Banke National Park has officially launched a jungle safari starting today, aiming to promote eco-tourism and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The safari, which begins from the Khadakwar-Hattisar area in the park’s northwest region, extends up to Agyaiya and lasts around three hours, according to Park Ranger Supushpa Regmi.
Chief Conservation Officer Birendra Prasad Kandel emphasized that the primary goal of the safari is to minimize conflicts between humans and wild animals while connecting the local community with nature-based tourism. “This initiative also helps highlight the park’s challenges and aims to engage the public in sustainable tourism,” Kandel stated.
During the jungle safari, participants had the opportunity to witness a variety of wildlife, including tigers, spotted deer (Chital), barking deer (Ratua), swamp deer (Jarayo), and wild boars (Bandel). Regmi added that the safari program is expected to enhance both domestic and international tourism in the area. Another safari event is scheduled for Tuesday as part of the ongoing Forest Week.
Notable participants in today’s program included Ward Chairperson of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality–8 Shalikram Dangi, Chairman of the Buffer Zone Management Committee Gehendra Kumar Khadka, user committee representative Lokendra Khatri, and nature guides, among others.
Established in 2010 (2067 BS) for tiger conservation, Banke National Park recorded a significant increase in tiger numbers from just 4 in 2013 to 25 in 2022. The park continues to work towards conserving biodiversity, regulating buffer zone resources, and promoting tourism.
Spanning approximately 550 square kilometers, the park is rich in biodiversity and particularly renowned as a prime habitat for tigers. It is also home to several species of mammals and birds, with the four-horned antelope being one of its unique attractions. In recent years, the park has seen a rise in visitors, including both domestic and Indian tourists.
