The tourism industry is firing all the cylinders to attract the visitors.

In the same lines, the tourism ministry has reopened the Bardiya National Park for visitors from today after a closure for several months due to the pandemic.

The Bardiya National Park is one of the popular tourist destinations for wildlife sightseeing in Nepal.

The visitors can do jungle safari, jeep safari and rafting, according to the park’s Chief Conservation Officer Bishnu Prasad Shrestha.

The Bardiya National Park is particularly famous for tiger watching.

However, the tourists must follow all health protocols, particularly wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

Moreover, the tourists cannot walk inside the park in a group of more than three people including the guide.

Stay Tuned to NepaliSansar for Latest Nepal Tourism News!

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According to the Bardiya National Park Administration, tourism activities, including Jungle Drive and Jungle Walk, have been resumed in the park in the first phase. However, elephant safaris, rafting, and jungle camps have not been resumed yet.

“Only Jungle Walk and Jungle Drive have been opened for tourists in the first phase,” said Assistant Conservation Officer Maheshwar Prasad Niraula.

The Park Administration has advised the visitors to abide by the health protocols and measures set by the Nepali Government.

The tourists must wear face masks and apply hand sanitizers during their stay in the park. They should also maintain a mandatory physical distance.

ALSO READ: Five Best National Parks in Nepal – Home of 13 National Parks

Earlier, the Nepali Government has directed the tourism sector to resume tourism and hospitality activities by following the standard health protocols.

The Nepali tourism industry has lost millions of revenue due to the closure of tourism activities across the country for about six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The TX2 Goal, initiated in 2010, aims to double the world’s tiger population by 2022. And 13 tiger range countries, including Nepal, have pledged to do so.

According to the country’s most recent tiger survey, there were an estimated 235 wild tigers in 2018, nearly twice the number of tigers in 2010. There were only about 120 of the endangered animals in 2010.

The survey was conducted by Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) in partnership with WWF-Nepal.

They tracked the animals in the protected areas and wildlife corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape using 4,387 camera trap images, line transects, and occupancy and prey density surveys.

Tiger Population By Location in Nepal

• Chitwan National Park – 93
• Bardiya – 87
• Banke National Park – 21
• Shuklaphanta National Park – 16
• Parsa – 18

[Also Read: Nepal National Parks – A True Harmony of Nature & The Wildlife]

On the occasion of International Tiger Day on July 29, Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, Information Officer at the DNPWC, said that Nepal has the proudest moment among the global countries.

He expressed that Nepal is on track to become the first tiger range country to fulfill its commitment to double the tiger population by 2022.

Meanwhile, Maheshwor Dhakal, Chief at the Climate Change Division under the Forest Ministry, said that Nepal has many challenges despite a positive path in tiger conservation.

He exclaimed that Nepal has to deal with challenges such as habitat maintenance, human-tiger conflict, trafficking, illegal trade, climate change, and coronavirus pandemic to have the same progress in the future.

“There should be grassroots level teamwork among national bodies for the conservation and protection of tigers,” said Dhakal.

Nepal is enjoying success at the time when many of the world’s tiger population are in decline due to habitat loss and widespread poaching.

“Nepal is a great example for other tiger range countries to step up and commit to the same level of political will and excellence. While this is a huge story for tiger conservation, it also highlights the constant need to ensure the protection of key habitats and the value of a landscape approach for this species to recover and thrive,” said Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President of Wildlife Conservation at World Wildlife Fund.

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According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), for the first time, the government has allocated NPR 11 million to carry out the rhino census.

Earlier, the donor agencies used to provide financial support for the DNPWC to conduct the census.

The Department has decided to conduct the rhino census in Chitwan National Park and Parsa National Park in the first phase, and Bardiya National Park and Shuklaphanta National Park in the second phase.

As per the DNPWC Spokesperson Bishnu Shrestha, the Department will deploy around 35 elephants and 60 technical personnel to count rhinos at Chitwan National Park.

In the last survey in 2015, authorities counted 645 rhinos including 605 in Chitwan National Park alone.

The Nepali Government has decided to conduct the census in response to the alarming rise unprecedented rhino deaths in the country, especially at Chitwan National Park.

Around 55 rhinos have died since last FY 2018-19 at the Chitwan National Park. The DNPWC conducts the rhino census for every 5  years.

Some of the previous ‘Rhino Census in Nepal’ are as follows

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The rise in tourist activity is majorly attributed to increase in tiger population in recent times.

According to BNP Assistant Conservation Officer Ashok Bhandari, the tourist inflow to visit the park to observe tiger movement and other endangered wild species has increased significantly.

According to him, the majority of tourists visit the park primarily to witness the tiger movement, which is mostly visible during the summer season.

According to released statistics, a total of 22,000 tourists including Nepalis and foreigners visited BNP in the last 10 months, and a total of 87 tigers have been spotted.

Wish more conservation measures and developmental activities will add to the progress of Bardiya National Park (BNP) in the days to come.

Also Read:

• Nepal Tourist Arrivals 2019: 35% YoY Rise in February 2019

• Tiger Population in Nepal 2018

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The Himalayan nation holds a rich biodiversity profile that boasts of conserving many of the world’s endangered species.

Thick forest cover supported by the naturally-formed mountain ranges and rivers adds to the beauty of Nepal’s conservation portfolio.

To maintain this standards, the country has some good number of conservation regions such as Annapurna, Chitwan, among others.

There is one more that one must know about to understand the wildlife conservation in life.

With Karnali River on the west, foot of the Sivalik Hills as the north and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District in the Terai region lies Nepal’s largest national park, the Bardiya National Park (BNP).

Wildlife and Bird Watching at Their Best!

Safeguarding 968 sq.km of sal forest, grassland, savannah, and riverine forest cover, BNP provides one an opportunity to spot some of the world’s endangered wildlife species.

Bengal Tiger is the king of BNP at around 60 in number and is also the habitat of many other wild animals such as wild Asian elephants and one-horned rhinos.

The park is also home to 50 other species of mammals such as Gharial crocodile, Marsh mugger crocodile, leopard, swamp deer and grey langur monkeys.

A rafting trip along the Geruwa River, the eastern channel of the Karnali River, can give a rare chance of spotting Gangetic river dolphins occasionally.

Fondly called as ’paradise for birdlovers’, BNP offers you the best experience in bird watching with more than 400 species of birds including the endangered Bengal florican and Sarus crane.

One can enjoy fishing on the Karnali or Babai river, the home to 125 recorded species of fish such as golden mahseer, among others.

Exciting Activities in and Around Bardia National Park

A 4-5-day focused trip in and around BNP can give you an unforgettable travel experience, where you can enjoy a range of joyous activities such as:

• Jungle Walk: Nepal is the only country that makes jungle walk possible. Enjoy walking through the jungle for about 15-20 km in a day and feel the experience of watching wildlife, birds, watchtowers, riverbanks, and many more
• Jeep Safari: Enjoy the half or full-day jeep safari and get a chance to witness diverse vegetation of the park, wildlife drinking spots, and more.
• Rafting Trip: Rafting is another way one can get a chance to spot wildlife. By rafting in BNP, you get a chance to witness the rare Gangetic river dolphins, enjoy the experience of Karnali, Geruwa and Babai rivers in and outside the park.
• Fishing Trip: A ride to Karnali and Babai rivers gives you the chance to catch rare fish species such as catfish and mahseer. You can plan a single day or multi-day fishing trip.
• Birdwatching: Get a chance to witness at least some of the 400 diverse bird species that BNP has. Take rafting or jungle walk to get the best results.
• Forest Camping: Camping staff is around you, awake in BNP forest camping. Enjoy the beautiful stay for a night at BNP jungle, sitting around the campfire and listening to what nature tells you in utter calmness! Lalmati is one camping spot to the northwest of Bardia National Park.
• Stay in a Treehouse: Take a trip to the community forest connected to BNP. Inside the forest lies a great tree house, where you can spend a night witnessing the serene experience of a staying in forest. Watch the sunset, sunrise, grasslands, flora and fauna, and more!
• Trekking in Babai Valley: In the northeast of the Bardia National Park lies the beautiful scenery of the Babai valley. Enjoy the unforgettable trekking experience from the Babai river dam near the Mahendra Highway to the final destination after 4 days, up north at Chepang village. Telpani trekking is one awesome experience available in the remote Churiya hills range north of Bardia National Park.
• Breeding Centers: Around BNP are the two different breeding centers of elephants and crocodiles. While the elephant breeding center gives you the experience of seeing wild Asian elephants, crocodiles breeding center is home to Marsh mugger crocodiles, Gharial crocodiles and turtles.
• Blackbuck Conservation Area: Close to the capital city of Bardiya district, Gulariya, there is a blackbuck conservation area with around 200 blackbucks. The area is spread across 15.95 km2 and was established in 2009 to conserve the endangered blackbucks. A jeep drive can bring you to this blackbuck conservation area.

Excited? There are many such! exciting opportunities that a trip to BNP provides you, which cannot be expressed in words and can only be felt!

The Countryside

Besides park, there is also an awesome countryside that BNP area offers to tourists.

Surrounded by peaceful villages and fields of the ethnic community named ‘Tharu’, BNP countryside offers a pleasant experience if you can stay there for 4-5 days.

A round of walking, cycling or motorbiking can give you the pleasant experience of BNP countryside.

Best Time to Visit Bardia National Park (BNP)

Mid-September till mid-December and start of February to end May are the ideal times to visit the Bardiya National Park.

During this period, the temperatures range from 25-37 degrees, making animals to rely on rivers for water. This gives you a chance to spot them easily.

Starting from mid-December till the end of January, the weather here is usually chill and foggy. Whereas, monsoons start in June and lasts till the August end, during which the rising river levels obstruct access to the park.

One of the world’s top tourism agencies Lonely Planet describes Bardiya National Park as:

“The largest national park in the Terai, a beautiful, unspoiled wilderness of sal forest, grassland and alluvial washes cut by the many fingers of the Karnali River. Largely unpopulated, it is often described as what Chitwan National Park was like 30 years ago, before its commercial development. One can raft through the park for hours on end and not encounter another person.”

Planning your visit to the Bardiya National Park? Go ahead and get the memories that stay with you for the lifetime!

Similar:

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• Nepal, The Perfect Tourism Destination for an Unforgettable Holiday Experience
• Adventure Tourism – The Extreme Side of Nepal

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But there’s still hope, thanks to our conservationists, animal lovers and government authorities! We still see natural habitats being preserved.

Countries around the world are working hard to preserve their national pride. Yes! Conservation of national flora and fauna is as important as another aspect of any economy.

Among some of the hotspots of conservation efforts and retaining nature’s glory, Nepal holds a special place. Especially after the country was appreciated for its efforts of increasing its tiger population much ahead of its 2023 deadline, we know Nepal cares for its flora and fauna.

Nepal – Home to 13 National Parks

The Himalayan Nation is home to 13 National Parks and is best known for its topography that creates a suitable environment for the flourishment of a wide range of plants, birds and animal species.

These national parks not only boost Nepal as a country devoted to conservation but also make it an engaging tourism hotspot. Tourists from around the world flock to these destinations to see Asia’s wildlife glory.

Recently, Nepal Tourism touched the 1 million tourists mark, which takes it closer to its goal of the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign, where it seeks to welcome 2 million tourists as part of its tourism promotion.

Nepal’s Wildlife-friendly Habitats are often spoken about all across!

1) Banke National Park, also known as Gift of the Earth, is spread across an area of 550 sq.km and located in Nepal’s Mid-Western Region. It received the aforementioned title after it was established as Nepal’s 10^th national park in 2014. The Banke National Park has nearly 113 tree species, 107 herbal plant species and 85 shrub & climber species.

Axlewood, Khair, Semecarpus Anarcadium and Terminalia alata are some common plant species found in the park. The natural reserve is home to tigers and four-horned antelopes. The park was recognized for spotting a ruddy mongoose for the first time in 2014.

2) Bardiya National Park was established as Royal Bardiya National Park in 1988. With an area of 968 sq.km, it is considered as Nepal Terai’s largest and most undisturbed national park. It is surrounded by the Siwalik Hills in the north, the Nepalgunj-Surkhet highway in the south, Geruwa’s human settlement in the west and Babai river in the southeast.

The Tiger conservation reserve covers an area of 2,231 sq.km, which includes alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests. Furthermore, 70 percent of the park is covered with forests and a mix of savannah grasslands and riverine forest. Bardiya has 839 species of flora including vascular plant species of dicots, monocots, ferns and gymnosperm species. This vast habitat makes a perfect home 642 fauna species including gharial, mugger crocodiles, reptiles, amphibians, rhinoceros, wild elephants, Bengal tigers, swamp deer and Gangetic dolphins.

3) Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and received the World Heritage Site status in 1984. Located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal, the park covers an area of 952.63 sq.km. It spans Chitwan, Makwanpur, Parsa and Nawalpur districts. It has a monsoon tropical climate with high humidity throughout the year.

The Chitwan National Park houses sal trees that cover about 70 percent of its area and other species of flora such axlewood, beleric, balsam, cheshire pine, elephant apple, grey downey, rosewood, riverine forests, rhino apple tree and more. The park presents a perfect environment for more than 700 species of wildlife including king cobra, rock python, starred tortoise, monitor lizard, 113 species of fish, mugger crocodiles and more.

4) Parsa Wildlife Reserve Park is spread across an area of 627.39 sq.km spanning Parsa, Makwanpur and Bara districts in Nepal. It was established in 1984 and has been enjoying the Nepal National Park status since 2017. It is surrounded by Hetauda-Birgunj highway in the east and the Chitwan National Park on the west. Together with the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park, it represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) aka Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki.

Earlier, the region was used as a hunting ground by the ruling class. The park has tropical and subtropical forests with Sal trees contributing about 90 percent of the vegetation. Parsa Wildlife Reserve has 919 species of flora, 105 gaurs and 19 Bengal Tigers.

5) Langtang National Park was established as Nepal’s first Himalayan National Park in 1976. It is also considered as Nepal’s fourth protected area. It spans Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk districts of the central Himalayan region, and is connected with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. It is surrounded by the Bhote Kosi and Trishuli rivers in the west and the Kathmandu Valley in the south.

The sacred Gosainkunda lake is located inside the lake. At an altitudinal range of 6,450-m, it has 18 ecosystem variations, making it home to 14 vegetation types. It has a range of upper tropical forests to alpine scrub and perennial ice.

We’ve got more wildlife reserves to explore! Stay tuned to this page to see more updates.

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The census will begin in January next year said Nepal National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department Man Bahadur Khadka. “We have thought of conducting the census next year. We are currently looking for funding to launch the project,” says Bahadur.

The census will be conducted with the prime focus on assessing the capacity of the country’s national parks to shelter rhinos.

The last rhino census was conducted in 2015, when it was found that there were 645 rhinos in Nepal with 605 of them belonged to Chitwan National Park (CNP) alone.

Besides CNP, Bardiya, Parsa and Shuklaphanta national parks are other habitats for one-horned rhinos.

The government started conducting a population census in 2015 for implementing a five-year conservation plan from 2017.

However, there is a considerable increase in the number of rhino-deaths over the last few months. In the first three months of the current fiscal, seven rhinos died of natural causes including old age, fighting and languish in the swamp in CNP. None of them were victims of poaching.

Moreover, the last fiscal year witnessed a total of 26 rhino deaths, which is the highest death toll in a year up till date.

Also Read:

• # SavingTheEndangered: Nepal Gifts Rhinos to Different Nations

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The census was launched by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) Secretary Yubak Dhoj GC at a ceremony held at PNP.

The survey would cover all the protected areas and forest areas that are prone to tiger population.

Its noteworthy here that a separate national tiger survey conducted, since the last census, inside the protected areas indicated a gradual rise in the country’s tiger population over the years.

“We are hoping to reach the goal earlier than other countries because of our improved tiger conservation. It won’t be a big surprise if Nepal emerges as the only country succeeding in doubling its tiger population by the assigned year,” says Man Bahadur Khadka, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).

On the other side, Nepal and India have also planned for a joint initiative to conduct tiger census.

“This is the first time we are conducting tiger population survey simultaneously. Such initiation will minimize the duplication of tigers, which roam around the protected areas of the both countries,” says Khadka.

The census will be conducted using 1,200 high-tech automatic cameras method. “This is very scientific and reliable method to know about the tiger population in our protected areas,” informed Khadka.

A 66-day-long Survey

The census would be conducted in three complexes divided based on tiger habitat, including Chitwan-Parsa Complex, Banke-Bardiya Complex and Shukla-Laljhadi-Jogbudha Complex, which are further divided into total 1887 grids, each under an area of 4 sq.km.

Besides technology, the 66-day census will also involve human resources and elephants.

Human resources from the DNPWC, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), protected areas officials, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal, Nepal Army, District Forest Offices, and representatives from the buffer zone committees, among others, are being mobilized for the count.

While the total project cost is estimated at Rs 32 million, the WWF Nepal, Zoological Society of London Nepal and NTNC are extending financial, technical and managerial assistance.

Rise in Tiger Population

Nepal has endorsed the ‘Tiger Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2016-2020)’ for tiger conservation.

According to a 2013 census, Nepal’s tiger population stands at 198, with 120 in Chitwan National Park (CNP) alone, followed by 50 in Bardiya National Park (BNP), 17 in Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP), seven in PNP and four in Banke National Park.

The current move by Nepal is line with its commitment to the Global Tiger Recovery Plan endorsed at the 2010 St Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation.

Under the commitment, Nepal is targeting at doubling its tiger population up to 250 or more by 2022.

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The national park was home to almost 100 dolphins in the 1980s with about 20 of them in the Karnali river. In the Geruwa river, which is a few kilometers downstream after the bifurcation of the Karnali river at Chisapani, not even one dolphin was found.

This has raised serious concerns among conservationists, who attribute the decline in the numbers to the construction of the Girijapuri dam which has displaced the habitat of the dolphins. Ramesh Kumar Thapa, Chief Conservation Officer of BNP, has said that other reasons like change of course of the Geruwa river and haphazard fishing have also contributed to the issue.

Local conservationist Ram Bahadur Shahi has called for focused efforts from the concerned authorities towards dolphin conservation.

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