Tour in Nepal >> Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve

 

Nepal's Shukla phanta Wildlife Reserve was managed as a hunting reserve beginning 1969, and was gazetted as a Wildlife Reserve in 1976, covering an area of 305 sq. km. It lies in the extreme south-western section of Nepal’s Terai in Kanchanpur District. The reserve shares a common boundary with the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in the south and west which is formed by the Mahakali (Sarda), River, and a major tributary of the Ganges. It is bordered on the eastern side by the Chaudhar River and to the north by a forest belt and cultivations. A total of 24 mammal species was recorded by Schaff (1978b), a total of 350 species of birds of which 180 are breeding species (Inskipp, 1989), Bhatt and Shrestha (1977) provide an annotated list of 14 species of fish, Schaaf (1978b) recorded 10 species of ectoparasites and biting flies.

Although the area of the Reserve is small, it supports a wide range of biodiversity which is nationally and globally important. The vegetation types primarily include sal forest, sal savanna, which is part of continuum between climax forest and grassland that is maintained by fire and floods. The reserve supports the largest population of Bengal florican Houbaropsis bengalensis (E) and swamp deer Cervus duvauceli (E).

Area: 305 sq km as a result of extension. Earlier area was 155 sq km.

Established: Gazetted in 1973 as Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. In 1969 it was declared as Royal Hunting Reserve and was a famous hunting area.

Location:
Far western Terai in Kanchanpur District in Mahakali zone. The eastern boundary of this reserve is formed by the Chaudhar river by the International boundary pillars in the forest and partly by the Mahakali river.

 

Physical Features
The riverine flood plain of the reserve comprises hill wash and alluvial deposits. More than 33 percent of the reserve is covered by Sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest. There are extensive grassland called phanta in Nepal. The biggest grassland is called Sukla Phanta. Several other extensive grasslands are separated bt the patches of the forest. A small lake called Rani Talk (Lake) lies on the eastern side of the reserve and it is the most fascinating area for the water birds and migratory birds. There are also several water-logged area known as dhap or swampy ground covered by reed and tall grasses

 

Available animals:The reserve is home to about 45 to 55 Wild Elephant (Elephas maximus) an endangered species, which seems to leave a constant trail of destruction. About 35 Royal Bengal Tigers (Panthera tigris), an endangered species, inhabit the reserve preying on the abundant spotted deer. This is the highest densities of Tiger in the range countries. About 268 species of birds have been recorded in the Reserve. Several species of endangered birds including the Bengal Florican (Eupodotis bengalensis) are found in the Reserve. Many grassland birds can be seen in the phantas.

Available Birds:More then 300 species of birds can be seen in the Reserve. Among the reptiles, Marsh Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Indian Python (Python molurus), Monitor Lizard (Varanus monitor) and snakes like Cobra (Naja sp), Krait (Bungarus sp) and Rat snake (Ptyas mucosus) are recorded in this reserve. The reserve is home to 21 species of fish including the Mahaseer, Rohu and Tenger.

Access:
Fly or Drive to Mahendranagar 695 km from Kathmandu.

 

Trip Facts:

Activities: tour ,sightseeing
Destination: Nepal – Shukla Phanda wildlife reserve tour
Grade: Leisure Holidays
Accommodation: Hotel/Resort
Transportation: Car/Van Group
Starting point:Mahendranagar
Ending point:Mahendranagar
Size: Minimum two people to max. Twenty people
Best Time: All year round

 

Seasons:
The reserve has typically four seasons, viz., winter, spring, summer and monsoon. The months of December and January are fairly cold and misty with occasional frost. Temperatures during the winter range from 10° to 12° C, gradually rising up to 22° to 25° C in February and March. In the pre-monsoon period (April-June) the temperatures range form 30° to 32° C. reaching as high as 42° C with increasing humidity

 

Fauna
The vegetation makes ideal habitat for swamp deer or Baradingha (Cervus duvauceli). About 2000-2500 Swamp deer inhabit the reserve. Other mammals viz., Spotted deer or Chital (Axis axis), Hog deer (Axis porcinus), Blue Bull or Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Sloth Bear (Melursus thibetanus) and Wild Elephant (Elephas maximus) have also been reported. The extremely rare Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) has recorded in Sukla Phanta.

 

Vegetation and Wild Animals
Predominant sal (Shorea robusta) forest is associated with asna (Terminalia alata), semal (Bombaxceiba), and karma (Adina Cordifolia). Khair, (Acacia catechu) and sissoo (Dolbergia sisso) forest is found along the river side. The main grass species of the phantas are Imperata cylindrica and Saccharum heteropogon which are extensively used by the local people for thatching.

The reserve provides prime habitat form swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli). An estimated population of 2000 to 2500 is found in the reserve. Other wild animals in the reserve are wild elephant Elephas maximus, tiger (Panthera tigris), hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus), blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), leopard (Panthera pardus), chital (Zxis axis), hog deer (Zxis porcinus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa).

A total 268 species of birds has been recorded in the reserve. Many grassland birds along with the rare Bengal florican be seen in the phantas. Marsh mugger crocodile, Indian python, monitor lizard and snakes like cobra, krait, and rat snake are recorded in the reserve. Wetlands such as Ranital, Sikarital and others in the extension area like Kalikitch Lake, Lalpanital and Taratal, support a healthy population of many kinds of waterfowl, reptiles and other wildlife. Ranital, 18 km. from the reserve HQ., is a beautiful lake for viewing waterfall, with machans (viewing towers).