ROYAL BARDIA NATIONAL PARK CONSERVATION PROGRAMME


(Project NP0024)

he Royal Bardia National Park (968km2), with its tropical dry deciduous forests dominated by the hardwood sal (Shorea robusta), grassland (locally called phantas), and riverine forest featuring gigantic simal trees (Bombax ceiba), shelters some of the world's most rare endangered species including the tiger, Greater One-horned rhinoceros and a flourishing number of wild elephant. Established in 1985 and considered one of the most significant areas for biodiversity in the sub-continent, Bardia is threatened by modern development on its periphery.

With the help of DNPWC and KMTNC, WWF restored the park's former rhino population by translocating animals from the flourishing population in the Royal Chitwan National Park. In 1987, 13 rhinos were brought to Bardia and an additional 25 were moved in January 1991. Today, it is estimated that Bardia has a total population of 42 rhinos, despite casualties and poaching. Experiments in the translocation of black buck have not succeeded, due to technical and climatic reasons, but the release of captive-bred gharial and mugger crocodiles has worked well.

The DNPWC, KMTNC and WWF have developed a long term conservation programme to research the biological diversity in Bardia, monitor the translocated wildlife populations, control poaching and enhance staff management and training. Programmes are underway to manage the park's buffer zone, where subsistence farming is inherent. Community projects support the local people in income generating activities and environmental education so as to reduce their impact on Bardia's wildlife.

Bardia is considered a key park in the conservation of Asian wildlife and habitats because of its size, extensive flood plain habitat, healthy populations of endangered species, and relative remoteness. Realizing the unique habitats for tigers and other endangered species, the government has considered further extension of the park towards the east. A new five year management plan for the Royal Bardia National Park aims to further improve the management and conservation.





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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature