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.
Koshi-Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve lies on the alluvial flood plain of Sapta Koshi River in the southeastern lowland. The reserve spreads over Saptari and Sunsari districts in East Nepal over the embankments of river koshi. It is recognized as Wetland site from 1987. Morning jungle treks by the river lagoons and wetlands provide excellent opportunity to view birdlife, deer and herds of water buffalos.
Parsa Wildlife Reserve
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.
Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve
Earlier known as the Royal Hunting Reserve, the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve was gazetted in as the wildlife reserve in 1976. The reserve is located in the far western Terai of Nepal. The forests and marshy wetlands also offer a habitat for other species such as Blue bull, Barking deer, Hog deer, Wild boar, Leopard, Jackals, Langur, monkeys, and other endangered species like Wild elephants and Bengal tigers
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, the only hunting reserve in the country, lies in the Dhaulagiri Himal range in West Nepal. The reserve is one of the prime habitats for blue sheep, a highly coveted trophy. Other animals found are: leopard, goral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bears, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macaque, langur and mouse hare.
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