Showing posts with label Hunting Reserve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hunting Reserve. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Wildlife Reserve-Conservation Areas-Hunting Reserve

Wildlife Reserve:

1. Sukla Phanta wildlife Reserve 

Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal, covering 306 km2 .
The prevalent vegetation of the reserve is sukla phanta – grassland, which covers about 16 km2 in area and is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal. The main grass species include Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus. Khagra Reed  and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes of the seven small lakes. The dominant forest type is Sal. Khair and Sissoo grow alongside rivers.
The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the reserve are habitat for a wide range of faunal species. In the rivers, lakes and ponds 27 fish species, the globally threatened Mugger crocodile and Indian Rock Python have been recorded as well as the Monitor Lizard, Indian Cobra, Common Krait and Oriental Ratsnake.
Current checklists include 46 species of mammals, 19 of which are protected under CITES such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer, Asian Elephant and Hispid Hare. Great One-horned Rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country.
The congregation of Swamp Deer on the reserve's phantas is the largest in the world; the population of Hispid Hare may be of international significance.
A total of 425bird species has been recorded in the reserve that supports the highest population of Bengal Floricans in Nepal. It is the western limit of Swamp Francolin, Jerdon's Bushchat, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler and Jerdon's Babbler; the north-western limit of Yellow-eyed Babbler; the eastern limit of Finn's Weaver and the most important regular wintering site of Hodgson's Bushchat.
During a survey carried out in January 2006, a total of 19 Hodgson’s bushchats were nly 9males.




 



 





 2. Parsa wildlife  Reserve


Parsa Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. Established in 1984, it covers an area of 450km2 in the Parsa, Makwanpur and Bara districts and is the largest wildlife reserve in the country. In altitude it ranges from 435 metres  to 940 metres (3,120 ft) in the Siwalik Hills.
In the north of the protected area the Rapti River and Siwalik Hills form a natural boundary to human settlements. In the east it extends up to the Hetauda - Birgunj highway. In the south, a forest roads demarcates the boundary. Adjacent to the west is Chitwan National Park. Together with the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park, the coherent protected area of 2,074 km2 (801 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit ) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3,550km2   block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.
Before being converted to a protected area, the region used to be the hunting ground of the ruling class.
The typical vegetation of the park is tropical and subtropical forest types with Sal forest constituting about 90% of the vegetation. Chir pine grows in the Churia Hills. Khair, Sissoo and Silk cotton trees occur along watercourses. Sabai grass grows well on the southern face of the Churia hills.An estimated 920species of flora have been recorded including 299 vascular plants, 245 dicots, 57 monocots, five pteridophytes, and one gymnosperm.
In May 2008, a census conducted in the reserve confirmed the presence of 36 gaurs.A survey combined with extensive camera-trapping conducted in 2008 estimated four adult Bengal tigers resident in the reserve.


                      




3. Koshi-Tappu wildlife Reserve  
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of eastern Nepal covering 176 km2 of wetlands in the Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur Districts. In altitude it ranges from 75 to 81 metres  and consists of extensive mudflats, reed beds, and freshwater marshes in the floodplain of the Sapta Kosi River. It was established in 1976 and designated as a Ramsar site in December 1987.
It can be accessed from the Mahendra Highway.
The vegetation of the reserve is mainly characterised by mixed deciduous riverine forest, grasslands and marshy vegetation. The coverage of grasslands is 74%, compared to only about 7% of forest, which is predominated by Sisso. In the extensive wetlands, some 515 species of plants are found including Kapok, Sugarcane, reed, Cattail, Imperata cylindrica, eel grass, and species of Eichornia, Hydrilla, Azolla and Lotus.
A wide range of faunal species inhabit the protected area. In its water courses and ponds, 202 species of fish have been recorded, most of which are resident. Two toad species, nine frog species, six lizard species, five snake species, 11 turtle species are recorded. Gharial and Mugger crocodile occur as well.
The 32 species of mammals recorded include the Asian elephant, Spotted deer, Hog deer, Wild pig, Smooth-coated otter and Golden jackal. The Ganges River Dolphin has been sighted in the Koshi River. Gaur and Blue bull have declined in numbers.Nepal’s last remaining population of about 150 Wild Asian Water Buffalo called arna inhabit the area.
Notable among the 485 bird species are Watercock,  nightjar, eagleowl, Black-headed cuckooshrike, stonechat, grassbird, Large adjutant stork, Pallas’s fish eagle, Common golden-eye, and Gullbilled ternn.l Florican,  Francolin and l Rufous-vented Prinia occur as well.






 




 

 

 


Conservation Areas:

1. Annapurna conservation area 
The Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,630.5 km2 in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas across the Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung districts. The area ranges in altitude from 798 m  to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m .
The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazetted in 1992. It is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.
There are two distinct climatic regions within a span of 1202km  and an altitude of 1,001 to 8,002 m . 



      



 










2. Makalu-Barun conservation area/national park 


This national park lies in the wilderness at the eastern border of Mount Everest National Park and is more remote.
Its altitude ranges from 1,001 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 3,002 flowering plants. Also about 68 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.












Hunting Reserve:

 Dhorpatan 



The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal. Established in 1986 it covers an area of 1,325 km2  in the Dhaulagiri Himal of western Nepal in the Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung Districts. In altitude it ranges from 2,852 to 5,5001m 




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Wildlife


 This country harbors one of the world  best habitat for One horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Show-Leopard, Clouded-Leopard, Red panda, Blue-sheep and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant, buffaloes, bisons, blue bell, Brown, bear, Sloth bear, Leopard, crocodiles 
 and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families. And 848 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds.


Endangered Species

 Tiger, Rhino, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard Red Panda, Brown Bear, Asamese Macaque,  Dolphin, Wolf,  Elephant, Giant horn-bill, Swamp deer, Wild yak, Nayan, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, Four horned antelope, Musk deer pigmy hog, Pangolin, Gharial crocodile, Indian bustard, Saras Crane, Impean Pheasant, Python.