| Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve | |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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Imperata cylindrica - one of the main grass species found in the reserve's phantas |
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| Location | Nepal |
| Area | 305 km2 (118 sq mi) |
| Established | 1973 |
Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal, covering 305 km2 (118 sq mi) of open grassland, forests, riverbeds and tropical wetlands at an altitude of 174 to 1,386 metres (571 to 4,547 ft).[1] It was gazetted in 1973 as Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. A small part of the reserve extends north of the East-West Highway to create a corridor for seasonal migration of wildlife into the Sivalik Hills. The Syali River forms the eastern boundary southward to the international border with India, which demarcates the reserve’s southern and western boundary.[2]
The Indian Tiger Reserve Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous in the south; this coherent protected area of 439 km2 (169 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Sukla Phanta-Kishanpur, which covers a 1.897 km2 (0.732 sq mi) block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.[3]
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The area was a favorite hunting ground for Nepal's ruling class and was declared a Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969. In 1973 the area was gazetted as Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, initially comprising 155 km2 (60 sq mi), and extended to its present size in the late 1980s. A buffer zone of 243.5 km2 (94.0 sq mi) was added in May 2004.[4][1]
The climate of the region is subtropical monsoonal with mean annual rainfall of 1,579 mm (62.2 in) that occurs from June to September and is highest in August. The winter months of December and January are fairly cold with daytime temperatures of 7–12 °C (45–54 °F) and occasional frost. From February onwards temperatures rise up to 25 °C (77 °F) in March and reaching 42 °C (108 °F) by end of April. When the first pre-monsoon rains reach the area in May, humidity increases.[5][4]
The prevalent vegetation of the reserve is sukla phanta – grassland, which covers about 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi) in area and is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal. The main grass species include Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus. Khagra Reed (Phragmites karka) and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes of the seven small lakes. The dominant forest type is Sal. Khair and Sissoo grow alongside rivers.[2]
The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the reserve are habitat for a wide range of faunal species. In the rivers, lakes and ponds 27 fish species, the globally threatened Mugger crocodile and Indian Rock Python have been recorded as well as the Monitor Lizard, Indian Cobra, Common Krait and Oriental Ratsnake.[2][4]
Current checklists include 46 species of mammals, 18 of which are protected under CITES such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer, Asian Elephant and Hispid Hare. Great One-horned Rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country. [4][1]
The congregation of Swamp Deer on the reserve's phantas is the largest in the world; the population of Hispid Hare may be of international significance.[2]
A total of 423 bird species has been recorded in the reserve that supports the highest population of Bengal Floricans in Nepal. It is the western limit of Swamp Francolin, Jerdon's Bushchat, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler and Jerdon's Babbler; the north-western limit of Yellow-eyed Babbler; the eastern limit of Finn's Weaver and the most important regular wintering site of Hodgson's Bushchat.[2]
During a survey carried out in January 2005, a total of 19 Hodgson’s bushchats were recorded, and a year later only 8 males.[6]
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