Royal Chitwan National Park

PHYSICAL FEATURES
Within the park lie the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise gradually towards the east from 150m. to over 800m. elevation. The lower but more rugged Someshwor hills occupy most of the western portion of the park. The flood plains of Chitwan contain rich alluvial soils. The park boundaries have been delineated by the Narayani and Rapti Rivers in the north and west, and the Reu river and Someshwor hills in the south and south-west. It shares its eastern border with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
SEASONS
The park is influenced by a tropical monsoon climate with relatively high humidity. Winter, spring and monsoon are the three main seasons. The cool winter season occurs from October to February. Spring begins in March and is soon followed summer that ends in early June. Summer days are typically hot with up to an average 30C daytime temperature. The monsoon usually begins at the end of June and continues until September. The mean annual rainfall is about 21-50 mm. and during this time of the year rivers are flooded and most of the roads are virtually impassable.
VEGETATION
The Chitwan Valley is characterized by tropical to sub-tropical forest. Roughly 70% of park vegetative cover is sal (shorea robusta) forest, a moist deciduous vegetation type of the Terai region. The remaining vegetation types include: grassland (20%), riverine forest (70%), and sal with chirpine (pinus roxburghii) (3%) forest, the latter occurring at the tops of the Churia range. The riverine forests consist mainly of khair, sissoo, and simal. The simal has a spiny bark when young and develops buttresses at the bottom in older stages. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species.
ANIMALS
There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of the endangered one- horned rhinoceros, tiger, and gharial crocodile along with many other common species of wild animal. The estimated population of rhinos is 400. The park also secures populations of endangered species such as gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python.
Some of the other animals found in the park are sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, sloth deer, common leopard, ratel, palm civet, wild dog, langur and rhesus monkeys.
There are over 450 species of birds in the park. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. A few of the common birds seen are peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best times for bird watching are in March and December.
More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles are found in the park, some of which are the
marsh mugger crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises. The park is actively engaged in the scientific study of several species of wild flora and fauna.

chitwan national park

LOCATION:
Royal Chitwan National Park, the oldest national park in Nepal, is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
The park covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu, and Narayani Rivers. Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%), riverine forest (7%), and sal with chirpine (3%), the latter occurring at the top of the Churiya range. The riverine forests consist mainly of khair, sissoo and simal. The grasslands form a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharum species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8 m. in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are useful for thatch roofs.
There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
Formerly, the Chitwan Valley was well known for big game hunting and until 1950 was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the Rana Prime Ministers and their guests. In 1963, the area south of the Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1970, His late Majesty King Mahendra approved, in principle, the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.

ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

BACKGROUND
Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 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. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. His Majesty’s Government has made a provision of plowing back 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development in the buffer zone.

BACKGROUND (makalu barun national park

BACKGROUND:
High in the heart of the eastern Himalayas, seven valleys radiate from Mt. Makalu, the world's fifth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forests and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m. above sea level, the Himalayas rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu 8463 m. within a 40 km distance. Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal.
Nestled in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and other farming communities. Though economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu-Barun area.
The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national park and the first to include an adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer. 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 in conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute, His Majesty's Government, Nepal is striving to improve local living standards through infrastructure, educational and income-generating activities.
Covering 2,330 sq. km, Makalu-Barun is a vital component of the greater Mount Everest ecosystem which includes Nepal's 1,148 sq. km Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the 35,000 sq. km Qomolangma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.

THE NATIONAL PARK
Most of the Makalu-Barun National Park is a remote wilderness, with just two small settlements and seasonal herding in the high pastures. Historically, few foreigners have visited the area except for the occasional climbing expedition.
The incredibly steep topography and abundant monsoon rains (1000 to 4000 mm per year) of the eastern Himalayas support unusually diverse bioclimatic zones and a rich storehouse of medicinal and useful plants. Alpine pastures above 4000 m contain the religiously important dwarf rhododendron and juniper, aromatic herbs and delicate wildflowers. Sub-alpine forests of fir, birch, and rhododendron, and temperate stands of oak, maple and magnolia thrive between 2-4000 m. Luxuriant orchids drape the chestnut and pine forests of the sub-tropical zone (1-2000 m), and forests reach their northernmost limit within Nepal along the banks of the Arun (below 1000 m).

MAKALU-BARUN NATIONAL PARK

Location and feature

Location:-
The park and conservation area are situated in the Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu Districts, bordered by the Arun River on the west, the Nepal-Tibet border on the north and the Saune Danda (ridge) to the south.

FEATURES:
This is the only protected area in Nepal with a strict nature reserve. The park has some of the richest and most unique pockets of plants and animals in Nepal.
Stepping up the slopes are a series of vegetation zones starting with tropical Schima-Castanopsis forest (1000-2000m), fir/birch/rhododendron forests in the sub-alpine (3000-4000 m); and herbs, grasses and rhododendron/juniper shrubs in the alpine pastures (4000-5000 m). There are 47 varieties of orchids, 67 species of economically valuable medicinal and aromatic plants, 25 varieties of rhododendron, 19 species of bamboo, 15 oaks including Arkhoulo, 86 species of fodder trees and 48 species of primrose.
Over 400 species of birds have been sighted in the Makalu-Barun area, including two species of warbler never before seen. Wildlife includes the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and possibly ghoral, Himalayan tahr, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan marmot and weasel, common langur monkey and the serow. The Arun River system contain 84 varieties of fish. Over 32,000 people inhabit the conservation area

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek
The Annapurna Base Camp trek leads to a natural amphitheater that is used as the base camp from which climbers start on their way to conquer the Annapurna Mountaintop. The mountain reaches 8091 meters above sea level, and the base camp's altitude is 4130 meters above sea level.
Preparations before the trek:
Trekking permitThere is no need to issue a trekking permit to go on treks in the Annapurna area as it was in the past.
Food and waterThere is no need to take food and water to the trek. Everything can be bought in the restaurants and guest houses along the way. As the trail goes up, so does the water prices increase. Therefore, as long as you are at the beginning of the trek it is worthwhile buying mineral-water bottles. Later on the way it is possible to use water purification tablets.
Sleeping equipmentThere are many guest houses along the trek (don't expect too much...). Bring a good and warm sleeping bag with you, that will protect you from the cold (there is no heating).
EquipmentMap of the trek, big backpack and a rain cover for it, small backpack, sleeping bag, water purification tablets, toilet paper, toiletries, sandals for the shower, towel, flashlight, spare batteries, reading book, first-aid kit, sunglasses, laundry rope, washing powder, sun-screen, fleece coat, rain coat, water proof nylon bag, travel clothes, warm clothes, laundry bag, camera.
Toilets and showersIn the beginning of the trek you may find running water, but as you climb, they will become more and more scarce. If you want to take a shower further on the trek, you will have to take a bucket showers (sometimes with hot water).
PortersIt is highly recommended to hire a porter (carrier and guide) that will carry your heavy big bag with the equipment, and leave you with the small bag. The porter will also be your guide (no need for an additional guide). It is recommended to hire a porter through an agency to reduce the chance that the porter will disappear with you bag. You can use one porter for two persons, but avoid overloading him. Try to meet with your porter before leaving for the trek to get to know him
The route:-
Every walking day starts around 07:00 (your porter will wake you up), stops for lunch around noon and ends at around 14:00 with the arrival to the guest house. An average walking day is about 7 hours.
Going up: 5 days, coming down - 3 days. All together - 8 days.
Costs and Technical Issues
As mentioned before, there is no need for any special trekking permit to travel in the Annapurna region, as it used to be in the past.
Entrance fee to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project ACAP is 2000 Rupee (about $28). Be aware that if you pay the entrance fee at the entrance to the conservation area it will be double - 4000 Rupees (about $56). Therefore it is advisable to pay it at the offices in Pokhara or Kathmandu.
ACAP offices:
ACAP / National Park OfficeIn the basement of the Sanchaya Kosh shopping centerTridevi MargThamel, KathmanduTel: 223088, ext. 363
ACAP OfficeLakeside, Pokharaopposite Grindlays BankTel: 061 32275
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 09:00-16:00Sunday: 09:00-15:00Saturday and holidays: closed
When paying the entrance fee, bring along 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your passport.
The cost of a porter is about 400 Rupee (almost $6) per day.
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animal details

Detail
Only museums protect the basic, so-called type, material used by a scientist every time he is not sure about the classification of some animal. Only there are we able to find a sufficiently large series of a specific species for the thorough study of its variability. It is only museum depositories which protect the collections of already extinct kinds of species whose form would otherwise only be estimated on the basis of old descriptions, drawings and yellowed photographs. The indispensable scientific, cultural and educational role of the Museum is absolutely undeniable. However, the aim of this text is not to describe in detail our work and the significance of museums, but to introduce the visitor to the exhibition to the most precious and the most beautiful zoological exhibits stored in the National Museum. Among the greatest treasures of the National Museum exhibits are the collections of already entirely exterminated animals. This exhibition will subsequently introduce 5 species which share this sad fate. The flightless bird, the Mauritius Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), known also under its more popular name, Dodo, is in first place. It was extirpated on the island of Mauritius as early as 1681. The displayed skeletal remnants are among the world’s greatest treasures. They may originate from an animal purportedly bred by the emperor Rudolph II himself on his estate. In second place is the Great Auk (Alca impennis ), another flightless bird successfully exterminated by man (before 1844). Our exhibits come from the collection of Baron Feldegg. A young animal without a white spot around his eye is a world rarity. In addition, the Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius), Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis) did not survive their encounters with man and on the occasion of this exhibition were taken from the safety of our depositories. Other unique materials presented are the collections of those types of animal that have entirely disappeared from the wild, with their last representatives surviving as a result of artificial breeding. They are, for example, the Barbary Lion (Panthera leo leo), a North African type of lion which is, as a great a rarity, bred only in a few zoological gardens in the world, amongst others in the Dvůr Králové Zoo (the skull is exhibited).In the present time of protective laws, it is practically impossible to add to the collections of animals at the edge of extinction in the wild. Yet the research of these animals can help in their protection. In this aspect, the National Museum can pride itself on its rich collections, deliberately created in the course of the 180 years of its existence. Once again, the rarest animals were selected for display. For example, the very rare Madagascan prosimian Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) and the Ruffed Lemur (Varecia variegata) and the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) – the largest type of tiger which number approximately only the last 200 individuals in the Far East. Further, there is a sample of numerous collections of skulls of the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), the second biggest terrestrial mammal critically endangered by hunting for its horn (see the exhibit which documents the 6th longest horn in the world of this Rhinoceros). The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), the prodigious New Zealand flightless bird, the Kiwi (Apterix australis), and the rare Dipneusti Australian Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri) were included from further unique material. The display of Tautara (Sphenodon punctatus) is the showcase of one of the world’s richest collections of this memorable reptile, popularly called “a living fossil”. (42 individuals, skeletons and skins). Rarity is a concept which changes over time. Species once common have become rare due to today’s hunting, collecting and especially the devastation of the environment. On the other hand, in the case of less noticeable species considered rare in the past, unexpectedly rich populations have been discovered, thanks to the improved possibilities of research. The last group of the exhibited zoological displays therefore presents such animals that we consider rare, whether for their inaccessibility, unusual size and shape, exceptional beauty or the unusually hard work required for their collection and preparation. This, for example, includes unique collections of birds’ eggs, splendid shells of both sea and freshwater molluscs, fragile skeletons of sponges and Anthozoa and beautiful displays of bizarre crabs. Evidence of the difficulty of combining the general and scientific view of rarity and the price of collected objects can be seen in the exhibited shell, coiled in an anti-clockwise direction in contrast to the normally clockwise direction, of the Brown Garden Snail (Helix pomatia). Such a deviation of the normal form occurs approximately once in a million times in Nature.