There are altogether 20 protected areas in Nepal. According to 2016, World Bank data, the protected areas together cover about 24% of total land area in Nepal. These areas are further categorized into 12 national parks, 6 conservation areas, 1 hunting reserve and 1 wildlife reserve. The range of biodiversity incorporated by them range from tropical jungles and temperate vegetation of southern Nepal, wetland and freshwater lakes, along with Alpine and polar regions of glaciers, snows and barren land.
Globally 10 Ramsar sites (wetlands) of Nepal have been recognized. These protected areas of Nepal are the last conservation areas for many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna such as One-horned Rhinos, Asian Elephants, Dolphins, Gharial crocodiles, Royal Bengal tigers, Himalayan black bear. One unique feature of parks and conservation areas is the designation of buffer zone where indigenous communities have been living for thousands of years in harmony with nature.
Protected areas in Nepal
- National Parks
- Conservation areas
- Hunting reserves
- Wildlife reserve