National Parks of Nepal

Since 1973, the Nepali government has created a network of 20 Protected Areas, which includes 12 National Parks. Nepal’s first National Park is Chitwan National Park, the largest is the Shey Phoksundo National Park, and the smallest is the Rara National Park. These national parks serve as the gateway to the Himalayan adventure, offering visitors exceptional wildlife experiences.

Earlier, there were 10 National parks, but when the Shuklaphanta and Parsa Wildlife Reserves were elevated to National Park status in 2017, the national parks of Nepal count reached 12. These national parks provide a sanctuary for a diverse range of plants and animals, including endangered species

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park, the first national park in Nepal, was established in 1973 and later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The total size of this national park is 932 km² and covers the areas of Chitwan, Nawalpur, Makwanpur, and Parsa, with a buffer zone of 750 km².

The park is home to 126 species of fish, 56 species of herpeto fauna, and 68 species of animals. The park is particularly well-known for protecting the Gharial Crocodile, the Royal Bengal Tiger, and the One-Horned Rhinoceros. The park is home to both the pygmy shrew, the smallest terrestrial animal in the world, and the wild elephant, the biggest. There are now 544 species of birds known to exist, including 22 species that are globally threatened, such as the severely endangered Red-headed Vulture, the Slender-billed Vulture, the White-rumped Vulture, and the Bengal Florican.

Bardiya National Park

Bardiya National Park, established in 1988 and located in the Bardiya District, is the largest and most untouched national park in Nepal. It spans 968 km² with a buffer zone of 327 km² and is located next to the eastern bank of the Karnali River, with the Babai River serving as its eastern boundary.

You will find more than 25 species of reptiles, over 400 species of birds, 121 species of fish, and 53 species of mammals, including endangered mega herbivores such as rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros unicornis) and elephants (Elephas maximus), as well as an unidentified diversity of mollusks and arthropods. This park also records the tallest Asian Wild Elephant named Rajagaj.

Langtang National Park

Langtang National Park, the Himalayan Region’s First National Park, was established in 1976, spanning an area of 1,710 km² and encompassing an altitudinal range of 6,450 m. It is connected to the Tibet Autonomous Region’s Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in the north and east.

Inside the park, at 4,300m above sea level, lies the high-altitude holy Gosainkunda Lake.  At 6,988m, the Dorje Lakpa range divides the park in half, running from west to east to southeast.  At 7,245m, Langtang Lirung’s peak is the park’s highest point.

Langtang National Park, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Wildlife, such as the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Tahr, Langur Monkey, and Himalayan Black Bear, are some of the notable species found in the park. This park is home to approximately 250 species of birds, including notable species such as the Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, and several species of eagles and vultures.

Rara National Park

Rara National Park, established in 1976, is the smallest national park in Nepal, covering an area of just 106 km² across the districts of Mugu and Jumla. Nepal’s Humla-Jumla Region’s distinctive flora and fauna require preservation, which is why this park was established at the time. Rara Lake, situated within the park, is located at an elevation of 2,990 meters. This lake is one of the most popular and visited in Nepal.

Floras such as pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper, and spruce are frequently found here. Along with the Musk deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, yellow-throated marten, otter, wild dog, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, and Red Panda, the park is home to 51 species of animals. Among the 272 bird species are gulls, common teals, grebes, mallards, pheasants, snowcocks, coots, and red-crested pochards. A large number of migrating birds join the residential birds in the winter.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is a Himalayan Park located on the eastern side of Nepal and is home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. It spans 1,148 km² in the Solukhumbu District and includes the peak of Mount Everest, which ranges from 2,845 to 8,848 m above sea level. Not only does it have the world’s highest peak, but it also shares an international boundary with Tibet’s Qomolangma National Nature Preserve on its northern side.

The park features wooded areas that extend up to 4,000m in length, with a diverse array of plants, including birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo, and rhododendrons. The only plant life found at higher elevations, however, is restricted to grasslands, dwarf shrubs, and cushion plants, such as mosses, up to 6,000m. Above 6000m, there is no vegetation. Sagarmatha National Park, however, has fewer species of animals than other protected regions, and the reason behind this is the region’s frigid climate. However, there are approximately 118 different kinds of birds, including the Impeyan pheasant and the crimson-headed pheasant. Wildlife such as the Himalayan wolf, musk deer, and Himalayan black bear are similar. Red pandas and snow leopards, two endangered Himalayan species, can also be found in the park. Additionally, in some areas, Indian Leopards are also seen.

Shey Phoksundo National Park

Shey Phoksundo National Park, a trans-Himalayan Park established in 1984, is located in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in Nepal’s Mid-Western Region. It spans 3,555 km². The protected region is between 2,130 and 6,885 meters above sea level. Phoksundo Lake, located at an elevation of 3,612 meters above sea level, is the park’s most notable attraction.

One can find 32 species of butterflies, including Paralasa Nepalaica, the world’s highest-flying butterfly, and six species of reptiles. Shey Phoksundo National Park is home to several endangered species, including musk deer, gray wolves, and snow leopards. It is also home to other fauna, including Himalayan black bears, blue sheep, jackals, leopards, and Goral. There are 200 different kinds of birds in this national park, including the Crimson-eared Rosefinch, Wood Snipe, and Tibetan Partridge.

The park’s tranquil charm is complemented by its incredibly varied flora. While fewer than five percent of the park is covered by forest, various species, including juniper, silver fir, caragana bushes, rhododendron, and white Himalayan birch, can be seen and found on the Trans-Himalayan slope terrain.

Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park, located on the far western side of Nepal, was established as a national park in 1984. This park is the mid-mountain national park on the west side and has a distinctive and significant ecosystem. Khaptad National Park is also considered sacred land, where the late Khaptad Swami lived as a recluse for approximately 50 years during the 1940s, meditated, prayed, and later became a revered spiritual figure.

The park boasts lush hills and a lovely range of scenery. There are 567 different types of plants in Khaptad National Park, including rhododendrons, oaks, hemlocks, and pines. In its rich foliage, there are also over 224 types of medicinal plants. Similarly, with 270 different kinds of birds, the park offers excellent opportunities for bird-watching. You may see a variety of birds in the park, including the Impheyan pheasant, partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos, eagles, Peregrin, falcon, and white-rumped vultures. Khaptad is also excellent for observing a variety of wildlife, including musk deer, barking deer, wild dogs, leopards, Himalayan black bears, langur monkeys, and more. Also, it hosts 23 species of mammals.

Banke National Park

Banke National Park, recognized as “Gift to the Earth,” was established in 2010 as the 11^th national park of Nepal. The area of 550 km² is situated on the Churia range and is surrounded by a buffer zone of 344 km² that borders the areas of Banke, Dang, and Salyan.

Banke National Park is home to 34 animal species, 124 plant species, over 300 bird species, 58 fish species, 24 reptiles, and 7 amphibians. Of these, two bird species (black stork and giant hornbill), two reptilian species (Asiatic rock python and golden monitor lizard), and five mammal species (pangolin, hyaena, four-horned antelope, Asian elephant, and royal Bengal tiger) that call the park home are listed as protected wildlife under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. According to the 2018 survey, there are 21 Royal Bengal tigers in Banke National Park.

Parsa National Park

Parsa National Park was established as a Wildlife Reserve in 1984. However, in 2015, the area was expanded by 128 km². In 2017, it was declared a national park. It spans 627.39 km² over the districts of Parsa, Makwanpur, and Bara. This national park area was once a hunting ground for the ruling elite before it was designated as a protected park.

There are a variety of endangered species in Parsa National Park, including sloth bears, leopards, wild Asian elephants, and the Royal Bengal tiger. Other animals that may be found in the park include hog deer, palm civets, striped hyenas, blue bulls, sambars, and jungle cats. Additionally, the park is home to approximately 500 different species of migratory and resident birds. Among these birds are the Golden-backed woodpecker, Paradise flycatcher, big racquet-tailed drongo, and White-breasted kingfisher. There are also occasional sightings of the endangered gigantic hornbill. The park is also well-known for its many snake species, including the python, common Karit, banded Karit, king cobra, and common cobra.

Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park was established in 2002 and is Nepal’s ninth national park. The location lies on the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, in the country’s mid-hills, and is named after Shivapuri Peak, which stands at 2,732 meters in height. It is located in the districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchowk, spanning 159 km² and bordering 23 Village Development Committees.

There is a wide variety of plants and animals at the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park boasts a high level of floral diversity due to its unique location, altitudinal variations, and climatic fluctuations. This subtropical region of Nepal is home to 2,122 plant species and has four distinct forest types. Schim Wallichii, Castanopsis Indica, Alnus Nepalensis, Pinus Roxburghii, Quercus Semicarpifolia, Quercus lanuginose, and Rhododendron arboretum are among the park’s most common plant types. There are 24 mammal species, including nine that are endangered. The Assamese monkey, leopard cat, clouded leopard, and pangolin are among the endangered species that may be found in the woodlands. Animals such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Goral, Common Leopard, Barking Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, and many more may be found. In addition to 106 species of moths and butterflies, the park is home to 318 bird species, including the Spiney babbler.

Shuklaphanta National Park

Shuklaphanta National Park, established in 1976 as a Wildlife Reserve and later recognized as a national park in 2017, is the youngest national park in the country. It spans 305 km2 (118 sq mi) with a buffer zone of 243.5 km². This national park features wetlands, waterholes, and open grasslands, all of which are formed by the floodplain of the Mahakali River. It lies within the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. It also belongs to the Terai Arc Landscape.

Numerous fish, birds, and animals may be found in the park’s vast grasslands, marshes, and lakes. More than 53 animal species, including protected ones like the great one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, Indian leopard, sloth bear, swamp deer, Royal Bengal Tiger, and hispid hare, among others. Swamp deer are another reason for the fame of Nepal’s newest national park. There were 2301 swamp deer as of 2014. Similarly, 16 Bengal tigers and 20–25 wild elephants were counted during the 2018 census.

The park’s lakes, ponds, and rivers are home to 12 reptiles, 28 different kinds of amphibians, and 28 different types of fish. Additionally, 424 bird species have been identified, including rusty-tailed flycatchers, great slaty woodpeckers, chestnut-capped babblers, Sarus cranes, Bengal floricans, and dusky eagle owls.

Makalu Barun National Park

Makalu Barun National Park, established in 1992, is generally considered an eastern extension of Sagarmatha National Park. Enclosing both tropical forests and snow-capped peaks, it is the only protected region in the world with an elevation rise of over 8,000m. Located in the districts of Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha, it occupies 1,500 km² and is encircled by an 830 km² buffer zone to the south and southeast. The national park includes the rocky peaks of Makalu, the fifth-highest mountain in the world at 8,463m, Chamalang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m), and Mera (6,654m).

There are over 25 rhododendron species, 47 orchid species, 19 bamboo species, 15 oak variants, 86 fodder tree species, and 56 uncommon and endangered plants that grow in 27 different types of woods. There are 16 amphibian species, 315 butterfly species, and 43 reptilian species. There are 78 different kinds of fish living in the park’s lakes, rivers, and ponds. Additionally, 433 bird species and 88 animal species have been identified in this naturally diversified and abundant protected region. Additionally, endangered animals such as the red panda and snow leopard can be found in the park and its surrounding areas.