HARIYO BAN PROGRAM II (2016-2021)

THREATS AND VULNERABILITIES ASSESSMENT OF PARKS AND CORRIDORS OF TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE

Prepared by:

WWF in partnership with CARE, FECOFUN and NTNC P.O. Box 7660 Kathmandu, Nepal

21 April 2017

© WWF 2017 All rights reserved Any reproduction of this publication in full or in part must mention the title and credit WWF.

Published by WWF Nepal PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected] , www.wwfnepal.org/hariyobanprogram

Disclaimer This Threats and Vulnerabilities Assessment of Parks and Corridors in Terai Arc Landscape is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Contents INTRODUCTION ...... 5 METHODOLOGY ...... 6 Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 7 Threat Ratings of Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone...... 8 Barandabhar Corridor ...... 10 Threat Ratings of Barandabhar Corridor ...... 11 Banke National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 13 Threat Ratings of Banke National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 14 Kamdi Corridor ...... 17 Threat Ratings of Kamdi Corridor ...... 19 Bardia National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 23 Threat Ratings of Bardia National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 24 Karnali Corridor ...... 26 Threat Ratings of Karnali Corridor ...... 27 Suklaphanta National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 30 Threat Ratings of Suklaphanta National Park and Buffer Zone ...... 31 Bhramhadev Corridor ...... 34 Threat Ratings of Bhramhadev Corridor ...... 35

List of Figures

Figure 1: Hariyo Ban Program II Working Areas ...... 5 Figure 2: Chitwan National Park ...... 7 Figure 3: Barandabhar Corridor ...... 10 Figure 4: Banke National Park ...... 13 Figure 5: Kamdi Corridor ...... 18 Figure 6: Bardia National Park ...... 23 Figure 7: Karnali Corridor ...... 26 Figure 8: Suklaphanta National Park ...... 30 Figure 9: Bhramhadev Corridor ...... 34

INTRODUCTION

Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) identified biological corridors for the mobility of the endangered mega fauna around the protected areas network in India and Nepal. The landscape was designed on the tiger dispersal model in the landscape. In its first phase, the identified corridors are Khata, Basanta, and Mohana-Laljhadi. It also identified critical bottlenecks in dire need of restoration so as to maintain the contiguity of the ecosystem. The bottlenecks are Dovan, Dang, and Mahadevpuri. Later, new corridors were identified and are Brahamadev, Karnali river corridor, and Barandabhar. Similarly, Kamdi area was identified for restoration. TAL represents a continuum of PAs and biological corridors.

For the first time, the threats and vulnerabilities assessment of National Parks (Chitwan National Park, Banke NP, Bardia NP and Suklaphanta NP) were conducted along with the critical corridors adjoining those parks.

Figure 1: Hariyo Ban Program II Working Areas

METHODOLOGY ‘WWF Standards of Project and Programme Management’ comprises of 5 major steps in programme/project cycle namely, Define, Design, Implement, Adapt and Share. The Define phase contains 5 steps/sub steps as,

1. Step 1.1 is ‘Team Composition and Operation’ 2. Step 1.2 is ‘Project Scope and Vision’ 3. Step 1.3 is ‘Biodiversity Targets’ 4. Step 1.4a is ‘Situation Analysis’ and Step 1.4b is ‘Threat Rating’

Criteria for Threat Rating

It is based on three criteria which are Scope, Severity and Irreversibility.

1. Scope refers to the proportion of the overall area of a project site or target occurrence likely to be affected by a threat in a given time frame (e.g. next 10 years) by a given threat. It shows how extensive is the area affected by the threat, and if the threat affects the entire project area or only a small portion. 2. Severity quantifies or categorizes the level of damage to the conservation target expected in a given time frame (e.g. next 10 years). It shows how severe is the impact of the threat on the project area or target species and if the threat destroys the target completely or cause only minimal damage. 3. Irreversibility refers to the ability to reverse the effects of a given threat. It shows if the damage from the threat be undone and restore the target.

Absolute Threat Rating

This step-by-step method relies on rating threats on a four-point scale (e.g. very high, high, medium, and low) for each criterion and then summing the results. Each scale is operationally defined for the criterion. Lately, rating of each threat and the summing up across the targets is automated by software ‘Mirdai’, https://miradi.org/.

Miradi is a user-friendly program that allows nature conservation practitioners to design, manage, monitor, and learn from their projects to more effectively meet their conservation goals. The software helps teams to prioritize threats, develop objectives and actions, and select monitoring indicators to assess the effectiveness of their strategies among others.

The threat rating is portrayed colored as shown below,

Very High

High

Medium

Low Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and has a total area of 932 sq.km. CNP accommodates wide varieties of mag species like tiger, rhino, elephant and other prey base species. Recently, wild water buffalo has been translocated in the park and is now protected inside fence. The Park is also recognized as World Heritage Site in 1984.

Figure 2: Chitwan National Park

For the first time, threats and vulnerabilities of CNP and its buffer zone was conducted on March 2017. It was joined by Chief Warden of CNP, representatives of Barandabhar Protection Forest, CFUGs, BZUCs, district forest office, and partner organizations (CARE, FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat was rated ‘High’ for Chitwan National Park. In the list of identified direct threats, invasive plant species is rated as ‘High’ threat. Similarly, drying of water sources, river pollution, large infrastructures, wildlife disease and isolated and/or skewed species population are rated ‘Medium’ threats. Encroachment, Human Wildlife Conflict, Forest fire, poaching, river bank cutting, river poisoning and electrocution, grazing, sand and stone mining, illegal logging and fuelwood collection are rated ‘Low’ threats.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below:

Threat Ratings of Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone Threats \ Targets Gharial River Forest Reptiles Elephant Fishes Rhino Tiger Pangolin Birds Grassland Wetland Summary system (vulture) Threat Rating Invasive plant species Low Low Medium Medium High High High High

Encroachment Low Medium Low Low

Human Wildlife Conflict Low Low Low Low

Forest fire Low Low Low Low

Poaching Low Low Low Low

Drying of water sources Medium Medium Medium High Low Low Low Medium Medium

River pollution Medium Medium High Low Low Medium Medium

River bank cutting Low Low Low

River poison and Low Low Low

electrocution Grazing Low Low Low

Large infrastructure Low Medium Medium Medium Medium

Sand stone Medium Low Low Low Low Low

mining/extraction Wildlife disease Medium High Medium Medium Medium

Isolated and/or skewed High Low Low Medium

species population Illegal logging Low Low Low

Fuelwood collection Low Low Low Low Low

Summary Medium Medium Medium Low Medium High Medium Medium Low Low Medium Medium High Target Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Chitwan NP and BZ

Pressure Name Invasive species (water hyacinth) Bishazari lake, Tamor lake, Lami lake, Devi Lake, Kamala lake, Munna Lake Mikenia Jurneli area, Budi Rapti, Khoriya, Laami Lake, Dumariya Forest fire Someshwor, Upper area of Madi, Chure area Badarjhula (Madi), THori, Ayodhyapuri, Pyauli, Kusumkhola. Naya Belani, Encroachment Dumkibas, Triveni, Lamichour Human Wildlife Conflict Madi, Meghauli, Jagatpur, Triveni, Daunne, Thori, Lothar Poaching Kawasoti, Pithauli, Ayodhyapuri, Khagendramalli, Meghauli, Madi Lower area of Kasara, Rapati river, Rheu river, rivers in Madi area, Khagendra Water source drying malli River pollution and pesticides Narayani, Bhaisakhori, Mukundapur-Bhedabari, Gaindakot, Rapti Over Grazing Sauraha, Kumroj, Paach pandav-Madi, Dumkibas, Thulo Tadi Infrastructure Madi, Meghauli, Tikauli, Excessive fuelwood collection Jagatpur, Meghauli, Madi, THori, Dumkibas, Triveni Sand and gravel extraction Lothar, Binayakhola Barandabhar Corridor The corridor falls in Chitwan district and connects Chure forest to the Chitwan National Park in the south. It constitutes a part of the Chitwan-Narayani-Marsyandi-Annapurna linkage (Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Vision Workshop, Dec 1999). It covers an area of 161 sq km and has a forest area of 104 sq km. Government of Nepal declared the area as ‘Protection Forest’ on 23 Sept 2010. The area also serves as refugia for the wild animals.

Figure 3: Barandabhar Corridor

The threat assessment was conducted on March 2017. It was joined by the representatives of Barandabhar Protection Forest, CFUGs, BZUCs, district forest office, national park and partner organizations (FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat was rated ‘High’ for the corridor. In the list of identified direct threats, drying of water sources and drought are rated ‘High’ threats. Similarly, encroachment, forest fire, Soil erosion, infrastructure, water pollution, invasive plant species and river poisoning are rated ‘Medium’ threats. Deforestation, poaching, waste disposal, timber logging, Waste disposal, Fuelwood collection, Over extraction of forest resources, Over grazing, Sand and stone extraction, Human Wildlife Conflict, Road accident and disturbance from human activities to wildlife behavior are rated ‘Low’ threats.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below:

Threat Ratings of Barandabhar Corridor

Threats \ Targets River system Tiger Forest Rhino Crocodile Birds Fishes Wetlands Grassland Summary Threat Rating Encroachment Medium Medium Low Low Medium

Forest fire Low Medium Low High Medium

Deforestation Low Low Low Low

Soil erosion Low High Medium

Infrastructure Medium Medium Medium

Drying of water sources High High High High High

Drought High High High High

Poaching Low Low Low

Invasive plant species Medium Low Medium Medium Medium

Water pollution Low Low High Low Medium

Waste disposal Low Low

Timber logging Low Low

Fuelwood collection Medium Low

Over extraction Low Low Low Low

Over grazing Low Low

Sand and stone extraction Medium Low Low

Human Wildlife Conflict Low Low Low

Road accident Low Medium Low

Disturbance Medium Low Low

River poisoning High Low Medium

Summary Target Medium Low Medium Medium High High High High Medium High Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Barandabhar Corridor

Pressure CFUG VDC Name Kholesimal Road (Bharatpur N.P. Ward no. 11), Rhino Tal Road (Bharatpur N.P. Ward no. 12), Under Construction Transmission Line Infastructure & Pressure Point (Bharatpur N.P. Ward no. 1 ) Khagerikhola Sub Watershed - Barandhabhar Road Accident Bharatpur N.P. Corrido Overlapping Area Chitwan BZ (Bharatpur N.P. Ward no. 8), Forest Forest Fire Bharatpur N.P. Fire, Road Accident, Encroachment HWC Rambell CF Bharatpur N.P. Barandabhar HWC & Over Grazing Chaturmukhi CF Jutpani Barandabhar HWC Bhimoli CF Bhimoli CF Jutpani Khagerikhola Sub Watershed HWC Padampur CF Padampur CF Jutpani Khagerikhola Sub Watershed Forest Fire BharatpurN.P. Barandabhar Dumping Site Jaldevi BharatpurN.P. Barandabhar Sand & Gravel Extraction Dahakhani Khagerikhola Sub Watershed Encrachment & Grazing Kabilas Khagerikhola Sub Watershed

Banke National Park and Buffer Zone Banke National Park was established in 2010 and has a total area of 550 sq. km. Its Buffer Zone is spread into 343 sq. km. BaNP is connected to Bardia National Park in west. It accommodates wide varieties of mag species like tiger, elephant and other prey base species.

Figure 4: Banke National Park

For the first time the threats and vulnerabilities of BaNP and its buffer zone was conducted on April 2017. It was joined by Chief Warden of BaNP, representatives of BZMCs, BZUCs, district forest office, and partner organizations (CARE, FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat was rated ‘Medium' for Banke National Park. In the list of identified direct threats, forest fire, river cutting and flood, dryness and drought, infrastructure, road accident are rated as 'Medium' threats.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below:

Threat Ratings of Banke National Park and Buffer Zone

Threats \ Targets River Tiger Forest Elephant Chure Birds Fishes Reptiles Wetland Grassland Prey Summary system species Threat Rating Forest fire Medium High Low Low Medium Low Medium

Encroachment Low Medium Low Low

Open grazing Low Low Low Low Low

Invasive species Low Medium Low

River cutting, flood Medium Medium Medium Medium

Landslide Medium Low Low

Poaching Low Low Low Medium Low Low Low

Human wildlife conflict Low Low

Dryness, drought Medium High Medium

Infrastructure Medium Medium Medium Medium

Road accident and Low High Medium

irrigation canal Over harvesting of Low Low

forest resouces Sand, gravel and stone Low Low Low

extraction Solid waste and Medium Low

pollution Illegal logging Low Low

Pesticides Low Low Low

Summary Target Medium Low Medium Low Medium Low Low Low Medium Low Medium Medium Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Banke NP and BZ

Threats Areas (local place) VDCs/Municipalities Reasons for threats or remarks if any Churia region-Chisapani; Birds especially their youngs and their nests and eggs are destroyed. Lamahi MP Forest Fire Khaskusma to Shivakola Waste from forest fires are mixed up into the water sources after rain which Roadside forest of BaNP kills thousands of Fish. Deurali Hariyali Kohalpur Encroachment Rajkot Rapti Kohalpur Keureni VDC Dang Churia Dhakeri Mahadevpuri VDC Uncontrolled Rajkot Rapti Kohalpur Grazing Kusum Kusum VDC Chisapani Khaskusma Rajkot Rapti Kohalpur Gotheri Grassland Kusum VDC Thuriya Grassland National Park Invasive Species Bheri CF Kusum Area CF next to Shivakhola Kusum Area Rakshya CF Chisapani Area Surya CF Chisapani Area Flood & River Rapti River cutting Babai River Khahare Khola running through Churia Landslide Churia Belt Kurandhara Not very frequent since rainfall is very less. Kusum Sikta side Wild boar's meat, area where armed forces or conservationist are out of Poaching Rapti pari-core area reach, illegal poaching is seen. Nepalgunj Nepalgunj

Infrastructure Development Sikta Irrigation Canal area Kohalpur-many parts Kohalpur Over Extraction of Forest Resources Deurali-more Kohalpur Kohalpur Kohalpur Extraction of Deurali Kohalpur Stone/pebbles/sand Dhakeri Pollution in the Highway Kohalpur-Surkhet Highway Illegal Timber Deurali Hariyali & other Kohalpur Harvesting many parts of Kohalpur Ranighat-Duduwa Khola Manikapur VDC Poisoning Chisapani Khaskusma VDC

Kamdi Corridor Kamdi area lies to the south of the Banke National Park. It is a riverine habitat and it is connected to the Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in India. It is spread in three districts-Banke, Dang and Kapilvastu districts whose VDCs are listed below:

BANKE DANG KAPILBASTU Baijapur Bela Gugauli Banakatti Gadawa Shivagadhi Basudevpur Gangaparaspur Shivapur Betahani Gobardiha Binauna Koilabas Gangapur Rajpur Holiya Satbariya Kachanapur Kalaphat Kamdi Katkuiya Khaskushma Kohalpur Lakshmanpur Mahadevpuri Manikapur Matehiya Narainapur Phattepur Puraini Samserganj

The threat assessment for Kamdi corridor was carried out in Kohalpur of Banke district on March 2017. It was joined by the members of Kamdi CFCC, CFUGs, district forest office – Banke, and partner organizations (FECOFUN, NTNC) and ZSL.

Figure 5: Kamdi Corridor

The overall threat rating is ‘High’ for Kamdi corridor. The direct threat-draught is rated ‘High’, whereas Forest fire, encroachment, illegal poaching, illegal trading of forest resources, infrastructure, flood and river cutting, over extraction of sand and stones and landslide are rated as 'Medium'. The 'Low' rated threats included uncontrolled grazing, poisoning and Human Wildlife Conflict.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below: Threat Ratings of Kamdi Corridor

Threats \ Targets River Tiger Forest Crocodile Bird Prey Fish Wetland Churia Grassland Summary System Species Species Range Threat Rating Forest fire Medium Medium Medium Medium Low High Low Medium

Uncontrolled grazing Medium Low Low Low Low

Encroachment Medium Low Medium Low Medium

Illegal Poaching Low Medium Low Medium Medium Medium

Illegal trading of forest Medium High Medium

resources Infrastructure Medium Medium Low Medium

Poisoning Low Low Low

Flood/ River cutting Medium Medium Low Medium Medium Medium

Over extraction of sand High Low Low Medium Medium

and stones Drought High High High High

Landslide Medium Medium Medium

Human Wildlife Conflict Medium Low

Summary Target Medium Low Medium Low Medium Medium Medium Medium High Low High Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Kamdi Corridor

SN Threats Areas (local place) VDCs/Municipalities

Forest Fire Gadhawa-Churia Koilabas-1 North- Rihar Lamahi MP Sitalapur side Lamahi MP Binauna VDC Kachanapur VDC Baijapur VDC

Uncontrolled Grazing All parts of National Forest Gadhawa- Bela VDC & Rajpur VDC Binauna VDC Kachanapur VDC Baijapur VDC Encroachment Gadhawa VDC Gangaparaspur VDC Fattepur VDC Baijapur VDC

Illegal Timber Harvesting Chure region Binauna VDC Gamdi Khola Rajpur VDC Matini Khola Rajpur VDC Gurung Khola Bela VDC Gangaparaspur VDC Jabdhawa region Kamdi VDC-Duduwa Gaunpalika ward 5

Poaching Musi Naka Koilabas VDC Gurung Naka Bela VDC Chimchime Gobadiya VDC Rasari Marari Bela VDC Khabari Gadhawa VDC Bhaisahi Naka Rajpur VDC Kalaphanta VDC Katkuiya VDC Narenapur VDC Gangapur VDC Infrastructure Development Binauna VDC Baijapur VDC Fattepur VDC Kachanapur VDC Poisoning Rapti River

Flood & River cutting Rapti River

Landslide Chure region Kakrahawa region Gangapuraspu VDC Extraction of Stone/pebbles/sand Rapti River Jhihiri Khola Kamdi Mugawa River Kamdi

Drought Kachanapur ** Banke district All parts Human Wildlife Conflict Binauna Kachanapur Mahadevpuri Khaskusma VDC Baijapur Nau basta- Chisapani VDC Rajpur

Bardia National Park and Buffer Zone Bardia National Park was established in 1988 and has a total area of 968 sq. km. BNP accommodates wide varieties of mag species like tiger, elephant and other prey base species.

Figure 6: Bardia National Park

For the first time the threats and vulnerabilities of BNP and its buffer zone was conducted on March 2017. It was joined by Chief Warden of BNP, representatives of BZMCs, BZUCs, district forest office, and partner organizations (FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat was rated ‘High’ for Bardia National Park. In the list of identified direct threats, drought and drying of water sources is rated as 'High' and invasive species, over exploitation of forest resources, infrastructure development and river poisoning are rated as 'Medium'.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below:

Threat Ratings of Bardia National Park and Buffer Zone

Threats \ Tiger Blue Forest Rhinoceros Agriculture Prey Crocodile Dolphin Fish Bird Elephant Wetland Grassland River Summary Targets Bull Species System Threat Rating Enroachment Low Low Low Low

Forest Fire Medium Low Low Low

Flood and river Low Low Low Low Medium Low cutting Open Grazing Low Low Low Low

Invasive Species Low Medium Low Low Low Medium Medium

Illegal Logging Low Low and Felling Over- Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium exploitation of Forest Resources

Infrastructure Medium Low Medium Medium Medium Low Low Medium Development

Human WIldlife Low Low Low Low Conflict

Poisoning High Low Low Medium

Illegal Poaching Low Low Low Low Medium Low Low

Landslide and Low Low Low Low Soil Erosion

Animal Disease Low Low Low

Drought and Medium Medium Medium Medium High Medium High High Drying of Resources

Summary Medium Low Medium Low Medium Low Low Medium Medium Low Low Medium Medium Medium High Target Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Bardia NP and BZ

Threats Areas (local place) VDCs/Municipalities Kailasi Encroachment Chitkaiya BZCF Thakurdwara MP Thakurdwara BZCF Thakurdwara MP Kareliya Pathabhar Uncontrolled Grazing Chisapani-Pathabhar Pathhargoji Siddapuri Illegal Timber Harvesting/ NTFPs All parts Jyotipur-Kareliya Pathabhar Pattharboji Karnali River Flood & River cutting Babai River Aurahi River Reu Khola Hattisar Sivapur Chhinchhu Chepang Landslide Pawalchuli Surkhet area Extraction of Stone/pebbles/sand Babai River Grassland of Babai Valley Invasive Species Bhagaraiya Tal Over Extraction of Forest Resources Diseases

Karnali Corridor Karnali corridor lies on the western flood plain of the Karnali river and falls in Kailali and Bardia districts. The river corridor with its riverine habitat is contiguous to the Chure forest in north and tapers down south and touches the upper tip of the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, India. It covers the following districts and VDCs and municipalities:

BARDIYA KAILALI Bardiya Nartional Park Baliya Bhimapur Dhansinghapur Daulatpur Durgauli Gola Narayanpur Patabhar Pathariya Rajapur Sugurkhal Tikapur Municipality

Figure 7: Karnali Corridor

The threat assessment of Karnali corridor was conducted on March 2017. It was joined by members of CFCC and CFUGs, Bafar Nepal, government line agencies and partner organizations (FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat rating is ‘High’. In the list of direct threats, open grazing is rated ‘High’ threats. Similarly, Forest fire, forest resource over extraction, flood and river cutting, poaching, sande and stone mining, infrastructure development, invasive plant species, dryness and draught and use of pesticides are rated ‘Medium’ threats. Illegal logging, Human Wildlife Conflict, encroachment and landslide are rated ‘Low’ threats. It is also found that forest area is more impacted by the treats. The threat and vulnerability ratings and the pressure points are illustrated below: Threat Ratings of Karnali Corridor

Threats \ Grassland River Forest Elephant Prey Tiger Birds Rhino Reptiles NTFPs Wetland Gharial, Fishes Summary Targets system species and water Dolphin Threat Rating sources Forest fire Low High Low Medium

Forest resource High Low Low Medium

over extraction River cutting, Low Medium High Low Medium

flood Poaching Low Medium Low Low Low Low Low High Medium

Open grazing Low High Medium High Low High

Illegal logging Medium Low

Human wildlife Medium Low Low Low Low

conflict Sand, stone and High Medium Medium Medium

gravel extraction Encroachment Low Medium Low Low

Infrastructure Medium Medium Medium Medium

Invasive species Medium High Low Medium

Dryness, Low Medium Medium Medium

drought Landslide Low Low Low

Pesticide Medium Medium Medium

Summary Target Low Medium Very Low Medium Low Low Low Low Medium Low Low Medium High Ratings: High

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Karnali Corridor

Threats Areas (local place) VDCs/Municipalities

Chure region Sugarkhal Dodhara Forest Fire Rajapur Pathabhar Pathariya

Sugarkhal Karmi Daanda Encroachment CF of Tikapur

Lamki Chuwa Uncontrolled grazing Pathariya Dod-dhara Chure belt Illegal Timber Harvesting/ NTFPs Pathabhar Chure Belt Poaching Tikapur Chhatiban Rani Jamara Infrastructure Development Seti Highway-Chure Belt Radhapur Sugarkhal Poisoning Karnali River Sugarkhal Daulatpur Flood & River cutting Dod-dhara Pathabhar Tikapur Landslide Sugarkhal Chure belt Extraction of Stone/pebbles/sand Karnali River Sugarkhal Drought Lamki Chuwa Chure belt Sugarkhal Human Wildlife Conflict Pathariya Durgauli Daulatpur Invasive Species Pathariya Dod-dhara Chure belt Over Extraction of Forest Resources Tikapur

Suklaphanta National Park and Buffer Zone Suklaphanta National Park was established in 1976 and has a total area of 305 sq. km. It was previously Wildlife Researve. SuNP accommodates wide varieties of species like tiger, elephant and other prey base species. The park accommodate the Asia's largest herd of Swamp deer. The recent survey showed that there are more than 2000 individuals of swamp deer. The park has become successful is establishing the second viable assemblage of Blackbuck in Jhalari which lies in the north-eastern side of Kanchanpur district.

Figure 8: Suklaphanta National Park

For the first time the threats and vulnerabilities of SunP and its buffer zone was conducted on April 2017. It was joined by Chief Warden of SuNP, representatives of BZMCs, BZUCs, district forest office, and partner organizations (CARE, FECOFUN and NTNC).

The overall threat was rated ‘Medium for SuNP. In the list of identified direct threats, river bank cutting and flooding, open grazing, forest fire, invasive species, disease on wildlife and dryness and drought are rated as 'Medium' threats.

The detailed threat ratings and pressure points of those threats are illustrated below:

Threat Ratings of Suklaphanta National Park and Buffer Zone

Threats \ Targets Swamp Prey Grassland Forests Birds Crocodile Tiger Wetlands Blackbuck Rhino Summary Threat deer base Rating River bank cutting & Medium Medium Low Low High Medium

flooding Open grazing Medium Medium High Medium

Forest fire Medium Medium High Medium

Invasive species Medium Medium High Medium

Poaching Low Low Low Low Low Low

Landslide Low Low Medium Low Low Low

Encroachment Low Medium Low Low

Human wildlife conflict Medium Low Low Low

Infrastructure Low Low Low Low

development Disease Low Medium Medium Medium

Dryness & drought Low High Low Medium

Poisoning Low Low Low Low Low

Summary Target Low Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Low High Low Low Medium Ratings:

Pressure points of threats and vulnerabilities in Suklaphanta NP and BZ

Threats Areas (local place) VDCs/Municipa+E125lities Reasons for threats or remarks if any Forest Fire Sal Forest Area All parts Radhapur Beldaandi site Encroachment Tarapur Dhakka Beldaandi site*** Talagaandi Daiji Uncontrolled Grazing Jhalari Pipladi Dodhara Chandani Coming from India through Mahakali river Beldaandi south belt Beldaandi Gaon Palika using motor tube Poaching Dodhara Chandani boarder Dodhara Chandani area Daiji to Beldaandi Bridge Radha river to Syali river Arjuni Infrastructure Development Daiji to Kalapani

Kalikasthan Outlet of canal from Mahakali is in the lake

Poisoning

Flood & River cutting Dodhara Chandani East-Mahakali river & West-Jogbuda river Landslide Landslide effect in Kalikasthan Extraction of Stone/pebbles/sand

The rain water carries germs and diseases Disease from domestic through dung or pellets. Common grazing sites Closely grazing sites Sagarmatha UC Kanchanpur Bageswori Human Wildlife Conflict Shuklaphanta Dodhara Chandani Bhimdutta Area Bhimdutta MP Radhapur to Jhilmil Core Area near Bagh phanta Invasive Species Hraiya Phanta Bandikhaiya Area Jogbuda Chure Belt Malas Over Extraction of Forest Resources Lipna Daudi Simal band Sagarmatha UC Himalaya UC 1.Wetlands-Rani Tal, Tarapur Tal, Drought Radhapur Kalikasthan Dhakka Tarapur 2.Grasslands-Radhapur,Beldaandi

Bhramhadev Corridor

Brahamadev corridor lies to the north of Suklaphanta National Park and covers the Chure foothills. It is contiguous to the Chure in India and thus serves as a vital passage from SWR to India. It is spread to Bhimdutta Municipality, Suda VDC and Daiji VDC of Kanchanpur district.

Figure 9: Bhramhadev Corridor

The threat assessment of Brahamadev corridor was conducted on March 2017. It was joined by the members of Chure Sanjal CFCC, CFUG, SWR, and government representatives from District Forest Office, District Agriculture Development Office, District Women Development Office and the partner organizations (NTNC and FECOFUN).

The threat and vulnerability assessment of Bhramhadev corridor and Punt watershed was done collectively. Puntara Watershed lies in Jogbuda of Dadeldhura district which is identified as a climate refugia and connects to the Mahabharata range in the North. The overall threat rating of the area is ‘High’. Drought is rated ‘High’. Similarly, the area faces threats of forest fire, abandoned cattle grazing pressure, flood and river cutting, landslide and erosion and infrastructure pose threats to the targets and are rated as ‘Medium’. Encroachment, illegal logging, poaching, sand and stone mining, infrastructure, over harvesting from forest and human wildlife conflict are identified as direct threats but rated ‘Low’.

Threat Ratings of Bhramhadev Corridor

Threats \ Targets Rivers Forest Swamp deer and Tiger/leopard Elephant Birds Fishes Agriculture Bijay Grassland Wetland Summary prey species Sal Threat Rating Encroachment Low Low Low

Forest fire High Medium Medium Low Medium

Abandoned cattle and Medium Medium Low Low Medium over grazing

River cutting/flood Medium Medium Low Medium Medium

Illegal logging Medium Low

Landslide/erosion Medium Medium Medium

Poaching Medium Low Low Low

Stone, sand extraction Medium Low Low

Drought High Medium High High High

Invasive plant species Medium Low Low Low Low

Infrastructure Low Low Low Low

Pesticide Medium Low Medium Medium Medium

Over harvesting from Low Low forest

Human Wildlife Conflict Low Low Low Low

Summary Medium High Low Low Low Low Low Medium Low Low Medium High Target Ratings: