irrawaddy dolphin; Asia\u2019s largest bird sanctuary), Keoladeo Ghana / Bharatpur (Ramsar; Siberian crane; UNESCO), Vedanthangal (oldest bird sanctuary), Vikramshila (Gangetic dolphin), Bhitarkanika (saltwater crocodile; Olive Ridley turtle), Desert WLS (Great Indian Bustard), and Tal Chappar (blackbuck). These sanctuaries cover almost all species-based questions in UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railway exams.
