Sites - Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)
email a friend
Barandabhar forests and wetlands
84o 10.00' East 27o 40.00' North
A1, A3, A4i
150 - 400m
Year of IBA assessment
Bird Conservation Nepal (Partner Designate)
Site description The Barandabhar forest ranges from 1.8-7 km in width and stretches from Royal Chitwan National Park in the south to the Mahabharat Range in the north. The forest south of the Mahendra Highway lies in the park's buffer zone. The forest area includes Sal Shorea robusta, riverine forest Trewia nudiflora, Bombax cebia, Mallotus philippensis, Dalbergia sissoo/Acacia catechu, mixed forest, shrubs and wetlands (streams, lakes, canals and water holes) (Adhikari et al. 2000, Dahal 2003). Bees Hazari Tal is a wetland lying within the forest corridor.
Key Biodiversity A total of 282 bird species has been recorded in Barandbhar forest and Bees Hazari Tal, including the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant and near-threatened Great Hornbill, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus and Darter Anhinga melanogaster (Baral 1996, Adhikari et al. 2000, Dahal 2002, 2003). More species are likely to be found with further work. Surveys have shown that, although it is small, Barandabhar is an extremely important forest corridor, providing a migration route for the passage of birds and other wildlife (Dahal 2002). Bees Hazari Tal is also an important wetland for birds and other wildlife.
Non-bird biodiversity: Little work has been done on other wildlife. The globally threatened Tiger Panthera tigris, Indian Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris have been recorded.