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Royal
Bardia National Park
Covering
an area of 968 sq. km., Royal Bardia National Park is situated
in the mid-Far Western Terai, east of the Karnali River.
Originally
set aside in 1968 as a Royal Hunting Reserve, the area was gazetted
in 1967 as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve with an area of 368
sq. km.  It
was renamed as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve in 1982 and extended
to include the Babai River valley in 1984. National Park status
was gazetted in 1988. The main objectives of the park are to
conserve a representative ecosystem of the mid-Western Terai,
particularly the tiger ad its prey species.
How
to Get There
The
park can only be entered by road. There are regular flights
from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj, from where public buses
serve the far Western Terai. To reach the park headquarters
at Thakurdwara, it is necessary to alight at Motipur and walk
8 km. north of Lihalpur on the Nepalgunj-Surkhet road, and drive
west along the fair weather road inside the park to reach Thakurdwara.
This usually takes 3-4 hrs. by 4 WD vehicle. The Mahendra Rajmarg
is the main highway which crosses the park.
Seasons
As
with the rest of Nepal. the park's climate is affected by the
summer monsoon. The best times to visit are between October
and early April when weather is warm and dry. From April onwards
the temperatures rise, peaking at around 45 c. in May and premonsoon
thunderstorms are continue until late September. During this
time most roads and rivers become impassable.
Details
About the Park
Royal
Bardia National Park is the largest and most undisturbed wilderness
area in the Terai, providing excellent habitat for the following
endangered species.
ENDANGERED
ANIMALS : Rhinoceros , Wild elephant , Tiger , Swamp deer
, Black buck , Gharial crocodile , Marsh mugger crocodile ,
Gangetic dolphin
ENDANGERED
BIRDS : Bengal florican , Sliver-eared mesia , Sarus crane
, Lesser florican
More
than 30 different mammals, over 250 species of birds, and many
snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forests,
grasslands and river habitats. The more commonly seen are :
MAMMALS:
Languor Monkey, Rhesus monkey, Common leopard, Jungle cat, Fishing
cat, Large and small Indian civets, Palm civet, Hyena, Wild
dog, Jackal, Sloth bear, Otter, Porcupine, Bandicoots, Blue
bull (Nilgi), Sambar deer, Hog deer, Barking deer, Wild boar
BIRDS
: Flycatchers , Babblers , Sunbirds, Drongols (7 species),
Eurasian thicknee ruddy , Shelduck, Warblers, Bulbuls (5 species)
, Woodpeckers ( 10 species), Barbets (4 species), Bee-eaters
(4 species), Kingfishers (4 species) , Parakeets (4 species),
Doves (5 species), Pigeons (3 species), Red-wattled lapwing,
Common peafowl, Red jungle fowl , Merganser duck, Black-necked
stork, White-necked stork, Painted stork, Egrets (4 species),
Herons (5 species), Cormorants
The
Geruwa, a branch of the Karnali River, forms the park's western
boundary, while the crest of the Churia range (Siwalik Hills)
demarcates the northern limits. Along the southern edge a forest
road forms the boundary; in the east it is formed by the Nepalgunj-Surkhet
road. Part of the very scenic Babair River valley is included
within the park. The approximately 1500 people who lived in
this valley have been resettled else where in Bardia District.
Since agriculture creased in the Babai valley, the regeneration
of natural vegetation is increasing rapidly, making it an area
of prime habitat for wildlife.
About
70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal (Shorea robusta)
forest with the balance of mixture of grassland, savanna and
riverine forest. The altitudes vary from 152 meters on the Terai
1441 meters at Sukarmala on the crest of the Churia range.
Places
of Interest
Within
the park are several open grassland areas (phanta) where game
viewing is excellent. Blackbuck, found in a wild state only
in Bardia, are frequently seen in Khairi Panditpur about 30
km south-east of the park HQ. Many forest roads throughout the
park also offer excellent game viewing.
The
great one-horned rhinoceros was reintroduced to Bardia from
Royal Chitwan National Park in 1986. Indications of the success
of this translocation became obvious when a rhino calf was born
early in 1988. The rhino are usually seen in the western part
of the park. In 1991, 25 great one-horned rhinos were also translocated
to Babai valley from Royal Chitwan National Park.
The
Karnali River, one of Nepal's largest, borders the western edge
of the park, providing excellent fishing for mahseer, a large
game fish. The endangered Gangetic dolphin is also frequently
seen.
Sukarmala,
the highest point on the crest of the Churia range, can be reached
on foot form Karnali, Chisapani or Khairbhatti. From here there
are excellent views north toward the Surkhet valley and south
over the Terai. Another high point, Telpani, can be reached
from Danawatal.
Regulations,
Facilities and Fees
The
park HQ. is at Tharkurdwara. There is also a sub-headquarters
at the eastern entrance to the park at East Chisapani. All visitors
entering the park must stop and pay an entrance fee.
- Adults
: NRs.650.00
- Children
(under 10 years) : Free
Be
sure to keep your permit as it might be checked later by park
guards.
As
there are no medical facilities so it is advisable to carry
a comprehensive first aid kit including medicines for intestinal
problems. There is a radio at the park headquarters for use
in emergencies.
If
you are traveling by your own vehicle make sure that you have
ample amount of fuel, as there are no filling stations in the
park area.
Tourist
accommodations within the park are at a tented camp on the banks
of the Karnali River, or at lodge just outside the park at Chitkaiya,
near the park HQ.
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