Bardia National Park is situated in the southwestern region of Nepal and it is a unique opportunity for intrigued while outside experience. It is bigger than the largest park Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal’s Terai covering 968 square kilometers and it the most undisturbed park of the Sub-continent. Bardia National Park – established in 1988 is a protected area with valuable ecosystems, biodiversity and forms of endemicity unlike any other in the world. The location, history, flora and fauna, activities, conservation efforts, and travel tips for visiting this amazing national park are discussed in this write-up.
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Geographical Location
It is located in the Terai region and lies in Bardia District, within Lumbini Province of Nepal. Between latitudes 28° 26′ and 28° 38′ North and longitudes 81° 3′ and 81° 27′ East. It is bordered by the Karnali River to the west, the Babai River to the north and separates from Churia hills to the south. The park comprises a range of habitats like grasslands, savannah, and riverine forests, making way for a plethora of flora and fauna.
History and Establishment
The area was initially named as the Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve in 1976 and later upgraded to a national park in 1988. The main purpose was to preserve the locale and its endageredd wildlife species. This delightful region was a thinly-populated hunting reserve used by the ruling Rana family. Indigenous Tharu people in the area, who had occupied parts of it for centuries, have told researchers that after the 1950s eradication programs brought settlers to their lands (and contractors offered them pennies on the dollar), the forests began disappearing as settlers cleared land for agriculture. The establishment of jpslot Bardia National Park was an important step in trying to reverse this trend and save the remaining wildlife populations.
Flora and Fauna
Bardia National Park is home to a plethora of plants and animals. The Park vegetation is broadly classified as Sal forest, riverine forest and grasslands. The forest cover in the area is mainly Sal trees (Shorea robusta) and riverine forests species predominated by Khair (Acacia catechu) and Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo). Between the Savannas, or phantas, patches of forest grow providing home to an array of herbivores.
The park has over 50 mammals, more than 400 birds and a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Birders spot birds like the great hornbill to the Bengal florican to Sarus crane. The Karnali River and the Babai rivers provide habitats for numerous aquatic species such as:the critically endangered gharial, Mugger crocodile and fish species such as the golden mahseer.
Activities and Attractions
Bardia National Park Provides various park activities for its visitors which will introduce you to the natural beauty and wildlife of Bardia.
Wildlife Safari: The park is home to tigers, rhinos elephants and diverse bird species that can be spotted on jeep safaris and guided walking tours. For the best wildlife sightings early morning or late afternoon are temperatures are mild and animals are more likely to be out and about.
River Rafting & Fishing: The longest river in Nepal, the Karnali river is a perfect destination to try rafting and fishing. Anglers can try their hand at landing the Golden Mahseer river queen.
Bird Watching – Bardia has more than 400 different kinds of birds, so it is obviously a heaven for bird watchers too. You can participate in guided bird-watching tours with experienced leaders.
Elephant Rides: This is a bit controversial because of the cruelty to animals issue but some parts still offer elephant rides. Guests should consider more sustainable alternatives and embrace sustainable tourism efforts.
Cultural Tours : The Tharu people who are an indigenous community of the land introduce you to their world by taking cultural walks through their villages showing you their traditional songs, dances and intricacies of their lives. It offers the opportunity for a genuine cultural exchange and supports local communities.
Climate Walk as well as Hiking: The park is house to a variety of tracks to take site visitors on foot with its varied landscapes. Knowledgeable guides lead guided hikes showcase the park’s plants and animals.
Conservation Efforts
As a key habitat of Nepal, Bardia National Park has numerous conservation efforts in action to protect the biodiversity. The park management collaborates with the local communities, government bodies and global entities to run conservation programs.
Anti-Poaching Initiatives: The park has also set up anti-poaching units to protect animals such as tigers and rhinos. These patrols follow established units like camera traps.
2) Community Participation: Communities participate in conservation by eco-tourism ventures and other forms of community based conservation. Revenue derived from tourism helps finance local development projects giving local people a reason to protect their lands.
Habitat Restoration: Restoring Degraded habitats in the Park forest. For example, by investing in reforestation projects, wetland restoration and wildlife corridors that connect broken-up habitats.
The park also does routine research and monitoring programs to follow the status of their ecosystems and wildlife populations. This data is used to inform management action and conservation.
Travel Tips
In case, you are planning to visit Bardia national park then read travel tips now and then scheduled your adventure tourism.
Ideal Time to Visit: The best time to visit Bardia National Park is between October and April when the weather is dry and wildlife spotting are much easier. From June to September is the Monsoon season and travel becomes difficult because of heavy rains and flooding.
By Air: The closest airport is Nepalgunj which is 85 km away from the park. There are regular flights from Kathmandu. However, visitors can take a bus or hire a jeep from Nepalgunj to reach the park. This been just about 2 kilometers away from the basic road of Sauraha to Meghauli which you can guidance SNV note here in this flight where all internal and domestic tourists arrive Kathmandu Pokhara any manner by walk to the park directly there.
Where to Stay: The park features numerous lodges and resorts, which cater for all budgets. We recommend you to book an accommodation before arrive (specially in the high season).
Conclusion
Bardia National Park is a crown jewel of Nepals natural world and is an unparalleled destination for nature, wildlife and adventure lovers. Anyone who misses the chance to explore this wonderful place is missing out on discovering amazing ecosystems, unique biodiversity and rich local culture. Thanks to the ongoing protection and conservation, and responsive tourism practices, we can only hope that Bardia National Park will continue to provide a sanctuary for this wildlife and a place of inspiration for many more generations. If you like reading this aritcle then please consider reading our article about Qaqortoq.
