Tiger reserves and national parks are among the most asked Static GK topics in SSC, banking, railway and state exams. Questions usually ask “which state”, “the latest one” or “which animal is the park famous for”. This guide gives you the full list in one place.
Key facts first
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total tiger reserves | 58 (approx, latest) |
| States with tiger reserves | 18 |
| State with most tiger reserves | Madhya Pradesh (9) |
| Latest (58th) | Madhav Tiger Reserve, Shivpuri, MP (March 2025) |
| 57th | Ratapani, MP (December 2024) |
| 56th | Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla, Chhattisgarh (November 2024) |
| Largest tiger reserve | Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh (~3,296 km²) |
| Smallest tiger reserve | Bor, Maharashtra (approx) |
| Project Tiger launched | 1 April 1973 (9 reserves at start; first: Jim Corbett) |
| Managing body | NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority), set up in 2005–06 |
| Tiger count (2022 estimate) | 3,682 (about 75% of the world’s wild tigers) |
| State with most tigers | Madhya Pradesh (785 in 2022), the “Tiger State” |
New tiger reserves are notified from time to time. Check the latest NTCA list before your exam.
State-wise list of tiger reserves
| State | Tiger reserves | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam | 1 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Namdapha, Pakke (Pakhui), Kamlang | 3 |
| Assam | Manas, Nameri, Kaziranga, Orang | 4 |
| Bihar | Valmiki | 1 |
| Chhattisgarh | Udanti–Sitanadi, Achanakmar, Indravati, Guru Ghasidas–Tamor Pingla | 4 |
| Jharkhand | Palamau | 1 |
| Karnataka | Bandipur, Bhadra, Dandeli–Anshi (Kali), Nagarahole, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (BRT) | 5 |
| Kerala | Periyar, Parambikulam | 2 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay–Dubri, Veerangana Durgavati (Nauradehi), Ratapani, Madhav | 9 |
| Maharashtra | Melghat, Tadoba–Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Nawegaon–Nagzira, Bor | 6 |
| Mizoram | Dampa | 1 |
| Odisha | Similipal, Satkosia | 2 |
| Rajasthan | Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur–Karauli | 5 |
| Tamil Nadu | Kalakad–Mundanthurai, Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Srivilliputhur–Megamalai | 5 |
| Telangana | Amrabad, Kawal | 2 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Ranipur | 3 |
| Uttarakhand | Jim Corbett, Rajaji | 2 |
| West Bengal | Sundarbans, Buxa | 2 |
| Total | 58 |
Tricky facts examiners like
- Pench tiger reserve exists in both MP and Maharashtra (two separate reserves).
- Veerangana Durgavati (MP) was earlier called Nauradehi; it is MP’s largest tiger reserve.
- Ranipur (Bundelkhand) is UP’s newest tiger reserve (2022).
- Dholpur–Karauli is Rajasthan’s 5th tiger reserve (2023).
- Srivilliputhur–Megamalai is Tamil Nadu’s 5th (2021) and Ramgarh Vishdhari is Rajasthan’s 4th (2022).
- Sundarbans is the only tiger reserve in a mangrove forest.
- Kaziranga, Manas, Sundarbans and Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Famous national parks and what they are known for
India has about 106 national parks (approx). The ones below are the most asked.
| National Park | State/UT | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand | India’s first national park (1936, as Hailey National Park) |
| Hemis | Ladakh | Largest national park in India; snow leopard |
| South Button Island | Andaman & Nicobar | Among the smallest national parks |
| Kaziranga | Assam | One-horned rhinoceros |
| Gir | Gujarat | Only home of the Asiatic lion |
| Kuno | Madhya Pradesh | Cheetahs brought from Namibia (September 2022) |
| Keibul Lamjao | Manipur | Only floating national park (on Loktak Lake); Sangai deer |
| Dachigam | Jammu & Kashmir | Hangul (Kashmir stag) |
| Eravikulam | Kerala | Nilgiri tahr |
| Silent Valley | Kerala | Lion-tailed macaque; tropical evergreen forest |
| Keoladeo (Bharatpur) | Rajasthan | Birds; Siberian crane (historic); UNESCO site |
| Great Himalayan | Himachal Pradesh | UNESCO site (2014) |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Royal Bengal tiger; mangroves |
| Kanha | Madhya Pradesh | Barasingha (swamp deer); inspired *The Jungle Book* setting |
| Bandipur | Karnataka | Elephants and tigers; part of Nilgiri Biosphere |
| Namdapha | Arunachal Pradesh | Only park with four big cats (tiger, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard) |
| Desert National Park | Rajasthan | Great Indian Bustard |
| Marine National Park | Gujarat (Gulf of Kutch) | India’s first marine national park |
Exam-ready one-liners
- India has 58 tiger reserves in 18 states; MP has the most (9).
- Latest tiger reserve: Madhav (Shivpuri, MP), the 58th.
- Largest tiger reserve: Nagarjunsagar–Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh).
- Project Tiger began in 1973; NTCA manages tiger reserves.
- Tiger count (2022): 3,682; MP has the most tigers.
- First national park: Jim Corbett (1936, as Hailey NP).
- Largest national park: Hemis (Ladakh).
- Keibul Lamjao (Manipur) is the only floating national park.
Related reading
Quiz: test yourself
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Based on NTCA and government data as reported. New reserves may be notified; check ntca.gov.in for the latest list.
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