India’s network of over 570 wildlife sanctuaries is a vital cornerstone of its conservation strategy, protecting approximately 3.7% of the country’s vast and varied landscape.
Administered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, these sanctuaries are classified as IUCN Category IV protected areas, serving as specialised refuges for endangered and endemic species.
From the world’s largest salt desert in the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, which guards the breeding grounds of the Greater Flamingo, to the high-altitude terrains of Hemis protecting the Snow Leopard, these zones balance strict biodiversity preservation with regulated human activity and scientific research.
The ecological diversity within these sanctuaries is staggering, spanning the mangroves of the Sundarbans, the deciduous forests of central India, and the lush tropical belts of the Western Ghats.
Iconized by flagship species like the Asiatic Lion in Gir, the One-Horned Rhinoceros in Kaziranga, and the Royal Bengal Tiger in reserves like Jim Corbett and Bandhavgarh, these areas act as critical biological corridors.
By integrating eco-tourism with community-based conservation and modern anti-poaching initiatives, India’s sanctuaries not only safeguard thousands of species of flora and fauna but also maintain the essential ecological balance of the Indian subcontinent.