Thursday, December 30, 2010
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Monday, December 6, 2010
bardia national park
Bardia National Park in Nepal
We visited Bardia National Park in October this year. We chose to go to Bardia instead Chitwan as the latter has hundreds of tourists going each day, thus the experience is not as if in a wild jungle. We arrived in Bardia from Banbasa/Mahendra Nagar border crossing from where we took a bus to Anbassa which is 12 kilometers from the park. Small tip on the border crossing - be careful how much you pay for the visa. 30 days visa to Nepal should cost you 40 USD. We got charged 42 and weren't aware that an official at the border might be cheating. In 2011 as it'll be a tourist year in Nepal second entry visas should be for free (not even sure if the fee is lifted at all).
If you don't want to go to a more expensive resort it's better to get to the village by yourself not with the arranged jeep that'll take you to one of the most expensive ones. This is what happened to us. There was a false guide (extremely nice) already at the border, who talked us into going with a jeep of his friend. We ended up late in the evening in the Jungle Base Camp, which wasn't too bad, except we didn't have much possibility to bargain. If you arrive in the village when it's dark, there are literary no lights. People walk with the head torches and you don't see a thing, thus you cannot know there are plenty of other lodges all around. We paid too much for the accommodation and the guides there were not the best.
The best way to get Bardia is to take a bus to Anbassa that is 12 km from Thakurdwara village where there's entry to the National Park. You'll be surrounded by dozens of guides that'll try to take you to their lodge saying that it's far and there's no bus. Of course there are plenty of buses from the crossroad that go to Thakurdwara village just 0.5-1 km from the park entrance. If you walk you'll get to the lodges were prices are better (a double room should be 200-300 rupees). What is more you can visit a few, check them out and bargain.
That's how we found an amazing place - Bardia Kingfisher Resort that is run by Jack who is also an excellent guide (his phone number is at the board in Anbassa; he's also at CouchSurfing). Jack is a guy that needs to be liked instantly. He's running his small hotel and helping village kids to go to school. What is more his English is very good so staying at his lodge gives you a great chance to find out interesting things about Nepal. You are treated as a friend there.
We went with him for our second walk in the jungle and it was an incredible experience. Jack is extremely passionate about Bardia and wild nature. He feels in the jungle like a fish in the water. Knows every inch of it. We followed the steps of wild animals, smelled leopards, climbed a tree to escape from a rhino with a 4 days old baby, ran through a river chasing another rhino. It was great fun and we really felt like being in the wild. What is important we felt totally save with him. First walk we had with a guide from Jungle Base Camp was ordinary. Nothing special.
We'll come back in March to Jack and Kingfisher Resort to see a tiger as we didn't manage this time. In March the grass and trees are dry and the village people cut the grass so the chance of spotting the great cat will be even higher.
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One of the most annoying of the touts who hangs out in Ambassa works for Bardia Kingfisher Resort, and I know one guest who was unimpressed with the guide he got at the hotel (his guide was the Ambassa tout, and his knowledge of the jungle seemed limited). For these reasons I would absolutely not reccommend it, though I will admit that I don't think I've ever met Jack. Related Destinations
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Sunday, December 5, 2010
about Chitwan national park
Chitwan National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chitwan National Park | |
|---|---|
IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
 Landscape in Chitwan National Park | |
| Location | Nepal |
| Coordinates | 27°30′0″N 84°20′0″E / 27.5°N 84.333333°ECoordinates: 27°30′0″N 84°20′0″E / 27.5°N 84.333333°E |
| Area | 932 km² |
| Established | 1973 |
| Chitwan National Park* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 | |
| State Party | Nepal |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Reference | 284 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
In the north and west of the protected area the Narayani-Rapti river system forms a natural boundary to human settlements. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa Wildlife Reserve, contiguous in the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park. The coherent protected area of 2,075 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3,549 km2 huge block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.[1]
Contents[hide] |
[edit] 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 Kathmandu to Nepal’s South was arduous as the area could only be reached by foot. Thus, in an area known as Four Mile Forest (चार कोसे झाडी) comfortable camps were set up for the feudal big game hunters and their entourage, where they stayed for a couple of months shooting hundreds of tigers, rhinocerosses, leopards and sloth bears.In 1950, Chitwan’s forest and grasslands extended over more than 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) 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.[2] 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.[3]
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 (210 sq mi).[4]
In 1977, the park was enlarged to its present area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi). In 1997, a bufferzone of 766.1 km2 (295.8 sq mi) 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.
The park’s headquarter is located in Kasara. Close-by the Gharial and Turtle Conservation Breeding Centres have been established. In 2008, a Vulture breeding centre was inaugurated aiming at holding up to 25 pairs of each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal - the Oriental white-backed vulture and the slender-billed vulture.
[edit] Climate
The area is located in the central climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in mid June and eases off in late September. During these 14–15 weeks most of the 2,500 mm yearly precipitation falls – it is pouring with rain. After mid-October the monsoon clouds have retreated, humidity drops off, and the top daily temperature gradually subsides from ±36°C / 96.8 °F to ±18°C / 64.4 °F. Nights are cooling down to 5°C / 41.0 °F until late December, when it usually rains softly for a few days. Then temperatures are rising gradually.[edit] Vegetation
The typical vegetation of the Inner Terai is Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests with predominantly Sal trees covering about 70% of the national park area. Purest stands of sal occur on well drained lowland ground in the centre. Along the southern face of the Churia Hills sal is interspersed with chir pine (Pinus roxburghii). On northern slopes sal associates with smaller flowering tree and shrub species such as Beleric (Terminalia bellirica), Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo), Axlewood (Anogeissus latifolia), Elephant Apple (Dillenia indica), Grey Downy Balsam (Garuga pinnata) and creepers such as Bauhinia vahlii and Spatholobus parviflorus.
Seasonal bushfires, flooding and erosion evoke an ever-changing mosaic of riverine forest and grasslands along the river banks. On recently deposited alluvium and in lowland areas groups of Catechu (Acacia catechu) with Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) predominate, followed by groups of Kapok (Bombax ceiba) with Rhino Apple trees (Trewia nudiflora), the fruits of which rhinos savour so much [5]. Understorey shrubs of Velvety beautyberry (Callicarpa macrophylla), Hill Glory Bower (Clerodendrum sp.) and Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) offer shelter and lair to a wide variety of species.
Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands cover 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 Saccharum ravennae, Giant cane (Arundo donax), Khagra reed (Phragmites karka) and several species of true grasses. Kans grass (Saccharum spontaneum) is one of the first grasses to colonise new sandbanks and to be washed away by the yearly monsoon floods [6].
[edit] 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 insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Indian rock python, 17 other species of snakes, Indian starred tortoise and monitor lizards occur. The Narayani-Rapti river system, their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is habitat for 113 recorded species of fish and mugger crocodiles.
In the early 1950s, about 235 gharials occurred in the Narayani River. The population has dramatically declined to only 38 wild gharials in 2003. Every year gharial eggs are collected along the rivers to be hatched in the breeding center of the Gharial Conservation Project, where animals are reared to an age of 6–9 years. Every year young gharials are reintroduced into the Narayani-Rapti river system, of which sadly only very few survive.[7]
[edit] Mammals
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals. The „King of the Jungle“ is the Bengal Tiger. The alluvial floodplain habitat of the Terai is one of the best tiger habitats anywhere in the world. Since the establishment of Chitwan National Park the initially small population of about 25 individuals has increased to 70–110 in 1980. In some years this population has declined due to poaching and floods. In a long-term study carried out from 1995–2002 tiger researchers identified a relative abundance of 82 breeding tigers and a density of 6 females per 100 km2.[8]_-_Koshyk.jpg)
Leopards are most prevalent on the peripheries of the park. They co-exist with tigers, but being socially subordinate are not common in prime tiger habitat.[9] Apart from these top predators fishing cats, jungle cats, clouded leopards, leopard cats, marbled cats, golden jackals, Indian wild dogs, sloth bears, Bengal foxes, Spotted linsangs, palm civets, Large and Small Indian civets, several species of mongoose, binturongs, honey badgers and yellow-throated martens roam the jungle for prey. Striped hyenas are rare and prevail on the southern slopes of the Churia Hills. Smooth-coated otters inhabit the numerous creeks and rivulets.
Rhinoceros: since 1973 the population has recovered well and increased to 544 animals around the turn of the century. To ensure the survival of the endangered species in case of epidemics animals are translocated annually from Chitwan to the Bardia National Park and the Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve since 1986. However, the population has repeatedly been jeopardized by poaching: in 2002 alone, poachers have killed 37 animals cruelly in order to saw off and sell their valuable horns.[4]
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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 to 2007.[10]
Apart from numerous wild boars also sambar deer, Indian muntjac, hog deer and herds of chital inhabit the park. Four-horned antelopes reside predominantly in the hills.
Furthermore rhesus monkeys, hanuman langurs, Indian pangolins, Indian porcupines, several species of flying squirrels, black-naped hares and endangered hispid hares are present.
[edit] 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 threatened species. Additionally, 20 black-chinned yuhina, a pair of Gould's sunbird, a pair of blossom-headed parakeet and one slaty-breasted rail, an uncommon winter visitor, were sighted in spring 2008.[11]_in_Hodal_W_IMG_6277.jpg)
Especially the park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for the critically endangered Bengal florican, the vulnerable lesser adjutant, grey-crowned prinia, swamp francolin and several species of grass warblers. In 2005 more than 200 slender-billed babblers were sighted in 3 different grassland types.[12] The near threatened Oriental darter is a resident breeder around the many lakes, where also egrets, bitterns, storks and kingfisher abound.
The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened Indian spotted eagle.
Peafowl and jungle fowl scratch their living on the forest floor.
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 Brahminy ducks and goosanders. Large flocks of bar-headed geese just rest for a few days in February on their way north.
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. The colourful Bengal Pittas and several sunbird species are common breeding visitors during monsoon. Among the many flycatcher species the Paradise flycatcher with his long undulating tail in flight is a spectacular sight.
[edit] 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 which has been receiving guests since 1972, before the national park was established. Tiger Tops has developed standards for responsible conservation tourism and supports the “Long-term Tiger Monitoring Project” of the International Trust for Nature Conservation 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.
[edit] Literature
- Bhuju, U.R., Shakya, P.R., Basnet, T.B., Shrestha, S. (2007) Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Kathmandu, ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5 download pdf
- Bird Conservation Nepal (2006) Birds of Chitwan. Checklist of 543 reported species. Published in cooperation with Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Participatory Conservation Programme II, Kathmandu.
- Gurung, K. K. , Singh R. (1996) Field Guide to the Mammals of the Indian Subcontinent. Academic Press, San Diego, ISBN 0-12-309350-3
- Gurung, K. (1983). Heart of the Jungle: the Wildlife of Chitwan, Nepal. Andre Deutsch, London. 197 pp.
[edit] Media coverage
The park's unique rhino herd was featured on The Jeff Corwin Experience in season 2, episode 11. Sal Forest |  On elephant safari |  Elephants bathing |  |
about forest of bara
Forest cover monitoring of Bara district (Nepal) using remote sensing and geographic information systems
Abstract
This study uses Landsat TM of 1989 and ETM+ of 1999 and 2005 imagery to evaluate
forest cover dynamics during 1989-2005 in the Bara district of Nepal. The aim of the
study was to analyse the extent and trend of forest cover dynamics, spatial pattern of
forest and their driving forces. Forest cover change analysis was performed using objectoriented
classification approach applying a standard nearest neighbour algorithm to classify
the image in recognition. The overall classification accuracies were 85.71% and 88.23%
for the year 1999 and 2005, respectively. Land cover maps were produced with seven
land cover categories and were further reclassified as forest and non-forest areas to
analyse the forest cover dynamics. Post-classification and time series analysis were carried
out to detect the changes. Spatial metrics were computed for detecting the spatial pattern
of forest. The classifications suggested that the amount of forest land had decreased by
11.56% during 1989-2005. Spatial metrics revealed that forest area has been fragmented
and deforested with an annual rate of 0.72%. The overall result demonstrates that forest
area has experienced a significant shrinkage and mostly transferred into agricultural and
bare land. Expected change for the year 2021 was projected using Markov Chain Analysis
(MCA). The MCA result showed that forest area would decrease by 8.5% in the period of
2005-2021.
Key words: Forest cover dynamics; geographical information systems; landsat; remote
sensing; spatial metrics
DOI: 10.3126/banko.v20i1.3506
Banko Janakari, Vol. 20, No. 1 pp.30-36
forest cover dynamics during 1989-2005 in the Bara district of Nepal. The aim of the
study was to analyse the extent and trend of forest cover dynamics, spatial pattern of
forest and their driving forces. Forest cover change analysis was performed using objectoriented
classification approach applying a standard nearest neighbour algorithm to classify
the image in recognition. The overall classification accuracies were 85.71% and 88.23%
for the year 1999 and 2005, respectively. Land cover maps were produced with seven
land cover categories and were further reclassified as forest and non-forest areas to
analyse the forest cover dynamics. Post-classification and time series analysis were carried
out to detect the changes. Spatial metrics were computed for detecting the spatial pattern
of forest. The classifications suggested that the amount of forest land had decreased by
11.56% during 1989-2005. Spatial metrics revealed that forest area has been fragmented
and deforested with an annual rate of 0.72%. The overall result demonstrates that forest
area has experienced a significant shrinkage and mostly transferred into agricultural and
bare land. Expected change for the year 2021 was projected using Markov Chain Analysis
(MCA). The MCA result showed that forest area would decrease by 8.5% in the period of
2005-2021.
Key words: Forest cover dynamics; geographical information systems; landsat; remote
sensing; spatial metrics
DOI: 10.3126/banko.v20i1.3506
Banko Janakari, Vol. 20, No. 1 pp.30-36
gadhimai mela
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