Nepal is a country rich in biodiversity. The main reason behind saying this is the presence of unique species of flora and fauna, diversity in climate and variation in landscapes in between the vast difference of altitude ranging from 63 m of the Terai region to the highest peak of the world i.e. 8,848 m. In terms of richness in biodiversity, Nepal ranks 25th position in the world whereas 11th position in Asia. Six biomes, 75 types of vegetation, 35 forest types and 118 ecosystems are present in Nepal.
Talking about the plant kingdom, Nepal is home to 1001 species of algae, 2,467 species of fungi, 6,973 species of angiosperms, 23 species of gymnosperms, 590 species of pteridophytes, 1,213 species of bryophytes, 792 species of lichens and 6,973 species of flowering plants. In the case of animal kingdom, Nepal is a paradise having 667 species of butterfly, 232 species of fish, 117 species of amphibians, 123 species of reptiles, 886 species of birds and 212 species of mammals.
The reasons why protected areas like National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Conservation Areas are so much needed could be to safeguard the habitat of the wild plants and animals, providing them a better place to breed and survive and to save them from the risk of extinction. Protected areas cover 23.29 % the total land area of Nepal. There are 12 National Parks, 13 Buffer Zones, 3 Wildlife Reserves, 6 Conservation Areas, 10 Ramsar Sites and 1 Hunting Reserve in Nepal which have been managed by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of Nepal Government.
The names of the twelve National Parks (NP) found in Nepal from east to west direction are: Makalu Barun NP, Sagarmatha NP, Langtang NP, Shivapuri Nagarjun NP, Parsa NP, Chitwan NP, Shey Phoksundo NP, Rara NP, Banke NP, Bardia NP, Khaptad NP and Shuklaphanta NP. Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park are enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest National Park of Nepal whereas Parsa National Park is the smallest one. Banke National Park is known as the youngest National Park of Nepal.
Makalu Barun National Park
The Makalu Barun Conservation Area Project was first initiated in 1988 which ultimately established the Makalu Barun National Park in 1992. It lies in the Sankhuwasabha district of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. It is adjacent to the Qomolangma Nature Reserve of Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, Soune Danda Ridge on the south, Arun river on the east and Sagarmatha National Park on the west. It covers an area of 1500 km2 and the area surrounding the park was declared its buffer zone in 1999 covering an additional area of 830 km2. It’s altitude ranges from 435 m to 8,463 m (Mt. Makalu) within a distance of 40 km. The lower Barun valley and Saldim valley has been declared as a Strict Nature Reserve for the first time in Nepal. This park can also be called as the wettest area in the country as it receives the country’s highest rainfall of over 1,000 mm per year. Makalu Barun National Park has a rich biodiversity as there are 27 types of forest with 3,128 species of flowering plants (including 25 species of Rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, 48 types of wild rose, 87 types of medicinal and aromatic plants, 117 species of edible wild plants and 86 species of fodder). Similarly, 88 species of mammals (including Musk Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Black Beer, Himalayan Thar and Ghoral), 440 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians, 78 species of fish and 315 species of butterflies have been reported from this park.
Sagarmatha National Park
It was established in 1976 and was designated as the first World Heritage Site of Nepal in 1979. It is located in the northeastern Nepal in the Solukhumbu district covering an area of 1148 km2. Its altitude ranges from 2805 m at the entrance of the Park to 8848 m, the highest mountain peak of the world, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) which is the main attraction of this park. The Pharak region to the south was declared as the park’s buffer zone in 2002. This park has been identified as an Important Bird Area by the Birdlife International there are found 208 bird species incuding Impeyan pheasant, bearded vulture, snowcock and alpine chough. Beautiful wild animals like Snow leopard, Himalayan Thar, Himalayan serow, musk deer, etc. inhabit in this region.
Langtang National Park
This park was established in 1976 as the fourth protected area of Nepal and the first Himalayan National Park of the country. It lies in the north central Nepal on the Tibetan border covering an area of 1,710 km2in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk districts. Its altitude ranges from 800 m to less than 7200 m with habitats ranging from subtropical forest to perennial snow. It is linked with Qomolongma Nature Reserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This park is also a part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. The popular mammalian fauna found here include Pikas, red panda, Himalayan tahr and snow leopard.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
It was inaugurated in 2002, making it Nepal’s ninth national park. Positioned within the mid-hills of the country, on the northern periphery of the Kathmandu Valley, this park spans an elevation range from 1000 m to the summit of Shivapuri Peak at 2732 m. Encompassing a sprawling expanse of 159 km2 (61 sq mi), it stretches across the territories of Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchowk districts, bordering 23 Village Development Committees. Remarkably, this park has documented a diverse array of wildlife, boasting a count of thirty-three mammal species and an impressive tally of 318 bird species.
Parsa National Park
It was established in 1984 as a Wildlife Reserve and ameliorated to National Park in 2017. It covers an area of 627 km2. Its unique sub-tropical dry ecosystem provides a habitat for migratory wildlife species like Asian elephant, Asian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger and Gaur.
Chitwan National Park
It was established in 1973 as Nepal’s first national park, located in the south central Nepal covering four districts namely Nawalpur, Parsa, Chitwan and Makwanpur. Later on, in 1977-78, its area was enlarged to the present size of 932 km2 from the initial area of 544 km2. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It is adjacent to the Parsa National Park in the east and Valmiki Tiger Reserve of India in the south, these three protected areas serve as the habitat of one of the largest tiger populations in South Asia. In 1996, Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park was formed, including 55% agricultural land and 45% community forests. Around 68 mammal species like One horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger, Clouded leopard, etc. and more than 500 species of birds are the main attractions of this place.
Shey Phoksundo National Park
It lies in the western part of Nepal covering Dolpa and Mugu districts. The park covers an area of 3,555 km2, thus making it the largest National Park of Nepal. Its elevation ranges from 2,130 m in Ankhe to 6,883 m at the summit of Kanjirowa mountain. The main mammalian fauna found here are snow leopard, red fox, jackal, grey wolf, Himalayan marmot, musk deer, Himalayan ghoral and bharal.
Rara National Park
It was established in 1976, later in 2006, its buffer zone was created. Its altitude ranges from 2754 to 4097 m, its major part covered by Mugu district whereas a fraction of area covered by Jumla district. It covers an area of 106 km2 and its buffer zone covers an additional area of 198 km2, thusis the smallest National Park of Nepal. . Rara Lake, which is the largest and deepest lake of Nepal and also a Ramsar site is the main attraction of this park. Rara Lake is home to three endemic fishes of Nepal, one endemic frog species, 51 species of mammals and 272 species of birds (including the national bird, Himalayan monal).
Banke National Park
It was established as the tenth National Park of Nepal in 2010 and declared as Nepal’s youngest National Park. It covers the parts of Bank, Bardia, Dang and Salyan districts of western Nepal. The total area of the park is 550 km2 with the buffer zone of 343 km2. Its altitude ranges from 153 m to 1247 m. It is adjacent to the Bardia National park towards west which further links with Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in India via Khata corridor, national as well as community forests. This Park is connected with transboundary landscape that joins Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary of India through national and community forests towards south.
Bardia National Park
It lies in the Bardia and Banke districts of western Nepal covering an area of 968 km2. An area of 368 km2 was officially nominated as the Royal Karnali Wildlife reserve and later renamed in 1982 as Bardia Wildlife Reserve. After discovery of the Babai valley, the size of the reserve was extended in 1984 and finaly, in 1988, the reserve was upgraded to the present day Bardia National Park. It is a home to 125 fish species, 23 reptile and amphibian species, 53 mammal species and 407 species of birds.
Khaptad National Park
It was established in 1984. It covers an area of 225 km2 and ranges from 1400 m to 3300 m altitude. It lies in the meeting points of four districts: Bajhang, Bajura, Achham and Doti and cover their parts too. Checklists of flora and fauna includes 567 species of flora, 23 mammal species, 287 bird species and 23 species of amphibians and reptiles. Representative mammal species of the park includes leopard, Himalayan black bear, wild dog and musk deer Representative bird species of the park includes impeyan pheasant, peregrine falcon and white-rumped vulture.
Shuklaphanta National Park
It was established in 1976 as Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and upgraded to Shuklaphanta National Park in 2017. It covers an area of 305 km2 and its buffer zone was created in 2004 with an additional area of 243.5 km2. The park is connected to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in India, and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve towards the south-east via Laljhadi Forest corridor and to Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary in India towards the north-west via Boom-Brahmadev forest corridor and Mahakali river. The park provides prime habitat for hog deer, spotted deer and many endangered species such as Hispid Hare, Bengal Tiger, One horned rhinoceros and Asian Elephant.