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.


History

In 1815, Nepal lost this region to the East India Company through the Sugauli Treaty. For 45 years it was a part of British India and returned to Nepal in 1860 in recognition for supporting the suppression of the Indian Independence movement in 1857. Today, this annexed area is still called Naya Muluk meaning new country. An area of 368 km2 (142 sq mi) was set aside as Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969 and gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. In 1982, it was proclaimed as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve and extended to include the Babai River Valley in 1984. Finally in 1988, the protected area was gazetted as national park. The approximately 1500 people who used to live in this valley have been resettled elsewhere. Since farming has ceased in the Babai Valley, the natural regenerated vegetation makes the area a prime habitat for wildlife.


At 968sq km Bardia National Park is the largest area of protected Terai in Nepal and sits on the eastern banks of the Karnali River, about 400 kms west of Kathmandu. Extends from the Churia Hills southward to the gentle slopes of the Bhabhar the higher ground of the Churia have dry deciduous sal forest whilst the Bhabhar support large open grasslands known locally as 'phantas'. These are some of the last remaining grasslands that once covered much of the Gangetic plain


Babai valley

The Babai valley extending from Parewa odar to Chepang (bridge) was included In the park in 1984. The pristine valley is characterized by rich biodiversity. The major vegetation and forest type are wooded grassland and the riverine forest. The translocated rhinoceros from Chitwan were reintroduced in this valley. The luxurious forests in the east of the park also provide a good habitat and corridor for several wildlife species. The Karnali River is home to the endangered Gharial crocodile and Marsh mugger. The blue waters also provide habitat for the endangered Gangetic dolphin. Large Mahasheer, a game fish, is considered an excellent catch.

The fast flowing water also provides excellent rafting expeditions that can stop in the park. Riverine forests along with the shores of the river creating prime habitat for birds such as Herons, Egrets, Black-necked, stork, and Little pratincole. The Tharu ethnic group is native to this area. Traditionally they are subsistence farmers and practice their own tribal religious. Handicrafts made by the community members could be bought as souvenirs.


Climate

The park has three distinct seasons, each providing a unique experience. From October through early April the weather is dry. The days are warm, and the nights are cool and pleasant. From April to June the temperatures warm up, are peaking up to 450c in May. The hot sticky days give way to the monsoon rains that lasts until September.


Flora and Fauna

The park offers a variety of experiences in its vast undisturbed wilderness. About 70% of the forest consists of Sal trees with a mixture of grassland and riverine forests. Sal leaves are used in festival and religious offering. The park is home to endangered animals such as the Royal Bengal tiger, wild elephant, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, and black buck.  The other endangered species include gharial-crocodile, marsh mugger and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered birds found in the park are Bengal florican, lesser florican and sarus crane, More than 30 different mammals, over 230 species of birds and several species of snakes, lizard and fish have been recorded in the park's forest, grassland and river. In addition to the resident species, several migratory birds visit the park.


Vegetation

About 70% of the park is covered with forest, with the balance a mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest.[4] The flora recorded in the park comprises 839 species of flora, including 173 vascular plant species comprising 140 dicots, 26 monocots, six fern, and one gymnosperm species.


Facilities

Museum and Tharu culture are available for visitors at HQ. The wireless radio communication facility at the park headquarter could be used in emergency.  If you are traveling by private vehicle make sure that you have ample amount of fuel. Be advised to carry a comprehensive first-aid kit including medicines for intestinal problems. There is a community health post at Thakurdwara. You can spend your nights at the lodges surrounding the pork. These lodges provide service to tourists.


Attractions

Bounded by the numerous waterways of the Karnali gravel islands area covered by a mosaic of grassland and riverine forest of acacia, sisam and the large buttressed silk cotton trees which turn scarlet in spring. Bardia is home of a wide variety of animals, many of which live in and around the phantasm and these include blackbuck, hog deer, sambar, wild boar and barasingha or swamp deer. Gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin all live in the park’s waters. Whilst small numbers of one-horned India and rhino and Bengal tiger live in the park these are seldom seen as are the famous herds of wild elephants. More than 350 bird species with much waterfowl along with kingfishers and wall creepers; in all more than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia, truly a bird watcher's paradise. Finally, numerous Tharu villages surround the park and add a cultural element to a visit to the region and these can be visited on organised excursions, as can the Tharu Museum at the park HQ.


How to get there

You can take a bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or take the daily flight. There are regular flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and from Nepalgunj 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.


Where to Stay:

There are a number of excellent and luxurious to standard and basic accommodation available including the highly sought after Safari tented camps situated right inside the sanctuary on the Karnali River. Each tent has twin beds and bamboo bathrooms with piping hot water. Depending on your budget, taste and preference you could plan somewhere $25 - $250 a night.


When to go:

As with the rest of Nepal the park's climate is affected by the summer monsoon. The best times to visit are between October - April when weather is warm and dry. From April onwards the temperatures rise, peaking at around 45 C in May and pre-monsoon thunderstorms continue until late September. During this time most roads and rivers become impassable.


What to do:

Stay at least three to four nights. Try different ways to see wildlife: walking safaris, rafting trips, elephant and jeep safaris. Fishing trips, bicycle tours of local villages and trips to Tharu villages are other attractions. Longer river-rafting trips on the Karnali and trekking in the Churiya Hills are other possibilities.


What to see: 

The one-horned rhino, elephant and tiger — as well as hog, swamp and spotted deer, wild boar. While rafting, you may spot Gangetic dolphin and gharials. Bardia abounds in birdlife, with over 250 species, including storkbilled kingfisher and changeable hawk-eagle.


Relaxing

Find a quiet spot in the grounds of you accommodation and sit still with your binoculars and you’ll be surprised at just what you’ll see

Entry fees into Royal Bardia National Park:

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.
National Park fees per person per day:

  • For Nepali Nationals Rs 20
  • For SAARC Nationals Rs 200
  • For Foreign Nationals Rs 500
  • Children under 10 years Free

Be sure to keep your permit as it might be checked later by park guards.

Glance of Jungle Safari
National Parks
Wildlife Reserve
Hunting Reserve
Ramsar Sites
Conservation Area