A Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide opportunities for study or research. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the establishment of Protected Areas in India.[1]
Wildlife sanctuaries of India, are classified as IUCN Category IV protected areas. As of January 2023,[update] 567 wildlife sanctuaries have been established, covering 122,564.86 km2 (47,322.56 sq mi).[2] Among these, Project Tiger governs 53 tiger reserves, which are of special significance for the conservation of the Bengal tiger.[3] Additionally, there are 33 Elephant Reserves covering 80,778 km2 (31,189 sq mi) under the Project Elephant, which may overlap with the wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves.[4][5][6]
Established in 1936, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu was the first bird sanctuary and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary was established later in 1940.[7][8] Spanning 7,506.22 km2 (2,898.17 sq mi), Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the largest wildlife sanctuary in the country.[9] Andaman and Nicobar Islands has the most number of wildlife sanctuaries (97).[10]
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 235.7 | East Godavari |
Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary | 1990 | 1194 | Kurnool, Prakasam |
Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary | 2002 | 70 | Visakhapatnam |
Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary | 1990 | 356.7 | Chittoor |
Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary | 1953 | 673 | Krishna, West Godavari |
Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 194.81 | Guntur, Krishna |
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve | 1978 | 3568.09 | Nandyal, Palnadu, Prakasam |
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary | 1976 | 4.4 | Tirupati |
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary | 1976 | 500 | Tirupati |
Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 6.14 | Nandyal |
Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 464.42 | Kadapa |
Sri Penusila Narasimha Wildlife Sanctuary | 1997 | 1030.85 | Nellore |
Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 153.32 | Tirupati |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 190 | Upper Siang |
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 4149 | Dibang Valley |
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 217 | West Kameng |
Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 140.3 | Papum Pare |
Kamala Wildlife Sanctuary | 2015 | 77.61 | Upper Subansiri |
Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 783 | Upper Subansiri |
Kane Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 55 | West Siang |
Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 281.5 | Dibang Valley |
Pakke Tiger Reserve | 1977 | 861.95 | East Kameng |
Ringba-Roba Wildlife Sanctuary | 2015 | 49.2 | East Kameng |
Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 100 | West Kameng |
Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary | 1995 | 337 | Lower Subansiri |
Yordi Rabe Supse Wildlife Sanctuary | 1996 | 491.62 | West Siang |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Barela Bird Sanctuary | 1997 | 1.96 | Vaishali |
Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 681.99 | Munger |
Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 259.5 | Gaya |
Kanwarjheel Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 63.11 | Begusarai |
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary | 1982 | 1342 | Rohtas |
Nagi Dam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 7.91 | Jamui |
Nakti Dam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 3.32 | Jamui |
Pant Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 35.84 | Nalanda |
Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 8.87 | Pashchim Champaran |
Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 544.67 | Pashchim Champaran |
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary | 1990 | 50 | Bhagalpur |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
City Birds Wildlife Sanctuary | 1998 | 0.03 | Chandigarh |
Sukhna Lake Wildlife Sanctuary | 1986 | 25.98 | Chandigarh |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1975 | 551.55 | Bilaspur |
Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary | 1975 | 104.45 | Jashpur |
Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 244.66 | Raipur |
Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary | 1983 | 138.95 | Bijapur |
Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary | 1975 | 277.91 | Raigarh |
Pamed Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 262.12 | Bijapur |
Semarsot Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 430.35 | Surguja |
Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary | 1974 | 553.36 | Dhamtari |
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 608.51 | Surguja |
Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 237.27 | Gariaband |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Dadra and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary | 2000 | 92.16 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli |
Fudam Bird Sanctuary | 1991 | 2.18 | Diu |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary | 1992 | 27.82 | South Delhi |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary | 1967 | 133 | North Goa |
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary | 1969 | 8 | North Goa |
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary | 1988 | 1.78 | North Goa |
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary | 1968 | 85.65 | South Goa |
Madei Wildlife Sanctuary | 1999 | 208.48 | North Goa |
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary | 1999 | 211.05 | South Goa |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Abubshahar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 115.3 | Sirsa |
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary | 1986 | 4.12 | Jhajjar |
Bir Bara Ban Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 4.19 | Jind |
Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 7.67 | Panchkula |
Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary | 1986 | 0.29 | Kaithal |
Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1996 | 54.06 | Yamuna Nagar |
Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 0.83 | Jhajjar |
Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary | 2004 | 22.27 | Panchkula |
Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 2.11 | Rewari |
Saraswati Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 44.53 | Kaithal, Kurukshetra |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Baltal Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 210.5 | Srinagar |
Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 139.25 | Baramulla |
Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 114.5 | Baramulla |
Hokersar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1992 | 13.75 | Srinagar |
Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 25.75 | Kathua |
Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 93.5 | Baramulla |
Limber Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 43.75 | Baramulla |
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 44.25 | Jammu |
Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 511 | Anantnag |
Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary | 2002 | 20 | Anantnag |
Ramnagar Rakha Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 12.75 | Jammu |
Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 55.5 | Jammu |
Tral Wildlife Sanctuary | 2019 | 154.15 | Pulwama |
Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 27.75 | Jammu |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 193.22 | Singhbhum East |
Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 186.25 | Hazaribagh |
Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 177.35 | Koderma |
Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 207 | Chatra |
Mahauaduar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 63.25 | Palamau |
Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 794.33 | Palamau |
Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary | 1990 | 183.18 | Gumla |
Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 49.33 | Giridih |
Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 8.75 | Dhanbad |
Udhwa Lake Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 0.06 | Sahebganj |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 55 | Kannur |
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 85 | Thrissur |
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 90.44 | Idukki |
Choolannur Pea Fowl Sanctuary | 2007 | 5 | Palakkad |
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 70 | Idukki |
Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary | 2020 | 227.97 | Malappuram |
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary | 2011 | 30.38 | Kannur |
Kurinjimala Sanctuary | 2006 | 32 | Idukki |
Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary | 2010 | 74.22 | Kozhikode |
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary | 2004 | 0.027 | Ernakulam |
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1958 | 128 | Thiruvananthapuram |
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1973 | 285 | Palakkad |
Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary | 1958 | 125 | Thrissur |
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary | 1983 | 53 | Thiruvananthapuram |
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1950 | 427 | Idukki |
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 171 | Kollam |
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary | 1983 | 25.16 | Idukki |
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary | 1973 | 344.44 | Wayanad |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 4000 | Leh |
Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 5000 | Leh |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Pitti | 2002 | 0.01 | Lakshadweep |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary | 1997 | 115.8 | Tamenglong |
Jiri-Makru Wildlife Sanctuary | 1997 | 198 | Imphal East, Tamenglong |
Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1997 | 187.5 | Churachandpur |
Khongjaingamba Ching Wildlife Sanctuary | 2016 | 0.42 | Imphal East |
Thinungei Bird Sanctuary | 2019 | 1.03 | Bishnupur |
Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary | 1989 | 184.4 | Chandel |
Zeilad Wildlife Sanctuary | 1997 | 21 | Tamenglong |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Baghmara Pitcher Plant Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 0.02 | South Garo Hills |
Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary | 2014 | 59.9 | East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills |
Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 29 | Ri Bhoi |
Siju Wildlife Sanctuary | 1979 | 5.18 | South Garo Hills |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 500 | Mamit |
Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary | 1992 | 35 | Serchhip |
Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary | 1999 | 60 | Champhai |
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary | 1991 | 110 | Chhimtuipui |
Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary | 2004 | 50 | Kolasib |
Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary | 2001 | 35.75 | Lunglei |
Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary | 2002 | 50 | Lunglei |
Tokalo Wildlife Sanctuary | 2007 | 250 | Saiha |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 6.41 | Tuensang |
Khonoma Tragopan Sanctuary | 1998 | 25 | Kohima |
Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 9.23 | Kohima |
Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1986 | 4.7 | Dimapur |
Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary | 2009 | 23.57 | Mon |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 186.5 | Firozpur |
Bir Aishvan Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 4.67 | Sangrur |
Bir Bhadson Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 10.23 | Patiala |
Bir Bunerheri Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 6.5 | Patiala |
Bir Dosanjh Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 5.18 | Patiala |
Bir Gurdialpura Wildlife Sanctuary | 1977 | 6.2 | Patiala |
Bir Mehaswala Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 1.23 | Patiala |
Bir Motibagh Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 6.4 | Patiala |
Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary | 1982 | 86 | Firozpur |
Jhajjar Bacholi Wildlife Sanctuary | 1998 | 1.16 | Rupnagar |
Kathlaur Kushlian Wildlife Sanctuary | 1999 | 7.58 | Gurdaspur |
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary | 2009 | 2.9 | Rupnagar |
Takhni-Rehampur Wildlife Sanctuary | 1992 | 3.82 | Hoshiarpur |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Oussudu Bird Sanctuary | 2008 | 3.9 | Puducherry |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary | 1984 | 51.76 | East Sikkim |
Kitam Bird Sanctuary | 2005 | 6 | Namchi |
Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary | 1977 | 31 | East Sikkim |
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 35.34 | South Sikkim |
Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary | 2002 | 128 | East Sikkim |
Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary | 1984 | 43 | North Sikkim |
Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary | 1998 | 104 | West Sikkim |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary | 1953 | 806.15 | Karimnagar, Warangal |
Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary | 1965 | 893 | Adilabad |
Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary | 1977 | 656 | Khammam |
Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 20 | Medak |
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve | 1978 | 3568.09 | Nalgonda, Mahabub Nagar |
Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 879.3 | Warangal |
Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary | 1952 | 130 | Medak, Nizamabad |
Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 136.02 | Adilabad |
Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary | 1978 | 36.29 | Adilabad, Karimnagar |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 389.54 | South Tripura |
Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 0.85 | North Tripura |
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 18.53 | West Tripura |
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 194.7 | South Tripura |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary | 1986 | 599.93 | Pithoragarh |
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1988 | 45.59 | Almora |
Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary | 1955 | 481 | Uttarkashi |
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary | 1972 | 975.24 | Chamoli, Rudraprayag |
Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary | 1993 | 10.82 | Dehradun |
Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary | 2012 | 269.95 | Nainital, Champawat |
Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary | 1987 | 301.18 | Pauri Garhwal |
Sanctuary | Declared | Area (km2) | District |
---|---|---|---|
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary | 1977 | 2.02 | Birbhum |
Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 0.67 | Nadia |
Bibhutibhushan Wildlife Sanctuary | 1980 | 0.64 | North 24-Paraganas |
Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary | 1986 | 368.99 | Jalpaiguri |
Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 9.6 | Jalpaiguri |
Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 5.95 | South 24-Paraganas |
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 216.51 | Jalpaiguri |
Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 0.04 | Darjeeling |
Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 38 | South 24-Paraganas |
Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 158.04 | Darjeeling |
Narendrapur Wildlife Sanctuary | 1982 | 0.1 | South 24-Paraganas |
Raiganj Wildlife Sanctuary | 1985 | 1.3 | North Dinajpur |
Ramnabagan Wildlife Sanctuary | 1981 | 0.14 | Burdwan |
Sajnakhali Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 362.4 | South 24-Paraganas |
Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary | 1976 | 38.88 | Darjeeling |
West Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary | 2013 | 556.45 | South 24-Paraganas |