Nepal is abundantly rich in wildlife and natural habitats which are preserved and protected as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Game Reserves.Government of Nepal established the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) with the aim of ensuring effective conservation and management methods so as to protect and preserve the habitats of the fast diminishing wildlife in the country. In addition to this, it also is responsible for educating people; on environmental issues problems and wildlife management. Within a decade of its existence, the office established seven national parks and three wildlife reserves. These have the necessary legislation, staff and infrastructure.

Among the 14 national parks and wildlife reserves in Nepal, the Chitwan National Park is, by far, the most popular. Established in 1973, this park is situated 140 kms south west of the Kathmandu Valley. This 932 sq km area of low, heavily forested hills is a haven for some of Nepals most famous wildlife. The lordly tiger, lumbering one horned rhino, leopard, varieties of deer, bear, wild deer and numerous other animals can be observed here. There are crocodiles in the rivers and wealth of birds.

The rivers flowing through these reserves are the playing grounds of the Gangetic Dolphin, and two species of crocodiles: the marsh mugger and the thin-snouted, fish-eating gharial. Over 800 species of birds have been identified in Nepal -- that is over half the total of the Indian subcontinent and approximately a tenth of the world total, in a country that covers a fraction of one percent of the worlds landmass! Naturally, bird watching here is some of the finest in the world. The Giant Hornbill, the Paradise Flycatcher, the Large Pied Kingfisher and the Racquet-tailed Drongo are some of the more exotic birds that can be spotted in these forests.

Bardia, in the West Nepal, being more isolated is less crowded than Chitwan, and is particularly known for its high rate of tiger sighting. Chitwan on the other hand is arguably richer in fauna, and is considered by many naturalists to be simply the best wildlife reserve in Asia. The Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in East Nepal covers 175 sq. km. of wetlands, and is one of Asias best bird sanctuaries

Beside Chitwan, Bardia & Koshi Tapu, here you will find some info about other National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of Nepal.

Annapurna Conservation Area (7629 sq. km.) Annapurna Conservation Area encompasses both the Annapurna Massif region and the recently opened Mustang. This project includes middle hills, sub-alpine, alpine and trans-Himalayan dry plateau ecosystems. An internationally renowned model for self-sustainable development, the project stands for successful participatory natural resource management, combining village development, education and conservation with the conservation education of trekkers.

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (1325 sq. km.) Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve attracts sports hunters for the highly-coveted blue sheep and other game animals such as the leopard, ghoral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, wild boar and so on.It is forested with fir, pine, birch, rhodendron, hemlock, oak, juniper, and spruce. Pheasants and partridges are common here.Endangered animals include the musk deer, wolf, red panda, cheer and danphe pheasant. Controlled hunting is the policy in this reserve. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area(1778 sq. km.) Kanchenjunga Conservation Area offers high alpine vegetation and a variety of rhodendron, fir, hemlock and oak trees.The area is rich in wildlife, notably the snow leopard, clouded leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, marmot and weasel, Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m, straddles the border between Nepal and India.

Khaptad National Park (255 sq. km.) Khaptad National Park represents the flora and fauna of Nepals mid-western hills. The common tree species here are chir pine, spruce, fir, maple, birch, alder and rhodendron.Dense nigalo bamboo groves and wide varieties of medicinal herbs are also found here, The fauna includes the leopard, Himalayan yellow-throated marten, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, ghoral and Himalayan tahr. Damphe, kalij and monal pheasants, chukor partridge, red and yellow billed blue magpie and Himalayan griffin are some of the birds of the area.

Langtang National Park (1710 sq. km.) Langtang National Park abounds in numerous vegetation types. Oaks, maple, various rhodendendrons, chir pine, fir, blue pine, hemlock and spruce are found here. The latitudinal/topographical variations show such diverse animals as the wild dog, Himalayan red panda, pika, muntjack, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow, rhesus monkey and common langur. This region is also an important route for migrating birds.

Makalu  Barun National Park/Conservation Area(2330 sq. km.) Conservation area extends from sub-tropical forests to high alpine vegetation.The region has 67 species of aromatic and medicinal plants,25 of Nepals 30 varieties of rhododendron, 15 types of oak and 48 species of primrose.Over 400 species of birds thrive here, including the newly-discovered(in Nepal) spotted wren babbler and the olive ground babbler. Wildlife includes the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and possibly the snow leopard too.

Parsa Wildlife Reserve (499 sq. km.) Parsa Wildlife Reserve was established as an extension of Royal Chitwan National Park, but having its own natural heritage. It encompasses the east-west Churia hills of chir pine, khair, sisso and silk cotton and drops down tho the subtropical monsoon belt of sal forests and sabai grasslands. The reserve supports wild elephant, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, blue bull, wild dog, sambar, chittal, hog deer, barking deer, langur, striped hyena, palm civet and jungle cat.

Rara National Park (106 sq. km.) Rara National Park has its gem in Rara,Nepals biggest lake(10.8 sq km) at 2990 m.The park ascends from 1800 to 4048 m and abounds in coniferous forests of blue pine, black juniper, West Himalayan spruce, oak and Himalayan cypress as well as Indian horse-chestnut, walnut, and Himalayan poplar. It is an ideal habitat for the musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, ghoral, Himalayan tahr and wild boar. Snow trout is the only fish found in Rara Lake.

Suklathanta Wildlife Reserve (305 sq.km.) Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve was until recently a royal hunting domain.It is dominated by sal trees associated with asna , semal, karma, khair, and sisau sub-species and phanta grasslands. A prime habitat for the swamp deer, it is also home to the wild elephant, tiger, hispid hare, blue bull, leopard, chittal, hog deer, and wild boar, along with over 300 species of birds. Reptiles include the marsh mugger, Indian python, monitor lizard, cobra, krait and rat snake.

Sagarmatha(Everest) National Park (1148 sq. km.) Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park which includes the tallest mountain in the world, is listed as a World Heritage Site. Geologically young and broken into deep gorges and glacial valleys, the park has vegetation graduating from pine, hemlock, fir, juniper, birch, rhododendrons, scrubs, alpine plants and then to bare rock and snow. This is home to the Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow and musk deer. The Himalayan black bear and snow leopard are now rarely sighted.

Shey-Phoksundo National Park(3555 sq. km.) Shey-Phoksundo National Park is the biggest park in Nepal. Luxuriant forests of blue pine, spruce, cypress, poplar, deodar, fir and birch are found here. It is a primal habitat for the snow leopard and the blue sheep; so also for ghoral, Himalayan tahr, serow, leopard, wolf, jackal, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan weasel, Himalayan mouse hare, yellow-throated marten, langur and rhesus monkeys. The park is equally rich in many kinds of birds.
Shivapuri Watershed & Wildlife Reserve (144 sq. km.) Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve is situated on the hill of Shivapuri to the south of Kathmandu. It is one of the chief sources of water for the Kathmandu Valley. This is an easily accessible destination for viewing orchids, rhododendrons, pines, utisa trees as well as many medicinal and herbal plants. Rising to height of 2,732 m, Shivapuri is home to the sloth bear, langur monkey, leopard, barking deer and many species of birds. 

Note: Please do feel free to write us if you want to make your trip to any of this national park or wild life reserve. We will be happy to make your tailor made programme.