Nationals Parks

The Country has blase by God where the country have 10 nationals, 3 wildlife reserve, 1 hunting reserve and 6 conservation areas and 11 buffer zones covering an area of 34,186.62 sq. km. i.e. 23.23% of the total of the country. It's extensive and effective parks and reserve system, the country has managed to preserve more endangered species of flora and fauna than any others countries in Asia. The figure cleared to us:-

Proteced Areas of Nepal

1. Chitwan National Park (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site)

Jungle Safari

The park was established on 1973A.D. which have an area about 932 sq. km. It is 200m above the sea level and three districts (Chitwan,Nawalparasi and Makwanpur) covered by this national park. The Park headquarters at Kasara is a 21KM drive from Bharatpur which is 20 minutes by air or 146KM by road from Kathmandu. The Jungle safari on elephant back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive, experience of Tharu culture. There are 56 species of mammals that includes one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, rhesus monkey, langur, deer, leopard, gaur, wild boar, wild dog and wild cat; 49 species of amphibians and reptiles that include the endangered long snouted gharial, marsh mugger crocodile and python and there are 539 species of birds that include summer migrant birds like paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets etc. during, while winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar-headed geese, cormorants and migratory birds from Siberia. There are more than 600 plant species with deciduous forest.

The best season to visit this park is October-March (Average Temperature 25⁰C); April- June (Hot, up to 43 ⁰C ) July-September (Rainy). The other attraction along with this park are Devghat, Padavnagar, Balmiki Ashram, Kabilaspur, Chepang Hills Trail. There are numbers of resort hotels and lodges for the visitors in this areas.

Rhino 

2. Sagarmatha National Park (UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site)
Established:1976A.D.
Areas: 1184 sq.km 

         Activities: Trekking, mountaineering, experience of Sherpa culture
         District Covered: Solukhumbu 

·       Accommodation: Resort hotels, lodges, tea houses, camping

·       Access: Fly to Lukla which is 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu and then trek onward

·       Wildlife: Himalayan tahr,Himalayan black beer, ghoral, musk deer, pika (mouse hare), wild yak,         grey wolf, weasel, golden jackal, black bear, wolf, lynx, Tibetan antelope and snow leopard

·     Birds: 193 species of birds including impeyan pheasant (Danphe), blood pheasant, red-billed          chough, yellow-billed chough, snow cock, snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon and lammergeier

·     Vegetation: Pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, while above 3,500 m, forests are dominated by silver fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper trees

·     Best Season: October-November and March-May; December-February (snow, daytime temperature  5 degrees Celsius) June-September (rainy)

·     Park Headquarters: Mendalphu, Namche Bazaar
     Above Sea level: 2780-5300m

·         

3. Bardia National Park
Established: 1976A.D.
Areas: 968 sq. km

·       Activities: Jungle safari on elephant back, jungle walk, boat ride, jeep drive
        District Covered: Banke and Bardia

·        Accommodation: Jungle lodges

·        Access: Three hours' drive (95 km) from Nepalgunj, which is 1 hour by air or 516 km by road from             Kathmandu

·      Wildlife: 53 mammals that include the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephant, swamp deer,black buck; reptiles include gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile; fresh-water Gangetic dolphin is  commonly seen in the Karnali River

·     Birds: 400 species of birds include Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and sarus crane

·       Vegetation: Sal, savannah forests and grasslands

·       Best Season: October-March, April-June (hot, up to 42 degrees Celsius), July-September (rainy)

·       Park Headquarters: Thakurdwara
        Above Sea level: 80-150m 

·         

       4. Khaptad National Park

       Established: 1984AD

       Area: 225 sq. km. 

·     Activities: Trekking

       Districts covered: Bajura, Bajhang and Doti

·     Accommodation: Camping

·    Access: Fly from Kathmandu-Nepalgunj (60min.), then fly to Chainpur (Bajhang)20 min. and then a three-day walk; or fly Kathamndu-Dhangadi (1 hr 10 min.) 670 km by drive, then 10 hrs drive to Silgadi  and then 1 day trek

·   Wildlife: Wildlife include barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, rhesus monkey, musk deer, snow lepoard, grey wolf and langur monkey

·  Birds: 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varieties of impheyan pheasant, partridges,flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles

·    Vegetation: Grasslands and forests of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation; 224 species of medicinal herbs

·     Best Season: March-May and October-November (10-20 degrees Celsius); June-September (rainy),   December-February (snow)

·     Park Headquarters: Khaptad

      Above Sea Level: 3000m Approx. 

·     Added Attraction: Ashram of Khaptad Swami, Khaptad Lake, Tribeni, Sahashra Linga (at 3,200 m, the highest point of the park), Ganesh Temple, Nagdhunga and Kedardhunga.
             

        5. Langtang National Park
          Established: 1976A.D.
          Areas: 1710 sq. km

·         Activities: Trekking, mountaineering, experience of Tamang culture
          Districts Covered: Rasuwa,Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk

·         Accommodation: Lodges, camping

·         Access: From Dhunche, which is 117 km by road from Kathmandu

           Wildlife: Wild dog, red panda, pika, muntjac, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr,         ghoral, Himalayan brown bear,wolf,serow, rhesus monkey, langur monkey, red panda,snow                 leopard and common Langoor

·         Birds: 373 species of birds including tragopan and impeyan pheasant

·         Vegetation: Sub-tropical forests below 1,000 m giving way to alpine shrubs and grasslands

·         Best Season: October-November and March-May (cold at higher elevation); June-September             (monsoon), December-February (snow)

·         Park Headquarters: Dhunche
          Above Sea Level: 1500-7234sq. km

·         Added Attraction: Holy Lake Gosainkunda

·         

        6. Makalu Barun National Park
          Established: 1991A.D.
          Areas: 2330sq. km.

·         Activities: Trekking, mountaineering
          District Covered: Sankhwasabha 

·         Accommodation: Camping

·         Access: Fly to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu (40 minutes) and then a six-day walk

·         Wildlife: Endangered red panda and snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard,                 ghoral, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, wild boar, barking deer, Tibetan Antelope, Himalayan marmot,      weasel,langur,monkey, Tibetan sheep and serow; Arun river has 84 varieties of fish including              salmon

·         Birds: 400 species of birds including wren babbler, olive ground warbler

·         Vegetation: Sub-tropical forests to sub-alpine and alpine vegetation as the altitude increases; 48          species of orchids, 87 species of medicinal herbs, 25 of 30 varieties of rhododendrons found in            Nepal, 48 species of primroses and 86 species of fodder trees

·         Best Season: October-November and March-April; April-May (hot at lower elevations), June-            September (monsoon)

·         Park Headquarters: Seduwa
          Above Sea Level: 1500-5000 m 

·        

       7. Rara National Park

          Established: 1976A.D.

          Areas: 106 Sq. km

          Activities: Trekking

          Districts covered: Mugu and Jumla

          Accommodation: Camping, lodge

         Access: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (1 hour); Nepalgunj to Talcha Airport (35 minutes) then    2- hour trek to Rara Lake

         Wildlife: Endangered red panda and musk deer, Himalayan black bear, ghoral, leopard, jackal,            Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque    and common otter;three species of snow trout can be seen in the lake

         Birds: During winter 272 species of birds are seen here including coots, great-crested grebe, black-    necked grebe, red crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganser and gulls; migrant water fowls    and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons

        Vegetation: Coniferous forests and blue pine dominate the park and the lake area respectively;            rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress are found around 3,000 m while at higher altitude,      pine,spruce and fir are more common

         Best Season: February-April and October-November

         Park Headquarters: Hutu

         Above Sea Level: 3000m 

       

8. Shey-Phoksundo National Park
Established: 1984A.D.
Areas: 3555 sq. km. 

         Activities: Trekking, mountaineering
         District Covered: Mugu and Dolpa

         Accommodation: Camping

         Access: Fly to Dolpa's Jufal Airport from Nepalgunj (20 minutes) and then a three-day walk

        Wildlife: Sheep, ghoral, musk deer, leopard, wild dog, marmot, weasel, mouse hare, rhesus and          langur monkeys, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear and jackals; 6 species of reptiles

        Birds: Over 200 species of birds including yellow throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snipe,      white-throated tit, wood accentor and crimson-eared rose finch, impeyan pheasant, cheer pheasant,      chough, raven, Tibetan snow cock, Tibetan twit, Himalayan griffon and lammergeier

         Butterflies: 29 species of butterflies

         Vegetation: 286 floral species of botanical importance: pine, walnut, willow, oak, cypress in the        lower altitude and pine, spruce, juniper and birch at higher regions; berberis, wild rose and caragana    are seen in alpine areas while the regions higher up are mostly arid with grass alpine meadows with    barely any trees

         Best Season: March-May and September-October

         Park Headquarter: Sumduwa
         Above Sea level: 6000m 

         Added Attractions: Lake Phoksundo, Dho village (one of the highest settlements in the world)

       

9. Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park
Established: 2002A.D.
Areas: 159 sq. km

         Activities: Trekking, bird watching
         District Covered: Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk

         Access: Drive from Kathmandu city center to Budhanilkantha (11 km) then trek

         Wildlife: 19 species of mammals including Himalayan black bear, leopard, barking deer, wild boar,    wild cat, rhesus monkey and langur monkey

         Birds: 177 species of birds

        Butterflies: 102 species of butterflies

        Vegetation: 129 varieties of mushrooms

        Best Season: September-May; June-August (rainy)

        Park Headquarters: Shivapuri
        Above Sea Level: 1350-1800m 

         New National Park 

10. Banke National Park
Established: 2010A.D.
Areas: 550Sq. km
District Covered: Banke, Bardia 

      Activities: Jungle safari on elephant back, jungle walk, boat ride, jeep drive
      Accommodation: Jungle lodges

      Access: 

     Wildlife: Wild Elephant, royal Bengal tiger, Hyena, pangolin, full horned antelope, rock python ; fresh-water Gangetic dolphin is  commonly seen in the Karnali River

    Birds: 350 species of birds include Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and sarus crane

     Vegetation: Sal, savannah forests and grasslands

     Best Season: October-March, April-June (hot, up to 42 degrees Celsius), July-September (rainy)

     Park Headquarters: 
     Above Sea level: 80-150m 

1. Parsa Wildlife Reserve
   Establisehd: 1984 A.D. 
   Areas: 499 sq. km
   Activities: Jungle safari on elephant back; jungle walk, jeep drive

           Access: Fly to Simara from Kathmandu (15 minutes) and then by road to the reserve headquarters     (7 km), or overland from Kathmandu (150 km via Hetauda)

          Wildlife: Wild elephant, tiger leopard, sloth bear, gaur, blue bull, wild dog, sambar, chital, hog           deer, barking deer, langur monkey, rhesus macaque, striped hyena, rat, palm civet and jungle cat;       reptiles include king cobra, common cobra, krait, rat snake and python

·        Birds: 370 species of birds including the endangered great hornbill; other birds found here include    the peafowl, red jungle fowl, flycatchers and woodpeckers

          Vegetation: Tropical and sub-tropical mostly covered with Sal forests, while hills are covered with      chir pine, khair, sissoo and silk cotton

         Best Season: October-March; April-June (hot, 30-35 degrees Celsius), July-September (monsoon)

         Park Headquarters: Adhabar

         
       2. Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
            Established: 1976A.D.
            Areas: 305 Sq. km

            Activ ities: Wildlife viewing on elephant back

            Accommodation: Jungle lodges
           Access: Fly (1 hour 10 minutes) or drive to Dhangadhi (670 km from Kathmandu) then drive 1            hour 30 minutes (60 km)

          Wildlife: Swamp deer, 50 wild elephants, 30 tigers, spotted deer, blue bull, barking deer, hog deer,      wild boar, leopard, jackal, langur and rhesus monkey; reptiles include marsh mugger crocodile,           cobra,python

           Birds: Sarus crane, swamp francolin, grass owl, warblers, flycatchers, Bengal florican

           Vegetation: Sub-tropical jungle of Sal and open grasslands

           Best Season: October-March; April-June (hot, 42 degrees Celsius), July-September (rainy)

          Reserve Headquarters: Majhgaon, Kanchanpur

  
        3. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

           Established: 1976A.D.

g         Areas: 175 sq. km

           Accommodation: Jungle lodges

           Wlidlife:  Pangolin, Wild Water Buffalo, Asian Wild Elephant, Dolphin, Python, Gharial                    Crocodile, Golden Monitor Lizard 

-      
        1. Annapurna Conservation Area
           Established: 1992 A.D.
           Areas: 7,629 sq. km.

          Activities: Trekking, mountaineering

          Accommodation: Resort hotels, lodges, camping

          Access: From Pokhara, which is 202 km by road or 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu

          Wildlife: 102 mammals including blue sheep and endangered snow leopard; 39 species of reptiles        and 22 species of amphibians

          Birds: 474 species of birds including multi-colored impeyan pheasant, kokla and blood pheasant

          Vegetation: Various species of orchids and rhododendrons 

          Best Season: March-May; September-November

          ACAP Headquarters: Hariyo Kharka, Pokhara

          Added Attractions: Muktinath Temple, Tilicho Lake, Mustang, Manang

   

      2. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
         Establisehd: 1997A.D.
         Areas: 2,035 sq. km

         Activities: Trekking, mountaineering

         Accommodation: Tea houses, camping

        Access: Fly to Taplejung via Biratnagar from Kathmandu

        Wildlife: Endangered snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, red panda, blue sheep,               rhesus monkey

      Birds: 252 species of different birds including impeyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie,ashy drongo

     Vegetation: 20 indigenous gymnosperms, 15 among Nepal's 23 endemic flowering plants, 30 varieties of rhododendron species and 48 varieties of orchids

       Best Season: March-May; September-November

       Park Headquarters: Lelep

    
      3.Manaslu Conservation Area
       Establisehd: 1998A.D.
       Areas: 1,663 sq. km

       Activities: Trekking, mountaineering

       Accommodation: Camping, lodges

      Access: By bus to Dhading (87 km from Kathmandu) or to Besi Sahar (106 km from Pokhara) and then trek

    Wildlife: 33 species of mammals including snow leopard, musk deer and Himalayan Thar; three species of reptiles

       Birds: 110 species of birds

       Vegetation: 1,500-2,000 species of flowering plants

       Best Season: March-May; September-November

       Park Headquarters: Prok

NEW CONSERVATION AREAS

     4. Gaurishanker Conservation Area:

      Gaurishanker Conservation Area comprises the Sagarmatha National Park and Buffer Zone in the east, Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone in the west and Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north. It was established 2010A.D. and has an area of 2,179 sq. km which spreads over three districts -Ramechhap, Dolakha,Sindupalchowk. Its headquarters is Charikot.The red panda, snow leopard, musk deer, pangolin and grey wolf. 

5. Blackbuck Conservation Area

      Blackbuck Conservation Area lies in Bardia district covering an area of 15.95 sq. km. and established on 2009 A.D. This is the first organized effort to conserve the endangered Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra).

      6. Api Nampa Conservation Area

 Api Nampa Conservation Area lies in Darchula district which was established on 2010 A.D. and covers 1,903 sq. km in 21 VDCs. The red panda,snow leopard, musk deer, clouded leopard, ghoral, Himalayan black bear and Himalayan thar are found in the area

        1. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
          Established: 1986A.D.
          Areas: 1325 sq. km

·        Activities: Trophy hunting, game viewing

·        Accommodation: Camping

·       Animals: Blue sheep, leopard, ghoral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, barking deer,    wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur, mouse hare; endangered species include musk deer, wolf, red        panda

·        Birds: Pheasants, partridges; endangered species include cheer pheasant and Danphe

·        Access: Four days' walk from Baglung, which is 72 km from Pokhara by road

·        Best Season: March-April, October-November; July-September (monsoon), December-February        (cold, windy, snow)

·        Reserve Headquarters: Dhorpatan

·