Valmiki National Park, National park in West Champaran district, India.
Valmiki National Park is a national park in West Champaran district, India, stretching along the Gandak River boundary. The terrain includes steep cliffs, rugged ridges, deep gorges, and thick sal forest blanketing the gently rolling lowlands.
The land belonged to the princely estates of Bettiah Raj and Ramanagar Raj until 1950 and was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1978. It gained national park status in 1990, marking the eastern boundary of Himalayan Terai forests in India.
The reserve carries the name of sage Valmiki, who composed the Ramayana and whose hermitage is said to have stood within these woodlands according to tradition. At Bihar's highest elevation point stands the Someshwar Kalika Temple, where pilgrims and visitors come to worship the goddess Kali and gaze over the broad lowland.
The park opens for visitors from October through March, when the weather is dry and animals are easier to spot. Guided safaris depart from three entry points: Manguraha, Valmikinagar, and Govardhana, with a local guide explaining the terrain.
The tiger population at the eastern limit of Himalayan Terai forests grew from 10 individuals in 2010 to 54 tigers in 2022. This growth shows how conservation efforts and patrols can affect wildlife numbers when conditions remain stable.
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