Khaptad National Park is located in quite remote area. It is the mid mountain National park in far western Nepal with unique and important ecosystem. It spreads in an area of 225 square kilometers. Khaptad is a plateau of grassland and forest cover at an elevation around 3, 000 meters.
The vegetation of the park varies from sub-tropical in the lower altitudes to temperate forest with grasslands on the Khaptad plateau. The common tree species are rhododendron, chir pine, spruce, fir, maple, birch and alder. Dense stands of bamboo (nigalo), prairie flowers, and a variety of medicinal herbs grow inside the park.
To the north side of the park is a lake called the Khaptad Lake where a festival is held during the full moon of August and September every year. The common animals in the park are barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow throated marten and rhesus monkey and langur monkey. The occasionally sighted animals in the park are leopard, wild dog and jackal. The park boasts of 224 species of medicinal herbs. Equally diverse in the park is the presence of birds in the park recorded at around 270 species. The park supports about 175 breeding species. Common among these are Impeyant pheasant, the national bird and many types of partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles.
Entry Fee Per Person Per Entry:
For Nepalese Nationals, Free
For SAARC Nationals, Rs. 100/-
For Other Nationals, Rs. 1,000/-
Access:
Take a flight to Nepalgunj from where you will have to catch the local buses to Silgadhi, Doti. Then after you will have to hike for six hours to reach the park entrance.
Note:
Entrance fee not required for children under 10 years.
Park Entrance fees is regulated by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (Phone: 4220850).
|
