Explore the Barandabhar Corridor Forest

Located in the Chitwan District of Nepal, the Barandabhar Corridor Forest is a long, narrow strip of land, covering and an area of 87.9 square kilometers, and dividing the district into east and west. The forest is well watered by the rivers Rapti, Budhi Rapti and Khageri and includes the Bees Hazari lake, a large natural wetland essential to the biodiversity of the area. This wetland, which is the second largest of its kind in Nepal, was recently declared a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance.

Dominated primarily by sal forest, with areas of riverine forest, as well as tall and short grassland, the Barandabhar Corridor Forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Up to twenty-two species of mammals have been recorded in the forest, including wild boar, sloth bear, Asian elephant, rhinoceros and the magnificent, and endangered, Bengal tiger. There are also several species of deer in the area, among them being the spotted deer, sambar deer, hog deer and barking deer. Of these species, the spotted deer is the only one likely to be seen in large herds of between twenty and fifty animals. The other three tend to be solitary animals that may gather to graze and then disperse.

While a number of animals in the forest are considered to be vulnerable or endangered by conservationists, and listed as such with the IUCN, the wild boar is listed as being of “least concern” from a conservation standpoint. Although they tend to prefer wooded grassland and swampy areas as habitats, they are very adaptable. They breed all year around and are opportunistic feeders, eating vegetation, including roots and tubers, as well as insects, snakes and other small animals and are unlikely to go hungry in the lush Barandabhar Corridor Forest.

Birds are plentiful in the forest, which is listed with Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) as an Important Bird Area (IBA). In addition to the more than 280 species of resident birds, such as mynas, peafowl, hornbills, fish-eagles, vultures, eagles and storks, the forest and wetlands host a variety of migratory birds, including the critically endangered Siberian crane. Nature and birding enthusiasts will not be disappointed with a visit to the Barandabhar Corridor Forest in Nepal.