Abundant Wildlife in Nepal

Nepal is abundantly blessed with natural beauties. Apart from the elegant crown of the White Himalayas she wears, the wildlife diversity of the country is exemplary. As a matter of fact, wildlife tourism happens to be a major source of income for the country.

Nepal has in numerous variety of plants and animals. Wildlife found here include endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger, gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, and many other smaller animals  and also a large number of rhododendron species (mostly in Northern east side of Nepal, Nagarkot, Sindhupalchowk, Daman). There is no such thing as a Natural Habitat in Nepal. It has instead established several National Parks and reserves to protect its diverse fauna.

According to Department of national parks and wildlife reserve Nepal

• More than 30 species of big wild animals have been reported. Bears, musk-deer, leopards, wild yaks, squirrels, wolves, wild goats, wild dogs, etc., are the principal types of wild animals associated with the Himalayan region.
• There are about 800 species of wild birds in various ecological belts of Nepal. Moreover Giant kites, vultures, Tibetan pigeons, Monal and Danphe are some of the birds commonly found in all the regions. Danphe is the national bird of Nepal.
• A good number of poisonous Snakes species also have been reported. Some non-poisonous snakes are found in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Nepal, especially in the Terai region. Mostly in Chitwan district.
• Animals found in the hilly region (midland) are such as tigers, bears, wolves, boars, Jackals, foxes, monkeys, hares, deer, and so on.
• The Terai region consist of mammals like rhinos, wild buffaloes, wild elephants, tigers, bears, deer, stags, and monkeys.
• Beautiful species of birds like cranes, doves, parrots, peacocks, spiny babler, horn bill (Dhanesh), partridges, falcons, owls, quails, and vultures are also found in the Terai region.

The reptiles residing in the National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries of the Terai regions (Karnali region) are poisonous snakes (cobra, krait, and viper), scorpions, tortoises, crocodiles, alligators, Gangetic dolphins, etc.

 Nepal has now established 9 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 3 conservation areas and one hunting reserve in various ecological zones of the country.

The name of all of the protected areas have been mentioned below.

National Parks

• Chitwan National Park
• Sagarmatha National Park
• Langtang National Park
• Rara National Park
• Khaptad National Park
• Shey Phoksundo National Park
• Bardiya National Park 
• Makalu Barun National Park
• Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
• Banke National Park

Wildlife Reserves

• Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
• Parsa Wildlife Reserve
• Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

Conservation Areas

• Annapurna Conservation Area
• Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
• Manaslu Conservation Area
• Blackbuck Conservation Area
• Api Nampa Conservation Area
• Gaurishankar Conservation Area

As we all know, wildlife attracts several tourist from all over the world. Only two of the National Parks permit jungle safari(Chitwan National Park). You can explore the jungle on foot, by driving a jeep or by riding the elephant. Elephant ride is the most preferred option available in Chitwan National Park.