Royal Chitwan National Park
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.
Royal Bardia National Park:
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.
Sagarmatha National Park:
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 This 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.
Langtang National Park
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.
Shey-Phoksundo National Park:
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.
Rara National Park:
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.
Khaptad National Park
