|
|
World > Asia > Nepal >
Kathmandu
|
 |
|
|
|
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK AREA (932 SQ. KMS.) |
The park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of
significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills,
ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers.
Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is sal forest. The
remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%), riverine forest
(7%), and sal with chirpine (3%), the latter occuring at the top of
the Churiya range. The Saccharun species, often called elephant
grass, can reach 8 m. in height. The shorter grasses such as
Imperata are useful for thatch roofs.
There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is
especially renowned for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the
tiger and the gharial crocodile along with many other common species
such as gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena,
pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard and python. Other animals
found in the park include the sambar, chital, hog deer, barking
deer, sloth bear, palm civet, langur and rhesus monkey. Ther are
over 450 species of birds in the park.
|
|
SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK AREA (1.148 SQ. KMS.) |
The mountains of Sagarmatha National Park are geologically young and
broken up by deep gorges and-glacial valleys. Vegetation includes
pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir, juniper, birch and
rhododendron woods, scrub and alpine plant communities, and bare
rock and snow. The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during spring
(April and May) although other flora is most colorful during. the
monsoon season (June to August).
Wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are the Himalayan
tahr, goral, serow and musk deer. The snow leopard and Himalayan
black bear are present but rarely sighted. Other mammals rarely seen
are the weasel, marten, Himalayan mouse hare (pika), jackal and
langur monkey.
|
|
LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK AREA (1,710 SQ. KMS.) |
Langtang National Park encloses the catchments of two major river
systerns: one draining west into the Trisuli Rfver and the other
east to the Sun Koshi river. Some of the best examples of graded
climate conditions in the Central Himalaya are found here. The
complex topography and geography together with the varied climatic
patterns have enabled a wide spectrum of vegetation type to be
established. These include small areas of subtropical forest (below
1000 m), temperate oak and pine forests at mid-elevation, with
alpine scrub and grasses giving .way to bare rocks and snow.
Oaks, chir pine, maple, fir, blue pine, hemlock, spruce and various
species of rhododendron make up the main forest species. Along with
the existing forest cover, approx. 25% of the total area provides
habitat for a wide range of animals including wild dog, red panda,
pika, muntjack, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr,
ghoral, seraw, rhesus monkey and common langur. The Trisuli-Bhote
Koshi forms an important route for birds on spring and autumn
migration between India and Tibet.
|
|
ROYAL BARDIYA NATIONAL PARK AREA (968 SQ. KMS.) |
The park is the largest and most undisturbed wildreness area in the
Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal forest
with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine
forest. The approximately 1500 people who used t0 live in this
valley have been resettled elsewhere. Since farming has ceased in
the Babai Valley, natural vegetation is regenerating, making it an
area of prime habitat for wildlife.
The park provides excellent habitat for endangered animals like the
rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer, black buck, gharial
crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered
birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican and Sarus crane.
More than 30 different mammals, over 200 species of birds, and many
snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forest,
grassland and river habitats. A good number of resident and
migratory birds are found in the park.
|
|
SHEY-PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK AREA (3,555 SQ. KMS.) |
The park contains luxuriant forests, mainly comprised of blue pine,
spruce, cypress, poplar, deodar, fir and birch. The Jugdula River
valley consists mostly of Quercus species. The trans-Himalayan area
has a near-desert type vegetation of mainly dwarf juniper and
caragana shrubs.
The park provides prime habitat for the snow leopard and the blue
sheep. Other common animals found in the park are ghoral, Himalayan
tahr, serow, leopard, wolf, jackal, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan
weasel, Himalayan mouse hare, yellow-throated marten, langur and
rhesus monkeys.
|
|
ROYAL SHUKLAPHANTA WILDLIFE RESERVE AREA (305 SA. KMS.) |
Predominant sal associated with asna, simal, karma, khair and sissoo
are found along the riverside. Main grass species of the phantas are
Imperate cylindrica and Saccharum heteropogon, used extensively by
the local people for thatching.
The reserve provides prime habitat for swamp deer. An estimated
population of 2,000 to 2,500 of this species is found in the
reserve. Other wild animals in the reserve are the wild elephant,
tiger, hispid hare, blue bull, leopard, chital, hog deer, and the
wild boar. A total of 200 species of birds have been recorded in the
reserve. Many grassland birds along with the rare Bengal florican
can be seen in the phantas. Marsh mugger, Indian python, monitor
lizard and snakes like cobra, krait, and rat snakes are recorded in
the reserve.
|
|
KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE AREA (175 SQ. KMS.) |
Rapid and complete inundation of the reserve to depths ranging from
10 to 300 cm occurs during the monsoon. The Sapta-Koshi river also
changes its course from one season to another.
The vegetation is mainly tall kharpater grassland with a few patches
of khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.
The reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The
last surviving population (about 100) of wild buffalo or arna are
found here. Other mammals are the hog deer, wild boar, spotted deer,
and the blue bull.
The reserve also assists the local economy by providing fishing
permits and allowing the collection of edible fruits and ferns in
season.
|
|
|
|
|
