Birding in Khaptap National Park

KHAPTAD NATIONAL PARK

Area: 255 sq. km
Established: 1984

LOCATION:
Khaptad National Park is located in the mid-mountain region of Far-Western Nepal at an air distance of 446 km. from Kathmandu. The core area is situated at the cross point of the Bijhang, Bajura, Doti and Accam Districts of Seti Zone.

FEATURES:
The park covers the unique mid-mountain ecosystem of Western Nepal, and is situated at about 300 m. elevation. The upland is a rolling plateau of grasslands intermixed with oak and coniferous forests.

There is a great variety of vegetation types ranging from sub-tropical forest in the lower altitudes (Jhingrana and Chaikot of Doti) to temperate forest on the Khaptad plateau. The most common tree species are chirpine, spruce, fir, maple, birch, alder and rhododendron. Dense bamboo stands (nigalo) and wide varieties of medicinal herbs occur in the park.

The most common fauna in the park are leopard, Himalayan yellow-throated marten, Himalayan tahr and others. The common bird species include Impeyan pheasant, chkor partridge, kalij pheasant, monal, red and yellow-billed blue magpie, and Himalayan griffin. A wide variety of colorful butterflies, moths and insects are also an important feature of the Khaptad ecosystem.

The core area of Khaptad is of much religious importance. It includes the Ashram of Khaptad Swami, a renowned spiritual saint. Therefore, all the vices of modern society such as alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, violence and killing are prohibited.

Amir Shrestha
source:http://birding.about.com