Officially gazetted in
1973, this was the first area in Nepal to be declared as a National Park,
with an area of 544 square km (210 square miles) and was extended in 1976
to it’s present size of 1,040 square km (402 square miles). It is situated
in the central inner- Terai regions subtropical low lands of Rapti valley.
The rugged Churia hills, Sal forests, grasslands and reverine forests,
including swamps and lakes made by changing river courses, provide excellent
habitats for an unusually rich variety of large mammals. It is one of
the last strongholds of tigers and is the only place in Nepal where the
great one-horned rhinoceros can be found. In the southeast corner of the
Park, a small herd of elephants are occasionally seen. About 30 species
of mammals, including the Gangetic dolphin and 2 species of crocodiles,
are found in the Park area. About 3 hundred varieties of birds including
waterfowl, both migratory and residential, can also be seen. The scenic
character of the Park is the panoramic view of Mt. Manaslu and Himalchuli
that can be seen from here on the clear days. Tourism management of the
Park is at present the responsibility of the Park staff whereas the task
of security is entrusted to the Royal Nepal Army. A number of scientific
research projects have been carried out in order to better understand
the ecology and behaviour of important animal species such as the rhino,
tiger and deer. A gharial crocodile-breeding center has also been established
near the Park headquarters for maximizing the survival of this endangered
species. The programme includes restocking the gharials in their natural
habitat.
This Wildlife Reserve
located in the remote and untouched mid-west Terai region. It comprises
of 368 square kilometers in area, was officially gazetted in 1976 and
extended in 1984 to its present size of 968 square km (374 square miles).
Includes a section of the Gerwa branch of the Karnali River and the southern
face of the Siwalik (Churia) hill, the Reserve consists of fairly flat
alluvial land. Sal forest covers over 70 percent of the land area while
the rest is accounted for open grassland, savannah and riverine forests.
This Reserve is a very good habitat for tigers, supporting Nepal's second
largest population (a larger population is found only in Royal Chitwan
National Park). About 32 species of mammals including the Gangetic dolphin,
swamp deer and elephant have been recorded in this Reserve; about 250
species of bird have also been recorded in the area. A small population
of gharial crocodile still survives in the Karnali river along with the
masheer fish.
This National Park was
officially established in October 1973 and is situated in the northeastern
region of Nepal in Solukhumbu district and comprises an area of approximately
1,243 square kilometers (480 square miles). It includes not only the peaks
and valleys of southern half of Mount Everest but also many villages of
Sherpa mountain guides. There are 4 major valleys with some relatively
low level areas in this Park. Generally the weather is cold, depending
on the altitude and month of the year. The lowest temperature at Namche
Bazaar is about minus eight degrees Celcius in the month of December.
The lower valleys are mostly covered with blue pine, fir and juniper forests
while in the area between 3,600 meters and 4,200 meters, birch and rhododendron
forests are commonly found. Juniper and rhododendron scrub continue to
grow above 4,700 meters also but decrease in height with the rising altitude.
The common mammals of the Park are musk deer, Himalayan thar and serow,
smaller mammals such as marmot and pika are found in the higher regions.
Among the carnivorous, the Himalayan wolf and black bear have been seen
in the Park. Khumbu region is the traditional home of the Sherpa people,
famous all over the world as mountaineers. The Park includes several Sherpa
villages as the Govt. has wisely considered them to be a part of the ecosystem
and cultural interest to visitors. A visitor center and some other facilities
have been developed and at Pheriche an Aid Post provides medical facilities
to those suffering from high altitude sickness.
The Langtang National
Park, covering approximately 1710 square kilometers (660 square miles)
in area, was officially gazetted in 1976. It is situated in the central
Himalayan region of Nepal with its southern border lying about 30 kilometers
straight north of Kathmandu. It contains the greatest range of vegetation
as its area encompasses both subtropical and alpine zones. Altogether
some 1,000-plant species, 160 bird species and 30 mammal species have
been identified in the park area. About 45 villages exist within the Park
while another 111 villages rely on its resources. The number of tourists
visiting this Park is increasing every year, it is particularly popular
among the trekkers, and because of the short time it takes to trek to
and from Kathmandu.
The country’s largest
park and the only one in the trans-Himalay zone, was established in 1984.
It has an area of 3,555 square km (1,373 square miles). This National
Park includes the spectacular scene of Lake Phoksundo and a healthy population
of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) of Shey Gumba area. Most of this Park's
area lies in the trans Himalayan region with typical Tibetan type flora
and fauna. The Tibetan hare (lepus capensis), Himalayan weasel and Himalayan
marmot are the wild inhabitants of this near desert landscape.
Nepal's smallest National
Park lies in the remote north-west region of the country in Karnali zone.
It comprises an area of 106 square km (41 square miles).The most important
feature of this Park is Lake Rara, which is situated at an altitude of
2,990 meters and has an area of 10 square kilometers. The trees within
the Park area are usually mixed although conifers dominate the general
appearance of the forest. There is no permanent snowline, heavy snow may
last until May. Mammals found in the Park are the musk deer, ghoral, serow,
wild dog, Himalayan black bear, jackal and yellow throated marten, many
colorful bird species such as the blood pheasant, Kaliz, impeyan pheasant,
snowcock and chukor are also frequently sighted. The normal winter visitors
to the lake are the great crested grebe, red crested pochard and tufted
pochard bird species along with the mallard and common teal. Although
there is one STOL airstrip in Rara, taking a flight from Kathmandu to
Jumla is the best way of approaching the lake. From Jumla it takes about
two and a half days on foot to reach Rara Lake.
