What is National Park? Name any two National Parks of India. Where are these National Parks located?

A National Park is a strictly protected area designated by national governments to conserve pristine ecosystems, wildlife, and natural landscapes, where human exploitation and habitation are prohibited. These areas preserve representative or outstanding examples of natural environments, protecting endangered species and maintaining biodiversity while allowing regulated tourism and research activities. Unlike wildlife sanctuaries where some resource extraction may be permitted, National Parks maintain the highest level of protection—activities like grazing, cultivation, collection of forest products, and hunting are completely banned. Visitors can engage in non-destructive activities like wildlife viewing, nature photography, and hiking on designated trails, promoting environmental education and ecotourism while ensuring ecosystems remain undisturbed.

Two prominent National Parks in India are Jim Corbett National Park, located in Uttarakhand state in the Himalayan foothills (established in 1936, India's oldest national park, famous for Bengal tigers), and Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam state in northeastern India (renowned for having the world's largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros). Other significant examples include Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh (inspiration for Kipling's Jungle Book), Gir National Park in Gujarat (only home of Asiatic lions), Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan (known for tiger sightings), and Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal (largest mangrove forest and tiger habitat). India currently has over 100 national parks covering approximately 40,000 square kilometers, playing vital roles in conserving the country's rich biodiversity, providing refuge for endangered species, and maintaining critical ecological processes.