The Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA) of 1972 authorized the State Government to establish National Parks in areas deemed to be of sufficient ecological, geomorphological, and natural significance, though the difference in conservation value between a National Park and a sanctuary is not specified in the WPA 1972. The primary goal of a national park is to protect the area's natural environment and to conserve biodiversity. National Parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas. In this article, we will discuss the National Parks which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What is a National Park?

• A national park is a relatively large area that contains one or more ecosystems that have not been significantly altered by human exploitation and occupation.
• A national park is defined as an area with sufficient ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance.
• A National Park, like a Sanctuary, is established for the purpose of protecting, propagating, or developing wildlife or its environment.
• The primary distinction between a Sanctuary and a National Park is the vesting of rights of those who live within.
• In contrast to a Sanctuary, where certain rights may be granted, no rights are granted in a National Park.
• No livestock grazing shall be permitted within a National Park, while in a Sanctuary, the Chief Wildlife Warden may regulate, control, or prohibit it.
• Furthermore, while removal or exploitation of wildlife or forest produce from a Sanctuary requires the State Board for Wildlife's approval, removal from a National Park requires the National Board for Wildlife's approval.
• Hailey National Park was established in 1936 as India's first national park. It is now known as the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
• There are 106 existing national parks in India, covering an area of 44,372.42 km2, or 1.35 percent of the country's geographical area.

Provisions for National Parks

Declaration by State Government

• The State Government may, by notification, declare its intention to establish a national park in any area within or outside of any reserve forest if it believes that such area is of sufficient ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating, or developing wild life or its environment.
• After the initial notification has been issued and the period for filing claims has expired, the State Government may issue a notification specifying the boundaries of the national park and declaring that the said area shall be a national park as of the date specified in the notification.

Declaration by Central Government

• By notification, the Central Government may declare a national park if it is satisfied that an area is of sufficient ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating, or developing wild life or its environment.

Boundaries

• The notification must describe the situation and boundaries of the area as precisely as possible.
• In cases where territorial waters are included, the limits shall be determined in consultation with the Central Government's Chief Naval Hydrographer, after adequate measures to protect the occupational interests of local fishermen have been taken.
• The boundaries of a national park may not be changed unless the National Board for Wild Life recommends it.
• The Amendment Act of 1991 included territorial waters in areas designated as sanctuaries for the protection of off-shore marine flora and fauna.

Settlement of Rights

• In accordance with their rights, the State Government shall make alternative arrangements for making available fuel, fodder, and other forest produce to those affected.
• Under the Act, the State Government appoints an officer as a 'Collector' to investigate and determine the existence, nature, and extent of any person's rights in or over the land comprised within the national park that is to be notified.
• No right shall be acquired in, on, or over the land comprised within the limits of the area specified in such notification after the issuance of a notification for declaration of the Protected Area, except by succession, testamentary or intestate.

Claim of Rights

• In the event of a claim to a right in or over any of the aforementioned lands, the Collector shall issue an order admitting or rejecting the claim in whole or in part.
• If such claim is accepted in whole or in part, the Collector may either
  • exclude such land from the proposed sanctuary's boundaries or
  • proceed to acquire such land or rights, unless, by agreement between the owner of such land or holder of such rights and the Government, the owner or holder of such rights has agreed to surrender his rights in or over such land to the Government in exchange for such compensation, as provided in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
  • allow, in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden, the continuation of any person's right in or over any land within the national park’s boundaries.

Entry into Protected Area

• No one else except:
  1. A public servant on the job
  2. A person who has been granted permission to reside within the boundaries of the national park by the Chief Wild Life Warden or an authorised officer.
  3. A person who has any right to immovable property within the national park’s boundaries.
  4. A person travelling on a public highway through the national park.
  5. The dependents of the person referred to in clause (a), (b), or (c) above
• No one is permitted to enter or reside in the national park, except under and in accordance with the terms of a permit granted.

Grant of Permit for Entry

• On application, the Chief Wild Life Warden may grant any person a permit to enter or reside in a national park for all or any of the following purposes:
  • investigation or study of wildlife and related purposes
  • photography
  • scientific research
  • tourism
  • transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary
• The Chief Wild Life Warden is the authority in charge of controlling, managing, and maintaining all Protected Areas.
• The National Board for Wild Life may make recommendations on the establishment and management of national parks, as well as on matters relating to activity restrictions in those areas.
• The State Board for Wild Life shall advise the State Government on the designation and management of protected areas.

Importance of National Parks

• Helps to perpetuate, manage the area through natural means. These are examples of physiographic regions, biotic communities, genetic resources, and natural processes that are unaltered.
• Contributes to the preservation of diverse species, regional ecological processes, and migration routes.
• Keeps population viable and ecologically functional. In the long run, this assemblage of native species at densities is done to preserve the ecosystem's integrity and resilience.
• Helps manage visitor use so that it does not cause significant biological or ecological degradation to natural resources for inspirational, educational, cultural, and recreational purposes.
• It considers indigenous peoples' and local communities' needs, including subsistence resource use. So far, these will have no negative impact on the primary management goal.
• Contributes to local economies through tourism.
• Category II areas are usually quite large and preserve a functioning "ecosystem." To accomplish this, the protected area may need to be supplemented by sympathetic management in the surrounding areas.

What is/is not allowed in National Parks?

• Human activity is not permitted in National Parks. Furthermore, livestock grazing and private tenurial rights are prohibited.
• The species listed in the Schedule to the Wildlife Act are also prohibited from hunting or capturing.
• No one may take, exploit, or destroy wildlife in a National Park.
• No one shall allow any wild animal's habitat to be damaged or destroyed, or deprive any wild animal of its habitat within a National Park.
• They also cannot be demoted to the status of "sanctuary."
• National Parks can be established by both the federal government and state governments.
• However, no changes to the boundaries of a national park may be made unless authorised by a resolution passed by the State legislature.

List of National Parks of India

National Parks and Their Famous Animals

Map of National Parks

Conclusion

The primary goal of protected areas is to conserve biodiversity. Biodiversity keeps ecosystems healthy and secure, allowing them to continue providing essential ecosystem services like nutrient cycling, climate regulation, air and water purification, and pollination. Biodiversity conservation is critical for our economy, our values, and the natural value of species and ecosystems. National parks contain thousands of plants that benefit our environment by providing us with fresh air, clean water, and other services that help to protect biodiversity.