Nawalparasi forests (18501)
Nepal, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Nawalparasi forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.5500, Longitude: 83.0000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 00
Area of KBA (km2): 58.802514
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Nawalparasai forests lie between Bardghat to Sunwal at the base of the Siwalik Hills of the Nawalparasai district in south-central Nepal. This area is largely used for agriculture and almost all of the southern part is intensively farmed. Natural and semi-natural forests remain towards the north, along the northern section of the East West highway. These forests are managed by local communities, as community forest. The forest is mainly Sal Shorea robusta with Saj Terminalia tomentosa as the co-dominant species. In degraded areas, there are Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo plantations. Agriculture forms a significant part of the landscape. Nawalparasai has been identified as an IBA because of its important colony of White-rumped Vultures.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. 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 71 nests of White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis was counted here during the 2002-2003 breeding season; of these only 23 were successful in raising young (Baral et al. 2003). Non-bird biodiversity: Golden Jackal Canis aureus, Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis, Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis have been seen. Other possible wildlife include Leopard Panthera pardus.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Baral and Chaudhary (2003), Baral et al. (2003).