National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal

Nepal is a home to diverse floral and faunal species, natural ecosystems, ranging from lowland Terai region to the high Himalayas. The diverse climatic and topographic conditions have favored a maximum diversity of flora and fauna in Nepal. The country occupies about 0.1 percent of the global area, but harbors 3.2 percent and 1.1 percent of the world’s known flora and fauna, respectively.

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) was established in 2037 BS (1980 AD) to conserve and manage wildlife and biodiversity of the country. Nepal has established a very good network of Protected Areas system with 12 National Parks, 1 Wildlife Reserve, 1 Hunting Reserve, 6 Conservation Areas, and 13 Buffer Zones extending from lowland Terai to high mountains, covering 23.39 % of the total country’s land, which contribute to in-situ conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity across the country. Conservation efforts made by the government of Nepal is worldwide popular and highly recognized by the international societies.

Conservations Area of Nepal

1. Annapurna Conservation Area
2. Api Nampa Conservation Area
3. Gaurishankar Conservation Area
4. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
5. Krishnasaar Conservation area
6. Manaslu Conservation Area

Annapurna Conservation Area

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) has been established in 1992. It has an area of 7629 sq. km., which is the largest conservation area of Nepal. The conservation area encompasses the Annapurna himalayan range and also contains the world’s deepest valley Kali Gandaki River Valley. It is bounded by the dry alpine deserts of Mustang and Tibet (China) in the north, by the Kali Gandaki River in the west, by Marsyandi Valley to wards east and by valleys and foothills of northern of Pokhara valley in the south border.

In 1986 Annapurna Conservation Area Project was implemented by National Trust for Nature Conservation (the then King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation) in Ghandruk as a pilot project covering one VDC with area of 200 sq.km.. In 1990, it’s working area was expanded to 16 VDCs with an area of 1500 sq.km.. Officially it has been gazetted in 1992 covering 55 VDCs with present size. Annnapurna Conservation Area is located near Pokhara, a town easily accessible from Kathmandu by air and road.

Api Nampa Conservation Area

Considering the critical importance for biodiversity conservation in the northern part of Darchula district, the Government of Nepal declared  Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) on 12 July, 2010. The name of this conservation area is named after two famous Himalayas Api and Nampa. Api-Nampa Conservation Area office headquarter located Khalanga, Darchula. ANCA’s management is being performed under the Conservation Area Government Management Regulation 2057 BS.

A Conservation Area represents human’s sublime idea of giving space and resource for the other species to live in an un-interfered manner. Establishment of Api Nampa Conservation Area is a good initiative to harmonize conservation and development in an integrated way. ANCA is located between 29° 30’ to 30° 15’ North Latitude and 80° 22’ to 81° 09’ East Longitude, in the Far-Western Development Region and characterized an ecologically diverged region of Nepal. Api Nampa Conservation Area occupies 1903 sq km of Darchula district varies in altitudes from 539 to 7132 meters.

Gaurishankar Conservation Area

Gaurishankar Conservation Area covers an area of 2,179 square kilometers and encompasses 22 Village Development Committees of 3 districts (Alampu, Bigu, Bulung, Chankhu, Chilankha, Gaurishankar, Kalinchok, Khare, Laduk, Lamabagar, Marbu, Orang, Suri and Syama VDCs of Dolakha district; Fulpingkatti, Ghorthali, Gumba, Listikot, Marming and Tatopani VDCs of Sindhupalchok district; Chuchure and Gumdel VDCs of Ramechhap district). The Government of Nepal has entrusted the management responsibility of Gaurishankar Conservation Area to the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) for 20 years.

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is named after Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) – second highest mountain in Nepal and the third highest in the world. Kanchenjunga has been designated as a conservation area in March 1998. It covers an area of 2035 sq. km. in Taplejung district, lies in the northeast corner of Nepal. Taplejung district is also renowned for high peaks (eleven peaks higher that 7,000 m) and glaciers. The conservation area with unique mountain ecosystems is envisioned as a tri-national peace park with Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China to the north and Sikkim, India, in the east. Sikkim already has Khangchenzonga National Park adjoining KCA whereas the extension of Qomolungma Nature Reserve in TAR to cover the land bordering KCA is in progress from China side. In April 1997, Government of Nepal declared Kanchenjunga region as a Gift to the Earth as part of WWF’s Living Planet Campaign 2000.

Krishnasaar Conservation area

Government of Nepal has declared Krishnasaar Conservation Area in 2009 covering an area of 15.95 sq. km in Bardia district. This is the first organized effort to conserve the endangered Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra cervicapra). Blackbuck is one of the protected species under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and enlisted as endangered and listed under Appendix II of CITES.  Blackbuck is primarily a grazer and prefers flat to slightly undulating terrain. The population in Khairapur was gone down to 9 in 1975 and due to persistent conservation efforts the population reached upto 177 in 1990. Then again the population has declined gradually due to habitat loss and degradation and anthropogenic interferences. Now, the population of Black buck in Krishnasaar Conservation Area is more than 200. To protect the species, a guard post was established on site in 1975.

Manaslu Conservation Area

Manaslu has been declared as conservation area in 1998 by the government of Nepal. It covers an area of 1663 sq. km. The area harbors a mosaic of habitats that inhabits 33 species of mammals, 110 species of birds, 11 species of butterflies and 3 species of reptiles. There are approx. 2000 species of plants, 11 types of forests and over 50 species on useful plants. The bio-climatic zones vary from sub-tropical to Nival. The altitude rises from a mere 600m. to the summit of Mt. Manaslu (8,163), the eighth highest peak in the world.

The Manalsu region from Arughat to Larkhe La (Pass) has six climatic zones : tropical ,subtropical ,temperate, subalphine, alphine, and arctic.The extreme climatic variations within 100 km. trail between Arughatand to Samdo are associated with tremendous differences in elevation ,topography and precipitation. The tropical climate zone lies in the low river basins of the Budhi Gandaki ,Marsyangdi and other rivers, lowland valleys and lower hills below the elevation of 1000 m. A subtropical climatic zone exists between 1000m and 2000m, where the average summer and winter temperature range between 31 to 34oC and 8 to 13oC respectively. The temperate climatic zone lies at higher mountains above 2000 m and below 3000m. In this zone ,summer temperatures range 22 to 25oC and winter temperatures range from -2 to 6oC. Frosts and snowfall are common during winter (January and February).The subalphine climatic zone lies between 3000 m and 4000 m, where snowfall occurs for about four to six months (December to May). In this zone ,winter is very cold and even in summer the temperature is not high with a mean annual temperature of 6 to 10oC .The alphine zone between 4000 and 5000 m is mostly open meadows. The arctic climatic zone lies at elevations above 4500m. The snow line is at about 5000 m. Precipitaiton is in the form of snow and the temperatures drop far below freezing. The monsoon occurs between June and September providing about three -fourths of the total rainfall. The post-monsoon period (October to November) and the winter months (December to February) are usually dry. The average rainfall is around 1900 mm per annum. In general ,the southern part of the region remains more cloudy and wetter than the upper sub-alpine areas and alphine areas.

National Parks of Nepal

1. Banke National Park
2. Bardiya National Park
3. Chitwan National Park
4. Khaptad National Park
5. Langtang National Park
6. Makalu Barun National Park
7. Parsa National Park
8. Rara National Park
9. Sagarmatha National Park
10. Shey-Phoksundo National Park
11. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
12. Shukla Phanta National Park

Banke National Park

Banke National Park (BaNP) was established as 10th Park on 12th of July 2010 which reflect Government’s commitment in Biodiversity conservation at the landscape level. It was also recognized as gift to the earth in 1998. The Park is linked with transboundary Landscape that joins Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in India through national and community forests towards south. It joins with Bardia National Park (BNP) towards west which further links with Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in India via Khata corridor, national forest and community forests. There are about 4,861 households with 35,712 populations residing in buffer zone. Indigenous Tharu community, Brahmin, Chhetri, Magar, Tamang, Majhi, and Gurung are living in the buffer zone. 90% of the economy of people depends on agriculture and rest 10% on trade and labor.

 (550 square kilometer) lies in Banke district and its buffer zone (343 square kilometer) covers parts of Banke, Bardia, Dang and Salyan districts of Mid Western Development Region. It is located between 81o 39’29” to 82o 12’19” east longitude and 27o 58’13” to 28o 21’26” north latitude. The core area is delineated by Chisapani-Obary section of east-west highway and cultivated land in the south, the Churia ridge in the north, Shiva khola in the east and Kohalpur- Surkhet road in the west. The core area of the Park (61.5%) entirely falls in Banke district and buffer zone (38.5%) falls in Banke district in the south and west, and Dang and Salyan districts in the north.

Bardiya National Park

Bardiya National park is the largest national park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq.km. The park situated in Nepal’s Western Terai was established for protecting the representative ecosystems and conserving the habitat of tiger and its prey species. Initially, a small area was gazetted as the Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. At that time, 1500 households of the Babai valley were relocated outside the park allowing the vegetation and wildlife to flourish. In 1982, it was renamed as Bardiya Wildlife Reserve, and in 1984 it was extended to its current size. The reserve was given the status of a National Park in 1988. Greater One-horned Rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park in 1986, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 1997, an area of 327 km2 surrounding the park was declared as a buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands. The park and local communities jointly manage the buffer zone. Together they initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zones. An elephant ride provides a different view of the park as one can go off the main trail, Morning and late afternoon is the ideal time to go on a ride. Karnali river is the suitable home for Gangetic dolphin. Babai valley is a majestic place to visit where flagship Rhino, tiger, and elephant can be cited in the wilderness site.

Chitwan National Park

The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 952.63 sq. km.. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest-from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat-extending over an area of 175 sq.km. was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. The area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973, recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance. UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984,In 1996 an area of 750 sq.km. surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands including cultivated lands. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. Government of Nepal has made provision of to provide 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development and natural resource management in the buffer zone.

Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park is located in the Far-western region of Nepal. The park was gazetted in 1984 covering an area of 225 sq. km. The area of buffer zone is 216 sq.km. The park is the only mid-mountain national park in western Nepal, representing a unique and important ecosystem. The late Khaptad Swami moved to the area in 1940’s to meditate and worship. He spent about 50 years as a hermit and became a renowned spiritual saint.

The park offers a challenging yet rewarding experience unlike any other protected area in Nepal.. The Khaptad Baba Ashram is located near the park headquarters. The Tribeni confluence made by three rivers, and a Shiva temple are on the way to Park Headquarters. Ganga Dashahara is celebrated here during Jestha Purnima and many pilgrims visit the park during the festival. Sahashra Linga is another religious site situated at 3,200 m above sea level which is the highest point in the park. Other religious places include Ganesh temple, Nagdhunga and Kedardhunga. These areas are considered as places for meditation and tranquillity and should not be disturbed. Tobacco products, alcohol, and sacrificing of animals are prohibited in these areas. There is a small museum and a view tower at the park headquarters. To the north one can see the Saipal Himalayan Ranges- In the other direction the vast green mid-hills of Nepal can be seen clearly. There are 22 open patches of Patans (pastureland) mix together with the forests inside park. The local people graze their livestock in the Patans during the summer season. In the north-eastern part of the park, there is a lake called Khaptad Daha. During the full moon of August – September a festival is called Purnima celebrated here.

Langtang National Park

Langtang National Park was established in 1976 to conserve the unique flora and fauna of the region. It is the nearest national park of the capital Kathmandu in the Central Himalayan Region. The 1710 sq. km. of the park extends over parts of Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts in the southern mountainous terrain of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. In 1998 an areas of 420 sq. km in and around the park declare as a buffer zone. The park represents a meeting point between indo-Malayan and Palearctic realms, and holds a rich biodiversity. Buffer zone management is a joint venture between the park office and the local communities. Local communities have a decision-making role in the management of such areas. Additionally, the local communities or the BZ receive 30 to 50 % of the park revenue for the better management of natural resources to ensure a sustainable supply of resources and community development

September through May offers a variety of natural splendors, from lush temperate river valleys with screeching langur to spectacular old growth forest and glacial-craved cliffs rimmed by snow-covered peaks. The weather is also relatively dry except January-February when one may come across snow.Autumn is the best time to visit the Park. By April bursts of red, pink, and while rhododendrons stretch into towering canopies of fir and oak forests. Advent of warm weather makes the Yak and Chauri herds ascend to higher elevation, making occasional camps in the pasturelands, to follow years of tradition. From June to august, skies are heavy with monsoon rains. During August, a lively festival at Gosaikunda Lake attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims and September witnesses’ spectacular display of wild flowers, while livestock herds, once again, return to lower pastures

Makalu Barun National Park

Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer zone area (previously conservation area) was established in 1992. This park administered and managed by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Government of Nepal and supported by The Mountain Institute’s initiative, is an innovative conservation model that integrates protected area management and community development. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low technologies introduced where appropriate.

Parsa National Park

Parsa National Park is located in the south-central lowland Terai of Nepal. With the area of 637.37 sq.km. it has pristine sub-tropical jungle. In history, this area served as a vacation site for the Rana Rulers of the country. In 1984, it has been gazetted as a wildlife reserve to preserve the habitat for wild Asian elephant and a variety of other fauna. It is contiguous with Chitwan National Park in the west. In 2017 it was gazetted as National Park.

The soil is primarily composed of gravel and conglomerates, making it susceptible to erosion. The hills present a very rugged face with numerous gullies and dry streambeds. As the foothills are very porous, water flows underground and surfaces at a distance of about 15 km. from the hills base. The Churia hills range from 750m to 950m running east to west.

Climate: Winter (October-December) provide pleasant temperatures with clear skies. Nighttime temperatures can drop to 0°C. During spring (January-March) temperatures rise and water becomes scarce. During summer (April-June) the days become hot and humid with temperatures rising up to -40°C. Monsoon (July-September) brings cooling rains.

Rara National Park

Rara National Park is located in the North-Westem high mountains of Nepal . The park was gazetted in 1976 to conserve the unique beauty of Lake Rara, and to protect the representative flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla region. The park is Nepal’s smallest protected area, comprising an area of 106 sq. km. There were two villages Rara and Chhapru within the park. The residents of the two villages were resettled in Banke district, outside the park.

 Rara Lake (Mahendra Tal), situated at an elevation of 2990 m. is the main feature of the park. The lake is oval shaped with an east-west axis, and has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 3 km. Surrounded by magnificent conifer forests, it is Nepal’s biggest lake (10.8 sq . km) with a depth of 167 m. Its radiant blue waters is home to the snow trout (Schizothorax oreinus sinuatus), the only fish recorded in the lake. During winter, bird lovers can enjoy many migratory birds. In summer, Himalayan flowers surround the lake creating a colorful landscape. The elevation of the park ranges from 2800 m to 4039 m. Chuchemara peak (4039 m) is the highest point in the park. Located on the southern side of the lake, it provides an excellent backdrop to Lake Rara. The snowcapped summits of Ruma Kand (3731m) and Malika Kand (3444m) located on the northern side of the lake, provide beautiful views of the lake to the south, and the beautiful Mugu-Kamali River valley to the north. MurmaPeak also provides and excellent view of the park area. The lake drains to Mugu-Kamali River via Nijar Khola. The majority of the vegetation in the park is dominated by blue pine. Interspersed amongst the pines, are found several species of rhododendrons.Blue pine, herbs, marshlands, and tussock grasslands inhabit the area surrounding the lake. In the Nisa khola Valley pine and spruce give way to mixed woodland containing walnuts and Himalayan popular. Rhododendron, fir, oak, and birch species can be found in the sub alpine region.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park is spread over an area of 1,148 sq, km in 1976, of the Himalayan ecological zone in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The Park includes the upper catchments areas of the Dudhkoshi and Bhotehoshi Rivers and is largely composed of rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas, ranging from 2,845m at Monjo to the top of the world’s highest Himal – Sagarmatha at 8,848m above the sea level. Other peaks above 6,000m are Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku. Nuptse, Amadablam and Pumori, The famed Sherpa people, whose lives are interwoven with the teachings of Buddhism, live in the region. The renowned Tengboche and other monasteries are common gathering places to celebrate religious festivals such as Dumje and Mane Rumdu. In addition to Tengboche, Thame, Khumjung and Pangboche are some other famous monasteries. For its superlative natural characteristics, UNESCO listed SNP as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Shey-Phoksundo National Park

Shey-phoksundo National Park is situated in the Trans-Himalayan region of northwest Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest National Park covering an area of 3,555 km2. It was established in 1984 to preserve a unique Trans-Himalayan ecosystem with a diversity of flora and fauna. The Park’s climatic differences, altitude variations, and different zoo-geographical regions support a diverse range of biotic systems. In 1998, an area of 1349 km2 surrounding the park was declared as buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands. The buffer zone is jointly managed by the park and local communities. Together they initiate community development activities and manage the natural and cultural resources.

Shey Phoksundo National Park provides a diversity of spectacular landscapes. Elevations in the park range from 2,130m in Ankhe to 6,883m at the summit of Kanjiroba Himal. Much of the park lies north of the Himalayan crest. Nepal’s deepest and second largest lake, Phoksundo Lake, lies in upper regions of Suligad. Near the lake’s outlet is the country’s highest waterfall. The major rivers in the park are the Khung, Nmajung and Panjang, The Suligad and Jugdual Rivers, which are the major tributaries of the Thuli Bheri River; and the Langu Rilver, which drains the high dolpo plateau to the east and flows westward. Phoksundo Lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and te spectacular scenery clearly rank it with the most scenic mountain parks in the world. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area. The Park contain many Gompas (Monasteries) and religious area. The most famous, Shey Gompa was established in the 11th Century. Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago to conserve wildlife.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (159 sq km) is situated on the northern fringe of Kathmandu valley and lies about 12 km away from the center of capital city. The area was gazetted as the country’s ninth national park in 2002. Prior its declaration as national park, it was managed under the Shivapuri Watershed Development Board, and was later declared as Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve.

Shivapuri lies in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. The vegetation consists of a variety of natural forest types including pine, oak, rhododendron etc, depending on altitude and aspect. Recorded wildlife in the park includes mammalian species such as Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkey. The park is also home to 177 species of birds, including at least 9 threatened species, 102 species of butterflies with a number of rare and endangered species, and 129 species of mushroom.

Shukla Phanta National Park

Shukla Phanta National Park was managed as a hunting reserve at the beginning in1969. It has been gazetted as a Wildlife Reserve in 1976 and as National Park currently (2017), covering an area of 305 sq. km. It lies in the extreme south-western section of Nepal’s Terai in Kanchanpur District. The National Park shares a common boundary with the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the south and west which is formed by the Mahakali (Sarda)river, a major tributary of the Ganges. It is bordered on the eastern side by the Chaudhar River and to the north by a forest belt and cultivations. A total of 24 mammal species are recorded by Schaff (1978b), a total of 350 species of birds of which 180 are breeding species (Inskipp, 1989), Bhatt and Shrestha (1977) provide an annotated list of 14 species of fish, Schaaf (1978b) recorded 10 species of ectoparasites and biting flies. Although, the area of the National Park is small, it supports a wide range of biodiversity which is nationally and globally important. The vegetation types primarily include sal forest, sal savanna, which is part of continuum between climax forest and grassland that is maintained by fire and floods. The National Park supports the largest population of Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis.

Wildlife Reserve of Nepal

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in the south-eastern Terai. The reserve was gazetted in 1976 to preserve habitat for the only remaining population of Wild buffalo, Arna (Bubalus arnee). The 176 sq. km. reserve is Nepal’s smallest wildlife reserve. The eastern and western embankments of the Sapta Koshi River define the area. In 1987, Koshi Tappu was declared a Ramsar site, a wetland of international significance. Government of Nepal has declared the buffer zone ( 173.5 sq. km ) surrounding the reserve in 2004. The Sapta Koshi is one of the three main tributaries of the Ganges- Rapid and intense flooding of the reserve, occur during the rainy season. Embankments have been constructed parallel to the river to control the flooding.

The reserve experiences three distinct seasons. Summer (February through May) is intensely hot with minimum precipitation. Shade temperatures can reach 40 c. The monsoon starts in late May/early June and lasts until September bringing heavy frequent rainfalls. The rainfall is greatest during July but high humidity and temperatures are experienced throughout the season. Winter (October through January) is characterized by clear skies and moderate temperature, but can still get quite cold.

The vegetation is mainly composed of tall grasslands. Local villagers are permitted to collect thatch grass once a year. These are used for roof thatching and building house walls. There are also small patches of Khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.The reserve has important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population of Wild buffalo is found here. The estimated population of wild buffalo is around 159 individuals is dwindling. They are distinguished from domestic buffalo by their much bigger horns. The reserve is also home to around 20 other animal species such as Hog deer ,Wild boar , Spotted deer, Blue bull, and Rock Python.

Around 441 species of birds-many seen now here else in Nepal (14 endemic species)- have been recorded, including 20 duck species , 2 Ibis species, white tailed stonechat , Striated marsh warbler, 30 shore birds, 114 water birds, and the endangered swamp partridge and Bengal florican. The Koshi Barrage is an extremely important resting place for many migratory birds, containing 87 winter and trans-Himalayan migratory species. The Koshi River is home to 80 species of fish. The endangered Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been recorded in the river as well. During winter, many of the migratory birds can be seen on the Koshi Barrage and on the river channel. Migration usually peaks around mid March. Much wildlife visits these areas during dusk and dawn. The clear skies allow for beautiful sights of several Himalayan peaks including Makalu (8463m), the world’s fifth highest peak.Visitors can arrange elephant ride from Reserve Headquarters

Hunting Reserve of Nepal

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Adjoins, Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung District in the Dhaulagiri Himal range in West Nepal. Putha, Churen and Gurja Himal extend over the northern boundary of the reserve.

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve was established in 1983 and was gazetted in 1987. Management objectives of the reserve allow sports hunting and preserve a representative high altitude ecosystem in West Nepal.

The reserve extends over an area of 1325 sq.km. and is the only hunting reserve in the country to meet the needs of Nepalese and foreign hunters of blue sheep and other game animals. The higher elevations remain snow-capped throughout the year. Altitudes vary from 3000 m to more than 7000 m. The Flat meadows above tree line (4000m.), locally known as patans, are important for animals like the blue sheep and other herbivorous animal. The reserve is divided into six blocks for hunting management purposes. The reserve is surrounded by villages on all sides except the north. Local people depend on the reserve to meet their requirements of timber, fuelwood, fodder, and pasture. Every year livestock grazing activities begin from February and last until October. More than 80,000 livestock enter the reserve for grazing.

The majority of people belongs to the Mongoloid race, including Magar, Thakali and gugung. Amalgamation of different ethnic groups has resulted in mixed pattern of clultures.

The reserve is characterized by alpine, sub-alpine and high temperate vegetation. Common plant species include fir, pine, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, oak, juniper and spruce. Pasturelands occupy more than 50% of the total area of the reserve at higher elevation.

The reserve is one of the prime habitats for blue sheep, a highly coveted trophy. Status survey on blue sheep conducted by DNPWC on 2007 revealed that the reserve has 852 blue sheeps. Other animals found are : leopard, goral, serow, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, barking deer, wild boar, rhesus macazue, langur and mouse hare. The resrve is home to 137 sps of birds. Pheasants and partridge are common and their viable population in the reserve permits controlled hunting.

Endangered animals in the reserve include Musk deer, Wolf, Red panda, Cheer pheasant and Danphe. The hunting license is issued by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. The monsoon lasts until the beginning of October. Day time temperature is very low during winter due to strong winds. Higher elevation remain covered with cloud in the morning, later clouds are cleared by the wind. Snow may occur even at low elevation until early April,   however, it soon melts. The best time to visit the reserve is March-April.

Dhorbaraha, a Hindu religious place on the banks of Uttarganga River near Dhorpatan, lies in Fagune block. Every year on the day of “Janai Purnima” in August, a religious fair is held here which is attended by many local devotees. The magnificent view of Dhaulagiri Himal from Barse, Dogari and Gustang bocks are exceptional. Seng and Sundaha block are rich in wild animals.