A National Park in India is a protected area to propagate or develop wildlife and its environment. Here is a list of the top 10 largest national parks in India.
Top 10 largest national parks in India
- Hemis National Park, Ladakh
- Desert National Park, Rajasthan
- Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand
- Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh
- Khangchendonga National Park, Sikkim
- Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park, Chhattisgarh
- Sunderban National Park, West Bengal
- Indravati (Kutru) National Park, Chhattisgarh
- Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh
- Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
1. Hemis National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 3350 sq km | Ladakh | 1981 |
Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the largest National Park in India. It covers an area of 3,350 square kilometers. Established in 1981, the park provides a safe home to the threatened snow leopard. Other faunas of the park include Brown bears, Red fox, Tibetan wolf, Bharal, etc.
Most of the park is located at an elevation above 3,000 meters. There are also multiple trekking routes that you can enjoy (a permit is required). The best time to visit is from mid-October to October. The park is located just a few kilometers from the touristy town of Leh.
2. Desert National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 3162 sq km | Rajasthan | 1992 |
Located in the Thar desert of Rajasthan, Desert National Park is the second-largest National Park in India. Spread across 3,162 square kilometers, the park is famous for the Great Indian Bustard which is a critically endangered bird species as listed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The park also provides a safe haven for various migratory birds.
The best time to visit is from November to Mid March. The closest big city is Jaisalmer which is around 45 Kilometers from the park.
3. Gangotri National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 2390.02 sq km | Uttarakhand | 1989 |
The Gangotri National Park Of Uttarakhand was established in the year 1989. The total area of the park is 2,390.02 square kilometers and its elevation ranges from 1,800 to 7,084 meters. The Gangotri glacier which is the origin of the sacred Bhagirathi river is located inside the National Park. Because of the large elevation range, a wide variety of flora and fauna is present in the park. The park is also known for its various trekking routes.
4. Namdapha National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 1807.82 sq km | Arunachal Pradesh | 1983 |
Located in the beautiful north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha National Park is the fourth largest National Park in India. The park was established in 1983 and covers an area of 1,807.82 square kilometers. Both a National Park and a Tiger reserve, the area is home to four big cats- Tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard. Moreover, there are a total of 1285 faunal species, found in the park.
The Namdapha flying squirrel is one of the “most wanted lost” species in the world last scene in 1981 in the park. The search for the squirrel is still on so that it can be provided better conservation. There is a great chance that the species is already extinct.
5.Khangchendzonga National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 1784 sq km | Sikkim | 1977 |
The khangchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site in Sikkim state. Also a biosphere reserve, the park is named after Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain peak in the world. The area is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna showcasing the east Himalayan ecosystem.
The park is around 50 kilometers from the capital city of Gangtok. It was established in 1977 and covers an area of 1,784 square Kilometres.
6. Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 1440.705 sq km | Chhattisgarh | 1981 |
Guru Ghasidas National Park also known as Sanjay National Park is located in the heavily forested state of Chhattisgarh. Established in 1981, the park was declared a tiger reserve recently in 2014. As one of the largest National Parks in India, the park is spread across 1,440.705 Square kilometers and shares a border with Madhya Pradesh.
7. Sunderban National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 1330.1 sq km | West Bengal | 1984 |
Sunderban National Park of West Bengal is located in the Sunderbans delta (Ganges delta), the largest river delta in the World. The National Park was established in 1984 and covers an area of 1,330.1 sq km. Famous as the fortress of the Royal Bengal Tiger, the park is both a Tiger as well as a biosphere reserve.
Getting a glimpse of the king is rare so don’t go to the park just to see the Tiger. There is a lot of enthralling wildlife you can see. The park is open from September to March but the best time to visit is during the winter months December, January, and February.
Website: https://www.sunderbannationalpark.in
8. Indravati (Kutru) National Park
| Area | State/Ut | Established |
| 1258.37 sq km | Chhattisgarh | 1982 |
Another large conservation area in Chhattisgarh, Indravati National Park got its name from the Indravati river that flows nearby. The park is famous for the Wild Asian Buffalo which is an endangered species.
Having an area of 1,258.37 Square kilometers, the forest was declared a National Park in 1982 and a Tiger reserve in 1983.
9. Papikonda National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 1012 .86 | Andhra Pradesh | 2008 |
Papikonda National Park is located in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the newest protected areas in India, declared a National Park in 2008. The park is one of the best places to see the eastern ghats ecosystem. It is also listed as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
10. Kanha National Park
| Area | State/UT | Established |
| 940 sq km | Madhya Pradesh | 1978 |
One of the most famous National Parks in India, Kanha National Park has a core area of 940 square kilometers. Located in the Satpura range, the park has earned the reputation for being the “best tourist-friendly” National Park.
Website: https://www.kanha-national-park.com
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Some additional facts about National parks in India
- The first National Park in India was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park which in now known as Jim Corbett National Park. It is located in Uttarakhand state.
- There are a total of 106 National Parks in India.
- National Parks cover an area of 44,403 sq km which is 1.35 % of the total geographical area of India.
- The state of Assam got two new National Parks recently which makes Assam the state with the third most number of National Parks, 7. The two new National Parks are- Raimona National Park (422 square kilometers) and Dehing Patkai National Park (234.26 square kilometers).
- Madhya Pradesh has the most number of National Parks followed by the Andaman and Nicobar islands. There are 10 National Parks in MP and 9 National Parks in Andaman and Nicobar islands.
This is the end of the article
Read more
- National parks in India – full list | Top 10 most famous National Parks
- Forest cover in India (2023) – important statistics
- Charismatic megafauna of India that are now threatened species
Answer to quick question
22 April
I hope to visit the National Parks of central India some day.
They are beautiful.