The Center for Nepal Environmental and Educational Development

Chitwan is one of the densely populated districts in Nepal. Once, this district was hunting paradise for the Rajas, Maharajas and Royal guests for big animals like Royal Bengal Tigers and One-horned Rhinoceros. There was no account of flora except the hardwood Shorea robusta (Sal) which has high economic value in domestic and international market. This hunting reserve park was declared as National Park in 1973. A plan was implemented for habitat conservation of big game animals since then. Avi-fauna has been attracted many nature lovers and foreign tourists. Every year thousands of tourist and bird watchers visit this park. Attention on butterflies, moths and other groups of insects like beetles, odonatas, spiders and reptiles are still neglected. Forest conservation is still lacking since large numbers of timbers are cutting down every year illegally. Plants of medicinal values and fuels are taken away and firing accident happened without noticed. No account on the plants of Chiwtan district is available though this district has many resources of national and international significance. Royal Chiwtan National Park is declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and recently Bishazaarital is included as the Ramsar site. Scattered references of vascular plants are available in some publication but accounts on bryophytes, pteridophytes, mosses, mushrooms and other aquatic species are still lacking. Considering these fact in mind a team of experts in different groups were organized to study those neglected fauna and flora of Chitwan. This team was headed by Dr. Masamu Watanabe in Japan and Dr. Keshab Shrestha in Nepal. Pro Natura Foundation/Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NCSJ) had graciously offered financial support. This project has two phases to study the tropical biodiversity of Chitwan district of Nepal. The first phase study was carried out on December 2003 and second phase was performed on October/November 2004.
   
    Biodiversity study of tropical region of Chitwan was conducted at different ecological levels.The district is composed of varied ecological niches of plains, forest, riverine forest, wetlands, ponds, grasslands and rivers. Narayani is the main river system of the district which has many tributaries as Rapti and Reu at the south and Trisuli, Marsyangdi, Seti and Madi at the north. It flows as Gandaki at Bihar district of India. Several ethnic groups like Chepang, Tamang, Gurung, and Magars are living in the Mahabharata ranges. The other ethnic groups like Darai, Bote, Satar, Majhi and Tharus are living in the plain and riverine valleys. Brahmins, Chhetris, Newars and other people are living in urban areas for their trade, education and other occupations. Each group has their own tribal language, culture and custumes. The economy of these people is solely depending upon the forest and its products in one way or others. Chepangs are nomad but their life style is highly influencing by urban society. It is best time to study their life style and anthropology before it is getting too late. It can help to know their indigeneous knowledges and traditional skill.

(3.42 MB) Download