The Royal Bardia National
Park is situated on the eastern banks of the Karnali
river, about 400 kms. west of Kathmandu. The park is
968 sq kms. in area and extends from the Churia hills
southward to the gentle slopes of the "Bhabhar'.
The higher grounds of the Churia have dry deciduous
forest of mostly hardwood sal. The porous slopes of
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 plains.
The western end of the Bardia is bounded
by numerous water-ways of the Karnali which have created
many large and small gravel islands. These islands and
much of the lower ground area covered by a mosaic of
grassland and riverine forest of acacia, sisam and the
large buttressed silk cotton trees. In spring, the silk
cotton blooms and the forest comes alive with scarlet
flowers.
Bardia is the home of a wide variety of
animals, many of which live in and around the Phantas.
These open grasslands such as Baghora and Lamkoili are
the best places to view animals. The most conspicuous
of which is the spotted deer. Other ungulates include
black buck, hog deer, samber deer, wild boar and barasingha
or swamp deer. Two species of monkeys, the langur and
the rhesus macaque are also present. The park is famous
for its small herds of wild elephants which are rarely
seen. The park also boasts a small population of the
rare gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the Gangetic
dolphin. The island of the Karnali river harbours the
sub-continent's largest antelope species, the nilgai
or blue bull. The Karnali and Babai rivers attract a
large number of wintering waterfowl along with resident
species such as herons, kingfishers and wall creepers.
More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia,
truly a bird watcher's paradise.
- Entry Fee Per Person Per Day:
- For Nepalese Nationals, Free
- For SAARC Nationals, Rs. 200/-
- For Other Foreign Nationals, Rs. 1000/-
- (Note: Entrance fee not required for children under
10 years).
Access:
To reach Bardia, take the daily flight or public bus
from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, from where it is a five
hour drive to the park office at Thakurdwara. This nature
sanctuary is best visit form October to April.
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