Bardiya National Park, National park in Western Terai, Nepal
Bardiya National Park is a protected area in the western Terai lowlands that follows the course of the Karnali River through forests and grasslands. The terrain shifts between groves of sal trees, open meadows where deer graze, and riverbanks where monkeys move through the branches.
The territory returned to Nepal in 1860 after decades of British control under the Sugauli Treaty. The government declared it a protected reserve in 1988 to safeguard populations of rhinoceros and big cats that had declined in previous decades.
Tharu villages stand near the forest edge with mud-walled homes decorated in geometric patterns that reflect their connection to the land. Their dances honor the animals and seasons that shape daily life in the lowlands.
The park is best explored early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals move through the grasslands and the heat eases. Paths lead through open areas and along river flats where wildlife sightings become more likely.
The reserve connects directly with Banke National Park to form a continuous forest corridor for tigers that move between both territories. This link allows the animals to roam across large areas without encountering human settlements.
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