The Royal Bardia National Park was established in 1988, and covers an area of 968 sq. kilometers. It is located in the Far-west Nepal , to the east of River Karnali. It is the largest park in the Terai lowlands. The park is for the most part covered with Sal trees. The area is marked by a wide variety of plant life in its grassland, savanna and riverine forests. Wildlife includes the one-horned rhino, tiger, black buck, gharial crocodile, snakes, lizards and 200 species of birds.
Chitwan National Park
Nepal 's first and most famous national park is situated in the Inner Terai lowlands of Chitwan. Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the park includes hilly areas of the. Parts of the park are
Shivalik Range covered by deciduous trees. Parts of the park are floodplains of rivers Narayani, Rapti, and the Reu, covered by dense tall elephant
grass, forests of silk cotton, acacia and Sisam trees. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973 and included as World Heritage Site in 1984.
The park in Chitwan is shelter to the last endangered Asian species like the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. Other animals found here are the leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, bison, the four species of deer and other small animals. Marsh crocodiles inhabit the swampy areas. The Gangetic crocodile that only feed on fish, are found in a stretch of the River Narayani. Also found here is one of the four species of fresh-water dolphins.
Chitwan park is also home to 450 species of bird and hence is ideal for bird watching. Some of the resident specialties are woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican, red-headed trogons, waterfowl, Brahminy duck, pintails and bareheaded geese. In summer the forest is alive with nesting migrants such as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets.
Langtang National Park
Langtang National Park was established in 1976. It covers an area
of 1,710 sq. kilometers. It is located in the Central Himalayas and is the nearest national park from Kathmandu . Langtang encloses two river areas. It has some areas of subtropical forest, temperate oak forest and pine forests. It also includes alpine scrub and grasses. Plants include blue pine, hemlock, spruce and oak. Wildlife includes wild dog, musk deer and Himalayan black bear. The Himalayan red panda is the resident mascot of Langtang. The Langtang region is a very important transit route for migratory birds.
The Sagarmatha National Park in Northeast Nepal includes the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters and other mountains Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Sagarmatha National Park is 1,148 sq. kilometers in area consisting of upper areas of rivers Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and Imja Khola. The rugged region with deep gorges and glaciers is locally called Khumbu, and is home to the famous Sherpas. The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Trees such as rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters that give to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring and summer, the hillsides around the villages of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Thyangboche and Thame are splashed with the colors of different species of rhododendron in bloom. Animals most likely to be seen in Sagarmatha are the Himalayan tahr, ghoral, musk deer, mouse hare, weasel, jackal, Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Birds commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.
| Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve This reserve was established in 1976. Its area is 175 sq. kilometers. This reserve lies in the flood plains of the River Sapta Koshi in Mideast Nepal , and is a favorite spot for bird enthusiasts. The reserve's vegetation includes spreads of tall grass and patches of Sissoo forest. The last surviving herd of wild buffaloes in Nepal is found here. Other species include wild boar, hog deer, spotted deer and blue bull called Nil Gai. A total of 280 species of birds, including ducks, ibises, egrets, herons and floricans, are recorded here. This area is extremely important for migratory birds. Other animal species include the crocodile, gharial and the Gangetic dolphins. Commercial fishing is also an important activity here. |
Rara National Park
Rara National Park was established in 1976. It covers an area of 106 sq. kilometers. This park is located in Northwest Nepal. The centerpiece of this park is the pristine Rara Lake. The park mainly covered by coniferous forest. Trees include blue pine, juniper and spruce. Wildlife includes musk deer, leopard, black beer and ghoral. Snow trout is the only fish recorded in the lake. Birds include grebe, snow cock, kalij pheasant, chakor and partridge
Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve
The Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and is located in the southern part of Far-west Nepal. The reserve is a prime habitat for swamp deer. Other wild animals include wild elephant, tiger, hispid hare and blue bull. Birds of 200 different varieties, including the rare Bengal florican, are found here. Python, cobra, monitor lizards and crocodiles are also found here.
- Annapurna Conservation Area
- Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
- Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
- Khaptad National Park
- Rara National Park
- Shey-Phoksundo National Park
- Makalu-Barun National Park
- Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve
Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
