Chitwan National Park: Difference between revisions
Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers 53,980 edits →Birds: listed more birds |
Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers 53,980 edits →Birds: more birds |
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Every year dedicated bird watchers and conservationists survey bird species occurring all over the country. In 2006 they recorded 543 species in the Chitwan National Park, much more than in any other protected area in Nepal and about two-thirds of Nepal's globally [[threatened species]]. Additionally, 20 [[Black-chinned Yuhina|black-chinned yuhina]], a pair of [[Gould's Sunbird|Gould's sunbird]], a pair of [[Blossom-headed Parakeet|blossom-headed parakeet]] and one [[Slaty-breasted Rail|slaty-breasted rail]], an uncommon winter visitor, were sighted in spring 2008 <ref>Giri, T., Choudhary, H. (2008) ''Additional Sightings''. Danphe 17 (2): 6</ref>.<br /> |
Every year dedicated bird watchers and conservationists survey bird species occurring all over the country. In 2006 they recorded 543 species in the Chitwan National Park, much more than in any other protected area in Nepal and about two-thirds of Nepal's globally [[threatened species]]. Additionally, 20 [[Black-chinned Yuhina|black-chinned yuhina]], a pair of [[Gould's Sunbird|Gould's sunbird]], a pair of [[Blossom-headed Parakeet|blossom-headed parakeet]] and one [[Slaty-breasted Rail|slaty-breasted rail]], an uncommon winter visitor, were sighted in spring 2008 <ref>Giri, T., Choudhary, H. (2008) ''Additional Sightings''. Danphe 17 (2): 6</ref>.<br /> |
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Especially the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered [[Bengal Florican|Bengal florican]], the vulnerable [[Lesser Adjutant|lesser adjutant]], [[Grey-crowned Prinia|grey-crowned prinia]], [[Swamp Francolin|swamp francolin]] and several species of [[grass warbler]]s. In 2005 more than 200 [[Slender-billed Babbler|slender-billed babblers]] were sighted in 3 different grassland types <ref>Baral, H. S., Chaudhary, D. B. (2006) ''Status and Distribution of Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris in Chitwan National Park, central Nepal''. Danphe 15 (4): 1-6</ref>. The near threatened [[Oriental Darter|Oriental darter]] is a resident breeder around the many lakes, where also [[egret]]s, [[bittern]]s, [[stork]]s and [[kingfisher]] abound.<br /> |
Especially the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered [[Bengal Florican|Bengal florican]], the vulnerable [[Lesser Adjutant|lesser adjutant]], [[Grey-crowned Prinia|grey-crowned prinia]], [[Swamp Francolin|swamp francolin]] and several species of [[grass warbler]]s. In 2005 more than 200 [[Slender-billed Babbler|slender-billed babblers]] were sighted in 3 different grassland types <ref>Baral, H. S., Chaudhary, D. B. (2006) ''Status and Distribution of Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris in Chitwan National Park, central Nepal''. Danphe 15 (4): 1-6</ref>. The near threatened [[Oriental Darter|Oriental darter]] is a resident breeder around the many lakes, where also [[egret]]s, [[bittern]]s, [[stork]]s and [[kingfisher]] abound.<br /> |
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The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened [[Indian Spotted Eagle|Indian spotted eagle]]. [[Peafowl]] and [[jungle fowl]] scratch their living on the forest floor. |
The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened [[Indian Spotted Eagle|Indian spotted eagle]].<br /> |
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[[Peafowl]] and [[jungle fowl]] scratch their living on the forest floor. |
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Apart from the resident birds about 160 migrating and vagrant species arrive in Chitwan in autumn from northern latitudes to spend the winter here, among them the [[Greater Spotted Eagle]], [[Eastern Imperial Eagle]] and [[Pallas's Fish-eagle]]. Common sightings include [[Ruddy Shelduck|Brahminy ducks]] and [[Common Merganser|goosanders]]. Large flocks of [[bar-headed geese]] just rest for a few days in February on their way north. |
Apart from the resident birds about 160 migrating and vagrant species arrive in Chitwan in autumn from northern latitudes to spend the winter here, among them the [[Greater Spotted Eagle]], [[Eastern Imperial Eagle]] and [[Pallas's Fish-eagle]]. Common sightings include [[Ruddy Shelduck|Brahminy ducks]] and [[Common Merganser|goosanders]]. Large flocks of [[bar-headed geese]] just rest for a few days in February on their way north. |
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As soon as the winter visitors have left in spring, the summer visitors arrive from southern latitudes. |
As soon as the winter visitors have left in spring, the summer visitors arrive from southern latitudes. The calls of [[Indian cuckoo]]s herald the start of spring. Among the many [[flycatcher]] species the [[Paradise flycatcher]] with his long undulating tail in flight is a spectacular sight. |
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==Tourism== |
==Tourism== |
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Revision as of 20:57, 13 February 2010
| Chitwan National Park | |
|---|---|
 Landscape in Chitwan National Park | |
| Location | Nepal |
| Area | 932 km² |
| Established | 1973 |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| Criteria | Natural: vii, ix, x |
| Reference | 284 |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in
In the north and west of the protected area the
History
Since the end of the 19th century Chitwan - Heart of the Jungle – used to be a favorite hunting ground for Nepal’s ruling class during the winter seasons. Until the 1950s the journey from
In 1950 Chitwan’s forest and grasslands extended over more than 2.600 km2 and was home to about 800 rhinos. When poor farmers from the mid-hills moved to the Chitwan Valley in search of arable land, the area was subsequently opened for settlement, and poaching of wildlife became rampant. In 1957 the country's first conservation law inured to the protection of rhinos and their habitat. In 1959 Edward Pritchard Gee undertook a survey of the area, recommended creation of a protected area north of the Rapti river and of a wildlife sanctuary south of the river for a trial period of ten years [1]. After his subsequent survey of Chitwan in 1963, this time for both the Fauna Preservation Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, he recommended extension of the sanctuary to the south [2].
However, by the end of the 1960s 70% of Chitwan’s jungles were cleared using DDT, thousands of people had settled there, and only 95 rhinos remained. The dramatic decline of the rhino population and the extent of poaching prompted the government to institute the Gaida Gasti – a rhino reconnaissance patrol of 130 armed men and a network of guard posts all over Chitwan. To prevent the extinction of rhinos the Chitwan National Park was gazetted in December 1970 with borders delineated the following year and established in 1973, initially encompassing an area of 544 km2 [3].
In 1977 the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km2. In 1997 a bufferzone of 766,1 km2 was added to the north and west of the Narayani-Rapti river system, and between the south-eastern boundary of the park and the international border to India.
Climate
The area is located in the eastern climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid June and eases in late September.
Vegetation
The typical vegetation of the Inner Terai is moist
Seasonal
Grassland covers about 20% of the park’s area. More than 50 species are found here including some of the world’s tallest grasses like the elephant grass called
Fauna
The wide range of vegetation types in the Chitwan National Park is haunt of more than 700 species of wildlife and a not yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and
In the early 1950s about 235 gharials occurred in the Narayani River. The population has dramatically declined to only 38 wild gharials in 2003. In the breeding center of the Gharial Conservation Project gharial eggs are hatched and animals reared to an age of 6-9 years. Every year young gharials are reintroduced into the Narayani-Rapti river system, of which only very few survive [6].
Mammals
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43
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From time to time wild elephant bulls find their way from Valmiki National Park into the valleys of the park, apparently in search of elephant cows willing to be seduced.
Gaurs spend most of the year in the less accessible Churia Hills in the south of the national park. But when the bush fires ease off in springtime and lush grasses start growing up again, they descend into the grassland and riverine forests to graze and browse. The Chitwan population of the world's largest wild cattle species has increased from 188 to 296 animals in the years 1997-2007 [9].
Apart from numerous
Furthermore
Birds
Every year dedicated bird watchers and conservationists survey bird species occurring all over the country. In 2006 they recorded 543 species in the Chitwan National Park, much more than in any other protected area in Nepal and about two-thirds of Nepal's globally
Especially the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered
The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened
Apart from the resident birds about 160 migrating and vagrant species arrive in Chitwan in autumn from northern latitudes to spend the winter here, among them the
As soon as the winter visitors have left in spring, the summer visitors arrive from southern latitudes. The calls of Indian cuckoos herald the start of spring. Among the many flycatcher species the Paradise flycatcher with his long undulating tail in flight is a spectacular sight.
Tourism
Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations. In 1989 more than 31.000 people visited the park, and ten years later already more than 77.000.
There are several lodges inside the national park offering full board and accommodation in combination with elephant and jeep safaris, rafting tours and guided jungle walks. The pioneer safari lodge is Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge receiving guests since 1972. Tiger Tops has developed standards for responsible conservation tourism, e.g. supports the “Long-term Tiger Monitoring Project” and anti-poaching units operating in the national park.
On the edge of the national park Sauraha is a well-known spot for tourists. Accessible from the nearby Bharatpur Airport, Sauraha offers a choice of hotels, lodges, restaurants and agencies that organize day trips into the protected area.
Literature
- Gurung, K. (1983). Heart of the Jungle: the Wildlife of Chitwan, Nepal. Andre Deutsch, London. 197 pp.
- Gurung K. K. and Singh R. (1996) Field Guide to the Mammals of the Indian Subcontinent, Academic Press, San Diego, ISBN 0-12-309350-3
- Bhuju, U.R. et al. (2007) Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book, ICIMOD, UNEP, MOEST, Kathmandu, ISBN 9789291150335
Media coverage
The park's unique rhino herd was featured on The Jeff Corwin Experience in season 2, episode 11.
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Sal Forest -
On elephant safari -
On elephant safari -
Elephants bathing
References
- ^ Gee, E. P. (1959) Report on a survey of the rhinoceros area of Nepal. Oryx 5: 67-76
- ^ Gee, E. P. (1963) Report on a brief survey of the wildlife resources of Nepal, including rhinoceros. Oryx 7: 67-76.
- ^ a b Adhikari, T. R. (2002) The curse of success. Habitat Himalaya - A Resources Himalaya Factfile, Volume IX, Number 3 pdf download
- ^ Dinerstein, E., Wemmer, C. M. (1988) Fruits Rhinoceros Eat: Dispersal of Trewia Nudiflora (Euphorbiaceae) in Lowland Nepal. Ecology, Vol. 69, No. 6: 1768-1774.
- ^ Shrestha, B. K., Dangol, D.R. (2006) Change in Grassland Vegetation in the Northern Part of Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Scientific World, Vol. 4, No. 4: 78-83
- ^ Priol, P. (2003) Gharial field study report. A report submitted to Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- ^ Barlow, A. et al (2009) Temporal Variation in Tiger (Panthera tigris) Populations and its Implications for Monitoring. Journal of Mammalogy, 90 (2): 472–478
- ^ McDougal, C. (1988) Leopard and Tiger Interactions at Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 85: 609-610
- ^ WWF News (2008) Gaur Census in Parsa Wildlife Reserve News published at wildcattleconservation.org
- ^ Giri, T., Choudhary, H. (2008) Additional Sightings. Danphe 17 (2): 6
- ^ Baral, H. S., Chaudhary, D. B. (2006) Status and Distribution of Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris in Chitwan National Park, central Nepal. Danphe 15 (4): 1-6
External links
- Information of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal
- More details about establishment of Chitwan National Park
- Hotel Wildlife Camp
- Nepal Tourism directory
| National parks | ||
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| Wildlife reserves | ||
| Conservation areas | ||
| Hunting reserves | ||
| Ramsar sites | ||
