Parsa Wildlife Reserve sees rise in wild animals

Parsa Wildlife Reserve sees rise in wild animals Birgunj, 22 June, The number of animals has increased in Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR), which is the largest wildlife reserve in the country, after a thin human settlement of Ram Bhauri Bhatha was evacuated out of PWR area last year. A long conflict between the people of the Bhatha and wildlife over the damage of corps caused by the wildlife animals is also over after they were evicted from the area with proper compensation. The area has converted into a favourable Greenland for wild elephant, rhino, hare, deer, wild-cock, peacocks, birds and other wild animals.

PWR has also managed the artificial pond for the wild-animals especially in summer season. A 30 feet tall new view tower made of wood has been set up on the hill so that the wild animals can easily be captured in wide-range while from the other old view-tower set up on Bhatha hill, the areas of Bara, Parsa, Makwanpur, Chitwan and border areas of India can also be seen. Despite having much possibility of internal and external tourism, PWR situated in the mid-region of Terai has not been able to extend quality service due to lack of budget in setting up required infrastructure for tourists. Though PWR has strong possibility of attracting thousands of external especially Indian and internal tourists every year for holidays, visits, pilgrimages, etc., it has succeeded less in doing so. Entrance of external tourists can also help in growing the national income together with creating some job opportunities for the Nepalese too.

Parsa Wildlife Reserve, established in 1984, is a protected area in the Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. It has spread in 499 km (193 sq mi) covering the areas of Bara, Parsa, Makwanpur and Chitwan districts and it has many historical as well as religious places including wild animals and birds. In altitude it ranges from 435 m (1,427 ft) to 950 m (3,120 ft) in the Siwalik Hills. The animals and birds which come for water can be safely viewed from two 25 feet tall view-towers. According to Manjur Alam, assistant warden, rare Gauri Cows, preserved tigers, bears, wild-elephants, deer, Neelgai, Chital, boa, tortoise, and in bird species peacock, black-listed queen birds, parrot, wild-cocks, etc. come to drink water at Kamini Dah and Laukik Dah in dry season. "Several programs of wildlife reserve are conducted with limited budget from the government in every fiscal year." said Nilambar Mishra, the warden of PWR. "A donor organization named 'TAAL' allotted some budget for Ram Bhauri Bhatha area but we need some more money to manage and promote the area for tourism," further said Mishra. Before being converted to a protected area, the region (PWR) used to be a hunting ground of the ruling class.