Shuklaphanta National Parkशुक्लाफाँटा राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज
Shuklaphanta National Park is a national park in Sudurpashchim, Nepal, covering 305 km² from 174 to 1,386 m. Established in 2017, it is known for Swamp deer (barasingha), Bengal tiger, Greater one-horned rhinoceros.
Far-western grassland park with one of the world's largest swamp-deer herds
Area
305 km²
+ 243.5 km² buffer zone
Established
2017
Elevation
174–1,386 m
Sudurpashchim
Managed by
DNPWC
Districts
Kanchanpur
Establishment
Upgraded to a national park in 2017 from a wildlife reserve. Reserve-origin discrepancy: DNPWC convention dates the reserve to 1976, while English Wikipedia gives its gazettement as Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in 1973.
Key species
- Swamp deer (barasingha)
- Bengal tiger
- Greater one-horned rhinoceros
- Wild elephant
About the area
Shuklaphanta sits in Nepal's far-western corner in Kanchanpur, hard against the Indian border. It was upgraded to a national park in 2017 from a long-standing wildlife reserve — gazetted as a reserve in 1976 by DNPWC convention, though Wikipedia records the original Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve as 1973. The park covers 305 km² with a 243.5 km² buffer zone added in 2004, from 174 m to 1,386 m.
Its defining feature is the phanta itself — the Shukla Phanta grassland of about 16 km², the largest continuous grassland patch in Nepal. This open habitat supports one of the world's largest herds of swamp deer (barasingha), estimated at around 1,674 animals in 2007, an extraordinary concentration of a globally threatened species.
The park also holds Bengal tigers (36 in 2022), a small population of greater one-horned rhino (17 in 2021), wild elephant and 456 recorded bird species. With low visitor numbers, it offers the rare spectacle of vast grasslands alive with deer and birds in a part of the country few travellers reach.
Where it sits
The highlighted pin is this protected area; the others show Nepal's full network of 20.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Shuklaphanta National Park?+
Shuklaphanta National Park covers 305 km², plus a 243.5 km² buffer zone. It lies in Kanchanpur (Sudurpashchim province).
When was Shuklaphanta National Park established?+
Shuklaphanta National Park was established in 2017 as a national park. Upgraded to a national park in 2017 from a wildlife reserve. Reserve-origin discrepancy: DNPWC convention dates the reserve to 1976, while English Wikipedia gives its gazettement as Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in 1973.
What type of protected area is Shuklaphanta National Park?+
Shuklaphanta National Park is a national park, managed by DNPWC.
What animals live in Shuklaphanta National Park?+
Shuklaphanta National Park is known for Swamp deer (barasingha), Bengal tiger, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, Wild elephant. Far-western grassland park with one of the world's largest swamp-deer herds.
What is the elevation of Shuklaphanta National Park?+
Shuklaphanta National Park ranges from 174 m to 1,386 m above sea level.
Sources & data note
Figures for Shuklaphanta National Park as documented by the listed sources. Where reputable sources disagree the discrepancy is stated in the establishment note. Map coordinates are an approximate centre point, not a surveyed centroid.