National Parks of Nepal

The rapid growth of population has increased pressure on the nature. It has helped to increase the destruction of forests, soil erosion and water pollution. Realizing the importance of natural heritage, the government has established some national parks and wildlife reserves for the conservation of wildlife and natural properties.

A national park of a conserved area is a dwelling place for wild creatures. Such parks also conserve the soil and vegetation. The main objective of protecting a national park is to preserve the natural environment.

Chitwan National Park

The Chitwan National Park was established in 2030 BS. This is the first national park in the country. It covers 932 sq. km area. It lies in the plain area of the mid-south region of the inner Terai. This national park touches or covers parts of Chitwan, parsa and Makwanpur districts of Narayani zone of central development region. There are about 30 species of big animals, more than 400 kinds of birds about 100 species of fishes and reptiles. Similarly, gharial, crocodiles, alligators, pythons and insects are also found here. This park is a habitat for the species of deer like chital, ratua and laguna.

Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha national park was established in 2032 BS. It lies in Solukhumbu district of Khumbu region.It covers 1,148 sq. km. area. Many famous places of the world are in this region highest peak of the world Sagarmatha and many other high mountains like Lhoste, Pumori, Amadablam, Nuptse, Thamserku etc. Many animals like lophophorous, chilive, kaliz, snowcock, and lalchuchche are found in this park.

Langtang National park

The Langtang national park was established in 2032 BS. It lies in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk districts of Bagmati zone and touches the border of China. In this national park, we find leopard, red pandas, musk deer, red monkeys, thar, ghoral, langur and many species of wild animals. It is famous for various types of trees such as sal, khotesalla, lauthalla, gobresalla, khashu, and rhododendron.One of the famous places 'Won Po' a monastery of Tibetan religion, is also located in this park.

Rara National Park

The national park lies in Mugu and Jumla districts of Karnali zone of the Himalayan region. It was established in 2032 BS. It covers 106 sq km area. The biggest Rara Lake also lies in this national park which is famous in Nepal. The Chuchemara peak lies in the south and the Run Kandha and Malika Kandha peaks in the north. Various kinds of wild animals like bears, musk deer, boars, thar, and ghoral are found in this national park.

Bardiya National Park

The Bardiya national park was established in 2032 BS, which lies in Bardia district of mid-western development region. It covers some parts of the Karnali river. Various types of wild animals like tigers, leopards, antelopes, stages, spotted deer, laguna deer, barking deer, elephants etc are found in this park. Different aquatic animals such as ghariyal, crocodiles, dolphin and many other species of fish are also found in this region.

Shey Phoksundo National Park

The Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest national park of Nepal. It was established in 2040 BS. Its area is 3555 sq. km. It is located in Dolpa and Mugu districts of Karnali zone. Snow leopards, Tibetan rabbit, naur and other various kinds of Himalayan wild animals are the major animals of this national park. Some snowy ranges such as Kanjerowa south Sikalpokhang, Bajchuchuro are also located in this national park.

Khaptad National Park

The Khaptad national park was established in 2040 BS. It lies in Bajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham districts of Seti zone. It has 225 sq. km area. In this national park, we find leopard, wharsu, nigalo, musk deer, red monkeys, thar, ghoral, langur and many species of wild animals. Some holy places of Hindu religion like Tribeni, Khaptad Daha, Sahastraling etc. are located here. Khaptad Baba had made this national park his dwelling place, which has also helped in conserving this park.

Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area

The Makalu Barun National Park has an area of 1500 sq. km and the Makalu Barun conservation area has an area of 830 sq km. The various kinds of flowers and plants in the conservation area. Hundreds of species of sungabha flowers and 48 species of wild roses and 25 species of flowering plants out of total 30 species found in Nepal. This area is the habitat of some endangered wild animals like thar, snow leopard, black bears and ghoral. It is estimated that nearly 400 species of birds are found in this area.

Shivapuri National Park

Shivapuri Watershed Area and Wildlife Reserve was established in 2002 A.D. in the Kathmandu district of central development region. It has 159km² of the area. It is estimated that there are 129 species of mushroom, 150 species of butterfly, 9 species of birds and 19 species of mammals. Tourists come to this place for recreational and trekking.

Banke National Park

Banke National Park is located in theMid-western development region of Nepal. It was established in 2010 A.D. as a tenth national park.The protected area covers an area of 550km² (210sqmi). Most of its part lies in the churiya range. The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 344 square kilometres (133sqmi) in the districts of Banke, Salyan and Dang. Tigar, gharial crocodile, elephant, leopard, chital, dear, ratuwa, and so on are protected in this national park.