Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)

Imperata cylindrica is one of the main grass species found in the reserve's phantas

The reserve with surrounding buffer zones

Location Nepal
Coordinates 28°50′25″N 80°13′44″E / 28.8402°N 80.2290°E / 28.8402; 80.2290Coordinates: 28°50′25″N 80°13′44″E / 28.8402°N 80.2290°E / 28.8402; 80.2290
Area 305 km2 (118 sq mi)
Established 1976
Governing body Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation
The entrance to Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

The Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal, covering 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of open grassland, forests, riverbeds and tropical wetlands at an altitude of 174 to 1,386 metres (571 to 4,547 ft).[1] It was gazetted in 1976 as Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. 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.[2]

The Indian Tiger Reserve Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous in the south; this coherent protected area of 439 km2 (169 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Sukla Phanta-Kishanpur, which covers a 1.897 km2 (0.732 sq mi) block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.[3]

The protected area is part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion and is one of the best-conserved examples of floodplain grassland.[4] It is included in the Terai Arc Landscape.[5]

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 155 km2 (60 sq mi), and extended to its present size in the late 1980s.[6] A buffer zone of 243.5 km2 (94.0 sq mi) was added in May 2004.[1]

The name Suklaphanta was derived from one of the grasslands found inside the reserve.[7] The main grassland called Sukla Phanta is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal covering an area of about 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi).[2]

The jungles of the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve were once the site of an ancient kingdom. To this day, ruins of that kingdom can be seen in some places. Near Rani Tal, a lake in the reserve, there still remains a brick girdle, measuring 1,500 m (59,000 in) in circumference. It is considered by locals to be a remnant of the fort of Tharu king Singpal.[8]

Climate

The climate of the region is subtropical monsoonal with mean annual rainfall of 1,579 mm (62.2 in) 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 (45–54 °F) and occasional frost. From February onwards temperatures rise up to 25 °C (77 °F) in March and reach 42 °C (108 °F) by end of April. When the first pre-monsoon rains reach the area in May, humidity increases.[6][7]

Vegetation

Grassland in the reserve

Some 700 species of flora are estimated in the reserve including 553 vascular plants, 18 pteridophytes, 410 dicots and 125 monocots.[1] Grassland constitutes almost half the reserve's vegetation. The main grass species are Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus. khagra reed (Phragmites karka) and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes surrounding the seven small lakes. The dominant forest type is sal. Khair and sissoo grow alongside rivers. Grassland encroachment by tree and shrub saplings are major threats to the long-term existence of the main phantas. Trees outcompete any grasses growing under them, especially those that need plenty of sunlight. Tree seeds are dispersed all over the grasslands and generally germinate near existing trees. Additionally, trees encourage the growth of shade-loving grasses and inhibit growth of sun-loving species. This process of succession usually converts grassland into woodland over time.[2]

Fauna

Monitor lizard
Swamp deer
Yellow-eyed babbler
A grey-headed fish eagle

The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the reserve are habitat for a wide range of fauna.[6] In the rivers, lakes and ponds 28 fish species and 12 reptile and amphibian species were recorded.[1] These include mahseer and rohu, mugger crocodile, Indian rock python, monitor lizard, Indian cobra, common krait and Oriental ratsnake.[2]

Mammals

Current checklists include 46 mammal species, of which 18 are protected under CITES such as the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, swamp deer, elephant and hispid hare. Great one-horned rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country.[1][6]

The congregation of swamp deer in the reserve's grasslands is the largest in the world; the population of hispid hare may be of international significance.[2] As of 2013, there were 2170 swamp deer in the reserve.[9]

Birds

A total of 423 bird species has been recorded. The reserve 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. Forest birds include spot-bellied eagle owl, dusky eagle owl, rufous-bellied eagle and Oriental pied hornbill. The forests are also important for great slaty woodpecker and white-naped woodpecker. The white-rumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, lesser adjutant, grey-headed fish eagle, darter and rufous-rumped grassbird are breeding residents. Sarus crane, painted stork and bristled grassbird are summer visitors. Greater racquet-tailed drongo, white-capped water redstart, rusty-tailed flycatcher and rufous-gorgeted flycatcher are uncommon winter visitors.[2]

During a survey carried out in January 2005, a total of 19 Hodgson's bushchats were recorded, and a year later only 8 males.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 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
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Baral, H. S., Inskipp, C. (2009). The Birds of Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Our Nature (2009) 7: 56−81
  3. ↑ 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. Pages 255−272 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.
  4. ↑ Dinerstein, E. (2003). The Return of the Unicorns: The Natural History and Conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. Columbia University Press, Columbia
  5. ↑ "The Terai Arc Landscape Bengal Tigers in the Himalayas' Shadow" (PDF). missouri.edu. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 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
  7. 1 2 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: 112−131
  8. ↑ Reed, D., McConnachie, J. (2002). The Rough Guide to Nepal 5. Rough Guides.
  9. ↑ Yadav, R. P., Thaguna, S. S., Sah, J. P. (2000). "Grasslands in Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve: status, importance and management". In Richard, C., Basnet, K., Sah, J. P., Raut, Y. Grassland ecology and management in protected areas of Nepal. Proceedings of a Workshop, Royal Bardia National Park, Thakurdwara, Bardia, Nepal, 15-19 March, 1999. Volume 2: Terai protected areas 2000. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. pp. 128−137.
  10. ↑ 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
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