Nepal is a land of amazing
diversity. Most often thought of as a mountain kingdom, and indeed
dominated by the highest mountains on earth, the country has
another, perhaps unexpected side - its biologically rich lowlands.
Formerly cloaked in a dense impenetrable forest, lowland Nepal, or
the "Terai", now consists of a mosaic of habitats
including marshes, forests, and open grasslands. Here can be found
an impressive range of mammals, including the endangered Indian
Rhinoceros, Leopard, Tiger and Sloth Bear, while the rivers hold
Ganges River Dolphin.
There are several national parks in Nepal. These parks teem with
wildlife and offer a chance to experience the endemic animals and
vegetation of the regions. Among the 14 national parks and wildlife
reserves in Nepal, the Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq
kilometers) is the most popular safari destination among visitors.
Annapurna Conservation Area
Annapurna Conservation Area
Project (ACAP) is Nepal's first and the largest conservation area.
It covers an area of 7,600 sq. kilometers and is located in
mid-western Nepal. It is best reached from Pokhara. The area
includes 1,226 species of plants, including 38 species of orchids, 9
species of rhododendron and many varieties of fish. It is home to
wildlife such as blue sheep and snow leopards. Birds include the
Impeyan pheasant, and there is a rare collection of butterflies and
insects. Upper Mustang and other high altitude areas are best in
summer while low-altitude areas are pleasant the year round.
Royal Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first and most famous
national park is situated in the Inner Terai lowlands of Chitwan.
Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the park includes hilly areas
of the Shivalik Range covered by deciduous trees. Parts of the park
are floodplains of rivers Narayani, Rapti, and the Reu, covered by
dense tall elephant grass, forests of silk cotton, acacia and Sisam
trees. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in
1973 and included as World Heritage Site in 1984. The park in
Chitwan is shelter to the last endangered Asian species like the
one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. Other animals
found here are the leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey,
grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, bison, the four
species of deer and other small animals. Marsh crocodiles inhabit
the swampy areas. The Gangetic crocodile that only feed on fish, are
found in a stretch of the River Narayani. Also found here is one of
the four species of fresh-water dolphins.
Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
Just below the looming
mountains of Kunchanjunga 8,586 meters, lies the Kanchanjunga
Conservation Area (KCA). Spread in an area of 2,035 sq. kilometers,
the area is made up of alpine grasslands, rocky outcrops, dense
temperate and subtropical forests, and river lowlands crowned by the
peak of Kanchanjunga. It is situated in Northeast Nepal in Taplejung
district, the conservation area is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous
Region of China and Sikkim in India in the east. The area is a vast
repository of flora and fauna. During spring the area has an
excellent display of flowering glory of rhododendrons, orchids,
lilies, primula and many other flowers. This is where you will see
15 of Nepal's 28 endemic flowering plants. Wildlife includes the
endangered snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, red panda,
blue sheep, rhesus macaw. Impheyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie,
shy drongo are among the birds found in the area.
Sagarmatha National Park
The Sagarmatha National Park in
Northeast Nepal includes the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at
8,848 meters and other mountains Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam,
Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Sagarmatha
National Park is 1,148 sq. kilometers in area consisting of upper
areas of rivers Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and Imja Khola. The rugged
region with deep gorges and glaciers is locally called Khumbu, and
is home to the famous Sherpas. The park was declared a World
Heritage Site in 1979. Trees such as rhododendron, birch, blue pine,
juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters
that give to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring and summer, the
hillsides around the villages of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung,
Thyangboche and Thame are splashed with the colors of different
species of rhododendron in bloom
