Phulchoki Mountain Forest (14340)
Nepal, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Phulchoki Mountain Forest
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.6167, Longitude: 85.2667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1400 to 2800
Area of KBA (km2): 50.49634
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Phulchoki Mountain, the highest peak on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, lies 16 km southeast of Kathmandu in the Lalitpur and Kabhrepalanchok District of of Bagmati Province. The mountain mainly comprises limestone and low-grade metamorphic marble. <span style="font-size: 10pt;">There is a marble quarry on the lower slopes.</span>
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The high total of 290 species has been recorded in Phulchoki Mountain Forest (PMF) (Hem Sagar Baral pers. obs, Baral 1995, Choudhary 1996a, Giri and Choudhary 1996, 2000a, 2001, 2002, 2004; Inskipp 1989, 1993; Lama 1994, 1995, Mallalieu 2008). PMF supports a significant population of the globally threatened Steppe Eagle. Other globally threatened species recorded are White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris (former rare visitors), and Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola (winter visitor in 19th century).<div>Phulchoki is known to support a significant population of one restricted-range species, Hoary-throated Barwing from the Central Himalayas (EBA 129). Other restricted-range species recorded include two species from the Central Himalayas (EBA 129): Nepal Cupwing Pnoepyga immaculata (very rare passage migrant) and Spiny Babbler Acanthoptila nipalensis (former frequent resident, its dense scrub habitat that has now succeeded to forest and no suitable habitat for this species remains), Spectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoni from the Western Himalayas (EBA 128) is a rare winter visitor. <br><p>Non-bird biodiversity: Phulchoki's forests are internationally renowned for their other wildlife. Martens (1979) stated that 'Numerous animal species, especially insects and Arachnida hitherto unknown to science have been discovered here in recent years'. Phulchoki supports a rich variety of butterflies, including the rare Golden Emperor Dilipa morgiana and Kaiser-I-Hind Teinopalpus imperialis (Limbu and Gurung 1998). Ghimre (1984-1985) advocated their protection for their botanical importance alone. Mainly smaller mammals occur, for example Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula, Orange-bellied Squirrel Dremomys lokriah and the Leopard Panthera pardus, which is rare.</p></div>
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Phulchoki receives high rainfall and supports a luxuriant growth of subtropical broadleaved Schima wallichii and Castanopsis indica forests on the lower slopes, with Quercus lamellosa and Q. lanata mixed with Rhododendron arboreum and small bamboo patches higher up, and Quercus semecarpifolia and a little bamboo at the highest elevations.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The PMF IBA is especially at risk because of its close proximity to Kathmandu. The forests are threatened by felling of trees for wood and fodder, intentional forest fires in the dry season, hunting, and illegal collection of orchids and disturbance. The loss of tree cover has resulted in a considerable reduction of water in streams flowing from Phulchoki. A road runs from the mountain’s base to its summit, although the top area is controlled by the army where public access is restricted. The road enables vehicles to easily remove forest products from the upper slopes.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Baral, HS (1995) Phulchoki: a paradise for birdwatchers! Sanctuary Asia 15(5): 60-62.<div>Choudhary, H (1996a) Additional sightings. Bird Conservation Nepal Newsletter. 5(4):2.</div><div>Ghimre, GPS (1984-1985) Plant ecology of central midland Nepal (a case study of Godavari-Phulchoki forest). Pp. 427-437 in T.C. Majupuria (ed). Nepal Nature's Paradise. White Lotus, Bangkok, Thailand: </div><div>Giri, T and Choudhary, H 1996. Additional sightings! Bird Conservation Nepal Newsletter 5(3):2-3.<br>Giri, T and Choudhary, H (2000a) Additional sightings! Danphe 9(3):3.<br></div><div>Inskipp, C (1989) Nepal’s forest birds: their status and conservation. ICBP Monograph No. 4. International Council Bird Preservation, Cambridge, UK. </div><div>Inskipp, C (1993) Phulchoki. Nepal Bird Watching Club Bulletin 2 (1):1-2.</div><div>Lama, S. (1994) Additional sightings! Nepal Bird Watching Club Bulletin 3(1): 3-4.<br>Lama, S 1995. Additional sightings. Nepal Bird Watching Club Newsletter 4(2): 2.<br></div><div>Limbu, MS and Gurung, D (1998) Phulchoki: a nature's paradise. Danphe 7(1/2):1-4.</div><div>Mallalieu, M. (2008) Kathmandu Bird Report 2004-2006. Bird Conservation Nepal, Kathmandu.</div><div>Martens, J (1979) Die Fauna des Nepal-Himalaya - Entstehung und Erforschung. Natur und Museum 109(7): 221-243. </div><div>Shahi, P (2015) Court orders to close Godawari marble quarry. Kathmandu Post 17 April 2015. http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2015/04/16/news/court-orders-to-close-godawari-marble-factory/275471.html</div>
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership