Wildlife in Nepal:

 

The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, blessed by mother nature with rich and diverse biogeography has several national parks, sanctuaries and reserves brimming with wildlife. Nepalese landscape has altitudinal variance in short distances.

This means that the country has variety of vegetation, from luxuriant vegetation and alpine deserts to lush grasslands. It is endowed with rich and varied biodiversity. Altitudinal variances in short distance give Nepal's biogeography variety that range from lush moist forests and sparse alpine deserts to luxurious grasslands in lowland Terai. Some rare wild life creatures reside in the jungles of the Himalayan nation.

Chitwan National Park:

 

Wild roars of tigers, chirping of jungle birds, soothing breeze and the splashing ripples of the river Rapti... a visit to the Royal Chitwan National Park may sound dream-like but reality speaks for itself. Visit Chitwan if you believe the above statement and all the more if you doubt it.

Fast Facts

Location	120 km South West Of Kathmandu, Nepal
Area Coverage	932 sq km
Wildlife Attractions	One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger
Temperature	Max- 34°C & Min- 1°C
Best Time to Visit	From October to February
Nearest Access	Bharatpur

Striking Features

• There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
• One of the most important sub-tropical parks in Indian sub-continent.
• More than 43 mammal species, 450 bird species, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles.
• Known for diversity of eco-systems. Within the park are Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers.

Fauna and Flora

Mammals

There are more than 50 species of mammals in the park. The park is famous for conservation of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, gharial, gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python. Some other animals found in the park are sambar, chital (deer), hog deer, barking deer, sloth deer, common leopard, ratel, palm civet, wild dog, langur and rhesus monkeys.

Amphibians

More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles live in the park, more famous of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises.

Birds

There are more than species of birds in the park. Counted among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. Few common birds are peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best time for watching birds is in March and December.

Flora

One fifth of the park is comprises the floodplain of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers. It is covered by dense Elephant grass interspersed with forests of silk cotton (Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.

Adventure Activities

Watching the wonders of Nature

Watching unique birds and animals from atop an elephant can be quite exciting. Here is a list of activities that can make your trip to the Royal Chitwan National Park more memorable.

Canoeing

Canoeing on Chitwan rivers is an excellent way of seeing waterfalls. The park's dolphins and crocodiles, however, are seldom seen. The high temperatures experienced in the park make bathing in the river an attractive pastime. Water-holes are also lure for a swim. Watching the elephants showering is very interesting.

Elephant Tracking

Elephant rides is a major Chitwan attractions. Wild boar, red deer and other creatures of the jungle can be seen, in the morning and evening especially, from from atop the tall pachyderms. One more advantage is that rhinos can be approached without danger. Apart from the animals, luxuriant vegetation and jungle chorus - different sounds in different parts of the day - make the ride a memorable experience.

Jeep Safari

Jungle safaris make it possible to explore the length and breadth of the National Park.

White- Water Rafting

White-water rafting expedition and jungle safari together represent the ultimate adventure. The river trip itself takes two to three days, commencing at or upstream of Mugling and ending in Narayanghat.

Animal Watching from Hides

Apart from safaris on foot and elephant back, hides offer animal watchers another way of getting what they want. Called machans in local language, these wooden towers are usually erected in clearings crossed by game paths. Best time to watch red deer and rhinos is early morning and evening.

Travel Tips

• Try to be well informed about the routes of the park
• Consult the doctor before you leave for the trip
• Do not disturb the animals and birds in the park
• Remain in a group
• Try to take a guide along with you while exploring the park

What To Bring With You

• Binoculars
• Sun Hat and Sun Cream
• Swim Wear
• Light Clothes; Color should blend with natural surroundings
• Light sweater or jacket for mornings and evenings during the winter season (Dec to Feb)
• Shoes for easy movement
• Flashlight
• Swiss knife  

Sagarmatha National Park:

 

The Sagarmatha National Park is the highest national park in world, located above 3000 meters i.e. 9700 feet. The park comprises the upper catchment areas of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi Rivers. Most part of the landscape is rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas.

Sagarmatha is none other than Mt. Everest itself. Other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Thamerku, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachyung Kang are also located nearby. More than 118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies reside in the park.

Fast Facts

Location	Solu-Khumbu District of the Sagarmatha Zone, Northeast of Kathmandu
Established On	July 19, 1976
Importance	UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO Category	Natural
Listed In Year	1976
Area Covered	1,148 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Wild Yak, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear
Best Season To Visit	October to November and December to February

UNESCO World Heritage Site

• The Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest) and the surrounding areas are important not only to Nepal but also to the rest of the world. too. Its recognition as a National Park since 1976 intends to protect its unique cultural, physical and scientific values.
• The UNESCO recognised Sagarmatha National Park as a world heritage site in 1976 as the park 'contains superlative natural beauty and is of great aesthetic importance'.

Fauna

Creatures that can be witnessed in the wildlife tour of the park are following:

Endangered Animals : Endangered animals residing in this park are Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Wild Yak, Red Panda and Himalayan Black Bear.

MaLarge mmals : Big mammals commonly seen in the park are the Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer.

Other Mammals : Other mammals include the Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Weasels, Marten, Common Langur and the Himalayan Mousehare (Pika).

Birds : The park is the residence of more than 118 species of birds. The most common ones are the Impeyan Pheasant (Danphe), Redbilled Chough, Blood pheasant and Yellow-billed Chough.

Flora

Pine and hemlock forests are found at the lower elevations of the park. Above 3500m, trees such as birch, rhododendron, silver fir and juniper trees can be seen. Rhododendron show luminous colours in spring and monsoon seasons. The tree line in the region is at 4500m. Birch gives way to juniper and rhododendron scrubs. The park landscape is cut by deep rivers and glaciers. It can be segregated into four climatic zones:

• The Lower Forested Zone where Juniper, Birch, Blue Pines, Bamboo, Firs and Rhododendon grow.
  
• The Upper Zone where plant life is limited to Lichens and Mosses.
• The Artic Zone where plants stop to grow.

Activities

Nature Walk

The park can be best experienced on foot. Nothing can match the walker's sense of excitement at complete fusion with the world of Nature by observing the park's vegetation and wildlife.

Trekking

From Sagarmatha National Park, trekking trail to Kala Pathar Peak is the most popular, though the treks to Gokyoand Chukung Valleys are no less thrilling.

Places of Interest

Apart from the greatly varied flora and fauna as well as the impressive mountain scenery of the park, there are some monasteries and gompas in the Sagarmatha National Park premises that hold the travellers' attention. Here is brief infomation about such places.

Park Visitor Center

It is located at Mendalphu i.e. the park's Headquarters. While staying at Namche Bazar, don't forget to visit the natural history and cultural heritage museum.

Thame Gomba

It is one of the most important religious centers in the area. Renowned Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated here in May.

Khumjung Gomba

In June the Dumje festival is observed here as well as at the monasteries of Namche and Pangboche.

Highlights

• Marvellous mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world (8,848 m).
• Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, can be found in the park.
• The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, makes the site more interesting.

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 Bardia National Park:

 

Royal Bardia National Park, the largest and most undisturbed park in the lowland region of Terai, is known for abundance of wilderness. Initially a royal hunting reserve, it was later granted the status of a national park.. The purpose was to preserve the ecosystem of the region including all wild species. The park encompasses approximate 300 sq km of sal forests and riverine grasslands. High elephant grass and dense forests provide home to plenty of animals.

Becoming of the Park

Royal Bardia National Park was once an open area of wilderness. Rana rulers of Nepal earmarked it as their royal hunting reserve from 1846 to 1950. In 1976 the region was gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve with an area of 368 sq. km. In 1982, it was rechristened as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve including the Babai river valley. It was designated a national park in 1988.

Fast Facts

Location	Western Lowland Terai , Nepal
Importance	Largest park in the lowland Terai
Area Covered	968 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and Gangetic dolphin, Bengal tiger, wild elephant, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, and black buck
Best Season to Visit	From October to February
Major Attraction	Greater One-horned Rhinoceros

Fauna

Most popular attraction of Royal Bardia National Park is one-horned rhinoceros which was relocated from one other national park in 1986, 1991 and 1999. The park is also known for one of the last known herds of wild Elephants in South Asia. Several deer species also reside in Nepal. These include Chital or spotted deer with white spots on a brown coat; Sambhar, the largest deer on Indian subcontinent, Swamp Deer, locally called Barasingha; Hog deer, similar but smaller than Chital; and the Barking Deer, the park's smallest deer with reddish skin.

Other big animals residing in the park are Blue Bull, locally called Nilgai, which is the biggest antelope on the Indian subcontinent; Wild Boar, an omnivorous beast with huge tusks; Sloth Bear, a shaggy black bear; and Gaur, the biggest wild oxen. Serow, Goral and Himalayan Tahr are also hit among the tourists. Langur, a kind of monkey; Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose, Jackal and Indian Otter are few small creatures living in park. The park also holds large number of bird species, many of which are migratory.

Striking Features

• Several open grasslands are within the park. Game viewing is excellent in these grasslands. Many of the forest tracks throughout the park also present very good game viewing.

• More than 350 species including storks, geese, jungle fowls, king-fishers, cormorants, egret, and endangered species such as the Bengal florican, silver-eared mesia and the saurus crane. This makes the park highly attractive for bird lovers.

• The park, a sub-tropical jungle, is thickly forested by sal trees and carpeted with grass, savannah and riverine vegetation.

• The northern part is bordered by the Churia hill range, the west by the Karnali river, while the Babai river flows through the middle of the park.

• On the southern part of the park are the villages of Tharu people. One of the most picturesque national parks in Asia, it teems with rich and varied flora and fauna.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve:

 

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is located on the banks of the Sapta-Koshi, one of the three main tributaries of the Ganges, in eastern Nepal. Similar somewhat to a rectangle, it stretches south of the Sapta Koshi to the Indian border. The wildlife reserve consists of tall grassland with patches of khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous riverine forest. The popular reserve is set against the backdrop of the Eastern Himalaya, including Makalu (8475 m), the world's fifth highest mountain. The unique backdrop makes it more attractive for the wildlife lovers and the tourists alike.

Fast Facts

Location	East Nepal
Attraction	Migratory Birds
Area Covered	175 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Wild Buffalo or ArnaI, Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin
Best Season to Visit	October to November and December to February
Best Route	October to November and December to February

Adventure & Activities

Elephant-back Safaris

Elephant -back safaris are one of major travel attractions of Kosi Tappu. The nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), hog deer, and wild boar are some other animals in the Reserve which can be seen from the back of the elephants. Watching the elephants from atop the pachyderms gives the wild life lovers sense of great excitement.

Canoe Rides

Canoeing on Kosi Tappu’s rivers is an excellent way of observing waterfalls. The park's freshwater dolphins and crocodiles, are the endangered species found in the river. Watching the elephants showering is a particular treat.

Jungle Walks

The jungle can be felt at best on foot. Although fauna and wild life can be witnessed from with comfort and personal safety from an elephant's back, nothing can be compared with the walker's sense of excitement when he comes face to face with the jungle world. The senses are always alert as they are enabled by nature to recieve myriad of experiences.

Bird-watching tours

Birds such as water fowl, waders and shore birds are delight for avid bird watchers. Many of the birds witnessed here are not seen elsewhere in Nepal.

Fauna & Flora

Variety of wild life can be seen while touring the wildlife park. It is the residence of the last surviving population of wild buffalo or arna. Nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), hog deer, and wild boar are some other animals residing in the Reserve.

More than 280 different species of birds can be found in the Reserve. These include twenty species of ducks, two species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons, swamp partridge and Bengal florican. It is used by the migratory birds as their staging ground and resting place. Endangered aquatic animals like gharial, crocodile and Gangetic dolphin can be found in the Koshi river.