Nepal’s diverse terrain and climate pattern gives rise to ecosystems that range from subtropical jungles in the low land Terai to arctic Himalayan highlands. There are nine national parks, three wildlife reserves, three conservation areas, one hunting reserve including 11 buffer zone areas in an around protected area, covering a total of 28,998.67 sq km. The total protected areas make approximately 20 per cent of the total land area of the country.
Just next to the Chitwan Park lies the Parsa National Park in the lowland Terai of Nepal. What was once a game area for the rulers, the region is now Nepal’s largest wildlife reserve with an area of 499 sq kms. The dense tropical sal forest makes a perfect habitat for a large variety of rare and endangered animal species, such as elephants, tiger, sloth bear, and leopard. Similarly other wild animals found in the jungle include Blue bull, Sambar, Chital, Hog deer, Barking deer, langur, Rhesus macaques, Striped hyena, Jungle cat, and Palm civet among others.
The reserve covers parts of the Churiya or Siwalik hills making a home for a large number of bird species such as White breasted kingfisher, paradise flycatcher, large racquet-tailed drongo, Golden-backed woodpecker, and even the endangered Giant hornbill species. Moreover, different famous and feared reptile species of snakes such as Common and King Cobras, Common and branded krait, and pythons also inhabit the rugged but porous hills with many streams and dry river beds.
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