Khaptad National Park || Ground heaven of Far west Nepal

Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park is a protected area in the Far-Western Region, Nepal that was established in 1984. Stretching over the four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Achham, and Doti it covers an area of 225 km2 (87 sq mi) and ranges in elevation from 1,400 m (4,600 ft) to 3,300 m (10,800 ft).

Khaptad National Park got its name from a hermit named Khaptad Baba. He meditated here for 50 years. This added to the importance of the Khaptad National Park. Local people worship in the buffer zone of this national park during the full moon to Shiva in August and September. Interesting rituals take place during this time.

Flora and Fauna

Khaptad National Park has a huge variety of flora. It is like a green carpet rolling down from steep slopes to moorland. The view and the feel of being there are absolutely incomparable and will take travelers to a different place. It supports around 67 species of flora, which harmoniously coexist here. Few of the flora includes rhododendron forests, oak, and pine forests.

This national park map displays a great variety of flora also. It has 23 species of mammals and 287 types of birds. This national park is great seeing mammals like leopard, Himalayan black bear, wild dog, and musk deer. As it supports a huge number of birds, travellers can see birds like Impeyan pheasant (danphe; Nepalese national bird), Peregrine falcon, the white-rumped vulture and many types of partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles.

You may also like: Area of Nepal || Revised Political Map of Nepal