Table of Contents
What is Wildlife Sanctuary?
A wildlife sanctuary is a place where animal habitats and their surroundings are shielded from any kind of intrusion. In most wildlife sanctuaries, animals are protected from being killed or captured by hunters, poachers, or other wild animals.
Wildlife sanctuaries typically have extensive woods, wide rivers, and majestic mountains. They are created to preserve endangered species that are on the brink of extinction. Wildlife sanctuaries are also often centers of tourism.
Wildlife sanctuaries make it easier for animal researchers and zoologists to study animals and write about them. These sanctuaries also serve as rehabilitation centers for wounded animals. It helps ensure they are well taken care of and recover fully. They are also very important for research purposes.
Wildlife sanctuaries and their surroundings are extremely protected. Human activities are also not allowed in such places.
It is equally important to note that in wildlife sanctuaries, nature is protected and given free rein to grow. Wildlife sanctuaries do not allow the illegal felling of trees, nor do they ever promote deforestation. These also support the preservation of other types of terrain, such as mountains, hills, rivers, and waterfalls. They are therefore protected against exploitation, growth, and even pollution.
What is National Park?
A national park is a public space developed and preserved by the government for the purpose of conserving wildlife and giving nature free rein to grow. They are mostly set apart because of the presence of significant natural and wildlife resources in them.
In national parks, human disturbances are reduced to a bare minimum. They also enable human access for leisure, learning, culture, or inspiration.
National parks protect the natural beauty of the environment. These are places where landscapes, mountains, hills, waterfalls, springs, and other natural phenomena are protected.
The main purpose of a national park is the conservation of its ecosystem. As the population keeps increasing, humans keep getting closer to animals. Thus, the need for a dedicated space for the proper, undisturbed growth of these animals is very important.
National parks offer safe habitats where animals and plants may live safely and flourish. They are the “pillar” of natural reserves that try to keep an ecosystem that is diverse, healthy, and strong.
Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
- Wildlife sanctuaries are specifically created to protect wildlife, especially endangered species. National parks are designed to protect plants, animals, and natural phenomena.
- Wildlife sanctuaries are owned only by government agencies. National parks can be owned by both the government and private institutions.
- Wildlife sanctuaries aim to preserve animals, birds, etc. National parks aim to protect landforms, animals, plants, and the entire ecosystem.
- Human activities such as grazing and farming are prohibited in national parks, while they are permitted in wildlife sanctuaries.
- Humans do not need authorization to visit wildlife sanctuaries. However, authorization from governmental authorities is needed to visit national parks.
Comparison Table Between Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
| Parameter of comparison | Wildlife Sanctuary | National Park |
| Purpose | were specifically created to protect wildlife, especially endangered species. | are designed to protect plants, animals, and natural phenomena. |
| Official Permission | Humans do not need authorization to visit wildlife sanctuaries. | Humans do not need authorization to visit wildlife sanctuaries. |
| Restrictions | Human activities such as grazing and farming are allowed. | Human activities such as grazing and farming are prohibited. |
| Ownership | can be owned by governmental and non-governmental agencies. | can only be owned by governmental agencies. |
| Scope | The preservation of animals | The preservation of animals, landforms, cultural heritage, and all elements of biodiversity |