Question

As per recent national wildlife database, how many Wildlife Sanctuaries are there in India? ______________

• A. 455
• B. 543
• C. 566
• D. 620

Hint:

Remember: Sanctuaries (566) $>$ National Parks (106). Sanctuaries are generally less strictly protected than National Parks.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the statistical count of Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS) in India as per recent official government records (specifically around the 2021-2022 period).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Definition of WLS: A Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area where human activities like grazing or collection of forest produce are allowed as long as they don't harm the wildlife. They are notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• The Numbers: India has a large and growing network of protected areas. As of December 2021, the National Wildlife Database (WII) recorded 566 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the country.

• Context: These 566 sanctuaries cover approximately 3.72% of the total geographical area of India. Together with 106 National Parks, they form the core of India's *in-situ* conservation strategy.

• Distribution: The state of Maharashtra has the highest number of sanctuaries, while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also have a very high concentration.

Step 3: Final Answer:
There are currently 566 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India according to the recent database.