Royal Chitwan National Park:
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan District. In altitude it ranges from about 100 metres in the river valleys to 815 metres in the Churia Hills.
In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements.
By the end of the 1960s, 70% of Chitwan’s jungles were cleared using DDT, thousands of people had settled there, and only 95 rhinos remained. The dramatic decline of the rhino population and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Gaida Gasti – a rhino reconnaissance patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos the Chitwan National Park was gazetted in December 1970, with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973, initially encompassing an area of 544 km2 (210 sq mi).
In 1977, the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi). In 1997, a bufferzone of 766.1 km2 (295.8 sq mi) was added to the north and west of the Narayani-Rapti river system, and between the south-eastern boundary of the park and the international border to India.
The park’s headquarter is located in Kasara. Close-by the Gharial and Turtle Conservation Breeding Centres have been established. In 2008, a Vulture breeding centre was inaugurated aiming at holding up to 25 pairs of each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal .
The typical vegetation of the Inner Terai is Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests with predominantly Sal trees covering about 70% of the national park area. Purest stands of sal occur on well drained lowland ground in the centre. Along the southern face of the Churia Hills sal is interspersed with chir pine . On northern slopes sal associates with smaller flowering tree and shrub species such as Beleric , Rosewood , Axlewood , Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica), Grey Downy Balsam and creepers such as Bauhinia vahlii and Spatholobus parviflorus.
Seasonal bushfires, flooding and erosion evoke an ever-changing mosaic of riverine forest and grasslands along the river banks. On recently deposited alluvium and in lowland areas groups of Catechu with Rosewood predominate, followed by groups of Kapok with Rhino Apple trees , the fruits of which rhinos savour so much. Understorey shrubs of Velvety beautyberry , Hill Glory Bower and gooseberry offer shelter and lair to a wide variety of species.
The wide range of vegetation types in the Chitwan National Park is haunt of more than 700 species of wildlife and a not yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Rock python, 17 other species of snakes, starred tortoise and monitor lizards occur. The Narayani-Rapti river system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is habitat for 113 recorded species of fish and mugger crocodiles.
In the early 1950s, about 235 gharials occurred in the Narayani River. The population has dramatically declined to only 38 wild gharials in 2003. Every year gharial eggs are collected along the rivers to be hatched in the breeding center of the Gharial Conservation Project, where animals are reared to an age of 6–9 years. Every year young gharials are reintroduced into the Narayani-Rapti river system, of which sadly only very few survive.
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals. The "King of the Jungle" is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitat of the Terai is one of the best tiger habitats anywhere in the world.
_-_Koshyk.jpg)
.jpg)
_in_Hodal_W_IMG_6277.jpg)
Sagarmatha National Park:
This is the highest national park in the world, with the entire park located above 3,000 m ( 9,700 ft). This park includes three peaks higher than 8,000 m, including Mt Everest.
With its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers, this park can be divided into four climate zones
- A forested lower zone,
- A zone of alpine scrub,
- The upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth,
- The Arctic zone where no plants can grow.
In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron grow.
Above this zone all vegetation are found to be dwarf or shrubs.
As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses.
Plants cease to grow at about 5,750 m (18,690 ft), because this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas.
The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the Earth, especially in summer. After the first monsoon rains in June, the hillsides become green and different varieties of flowers start blooming, and butterflies of myriad species appear in different colors.
118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies have made this park their home.
Sme of the endangered animals that are found in this park are musk deer, wild yak, red panda, snow leopard and Himalayan black bear. Many other animals such as Himalayan thars, deer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, martens, and Himalayan wolves are living here.
The oxygen gets thinner with the altitude. Therefore, the animals here are adapted to living on less oxygen as well as a cold temperature. They have thick coats or shortened limbs to prevent loss of body heat. The Himalayan bears go into hibernation in caves during the winter when there is no food available.
Langtang National Park:
Langtang National Park is the fourth national park in Nepal and was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan national park. The protected area exceeds an altitudinal range of 6,450 m (21,160 ft) and covers an area of 1,710 km2 (660 sq mi) in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok districts of the central Himalayan region encompassing 26 Village Development Committees.
The northern and eastern border of the national park coincide with the international border to the Tibet Autonomous Region. The western boundary follows the rivers Bhote Kosi and Trisuli. The southern border lies 32 km (20 mi) north of the Kathmandu Valley. The rugged summits of Langtang Lirung with an elevation of 7,227 m (23,711 ft) and Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m (22,854 ft)) are included in the national park as well as the high altitude sacred lake of Gosainkunda.
In 1970, royal approval designated the establishment of Langtang National Park as the first protected area in the Himalayas. The national park was gazetted in 1976 and extended by a buffer zone of 420 km2 (160 sq mi) in 1998.There have been several cases of assault on the trail. An american Aubrey Sacco missing has been presumed dead whereas in 2012 a Belgian women was killed with investigation regarding the cause of death still ongoing.
The climate of the park is dominated by the southwest summer monsoon. Temperatures vary greatly due to the extreme difference in altitude in the entire area. Most of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September. In fall (October – November) and spring (April – May), days are warm and sunny, and nights cool. In spring, rain at 3000 m elevation often turns to snow at higher elevations. In winter from December to March, days are clear and mild but nights near freezing.
The Langtang National Park exhibits a high diversity of 14 vegetation types in 18 ecosystem types, ranging from upper tropical forests below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) m altitude to alpine scrub and perennial ice.
Rara National Park:
Rara National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal and was established in 1976. Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Dolpa districts, it is the country's smallest national park. Its main feature is Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 metres (9,810 ft). The park was established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla Region of Nepal.
The park ranges in elevation from 2,800 metres (9,200 ft) to 4,039 metres (13,251 ft) at Chuchemara Peak on the southern side of Rara Lake. On the northern side, the peaks of Ruma Kand and Malika Kand frame the alpine freshwater lake, which is the largest lake in Nepal with a surface of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 167 metres (548 ft). It is oval-shaped with an east-west axis, a length of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) and a width of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) draining into the Mugu-Karnali River via Nijar Khola.
Rara NP is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), and protected with the assistance of the Nepal Army.
The climate of Rara National Park is pleasant during the summer, but becomes very cold during the winter, because of the altitude. The best times to visit the park are in September, October, April, and May. During the winter, temperatures drop below freezing, and many high passes become blocked by snow. The summer is warm, but June to August is monsoon season, making the trek to Rara National Park difficult.
One thousand and seventy species of flora are estimated from Rara National Park. Rhododendron, fir, brown oak, and birch species are found in the sub-alpine region.Below 3,200 metres (10,500 ft), the vegetation consists of mainly Blue Pine (Pinus excelsa), Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum), West Himalayan Spruce, Black Juniper and Himalayan Cypress. Above 3,200 metres (10,500 ft), the vegetation changes to a coniferous forest consisting of a mixture of fir, spruce and pine.
Fifty-one species of mammals, 241 species of birds, two species of reptiles and amphibians, and three species of fish have been recorded from the park including Musk deer, Red Panda, Snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Yellow-throated Marten, Otter, Dhole, Gray langur, Rhesus Macaque.
There are 241 recorded species of birds, including 49 wetland species. Coots are often found in the lake. During the winter, Great-crested and Black-necked grebes, Red-crested Pochards, Mallard, Common Teal (Anas crecca), and Common Merganser are common. Other birds seen often include the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge, Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant and Blood Pheasant.
In 1979, three endemic snowtrout species were collected in Lake Rara and described as new species: the Nepalese snowtrout Schizothorax nepalensis, the Rara snowtrout Schizothorax raraensis and Schizothorax macrophthalmus. Also in 1979, the frog species Paa rarica has been first recorded as endemic to the lake.
Rara is not generally a tourist destination, as there are little to no accommodations within the park, no health post, and it is difficult to get to.Visitors must fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three-day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Surkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. The lake has not received over 200 tourists in any year. Experienced trekkers can visit the national park via any of these routes, and Rara National Park is an interesting destination for many interested in seeing various flora, fauna, and scenery unique to the area.
2.jpg)
Makalu Barun National Park:
his national park lies in the wilderness at the eastern border of Mount Everest National Park and is more remote.
Its altitude ranges from 1,000 m to more than 8,001 m. This park contains four of the five highest mountains in the world. Most of the northern part of this park includes dense forests, valleys of the Barun River, great waterfalls and deep gorges.
it contains more than 3,000 flowering plants. Also about 67 species of medicinal plants and aromatic plants are to be found here. This park is the home of more than 51 species of animals and 402 species of birds..
.jpg)
Shey Phoksundo National Park:
This is the largest national park in Nepal and stretches over the Trans Himalayan region. This park represents a whole range of climates that are found in Nepal. This is the only park in Nepal where the Tibetan desert type of fauna and flora are found.
The main attractions of this park are the Phoksundo Lake and the Shey Monastery. Because of its remoteness, very few tourists visit this national park. Suligad (543 ft, 167 m), the water fall at the highest elevation in the world, comes from Phoksundo Lake at 11,855 ft (3,647 m).
The wild animals that are found here are Tibetan hare, Himalayan weasels, Himalayan black and brown bear, blue sheep, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild yak and different varieties of pheasants.
Khaptad National Park:
This park is situated in the far western mountains of Nepal. It was established mainly for religious purposes. A Hindu guru called Khaptad Swami -- also a naturalist -- has been living in this secluded area for many years. It was because of his efforts that an area of about 225 square kilometers (89 square miles) was set aside as a national park. Most of the park has been designated as a sacred forest.
This park mainly consists of rolling hills covered with pastures and oak and coniferous forests.
Royal Bardiya National Park:
This park is situated in western Nepal to the south of the Shivalik range. The vegetation and wild life found in this park are similar to those of the Royal Chitwan National Park. In addition, the wild elephant and swamp deer are also found here. Rhinos in this area became extinct a long time ago. Therefore, 13 rhinoceros were captured in Chitwan National Park and introduced in this park. There is a greater chance of viewing tigers.
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park it was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the Chitwan District. In altitude it ranges from about 100 metres in the river valleys to 815 metres in the Churia Hills.
In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements.
By the end of the 1960s, 70% of Chitwan’s jungles were cleared using DDT, thousands of people had settled there, and only 95 rhinos remained. The dramatic decline of the rhino population and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Gaida Gasti – a rhino reconnaissance patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos the Chitwan National Park was gazetted in December 1970, with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973, initially encompassing an area of 544 km2 (210 sq mi).
In 1977, the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi). In 1997, a bufferzone of 766.1 km2 (295.8 sq mi) was added to the north and west of the Narayani-Rapti river system, and between the south-eastern boundary of the park and the international border to India.
The park’s headquarter is located in Kasara. Close-by the Gharial and Turtle Conservation Breeding Centres have been established. In 2008, a Vulture breeding centre was inaugurated aiming at holding up to 25 pairs of each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal .
The typical vegetation of the Inner Terai is Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests with predominantly Sal trees covering about 70% of the national park area. Purest stands of sal occur on well drained lowland ground in the centre. Along the southern face of the Churia Hills sal is interspersed with chir pine . On northern slopes sal associates with smaller flowering tree and shrub species such as Beleric , Rosewood , Axlewood , Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica), Grey Downy Balsam and creepers such as Bauhinia vahlii and Spatholobus parviflorus.
Seasonal bushfires, flooding and erosion evoke an ever-changing mosaic of riverine forest and grasslands along the river banks. On recently deposited alluvium and in lowland areas groups of Catechu with Rosewood predominate, followed by groups of Kapok with Rhino Apple trees , the fruits of which rhinos savour so much. Understorey shrubs of Velvety beautyberry , Hill Glory Bower and gooseberry offer shelter and lair to a wide variety of species.
The wide range of vegetation types in the Chitwan National Park is haunt of more than 700 species of wildlife and a not yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Rock python, 17 other species of snakes, starred tortoise and monitor lizards occur. The Narayani-Rapti river system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is habitat for 113 recorded species of fish and mugger crocodiles.
In the early 1950s, about 235 gharials occurred in the Narayani River. The population has dramatically declined to only 38 wild gharials in 2003. Every year gharial eggs are collected along the rivers to be hatched in the breeding center of the Gharial Conservation Project, where animals are reared to an age of 6–9 years. Every year young gharials are reintroduced into the Narayani-Rapti river system, of which sadly only very few survive.
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals. The "King of the Jungle" is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitat of the Terai is one of the best tiger habitats anywhere in the world.
_in_Hodal_W_IMG_6277.jpg)
Sagarmatha National Park:
This is the highest national park in the world, with the entire park located above 3,000 m ( 9,700 ft). This park includes three peaks higher than 8,000 m, including Mt Everest.
With its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers, this park can be divided into four climate zones
- A forested lower zone,
- A zone of alpine scrub,
- The upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth,
- The Arctic zone where no plants can grow.
In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron grow.
Above this zone all vegetation are found to be dwarf or shrubs.
As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses.
Plants cease to grow at about 5,750 m (18,690 ft), because this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas.
The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the Earth, especially in summer. After the first monsoon rains in June, the hillsides become green and different varieties of flowers start blooming, and butterflies of myriad species appear in different colors.
118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies have made this park their home.
Sme of the endangered animals that are found in this park are musk deer, wild yak, red panda, snow leopard and Himalayan black bear. Many other animals such as Himalayan thars, deer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, martens, and Himalayan wolves are living here.
The oxygen gets thinner with the altitude. Therefore, the animals here are adapted to living on less oxygen as well as a cold temperature. They have thick coats or shortened limbs to prevent loss of body heat. The Himalayan bears go into hibernation in caves during the winter when there is no food available.
Langtang National Park:
Langtang National Park is the fourth national park in Nepal and was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan national park. The protected area exceeds an altitudinal range of 6,450 m (21,160 ft) and covers an area of 1,710 km2 (660 sq mi) in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok districts of the central Himalayan region encompassing 26 Village Development Committees.
The northern and eastern border of the national park coincide with the international border to the Tibet Autonomous Region. The western boundary follows the rivers Bhote Kosi and Trisuli. The southern border lies 32 km (20 mi) north of the Kathmandu Valley. The rugged summits of Langtang Lirung with an elevation of 7,227 m (23,711 ft) and Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m (22,854 ft)) are included in the national park as well as the high altitude sacred lake of Gosainkunda.
In 1970, royal approval designated the establishment of Langtang National Park as the first protected area in the Himalayas. The national park was gazetted in 1976 and extended by a buffer zone of 420 km2 (160 sq mi) in 1998.There have been several cases of assault on the trail. An american Aubrey Sacco missing has been presumed dead whereas in 2012 a Belgian women was killed with investigation regarding the cause of death still ongoing.
The climate of the park is dominated by the southwest summer monsoon. Temperatures vary greatly due to the extreme difference in altitude in the entire area. Most of the annual precipitation occurs from June to September. In fall (October – November) and spring (April – May), days are warm and sunny, and nights cool. In spring, rain at 3000 m elevation often turns to snow at higher elevations. In winter from December to March, days are clear and mild but nights near freezing.
The Langtang National Park exhibits a high diversity of 14 vegetation types in 18 ecosystem types, ranging from upper tropical forests below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) m altitude to alpine scrub and perennial ice.
Rara National Park:
Rara National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal and was established in 1976. Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Dolpa districts, it is the country's smallest national park. Its main feature is Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 metres (9,810 ft). The park was established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla Region of Nepal.
The park ranges in elevation from 2,800 metres (9,200 ft) to 4,039 metres (13,251 ft) at Chuchemara Peak on the southern side of Rara Lake. On the northern side, the peaks of Ruma Kand and Malika Kand frame the alpine freshwater lake, which is the largest lake in Nepal with a surface of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi) and a maximum depth of 167 metres (548 ft). It is oval-shaped with an east-west axis, a length of 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) and a width of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) draining into the Mugu-Karnali River via Nijar Khola.
Rara NP is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), and protected with the assistance of the Nepal Army.
The climate of Rara National Park is pleasant during the summer, but becomes very cold during the winter, because of the altitude. The best times to visit the park are in September, October, April, and May. During the winter, temperatures drop below freezing, and many high passes become blocked by snow. The summer is warm, but June to August is monsoon season, making the trek to Rara National Park difficult.
One thousand and seventy species of flora are estimated from Rara National Park. Rhododendron, fir, brown oak, and birch species are found in the sub-alpine region.Below 3,200 metres (10,500 ft), the vegetation consists of mainly Blue Pine (Pinus excelsa), Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum), West Himalayan Spruce, Black Juniper and Himalayan Cypress. Above 3,200 metres (10,500 ft), the vegetation changes to a coniferous forest consisting of a mixture of fir, spruce and pine.
Fifty-one species of mammals, 241 species of birds, two species of reptiles and amphibians, and three species of fish have been recorded from the park including Musk deer, Red Panda, Snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Yellow-throated Marten, Otter, Dhole, Gray langur, Rhesus Macaque.
There are 241 recorded species of birds, including 49 wetland species. Coots are often found in the lake. During the winter, Great-crested and Black-necked grebes, Red-crested Pochards, Mallard, Common Teal (Anas crecca), and Common Merganser are common. Other birds seen often include the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge, Himalayan Monal, Kalij Pheasant and Blood Pheasant.
In 1979, three endemic snowtrout species were collected in Lake Rara and described as new species: the Nepalese snowtrout Schizothorax nepalensis, the Rara snowtrout Schizothorax raraensis and Schizothorax macrophthalmus. Also in 1979, the frog species Paa rarica has been first recorded as endemic to the lake.
Rara is not generally a tourist destination, as there are little to no accommodations within the park, no health post, and it is difficult to get to.Visitors must fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a flight to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three-day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Surkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. The lake has not received over 200 tourists in any year. Experienced trekkers can visit the national park via any of these routes, and Rara National Park is an interesting destination for many interested in seeing various flora, fauna, and scenery unique to the area.
Makalu Barun National Park:
his national park lies in the wilderness at the eastern border of Mount Everest National Park and is more remote.
Its altitude ranges from 1,000 m to more than 8,001 m. This park contains four of the five highest mountains in the world. Most of the northern part of this park includes dense forests, valleys of the Barun River, great waterfalls and deep gorges.
it contains more than 3,000 flowering plants. Also about 67 species of medicinal plants and aromatic plants are to be found here. This park is the home of more than 51 species of animals and 402 species of birds..
Shey Phoksundo National Park:
This is the largest national park in Nepal and stretches over the Trans Himalayan region. This park represents a whole range of climates that are found in Nepal. This is the only park in Nepal where the Tibetan desert type of fauna and flora are found.
The main attractions of this park are the Phoksundo Lake and the Shey Monastery. Because of its remoteness, very few tourists visit this national park. Suligad (543 ft, 167 m), the water fall at the highest elevation in the world, comes from Phoksundo Lake at 11,855 ft (3,647 m).
The wild animals that are found here are Tibetan hare, Himalayan weasels, Himalayan black and brown bear, blue sheep, wild yak, Tibetan antelope, wild yak and different varieties of pheasants.
Khaptad National Park:
This park is situated in the far western mountains of Nepal. It was established mainly for religious purposes. A Hindu guru called Khaptad Swami -- also a naturalist -- has been living in this secluded area for many years. It was because of his efforts that an area of about 225 square kilometers (89 square miles) was set aside as a national park. Most of the park has been designated as a sacred forest.
This park mainly consists of rolling hills covered with pastures and oak and coniferous forests.
Royal Bardiya National Park:
This park is situated in western Nepal to the south of the Shivalik range. The vegetation and wild life found in this park are similar to those of the Royal Chitwan National Park. In addition, the wild elephant and swamp deer are also found here. Rhinos in this area became extinct a long time ago. Therefore, 13 rhinoceros were captured in Chitwan National Park and introduced in this park. There is a greater chance of viewing tigers.
Banke National park:
Banke National Park is located in the Mid-Western Region, Nepal and was established in 2010 as Nepal’s tenth national park. The protected area covers an area of 550 km2 (210 sq mi) with most parts falling on the Churia range. The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 344 square kilometres (133 sq mi) in the districts of Banke, Salyan and Dang.
Together with the neighboring Bardia National Park, the coherent protected area of 1,518 km2 (586 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke.
Together with the neighboring Bardia National Park, the coherent protected area of 1,518 km2 (586 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke.
