Banke National Park, which was established on June 28, 2010, is the country’s youngest park and is becoming well known for tiger watching, bird watching and jungle safaris. The park, which was established to protect Patebagh’s habitat and biological path, has recently become a popular tourist destination for domestic tourists. Walking trails, elephant safaris, homestays, water sports in the Rapti River, and other leisure activities are available in the park.
Banke National Park extends over 550 square kilometers in Banke district and its buffer zone, 343 square kilometres, encompasses parts of Banke, Dang and Salyan districts. The Park is adjoining the Kamdi corridor that joins Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary in India through national and community forests towards south. It is connected with Bardia National Park towards west which further links with Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in India via Khata corridor, national forest and community forests. BaNP is an important component of Terai Arc Landscape which provides additional habitat for tigers. In fact, establishment of this park for the conservation of wild tigers, an endangered wildlife species, reflects the commitment of the Government of Nepal towards biodiversity conservation at landscape level.
There are various packages for bird watching, and tiger watching that also include camping, hiking, homestays, and yachting. The elephant safari, for example, has been going on since its inception, according to Shyam Sah, Chief Conservation Officer.
He stated that elephant safari was temporarily halted due to the corona epidemic, but that it has lately resumed in the month of Chaitra. According to park statistics, a total of 70 people have gone on elephant safari since the end of the current fiscal year’s Shrawan month. Domestic tourists, in particular, visit the park and take a safari. According to Sah, 2 to 5 people visit the elephant safari daily.
He also mentioned that Baker National Park had begun a tourism promotion campaign to attract both domestic and international visitors. He clarified that the park has made significant strides in conservation and tourism promotion in a brief span of time.
Compiled By: Rebika Bishokarma
Photos By: Nepal Trekking, Wonders of Nepal
Also Read: