Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park (14344)
Nepal, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2005

National site name: Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park

Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.8000, Longitude: 85.3333

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1400 to 2700

Area of KBA (km²): 107.41037

Protected area coverage (%): 74.92

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Shivapuri National Park lies on the northern side of the Kathmandu Valley, only about 12 km from the capital. Shivapuri was established as a wildlife reserve in 1985 but measures for its protection were initiated as early as 1975 under the Shivapuri Watershed Development Board. It was designated a national park in 2003. Shivapuri (2730 m) is the second highest mountain that surrounds the Kathmandu Valley. It is the main source of the rivers Bagmati and Vishnumati that flow from the southern slopes of the mountain; streams on the northern slopes drain into the Likhu Khola. About 50% of the park remains forested. The lower slopes are extensively covered by scrub. Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii is the dominant tree species in the subtropical zone although other species are present, mainly Alnus nepalensis, Castanopsis indica and Schima wallichii. The northern slopes are dominated by these broadleaved trees at lower elevations and some scrub. Quercus lanata is the main tree species in the lower temperate zone, but little remains and this is badly degraded. Higher up in the upper temperate zone the mountain is densely vegetated with Quercus semecarpifolia.

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: A total of 178 species has been recorded in Shivapuri (Inskipp 1989a), but many more are likely to occur. The park has good populations of Spiny Babbler and Hoary-throated Barwing, two restricted-range species. There are large areas of temperate forest, which support significant populations of species characteristic of the Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest biome. Non-bird biodiversity: Shivapuri is the only site in Nepal for the globally threatened Relict Himalayan Dragonfly Epiophlebia laidlawi. No other globally threatened animals are known to occur. Mammals recorded include Hanuman Langur Seemnopithecus entellus, Leopard Panthera pardus, and Indian Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak.

Delineation rationale: 28/02/2011 - Polygon changed to incorporate non-contiguous addition (Nagarjun) to the park.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Forest	33
Shrubland	33

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Only in the past and unlikely to return
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Only in the future

Additional information