What are National Parks?
A national park is an area set aside by a national government for the preservation of the natural environment. A national park may be set aside for public recreation and enjoyment or for its historical or scientific interest while keeping most landscapes and their accompanying plants and animals in their natural state.
Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 4 National Parks and 14 wildlife sanctuaries. The largest national park in Jammu Kashmir is Kishtwar National Park and the largest wildlife sanctuary in Jammu Kashmir is Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary.
Geographical Areas of J & K = 42241 sq.kms
Wildlife Areas = 11.31 %
National Parks in J&K UT
| No | Name of the National Park | District | Area (Sq.kms) | Year of notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dachigam National Park | Srinagar/Pulwama | 141 | 1981 |
| 2 | Kishtwar National Park | Kishtwar | 425 | 1981 |
| 3 | Kazinag National Park | Baramulla | 160 | 1992 |
| 4 | Salim Ali National Park | Srinagar | 9 | 1986 |
Details about J&K UT National Parks
1. Kishtwar National Park:
It is in Kishtwar District.
Established in 1981.
Aim: To protect snow leopards.
Fauna: Musk Deer, Hangul (Kashmiri Stag), Snow leopard, Himalayan Monal.
Flora: Chilgoza Pine, Himalayan Cedar, Persian walnut.
2. Dachigam National Park:
It is in Srinagar district, and is named after ten villages that were relocated after declaring it as a national park.
Protected area since 1910.
Declared as National Park in 1981.
Fauna: Hangul (Kashmiri Stag), Red Deer, Musk Deer, Langur, Himalayan Brown bear,Himalayan Black bear.
Marsar lake is the important lake in this region.
3. Salim Ali National Park:
It is in Srinagar district of Jammu Kashmir.
Earlier name: City Forest national park.
Established in 1986.
It has been named after Salim Abdul Ali (ornithologist and naturalist).
It has been turned into a Golf Course now.
Flora: Mangrove shrubberry.
Fauna: Kashmiri Antelope, Jackal, Flying fox.
4. Kazinag National Park:
Located in Baramulla district.
Aim: To protect Markhor Wild Goat.
he area of Kazinag national park is 160 sq.kms.It was commissioned in 1992 A.D.The National park is located on the north bank of Jhelum river.
Around 20 species of mammals, including some which are rare threatened or endangered are found in within Kazinag National park. Key animal species sighted are markhor, Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, Indian leopard, Himalayan marmot, yellow-throated marten, and Kashmir flying squirrel.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Jammu and Kashmir UT for JKSSB
| S No | Protected Area | District | Area (Sq.kms) | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overa – Aru Wildlife Sanctuary | Anantnag | 425.00 | 1981 |
| 2 | Rajparian (Daksum) Wildlife Sanctuary | Anantnag | 20.00 | 1981 |
| 3 | Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary | Baramulla | 180.00 | 1987 |
| 4 | Limber Wildlife Sanctuary | Baramulla | 43.75 | 1987 |
| 5 | Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary | Baramulla | 93.50 | 1987 |
| 6 | Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary | Shopian | 341.25 | 1987 |
| 7 | Thajwas (Baltal) Wildlife Sanctuary | Ganderbal | 203.00 | 1987 |
| 8 | Tral Wildlife Sanctuary | Pulwama | 154.15 | 2019 |
| 9 | Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary | Jammu | 31.50 | 1990 |
| 10 | Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary | Jammu | 33.34 | 1990 |
| 11 | Surinsar Mansar Sanctuary | Udhampur/ Samba/ Jammu | 97.82 | 1990 |
| 12 | Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary | Kathua | 10.04 | 1987 |
| 13 | Tata Kutti Wildlife Sanctuary | Poonch | 66.27 | – |
| 14 | Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary | Reasi | 31.77 | 1981 |
Important Aspect: The Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary in Shopian district is notable for being the largest sanctuary in terms of area, covering approximately 341.25 square kilometers. It was notified in 1987.
Details about Wild Sanctuaries in Jammu Kashmir UT
- Overa – Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Anantnag
- Area: 425.00 sq.km
- Notified: 1981
- Largest sanctuary in Anantnag district.
- Rajparian (Daksum) Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Anantnag
- Area: 20.00 sq.km
- Notified: 1981
- Small sanctuary known for its biodiversity.
- Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Baramulla
- Area: 180.00 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Famous for its diverse flora and fauna, including rare species.
- Limber Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Baramulla
- Area: 43.75 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Important habitat for various species of birds and mammals.
- Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Baramulla
- Area: 93.50 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Home to endangered species like Hangul (Kashmir stag).
- Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Shopian
- Area: 341.25 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Largest sanctuary in the region with diverse wildlife.
- Thajwas (Baltal) Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Ganderbal
- Area: 203.00 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Situated near the famous Amarnath Cave Shrine.
- Tral Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Pulwama
- Area: 154.15 sq.km
- Notified: 2019
- Recently established sanctuary, known for its scenic beauty.
- Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Jammu
- Area: 31.50 sq.km
- Notified: 1990
- Important for conservation of various species of birds.
- Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Jammu
- Area: 33.34 sq.km
- Notified: 1990
- Located near the famous Surinsar Lake.
- Surinsar Mansar Sanctuary
- District: Udhampur/ Samba/ Jammu
- Area: 97.82 sq.km
- Notified: 1990
- Consists of two scenic lakes, Surinsar and Mansar.
- Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Kathua
- Area: 10.04 sq.km
- Notified: 1987
- Known for its wetland ecosystem and bird diversity.
- Tata Kutti Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Poonch
- Area: 66.27 sq.km
- Notified: Year not provided
- Provides habitat to various species including leopards and Himalayan brown bear.
- Trikuta Wildlife Sanctuary
- District: Reasi
- Area: 31.77 sq.km
- Notified: 1981
- Surrounded by the Trikuta mountain range, known for its scenic beauty.