How Many Wildlife Sanctuaries in India in 2026?
India has 574 wildlife sanctuaries covering 1,27,241.24 sq km, as per the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) database and the Union Environment Ministry's Seventh National Report to the CBD (March 2026). Among states, Maharashtra has the most (52); counting Union Territories, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands lead with 96. The largest is the Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.
Key takeaway for SSC and railway exams: 574 wildlife sanctuaries, 1,27,241.24 sq km. Most in a state = Maharashtra (52), then Karnataka (38) and Tamil Nadu (34). Most overall = Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96, mostly small island sanctuaries). Largest = Kachchh Desert WLS, Gujarat (7,506.22 sq km). Oldest notified = Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu (1940). Declared by the State Government under Section 18 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The state-wise counts below were added up from WII's official "List of Wildlife Sanctuaries (as on February 2025)", the latest complete state-wise list. They total exactly 574, the same figure MoEFCC gave in March 2026. States keep notifying new sanctuaries, so a few added after February 2025 (see the news section) are not yet in the official total. Revise this with our national parks in India list 2026 and tiger reserves in India 2026, because exams ask "national park or wildlife sanctuary?" questions.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India 2026: Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Answer (official count) |
|---|---|
| Total wildlife sanctuaries | 574 |
| Total area | 1,27,241.24 sq km |
| State with most sanctuaries | Maharashtra (52) |
| State/UT with most sanctuaries | Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96) |
| Largest sanctuary | Kachchh Desert WLS, Gujarat (7,506.22 sq km) |
| Second largest | Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS, Ladakh (5,000 sq km) |
| Oldest notified sanctuary | Mudumalai WLS, Tamil Nadu (1940) |
| Law | Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Section 18 |
| Declared by | State Government (Central Government in some cases) |
| Zone-wise (WII/EIACP) | South 209, East 121, West 110, North 99, Central 35 |
| National parks (for comparison) | 106 |
| Elephant reserves | 33 |
| Tiger reserves | 58 |
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India State-wise List 2026
This is the table students search as "wildlife sanctuary in India state wise" and "how many wildlife sanctuaries in each state". Examples are taken from the WII list; animals are named only where the sanctuary is known for them.
| State | Number | Important wildlife sanctuaries |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 52 | Great Indian Bustard, Thane Creek Flamingo, Bhimashankar, Tansa, Karnala Bird, Malvan Marine |
| Karnataka | 38 | Dandeli, Bhadra, Daroji Bear, Ranganathittu Bird, Ranebennur Black Buck, Cauvery |
| Tamil Nadu | 34 | Mudumalai, Point Calimere, Vedanthangal Birds, Kadavur Slender Loris, Cauvery North, Sathyamangalam |
| Himachal Pradesh | 26 | Kibber, Pong Dam Lake, Chail, Dhauladhar, Churdhar |
| Rajasthan | 26 | Desert National Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh, Mount Abu, National Gharial (Chambal), Talchappar, Sariska |
| Uttar Pradesh | 26 | Hastinapur, Katerniaghat, Okhala Bird, National Chambal, Kachhua (Turtle), Kishanpur |
| Madhya Pradesh | 24 | National Chambal, Ken Gharial, Son Gharial, Gandhi Sagar, Ratapani, Nouradehi |
| Gujarat | 23 | Kachchh Desert, Wild Ass, Gir, Nal Sarovar Bird, Marine (Gulf of Kachchh), Jessore Sloth Bear |
| Odisha | 19 | Chilika (Nalaban), Bhitarkanika, Gahirmatha (Marine), Simlipal, Satkosia Gorge, Debrigarh |
| Kerala | 18 | Periyar, Wayanad, Chinnar, Thattekad Bird, Kurinjimala, Aralam |
| Assam | 17 | Pabitora, Hollongapar Gibbon, Sonai Rupai, Deepor Beel, Burachapori, Garampani |
| West Bengal | 16 | Buxa, Mahananda, Sajnakhali, Jorepokhri Salamander, Chapramari, West Sunderban |
| Andhra Pradesh | 13 | Coringa, Kolleru, Pulicat Lake, Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam, Rollapadu, Krishna |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 13 | Pakke (Pakhui), Dibang, Eagle Nest, Itanagar, Kamlang, Sessa Orchid |
| Bihar | 13 | Valmiki, Kaimur, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin, Kanwar Jheel Bird, Bhimbandh, Rajgir |
| Punjab | 13 | Harike Lake, Abohar, Bir Moti Bagh, Takhni-Rehampur, Kathlaur Kushlian |
| Chhattisgarh | 11 | Achanakmar, Barnawapara, Udanti Wild Buffalo, Pamed Wild Buffalo, Tamor Pingla, Sitanadi |
| Jharkhand | 11 | Dalma, Palamau, Hazaribagh, Mahuadanr Wolf, Udhwa Lake Bird, Parasnath |
| Telangana | 9 | Amrabad (Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam), Kawal, Eturnagaram, Pakhal, Pocharam, Manjeera Crocodile |
| Haryana | 8 | Bhindawas Lake, Kalesar, Khol-Hi-Raitan (Morni Hills), Bir Shikargah |
| Manipur | 7 | Yangoupokpi Lokchao, Jiri Makru, Kailam, Bunning, Thinungei Bird |
| Mizoram | 7 | Ngengpui, Tokalo, Thorangtlang, Lengteng, Tawi |
| Sikkim | 7 | Barsey Rhododendron, Fambong Lho, Kyongnosla Alpine, Maenam, Pangolakha |
| Uttarakhand | 7 | Kedarnath, Askot, Binsar, Govind Pashu Vihar, Sonanadi, Nandhaur, Mussoorie |
| Goa | 6 | Bhagwan Mahavir, Cotigao, Netravali, Madei, Bondla, Dr. Salim Ali Bird (Chorao) |
| Meghalaya | 4 | Nongkhyllem, Narpuh, Siju, Baghmara Pitcher Plant |
| Tripura | 4 | Sepahijala, Trishna, Gumti, Rowa |
| Nagaland | 3 | Fakim, Puliebadze, Singphan |
| Union Territory | Number | Important wildlife sanctuaries |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 96 | Narcondum Island, Barren Island, Interview Island, Lohabarrack, Megapode, Leatherback Turtle |
| Jammu and Kashmir | 14 | Gulmarg, Overa Aru, Thajwas (Baltal), Hirpora, Tral, Rajparian (Daksum) |
| Ladakh | 2 | Karakoram (Nubra Shyok), Changthang |
| Chandigarh | 2 | Sukhna Lake, City Bird |
| Delhi | 1 | Asola Bhati (Indira Priyadarshini) |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 1 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli WLS |
| Daman and Diu | 1 | Fudam |
| Lakshadweep | 1 | Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary (Pitti) |
| Puducherry | 1 | Oussudu |
States total 455 and Union Territories 119, giving 574. The official list counts a few sanctuaries that cross state borders once under each state: National Chambal appears under both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam sanctuary appears under Andhra Pradesh and, as Amrabad, under Telangana.
Which State Has the Most Wildlife Sanctuaries in India?
| Rank | State/UT | Wildlife sanctuaries |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT) | 96 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 52 |
| 3 | Karnataka | 38 |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 34 |
| 5 | Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh | 26 each |
| 8 | Madhya Pradesh | 24 |
| 9 | Gujarat | 23 |
Read the question carefully. "Which state has the most wildlife sanctuaries?" = Maharashtra. "Which state or UT?" = Andaman and Nicobar Islands, because most of its 96 sanctuaries are small islands.
Largest Wildlife Sanctuary in India (Top 10 by Area)
| Rank | Wildlife sanctuary | State/UT | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kachchh Desert | Gujarat | 7,506.22 |
| 2 | Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) | Ladakh | 5,000 |
| 3 | Wild Ass (Little Rann of Kutch) | Gujarat | 4,953.71 |
| 4 | Dibang | Arunachal Pradesh | 4,149 |
| 5 | Changthang | Ladakh | 4,000 |
| 6 | Desert National Sanctuary | Rajasthan | 3,162 |
| 7 | Kibber | Himachal Pradesh | 2,220.12 |
| 8 | Amrabad (Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam) | Telangana | 2,166.37 |
| 9 | Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 2,131.31 |
| 10 | Hastinapur | Uttar Pradesh | 2,073 |
Gujarat holds both the first and third largest sanctuaries. The Wild Ass Sanctuary is the home of the Indian wild ass (khur).
Oldest and Newest Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
- Oldest: WII's EIACP centre names Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu, 1940) as the oldest notified sanctuary in India. The WII list also gives 1940 for Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka, so if both appear as options, mark Mudumalai, the answer official sources give.
- Recent additions in the official list: Tamil Nadu's Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary (2022, 118.07 sq km, the first sanctuary for the slender loris), Cauvery South (2022) and Nanjarayan Tank Birds (2022); Karnataka's Arsikere Sloth Bear, Bankapura Wolf and Uttaregudda (2023); and four Andaman sanctuaries of 2022 (Coral, Leatherback Turtle, Lohabarrack, Megapode).
Wildlife Sanctuary vs National Park: Difference for SSC Exams
| Point | Wildlife sanctuary | National park |
|---|---|---|
| Section of WPA, 1972 | Section 18 (declaration) | Section 35 |
| Number in India | 574 | 106 |
| Human activity | Some regulated activities allowed (Chapter IV of the Act) | Stricter; grazing of livestock not permitted |
| Rights of people | Can continue if allowed by the Collector's settlement | Must be settled and extinguished before final notification |
| Example | Gir WLS, Chilika (Nalaban) WLS | Jim Corbett NP, Kaziranga NP |
A sanctuary can be upgraded to a national park, which is why some places (Gir, Bhitarkanika, Simlipal) appear in both lists with different areas.
Wildlife Sanctuary News 2025-26 (Current Affairs)
- Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary (Kerala): in January 2026 Kerala renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kannur, 55 sq km) as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, the state's first butterfly sanctuary, through a notification under Section 18(1) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act.
- Greater Flamingo Sanctuary, Dhanushkodi (Tamil Nadu): notified in June 2025 in Ramanathapuram district, inside the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
- Madhya Pradesh: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary (Sagar district, 258.64 sq km) was notified in April 2025 as the state's 25th sanctuary, and Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary was announced on 1 November 2025 as its 27th.
- Protected areas overall: PIB reports India's protected-area network grew from 745 in 2014 to 1,134 in 2025.
These additions are why some current-affairs sources quote slightly more than 574. For static GK questions, 574 remains the official MoEFCC figure.
How to Remember Wildlife Sanctuaries State-Wise (Tricks)
- Top three states, "M-K-T: 52-38-34": Maharashtra 52, Karnataka 38, Tamil Nadu 34.
- The 26 club: "HRU" = Himachal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, 26 each.
- Islands win overall: "A&N = 96, almost a hundred islands."
- Largest = "Kutch twice": Kachchh Desert (1st) and Wild Ass in the Little Rann (3rd), both Gujarat.
- Name tells the animal: Daroji Bear, Ranebennur Black Buck, Hollongapar Gibbon, Udanti Wild Buffalo, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin, Jorepokhri Salamander, Kadavur Slender Loris, Thane Creek Flamingo.
Common Mistakes in Wildlife Sanctuary Questions
- Writing 573 (the November 2023 figure) or older numbers like 564. The current official count is 574.
- Answering Andaman and Nicobar when the question says "state". A&N is a Union Territory; the state answer is Maharashtra.
- Calling Gir only a national park. Gir has both a sanctuary (1,153.42 sq km) and a national park.
- Mixing up Desert National Park language: the WII sanctuary list names it Desert National Sanctuary (Rajasthan, 3,162 sq km).
- Saying sanctuaries are declared under Section 35. That is national parks; sanctuaries are Section 18.
Wildlife Sanctuaries Questions with Answers (Practice Set)
- How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in India? Answer: 574, covering 1,27,241.24 sq km.
- Which state has the highest number of wildlife sanctuaries? Answer: Maharashtra (52).
- Which state/UT has the most wildlife sanctuaries? Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (96).
- Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India? Answer: Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat (7,506.22 sq km).
- Which is the oldest wildlife sanctuary in India? Answer: Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu (1940).
- Under which section of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is a sanctuary declared? Answer: Section 18.
- Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is in which state? Answer: Bihar.
- Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is in which state? Answer: Assam.
- Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary is in which state? Answer: Tamil Nadu.
- Daroji Bear Sanctuary is in which state? Answer: Karnataka.
Practise mixed static GK in the SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and the RRB NTPC Geography Mock Test 01.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in India FAQs
How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in India in 2026?
574, covering 1,27,241.24 sq km, as per the WII database and MoEFCC's Seventh National Report (March 2026).
Which state has the most wildlife sanctuaries in India?
Maharashtra, with 52. If Union Territories are included, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have the most (96).
Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India?
The Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, with 7,506.22 sq km. Second is Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) in Ladakh.
Which is the first wildlife sanctuary in India?
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, notified in 1940, is named the oldest by WII's EIACP centre.
How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in Karnataka?
38, including Dandeli, Bhadra, Daroji Bear, Ranganathittu Bird and Ranebennur Black Buck.
How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in Kerala?
18, including Periyar, Wayanad, Chinnar, Thattekad Bird and Aralam (renamed Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary in 2026).
What is the difference between a wildlife sanctuary and a national park?
A sanctuary (Section 18) allows some regulated human activity and people's rights can continue, while a national park (Section 35) has stricter protection: rights must be settled and livestock grazing is not allowed.
Practice Next
- Mock tests: SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and RRB Group D Our Environment Mock Test 01.
- Related notes: elephant reserves in India 2026, national parks in India list 2026, tiger reserves in India 2026, biosphere reserves in India 2026 and Ramsar sites in India 2026 list.
- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026 and RRB NTPC 2026.
- Browse all study notes.