Banke National Park

Introduction

Banke National Park is located in the Mid-Western Region, Nepal and was established in 2010 as Nepal’s tenth national park after its recognition as a "Gift to the Earth". The protected area covers an area of 550 km2 (210 sq mi) with most parts falling on the Churia range. The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 344 km2 (133 sq mi) in the districts of Banke, Salyan and Dang.

Together with the neighboring Bardia National Park, the coherent protected area of 1,518 km2 (586 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke.

History:

Banke National Park is the newest protected area of Nepal established in 12th July 2010. Banke National extends over 550 square kilometers in Banke district and its buffer zone, 343 square kilometers, encompasses parts of Banke, Dang and Salyan districts. The Park is adjoining to Kamdi corridor that joins Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in India through national and community forests towards south. It is connected with Bardia National Park towards west which further links with Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in India via Khata corridor, national forest and community forests. Banke National Park is an important component of Terai Arc Landscape which provides additional habitat for tigers. In fact, establishment of this park for the conservation of wild tigers, an endangered wildlife species, reflects the commitment of the Government of Nepal towards biodiversity conservation at landscape level.

Climate

The Park has three distinct seasons: winter, summer and monsoon, each providing a unique experience. From October to early April, weather is dry, days are warm, and nights are cool and pleasant. From April to June, temperature grows up to 450C in May/June. The hot humid days gives way to monsoon rains that lasts until September.

Vegetation:

The vegetation in Banke National Park is composed of at least 113 tree species, 107 herbal species and 85 shrub and climber species. Common species include sal, axlewood, Semecarpus anacardium, khair, Terminalia alata.
Banke National Park is home of the 113 species of trees, 85 species of shrub and climber and 107 species of herbal normally. The trees like Sal, axle wood are its symbolic priority .The protected area have tiger, one horned rhino etc. Rudy mongoose was recorded for the first time in 2014. The national park is protecting many endangered animals like Bangal Tiger, One horn Rhino and many birds.

Fauna:

The habitat of flood plain, foot hill and Churia hill are of prime concern to conserve major focus species such as royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic wild elephant and four-horned antelope. Furthermore, the Rapti River on the south and Babai River on the north forms the life line of the Park. BaNP contains an array of eight ecosystem types such as Sal forest, deciduous Riverine forest, savannahs and grasslands, mixed hardwood forest, flood plain community, Bhabar and foot hills of Chure range. It is a home to 124 plants, 34 mammals, more than 300 birds, 24 reptiles, 7 amphibians and 58 fish species. 90% natural forest coverage composed of mainly Sal, Karma, Khair and Sissoo. Three species of mammals (tiger, striped hyaena, four-horned antelope), four species of birds (giant hornbill, black stork, Bengal florican, and lesser florican) and two species of reptiles (gharial crocodile and python) residing in the Park are protected by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. The habitat of flood plain, foot hill and Churia hill are of prime concern to conserve major focus species such as royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic wild elephant and four-horned antelope. Furthermore, the Rapti River on the south and Babai River on the north forms the life line of the Park.