Royal
Bardia National Park, the largest and most undisturbed park in the lowland
region of Terai, is known for abundance of wilderness. Initially a royal
hunting reserve, it was later granted the status of a national park.. The
purpose was to preserve the ecosystem of the region including all wild
species. The park encompasses approximate 300 sq km of sal forests and
riverine grasslands. High elephant grass and dense forests provide home to
plenty of animals.
Becoming of the Park
Royal Bardia National Park was once an open area of wilderness. Rana rulers
of Nepal earmarked it as their royal hunting reserve from 1846 to 1950. In
1976 the region was gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve with an area
of 368 sq. km. In 1982, it was rechristened as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve
including the Babai river valley. It was designated a national park in 1988.
Fast Facts
| Location |
Western Lowland Terai , Nepal |
| Importance |
Largest park in the lowland Terai |
| Area Covered |
968 sq. km. |
| Endangered Species |
Gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and Gangetic dolphin,
Bengal tiger, wild elephant, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer,
and black buck |
| Best Season to Visit |
From October to February |
| Major Attraction |
Greater One-horned Rhinoceros |
Fauna
Most popular attraction of Royal Bardia National Park is one-horned
rhinoceros which was relocated from one other national park in 1986, 1991
and 1999. The park is also known for one of the last known herds of wild
Elephants in South Asia. Several deer species also reside in Nepal. These
include Chital or spotted deer with white spots on a brown coat; Sambhar,
the largest deer on Indian subcontinent, Swamp Deer, locally called
Barasingha; Hog deer, similar but smaller than Chital; and the Barking Deer,
the park's smallest deer with reddish skin.
Other big animals residing in the park are Blue Bull, locally called
Nilgai, which is the biggest antelope on the Indian subcontinent; Wild Boar,
an omnivorous beast with huge tusks; Sloth Bear, a shaggy black bear; and
Gaur, the biggest wild oxen. Serow, Goral and Himalayan Tahr are also hit
among the tourists. Langur, a kind of monkey; Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose,
Jackal and Indian Otter are few small creatures living in park. The park
also holds large number of bird species, many of which are migratory.
Striking Features
- Several open grasslands are within the park. Game viewing is
excellent in these grasslands. Many of the forest tracks throughout the
park also present very good game viewing.
- More than 350 species including storks, geese, jungle fowls,
king-fishers, cormorants, egret, and endangered species such as the
Bengal florican, silver-eared mesia and the saurus crane. This makes the
park highly attractive for bird lovers.
- The park, a sub-tropical jungle, is thickly forested by sal trees and
carpeted with grass, savannah and riverine vegetation.
- The northern part is bordered by the Churia hill range, the west by
the Karnali river, while the Babai river flows through the middle of the
park.
- On the southern part of the park are the villages of Tharu people.
One of the most picturesque national parks in Asia, it teems with rich
and varied flora and fauna.
How to Reach
By Air:
Daily flights operate from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Airport, nearest to the
Royal Bardia National Park.
By Road:
Private transport can be hired to reach th park. Buses running on the route
of Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, or Karnali can be boarded.
