Wildlife Reserves

Wildlife Reserves ,Conservation Areas and Hunting reserves in Nepal

Wildlife conservation is an undeniable need. Most of Nepal’s people still rely on wildlife resources for necessities like fuel, fodder, and medicinal plants. Plus, a huge sum of currency is earned through wildlife-based tourism, which has been a welcome addition to Nepal’s GDP. The beauty of Nepal is astounding, but one can barely imagine this breathtaking beauty without Nepal’s greenery or mega-fauna. The wildlife reserves include the conservation and management of animals and their habitats. The total area for the wildlife reserve in Nepal is 979 sq. km. Wildlife reserve is a reserve area for the protection of wildlife.

The hunting reserve has also been a part of Nepal’s conservation approach. The prime aim of the hunting reserve is to control the population of blue sheep and use the income earned by legalized hunting for keystone species of the region.

The protected areas of Nepal cover mainly forested land and are located at various altitudes in the Terai, in the foothills of the Himalayas and in the mountains. Nepal is home to many National Park, wildlife reserve and conservation areas. In its effort to conserve nature and wildlife, Nepal has 1 wildlife reserve and 6 conservation areas and 1 hunting reserve.

Note:-Trekking Permits are required for all treks that pass through Conservation Areas or National Parks.
• Conservation Area permits can be purchased at the Tourist Services Centre with some charges and two photographs.
• National Park entry tickets cost some charges and require no photograph. Purchase at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation office Sun – Fri 09:00 – 14:00 only (next to the Tourist Services office).
• Restricted Area Permits are required mainly for camping style trekking in remote areas near the Tibetan border for which a guide is strongly recommended. These will be procured by your chosen trekking agency.

Wildlife reserves

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of eastern Nepal covering 175 sq km (68 sq mi) of wet lands in the Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur Districts. It comprises extensive mudflats, reed beds, and freshwater marshes in the floodplain of the Sapta Kosi River, and ranges in altitude from 75 to 81 m (246 to 266 ft). It was established in 1976 and designated as a Ramsar site in December 1987.
There are various types of plants like Sissam and Khayer in this reserve. This reserve is famous for different kinds of rare birds like different species of ducks, two kinds of lalsar and other species of cranes, flamingos, and storks. Similarly, aquatic animals such as crocodiles, alligators and various types of fishes are available here

Conservation areas

Annapurna Conservation Area 

Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,629 sq km (2,946 sq mi) in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. It ranges in altitude from 790 m (2,590 ft) to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m (26,545 ft). The conservation area stretches across Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung Districts.  Annapurna Conservation Area encompasses Annapurna Sanctuary and is known for several trekking routes including Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazette in 1992. It is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area 

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal that was established in 1997 and covers 2,035 sq km (786 sq mi) in the Taplejung District. To the west it borders the Sankhuwasabha District. It ranges in altitude from 1,200 to 8,586 m (3,937 to 28,169 ft). It is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape, which is being developed by WWF Nepal in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

When the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area was designated in March 1997, it was Nepal’s third Conservation Area. In April 2003, a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council was formed for protection of this area. The Government of Nepal handed over the management of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area to the Management Council.

Manaslu Conservation Area

Manaslu Conservation Area is a protected area in Nepal. Established in 1998. It covers 1,663 sq km (642 sq mi) in the Mansiri Himal range of the Himalayas in the Gorkha District. The area comprises mountains, glaciers, and watercourses. In elevation, the area ranges from 1,400 to 8,156 m (4,593 to 26,759 ft) at the peak of Manaslu.

Api Nampa Conservation Area 

The Api-Nampa Conservation Area is a protected area in the Far-Western Development Region, Nepal. It was established in 2010 and covers 1,903 sq km (735 sq mi) encompassing . It ranges in elevation from 518 to 7,132 m (1,699 to 23,399 ft) at the Himalayan peak Api, and is within the circumscribed area of the Kailash Sacred Landscape.

Named after the two peaks Api and Nampa, it was established to conserve the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the area. A grasslands plateau is at the center of the area.

Blackbuck Conservation Area

The Blackbuck Conservation Area was established in 2009 and is located in the Mid-Western Region, Nepal to conserve the endangered blackbuck. This protected area covers 16.95 sq km (6.54 sq mi) in the Bardiya District.

Attempts for the conservation of blackbuck in Nepal began in 1975 when a small herd was spotted in Khairapur, Bardiya District. Realizing their fragile existence, immediate efforts were made to protect the herd. The government deployed five staff members, providing four of them with arms. A guard post was also established in the same year. This particular herd is the northernmost surviving herd of blackbucks in the world. In 2009, the herd numbered 202 comprising 73 males, 111 females and 18 calves.

Hunting Reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal. It was established in 1987 and covers an area of 1,325 sq km (512 sq mi) in the Dhaulagiri Himal of western Nepal in the Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung Districts. In altitude it ranges from 2,850 to 5,500 m (9,350 to 18,040 ft).

The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is located in Rukum district of Rapti zone in the mid-western development region. It covers some parts of Baglung and Myagdi districts of Dhaulagiri zone in the western development region. Hunters have issued the license for hunting animals like Naul, Jharal, Thar, Himali bhalu (bear) found in this region.