Dang Deukhuri foothill forests and west Rapti wetlands (14326)
Nepal, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Dang Deukhuri foothill forests and west Rapti wetlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.8333, Longitude: 82.4167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 900
Area of KBA (km2): 1655.24428
Protected area coverage (%): 7.97
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sal Shorea robusta forest is the main vegetation type found here. Degraded grasslands occur along the Rapti River. Although the exact extent of remaining forest is unknown, the area may still retain a significant portion of Churia hill forests. The Rapti River flows through most of the lower Dang valley beneath the Churia range first on the northern side of the hills and then leaving the hills on the southern side.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Eastern Himalayas Hotspot (2005). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Due to the general lack of ornithological surveys, bird life of this area remains very little known. Habitats, especially forests and wetlands, potentially support a good variety of birds. A proper survey in this area is needed, but because of the security situation this has not been feasible. A partial survey of vulture nests along the east west highway in 2003 found a total of 51 occupied White-rumped Vulture nests (Baral and Chaudhary 2003). Considering the number of known nests in the area and the available terrain, this IBA may hold the largest breeding population of the White-rumped Vultures in the country. There are large areas of dry tropical forests that are likely to support significant populations of characteristic species of the Indo-Malayan tropical dry zone biome. Dang’s subtropical forests may support significant populations of Sino-Himalayan subtropical forest biome. Non-bird biodiversity: These forests are species-poor for mammals because of high hunting pressure and disturbance. Nothing is known about the status of herpetofauna and other vertebrates in this area.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Grassland | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |