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Nature & Environment · Protected areas

Protected Areas of Nepalनेपालका संरक्षण क्षेत्र

In barely five decades Nepal built one of the world's clearest conservation success stories — from the near-extinction of its rhinos to a network of 20 protected areas covering nearly a quarter of the country. This page maps every national park, reserve and conservation area, the laws and community models behind them, and the species-recovery numbers that made Nepal the first nation to double its tigers. Every figure is cited to NTNC, IUCN, DNPWC, UNEP-LEAP and the national press.

Land protected

23.39%

≈34,419.75 km² across 20 protected areas

The network

12 parks

12 national parks · 1 wildlife · 1 hunting · 6 conservation areas

One-horned rhinos

752

2021 census · up from ~95 in 1970 and 466 in 1994

Bengal tigers

355

2022 · first country to more than double its tigers

Where they are

The protected-area map

All 20 protected areas, coloured by category — from the Terai parks of Chitwan and Bardiya to the trans-Himalayan wilderness of Shey Phoksundo and the conservation areas of Annapurna, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga.

National parkWildlife reserveHunting reserveConservation areaClick a pin for the full profile · centres approximate
The numbers that prove it

Species recovery: rhino & tiger

Nepal's flagship species are the clearest measure of its conservation. National censuses chart the greater one-horned rhino's climb back from near-extinction and the tiger's near-tripling under the global TX2 pledge.

Greater one-horned rhino

National census of Rhinoceros unicornis. From about 95 animals in 1970, the population recovered to 752 by 2021 (the 2008 figure reflects conflict-era poaching).

020340660981219942008201120152021
Greater one-horned rhino (national count)

Bengal tiger

National tiger surveys. Nepal nearly tripled its 2009 baseline to 355 by 2022, becoming the first country to more than double its tiger population.

0961922883832009201320182022
Bengal tiger (national count)
Six decades of conservation

From rhino patrol to doubling the tigers

The milestones that built the network — the foundational Act, the first parks, the community models of conservation areas and buffer zones, and the census points that track the recovery. Filter by thread.

  1. 1961Species recovery

    Gaida Gasti armed rhino patrol raised

    After Chitwan's rhinos crashed from perhaps 800 (1950) to about 95 animals, the government raised the Gaida Gasti — a patrol of roughly 130 armed men with a network of guard posts. A few sources date it to 1959.

  2. Dec 1970Parks & reserves

    Chitwan gazetted as a protected area

    King Mahendra's government set aside Chitwan as a protected area, the decisive step that became Nepal's first national park three years later.

  3. 1973Law & institutions

    National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029

    Nepal's foundational conservation law created the categories that still structure the system — national park, wildlife reserve, hunting reserve, conservation area — and Chitwan was established under it as the first national park.

  4. 1976Parks & reserves

    The first Himalayan and lowland reserves

    Sagarmatha, Langtang and Rara national parks and the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve were all gazetted in 1976, extending protection from Everest to the Sapta Koshi floodplain.

  5. 1979Global recognition

    Sagarmatha — first natural World Heritage Site

    Sagarmatha National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first natural World Heritage Site in Nepal.

  6. 1980 (2037 BS)Law & institutions

    Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation founded

    The DNPWC was established to administer parks and reserves, lead anti-poaching, and oversee in-situ conservation. (Founding year stated by DNPWC and corroborated in search.)

  7. 1984Global recognition

    Chitwan inscribed as a World Heritage Site

    Chitwan National Park gained UNESCO World Heritage status for its natural value, recognising the recovery of its rhino and the richness of the Terai landscape.

  8. 1986Community models

    ACAP pilot launches at Ghandruk

    The NTNC began the Annapurna Conservation Area Project at Ghandruk — the prototype of people-centred conservation, where residents keep using resources while tourism revenue funds protection.

  9. 17 Dec 1987Global recognition

    Koshi Tappu — Nepal's first Ramsar site

    Koshi Tappu became Nepal's first Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, launching the country's wetland-conservation era. The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal's only hunting reserve, also opened in 1987.

  10. 1992/1993Law & institutions

    Fourth amendment — conservation areas & buffer zones

    The amendment to the NPWC Act created the legal basis for conservation areas and buffer zones, with 30–50% of park revenue shared with buffer-zone communities. Annapurna was gazetted as the first conservation area in 1992.

  11. 1993Community models

    Forest Act — community forestry takes off

    The Forest Act let the state hand national forest to Community Forest User Groups. The programme scaled to over 22,000 groups managing roughly 40% of Nepal's forests, helping lift forest cover from about 26% (1992) toward 45% (2016).

  12. 1994Species recovery

    First national rhino census: 466

    The first systematic national count of greater one-horned rhinos recorded 466 animals — the baseline against which the recovery to 752 (2021) is measured.

  13. 1996Community models

    Buffer Zone Management Regulation

    The regulation operationalised buffer zones and revenue-sharing, formalising the grand bargain that made local communities partners in protection. There are now 13 buffer zones covering over 5,600 km².

  14. 2009Species recovery

    First scientific tiger survey: 121

    Nepal's first rigorous national tiger count established a baseline of 121 wild tigers — the starting point for the TX2 doubling effort.

  15. 2010Global recognition

    TX2 pledge and two new protected areas

    At the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit, 13 range countries pledged to double wild tigers by 2022 (TX2); Nepal's target was 250. Banke (the tenth national park), Api Nampa and Gaurishankar conservation areas were all established in 2010.

  16. 2011Species recovery

    First 365-day zero-poaching year for rhinos

    Nepal recorded its first full year without a single rhino poached — repeated in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 — as the national rhino count reached 534.

  17. 2014Species recovery

    Zero poaching of all three flagship species

    Nepal became the first country in the world to record a full year of zero poaching of rhino, tiger and elephant together — a landmark for its army-and-community protection model.

  18. 2017Parks & reserves

    Shuklaphanta and Parsa upgraded to national parks

    Two long-standing reserves in the far west and the central Terai were promoted to national-park status, bringing Nepal to 12 national parks.

  19. 2021Species recovery

    Rhino count reaches 752

    The national rhino census recorded 752 greater one-horned rhinos (Chitwan 694, Bardiya 38, Shuklaphanta 17, Parsa 3) — up from about 95 in 1970 and 466 in 1994.

  20. 29 Jul 2022Species recovery

    Nepal becomes first country to double its tigers

    The national survey found 355 tigers, nearly tripling the 2009 baseline and exceeding the TX2 goal of 250 by 105. Announced on Global Tiger Day, it made Nepal the first country to more than double its tiger population.

  21. 20 Apr 2025Species recovery

    First national snow-leopard estimate: 397

    Nepal published its first comprehensive snow-leopard population estimate — 397 individuals — based on 2015–2024 data from seven protected areas. Nepal holds about 2% of global snow-leopard habitat but roughly 10% of the world population.

All 20 protected areas

Every park, reserve and conservation area

Largest to smallest. Open any area for its full profile — establishment, area, elevation, key species, management and sources.

Conservation area

Annapurna Conservation Areaअन्नपूर्ण संरक्षण क्षेत्र

Nepal's largest protected area and the birthplace of people-centred conservation

Est. 19927,629 km²Gandaki
National park

Shey Phoksundo National Parkशे फोक्सुन्डो राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

Nepal's largest and only trans-Himalayan park, around the turquoise Phoksundo Lake

Est. 19843,555 km²Karnali
Conservation area

Gaurishankar Conservation Areaगौरीशंकर संरक्षण क्षेत्र

The conservation bridge between the Langtang and Everest regions, around Gauri Shankar peak

Est. 20102,179 km²Bagmati
Conservation area

Kanchenjunga Conservation Areaकञ्चनजङ्घा संरक्षण क्षेत्र

Nepal's far-north-eastern wilderness beneath Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak

Est. 19972,035 km²Koshi
Conservation area

Api Nampa Conservation Areaअपि नाम्पा संरक्षण क्षेत्र

Nepal's far-north-western frontier, part of the trans-boundary Kailash Sacred Landscape

Est. 20101,903 km²Sudurpashchim
National park

Langtang National Parkलाङटाङ राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The trekking park closest to Kathmandu — and the sacred lakes of Gosainkunda

Est. 19761,710 km²Bagmati
Conservation area

Manaslu Conservation Areaमनास्लु संरक्षण क्षेत्र

The Manaslu Circuit wilderness, around the world's eighth-highest mountain

Est. 19981,663 km²Gandaki
National park

Makalu Barun National Parkमकालु बरुण राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

An exceptional altitudinal sweep from 344 m river valley to the 8,463 m summit of Makalu

Est. 19921,500 km²Koshi
Hunting reserve

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserveढोरपाटन शिकार आरक्ष

Nepal's only hunting reserve — a regulated, quota-based trophy-hunting model in the Dhaulagiri Himal

Est. 19871,325 km²Lumbini, Gandaki, Karnali
National park

Sagarmatha National Parkसगरमाथा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The Everest national park — Nepal's first natural World Heritage Site, topping out at 8,848 m

Est. 19761,148 km²Koshi
National park

Bardiya National Parkबर्दिया राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The largest park in the Terai and Nepal's premier tiger-viewing wilderness

Est. 1988968 km²Lumbini
National park

Chitwan National Parkचितवन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The birthplace of Nepali conservation — where the one-horned rhino was rescued from near-extinction

Est. 1973952.63 km²Bagmati, Gandaki, Madhesh
National park

Parsa National Parkपर्सा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The eastern buffer of Chitwan and a tiger population recovered from near-zero

Est. 2017627.39 km²Madhesh, Bagmati
National park

Banke National Parkबाँके राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

A 'Gift to the Earth' tiger-recovery park contiguous with Bardiya

Est. 2010550 km²Lumbini
National park

Shuklaphanta National Parkशुक्लाफाँटा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

Far-western grassland park with one of the world's largest swamp-deer herds

Est. 2017305 km²Sudurpashchim
National park

Khaptad National Parkखप्तड राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

A mid-hill plateau of rolling meadows in the far west, with deep religious significance

Est. 1984225 km²Sudurpashchim
Wildlife reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserveकोशी टप्पु वन्यजन्तु आरक्ष

Nepal's only wildlife reserve, first Ramsar site and the last refuge of the wild water buffalo

Est. 1976176 km²Koshi
National park

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Parkशिवपुरी नागार्जुन राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

The green wall on Kathmandu's northern rim and a vital water-catchment for the valley

Est. 2002159 km²Bagmati
National park

Rara National Parkरारा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज

Nepal's smallest national park, built around Rara — the country's largest lake

Est. 1976106 km²Karnali
Conservation area

Blackbuck (Krishnasaar) Conservation Areaकृष्णसार संरक्षण क्षेत्र

Nepal's smallest protected area, guarding the world's northernmost wild blackbuck herd

Est. 200916.95 km²Lumbini
Reference table

Every protected area at a glance

Protected areaTypeEstablishedArea (km²)Province(s)
Annapurna Conservation AreaConservation area19927,629Gandaki
Shey Phoksundo National ParkNational park19843,555Karnali
Gaurishankar Conservation AreaConservation area20102,179Bagmati
Kanchenjunga Conservation AreaConservation area19972,035Koshi
Api Nampa Conservation AreaConservation area20101,903Sudurpashchim
Langtang National ParkNational park19761,710Bagmati
Manaslu Conservation AreaConservation area19981,663Gandaki
Makalu Barun National ParkNational park19921,500Koshi
Dhorpatan Hunting ReserveHunting reserve19871,325Lumbini, Gandaki, Karnali
Sagarmatha National ParkNational park19761,148Koshi
Bardiya National ParkNational park1988968Lumbini
Chitwan National ParkNational park1973952.63Bagmati, Gandaki, Madhesh
Parsa National ParkNational park2017627.39Madhesh, Bagmati
Banke National ParkNational park2010550Lumbini
Shuklaphanta National ParkNational park2017305Sudurpashchim
Khaptad National ParkNational park1984225Sudurpashchim
Koshi Tappu Wildlife ReserveWildlife reserve1976176Koshi
Shivapuri Nagarjun National ParkNational park2002159Bagmati
Rara National ParkNational park1976106Karnali
Blackbuck (Krishnasaar) Conservation AreaConservation area200916.95Lumbini

Largest protected area: Annapurna Conservation Area (7,629 km²) · smallest: Blackbuck (Krishnasaar) Conservation Area (16.95 km²).

Common questions

Nepal conservation FAQ

How much of Nepal is protected?

About 23.39% of Nepal's land area — roughly 34,420 km² — falls within its protected-area network of 20 areas: 12 national parks, 1 wildlife reserve, 1 hunting reserve and 6 conservation areas, surrounded by 13 buffer zones. Nepal also holds 10 Ramsar wetlands of international importance.

What is the largest and smallest protected area in Nepal?

The Annapurna Conservation Area is the largest at 7,629 km², and the Blackbuck (Krishnasaar) Conservation Area the smallest at just 16.95 km². Among national parks, Shey Phoksundo is the largest (3,555 km²) and Rara the smallest (106 km²).

What was Nepal's first national park?

Chitwan, gazetted in 1973 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act and made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Sagarmatha (Everest) followed in 1976 and in 1979 became Nepal's first natural World Heritage Site.

How many rhinos and tigers does Nepal have?

Nepal counted 752 greater one-horned rhinos in 2021 (up from about 95 in 1970 and 466 in 1994) and 355 Bengal tigers in 2022 — nearly triple the 2009 baseline of 121, making Nepal the first country to more than double its wild tiger population.

What is a buffer zone in Nepal's parks?

A buffer zone is a belt of roughly 2 km around a park or reserve where elected user committees receive 30–50% of park revenue to fund community development and assist anti-poaching. Introduced by the 1992/1993 amendment to the conservation act and the 1996 Buffer Zone Management Regulation, the model is widely credited for Nepal's zero-poaching years.

What is the difference between a national park, wildlife reserve, hunting reserve and conservation area?

National parks and reserves are strictly protected cores managed mainly by the DNPWC, with the wildlife reserve (Koshi Tappu) focused on a particular habitat and the hunting reserve (Dhorpatan) permitting regulated, quota-based trophy hunting. Conservation areas use a softer IUCN Category VI model that lets residents keep living and using resources, often managed by the NTNC and funded by tourism.

How many UNESCO and Ramsar sites does Nepal have for nature?

Two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Chitwan (1984) and Sagarmatha (1979) — and 10 Ramsar wetlands of international importance, the first being Koshi Tappu in 1987. Several Ramsar lakes lie inside national parks, knitting the wetland and protected-area systems together.

Why is Nepal considered a conservation success story?

From the near-collapse of its rhinos to roughly 95 animals by 1970, Nepal built a network covering nearly a quarter of the country and recovered its flagship species: rhinos to 752 and tigers to 355. It achieved repeated 365-day zero-poaching years, became the first country in 2014 to record zero poaching of rhino, tiger and elephant together, and pioneered community-managed conservation areas and buffer-zone revenue sharing now copied worldwide.

Keep exploring

Forests & community forestry →The user-group model that helped lift forest cover back toward 45%.Lakes & Ramsar wetlands →Rara, Phoksundo and the 10 wetlands of international importance.Climate & environment →The warming that is reshaping the high-alpine habitats these parks protect.Trekking routes →Annapurna, Everest and Manaslu — the trails that run through these areas.

Sources & data note

Establishment years, areas, elevations and species figures are compiled from the verified research file (Wikipedia, NTNC, WWF Nepal, IUCN, UNEP-LEAP/FAOLEX, the Kathmandu Post and myRepublica), checked June 2026. The 23.39% coverage share is independently reported by myRepublica; the exact total area (≈34,420 km²), the 1980 founding date of the DNPWC, the '13 buffer zones / 5,600+ km²' figure and the current community-forestry totals come from DNPWC/government text surfaced in search because dnpwc.gov.np, the Ramsar per-site sheets and Department of Forests pages would not load for the researcher — treat them as best-available. Where reputable sources disagree (Shey Phoksundo 3,555 vs 2,712 km²; Gaurishankar 2,179 vs 2,197 km²; Shuklaphanta's 1973 vs 1976 reserve origin) both figures are recorded rather than a single tidy number. The 2000 and 2005 national rhino totals are omitted as unverified. Coordinates are approximate centre points for mapping, not surveyed park centroids.