Nepal itself is a big park with a numerous scenic beauties,
ponds and lakes, majestic Himalayas, crystal clear waterfalls and adventurous
rivers. Nepal is a land of extreme contrasts in climate and geographical
condition. It has unique topography ranging from lowlands with sub-tropical
jungles to artic conditions in Himalayas highlands. Within a mere 150 km the
land rises from
near sea level in the south to over 8,000 meters in the
north. This, together with the monsoon rainfall along the south facing slopes,
has resulted in squeezing virtually all climates zones found on our planet. As
a result, Nepal has been endowed with a great diversity of life zones providing
a home for a large variety of plants, birds and animals.
The Tarai low lands are defined by the belts of well-watered
flood plains stretching from the Indian border northward to the first slopes of
the Bhabhar and the Siwalik range. This is the richest habitat in the land with
the tall grass lands interspersed with rivers and hardwood sal forest. Here one
can see wildlife such as the swamp deer, black buck, blue bull, the Royal
Bengal tiger, Gharial and mugger crocodiles, and the last of the bread of
Asiatic wild buffalo .This area is also rich in bird life with a variety of
babblers and orioles, koels and drongos, peacocks and floricans, and a
multitude of wintering wildfowl. There are three protected areas in the
Tarai-Koshi Tappu in the east, and Bardia and Sukla Phant in the west.
The Churia, also known as the Siwalik, is the southern most
range of the Himalayas. Nowhere do they rise above 1,220 meters. Although young
according to geological time, the Churia is thought to be one of the oldest of
the Himalayan uplifts. This range is famous for fossil deposits of Pleistocene
mammals, among them 10 species of elephants, 6 rhinoceros, hippopotamus,
sabre-toothed cats, various antelopes and primates such as the orangutan, long
extinct in the subcontinent. Situated north of the Churia are broad, low
valleys of the inner Tarai known as the Doons. These valleys are not unlike the
outer plains with tall elephant grass, swamps and ox-bow lakes where the last
of the one horned rhinoceros survive. Chitawan National Park in the
inner Tarai of central Nepal is the first and best protected
area in the country. Once one of the famous big game hunting areas in Asia,
Chitawan now offers protection to the large array of mammals such as the
one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, sloth bear and Guar (wild bison) as well
as more than 400 species of birds. Without doubt, Chitwan is one of the
outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Higher in the north between 2,000 and 3,500 meters lies the
Mahabharat range with its oak crowned crests. The majority of Nepal’s hill
people inhabit the lower slopes of the Mahabharat. The intricate terracing of
the midland country is noteworthy. These hills are covered by a moist temperate
forest of deodar, oak, maple, and birch in which are found deer, goral, serow,
leopard and monkey. The gorgeous multi-coloured impeyan pheasant (Nepal’s
national bird) is also found here with other endangered birds like the Koklas
and Cheer pheasants. Protected areas in this zone include Khaptad National Park
in the far west, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve northwest Pokhara and Shivapuri
Wildlife sanctuary near Kathmandu.
Higher still, nearer the snowline, are the alpine mountain
flanks which are the haunt of snow leopard, which preys on blue sheep and the
Himalayan tahr. Rarely seen are the wolf, black and brown bears and lynx. These
higher reaches are inhabited by some of the hardiest tribes of Nepal. The
Sherpas, Manangba and Dolpa-bas are some of those who farm and graze their
livestock on the high mountain pastures.
Langtang, Sagarmatha (Everest), Sheyphoksundo and Lake Rara
National Parks are the protected high altitude areas
of Nepal.
Today Government of Nepal has set aside more than 13,000 sq.
km of protected areas that include as many
bio-geographic regions as possible to assure conservation of
the maximum numbers of wildlife species. These nature
sanctuaries attract wildlife enthusiasts and tourists from
the world over, and each park and reserve has its own attraction. At the
Chitwan National Park, visitors venture on elephant back I search of the
one-horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, deer and crocodile. Other lowland parks such
as Koshi Tappu, Bardia and Sukla Phanta are less frequented making them more
appealing to those who prefer the solitude of wild world. In the mountain
sanctuaries of Nepal, visitors can commune with high massifs as well as glimpse
some of the rare wildlife species of the Himalayan realm. This is the habitat
of the musk deer, goral, blue sheep and Himalayan bear. Also found here is the
endangered snow leopard.
Seasons
Nepal’s climate ranges from tropical in the lowlands to
arctic in the higher altitudes. About 90% of the rain falls during June to
September, during the monsoon. Vegetation is as its best at blooming during
this season. The post-monsoon period, between October and November is the best
time to visit the high altitude Himalayan parks. When the days are warm, the
snow line recedes, and the air is clear. This is the busiest tourist season in
the country as a whole. The winter months, between December and February,
attract large number of visitors to the lowland parks. The days are warms and
the nights chilly. Koshi Tappu, Chitawan, Bardia, and Sukla Phanta are best
visited this time. This is also a good time to observe wintering birds,
including wildfowls and waders. From March to May, it is warm at lower
altitudes and cool above 3,000 meters. Despite the high temperatures, are this
can be the best time to visit the lowland parks for the teeming animal and bird
life as well as flowering trees.
This is also an ideal time to visit altitude nature
sanctuaries of Everest, Annapurna, Langtang and Rara. This is when the
rhododendron and alpine flower burst into bloom. Spring haze
tends to spoil mountain views but it is warm enough for visitors to explore
higher reaches.
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