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Nepal has nine National Parks and four Wildlife
Reserves. About 15,000 square kilometers amounting to almost 18 percent of the
total area is protected. This is an amazing commitment to conservation. The
Terai lowlands are defined by a belt of well-watered floodplains stretching
from the Indian border northward to the first slopes of the Bhabhar and the
Siwalik Range. This is the richest habitat in the land with tall grasslands
interspersed with riverine and hardwood Sal Forest. Here one can see wildlife
such as the swamp deer, musk deer, black buck, blue bull, the Royal Bengal
Tiger, gharial and marsh mugger crocodile and the last of a breed of Asiatic
wild buffalo. Parks and Reserves are also rich in bird species with a variety
of babbles and orioles, koels and drongos, peacocks and floricans, and a
multitude of wintering wildfowl.
For a small
country, Nepal is incredibly diverse. It has the greatest range of altitudes of
any nation on earth, ranging from the earth's highest mountains to subtropical
river plains. And as the trading ground and meeting place among several
cultures, dozens of different languages are spoken by even more ethnic groups.
In general, Nepali parks are not"untouched" environments, but have a long
history of use by humans. Many national parks incorporate grazing, farming, wood
gathering, survival hunting, and human habitation into their boundaries, as well
as tourism and trekking. These uses are not without their tensions and their
environmental stresses. But there's also something wonderful about this close
association of humans and the natural environment; a trip to a Nepali national
park always involves interacting with other cultures as well as with the raw
stuff of nature.
Khaptad.
In western Nepal. A gentle landscape of rolling plateau
clothed in grasslands and mixed forests. Known in Nepal for its medicinal herbs.
Langtang.
A wonderfully varied park near Kathmandu. Home to several
cultures.
Makalu-Barun.
Huge park encompassing several ecological zones. Some of
the best mountain landscapes in Nepal.
Rara:
Named after Rara Lake, the largest in Nepal. Because of this park's remoteness
and high altitude, it's a challenge both to reach and to explore.
Chitwan:
In the lowland jungles.
Created just in time to save the last wild Bengal tigers and rhinos in Nepal.
Take a ride on an elephant's back, then bivouac in utter luxury or simple
comfort.
Royal Bardia:
Another lowland jungle park famous for its wildlife, hiking and
rafting. More off the beaten track than Chitwan.
Sagarmatha.
Mount Everest on the right -- along with several other
famous peaks. This park features HIGH mountains, deep gorges, and amazing bird
and animal life. A World Heritage Site.
Shey Phoksundo.
Largest national park in Nepal, this park takes in the Shey monastery and Lake Phoksundo.
Remote and rarely visited
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