Shuklaphanta National Park: Difference between revisions
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===Mammals=== |
===Mammals=== |
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Current checklists include 46 species of mammals, 18 of which are protected under [[CITES]] such as the [[Bengal Tiger]], Indian [[Leopard]], [[Sloth Bear]], [[Barasingha|Swamp Deer]], [[Asian Elephant]] and [[Hispid Hare]]. [[Indian Rhinoceros|Great One-horned Rhinoceros]] were translocated from [[Chitwan National Park]] to establish a third viable population in the country. |
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<ref name="majupuria1998" /><ref name="nbrb2007" /> |
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The congregation of Swamp Deer on the reserve's phantas is the largest in the world; the population of Hispid Hare may be of international significance.<ref name="b+i2009" /> |
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===Birds=== |
===Birds=== |
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Revision as of 13:28, 1 April 2010
| Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Imperata cylindrica - one of the main grass species found in the reserve's phantas | |
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| Location | Nepal |
| Area | 305 km2 |
| Established | 1973 |
Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is located in the Far-Western Region, Nepal and was gazetted in 1973 as Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. Covering 305 km2, it is one of Nepal’s smaller protected areas in the Terai and ranges in altitude from 150 metres (490 ft) to 600 metres (2,000 ft). A small part of the reserve extends north of the East-West Highway to create a corridor for seasonal migration of wildlife into the Sivalik Hills. The Syali River forms the eastern boundary southward to the international border with India, which demarcates the reserve’s southern and western boundary.[1]
The Indian Tiger Reserve Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous in the south; this coherent protected area of 439 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Sukla Phanta-Kishanpur, which covers a 1.897 km2 block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.[2]
History
The area was a favorite hunting ground for Nepal’s ruling class and was declared a Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969. In 1973 the area was gazetted as Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, initially comprising of 155 km2, and extended to its present size in the late 1980s. A buffer zone of 243.5 km2 was added in May 2004.[3][4]
Climate
The climate of the region is subtropical monsoonal with mean annual rainfall of 1,579 mm that occurs from June to September and is highest in August. The winter months of December and January are fairly cold with daytime temperatures of 7-12°C and occasional frost. From February onwards temperatures rise up to 25°C in March and reaching 42°C by end of April. When the first pre-monsoon rains reach the area in May, humidity increases.[5][3]
Vegetation
The prevalent vegetation of the reserve is sukla phanta – grassland, which covers about 16 km2 in area and is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal. The main grass species include Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus. Khagra Reed (Phragmites karka) and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes of the seven small lakes. The dominant forest type is Sal. Khair and Sissoo grow alongside rivers.[1]
Fauna
The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the reserve are habitat for a wide range of faunal species. In the rivers, lakes and ponds 27 fish species, the globally threatened Mugger crocodile and Indian Rock Python have been recorded as well as the Monitor Lizard, Indian Cobra, Common Krait and Oriental Ratsnake.[1][3]
Mammals
Current checklists include 46 species of mammals, 18 of which are protected under CITES such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer, Asian Elephant and Hispid Hare. Great One-horned Rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country. [3][4]
The congregation of Swamp Deer on the reserve's phantas is the largest in the world; the population of Hispid Hare may be of international significance.[1]
Birds
A total of 423 bird species has been recorded in the reserve that supports the highest population of Bengal Floricans in Nepal. It is the western limit of Swamp Francolin, Jerdon's Bushchat, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler and Jerdon's Babbler; the north-western limit of Yellow-eyed Babbler; the eastern limit of Finn's Weaver and the most important regular wintering site of Hodgson's Bushchat.[1]
During a survey carried out in January 2005, a total of 19 Hodgson’s bushchats were recorded, and a year later only 8 males.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e Baral, H.S., Inskipp, C. (2009) The Birds of Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Our Nature (2009) 7: 56-81
- ^ Wikramanayake, E.D., Dinerstein, E., Robinson, J.G., Karanth, K.U., Rabinowitz, A., Olson, D., Mathew, T., Hedao, P., Connor, M., Hemley, G., Bolze, D. (1999) Where can tigers live in the future? A framework for identifying high-priority areas for the conservation of tigers in the wild. In: Seidensticker, J., Christie, S., Jackson, P. (eds.) Riding the Tiger. Tiger Conservation in human-dominated landscapes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. hardback isbn 0 521 64057 1, paperback isbn 0 521 64835 1. download pdf
- ^ a b c d Majupuria, T.C., Kumar, R. (1998) Wildlife, National Parks and Reserves of Nepal. S. Devi, Saharanpur and Tecpress Books, Bangkok. isbn 974-89833-5-8
- ^ a b 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, Nepal. ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5 download pdf
- ^ Timilsina, N., Heinen, J.T. (2008) Forest Structure Under Different Management Regimes in the Western Lowlands of Nepal. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, Vol. 26(2) 2008 download pdf
- ^ Yadav, B.P. (2007) Status, Distribution and Habitat Preferences of Hodgon's Bushchat (Saxicola insignis) in Grassland of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of Far-Western Development Region of Nepal. Report submitted to Oriental Birds Club, United Kingdom. abstract as pdf
External links
| National parks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife reserves | ||
| Conservation areas | ||
| Hunting reserves | ||
| Ramsar sites | ||
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