Introduction
Maharashtra, known for its rich biodiversity, has several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that play a vital role in conservation. These protected areas are frequently asked about in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exams under Environment & Ecology, Geography, and General Knowledge sections.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
- National parks in Maharashtra
- Wildlife sanctuaries and their significance
- Unique flora and fauna found in these regions
- Important facts for MPSC preparation
Let’s dive into the details!
List of National Parks in Maharashtra
National parks are protected areas focused on wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Maharashtra has six major national parks.
1. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)
- Location: Chandrapur District
- Established: 1955
- Area: 1,727 sq. km (including the buffer zone)
- Key Wildlife: Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Indian bison (gaur), wild dogs
- Significance: Largest and oldest national park in Maharashtra, part of Project Tiger
2. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP)
- Location: Mumbai
- Established: 1969
- Area: 87 sq. km
- Key Wildlife: Leopards, deer, Indian flying fox, crocodiles
- Significance: One of the few national parks located within a metropolitan city; home to Kanheri Caves
3. Navegaon National Park
- Location: Gondia District
- Established: 1975
- Area: 133 sq. km
- Key Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, deer, langurs, peafowls
- Significance: Known for Navegaon Lake and migratory birds
4. Pench National Park (Maharashtra Part)
- Location: Nagpur District
- Established: 1975
- Area: 257 sq. km (Maharashtra region)
- Key Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, wild dogs, Indian wolves
- Significance: The inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book
5. Gugamal National Park
- Location: Amravati District (Melghat Tiger Reserve)
- Established: 1974
- Area: 361 sq. km
- Key Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, barking deer, hyenas
- Significance: Part of Melghat Tiger Reserve in the Satpura range
6. Chandoli National Park
- Location: Sangli, Kolhapur, Satara districts
- Established: 2004
- Area: 317 sq. km
- Key Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer
- Significance: Part of the Western Ghats and the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Maharashtra
Wildlife sanctuaries protect specific species and their habitats while allowing limited human activity. Maharashtra has more than 40 wildlife sanctuaries. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Satara District
- Key Wildlife: Indian gaur, sloth bear, giant squirrel
- Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Western Ghats
2. Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Pune District
- Key Wildlife: Indian giant squirrel (state animal of Maharashtra)
- Significance: Sacred groves and rich biodiversity
3. Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Amravati District
- Key Wildlife: Bengal tiger, leopard, wild dogs
- Significance: Part of Melghat Tiger Reserve and Project Tiger
4. Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Kolhapur District
- Key Wildlife: Indian bison (gaur), barking deer
- Significance: Maharashtra’s first declared wildlife sanctuary (1958)
5. Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Palghar, Thane
- Key Wildlife: Leopards, hyenas, various bird species
- Significance: Important source of water for Mumbai region
6. Karnala Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Raigad District
- Key Wildlife: Over 200 bird species, including migratory birds
- Significance: Popular bird-watching destination near Mumbai
7. Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary
- Location: Ahmednagar District
- Key Wildlife: Blackbucks
- Significance: Dedicated to blackbuck conservation
Key Points for MPSC Exam Preparation
- Know the locations – Questions often ask about the districts where these parks and sanctuaries are located.
- Memorize unique features – Focus on rare species, historical significance, and conservation projects.
- Understand government initiatives – Learn about Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Ramsar Sites, and UNESCO Heritage Sites.
- Revise geography concepts – Many parks are linked to rivers, mountain ranges, and climate types.
MPSC Previous Year Questions Examples:
- Which is the oldest national park in Maharashtra? (Answer: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve)
- Where is the Indian giant squirrel found? (Answer: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Which sanctuary is famous for blackbuck conservation? (Answer: Rehekuri Blackbuck Sanctuary)
Final Thoughts
Maharashtra’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are crucial for both environmental conservation and MPSC exam preparation. Understanding their locations, key species, and conservation efforts will help you answer static GK and geography-based questions confidently.
If you're preparing for MPSC Prelims and Mains, keep revising this topic, and practice with mock tests and previous year papers.
Got any doubts? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help!