Photo: Hopingyousuf · CC BY-SA 4.0National Parks / Banke
Est. 2010 · A 'Gift to the Earth'
Nepal's 'Gift to the Earth' — a young Terai park on the Churia hills that forms a vital tiger corridor alongside neighbouring Bardiya.
Established on 12 July 2010 as Nepal's tenth national park, Banke was created following its recognition as a 'Gift to the Earth' — and forms a vital link in the conservation of the Bengal tiger.
The park covers 550 km², with most of its terrain falling within the Churia (Sivalik) range, and is surrounded by a 344 km² buffer zone across the Banke, Salyan and Dang districts. Together with neighbouring Bardiya National Park it forms the Bardia–Banke Tiger Conservation Unit, a contiguous protected block of around 1,518 km².
To the south, the park connects through the Kamdi corridor to India's Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a key transboundary link in the wider Terai Arc Landscape.
Photo: Bharatadhikarimb · CC BY-SA 4.0The Landscape
Banke's landscape is built from eight distinct ecosystem types, from sal forest and grassland to riverine habitat along the Rapti and Babai rivers. Its subtropical monsoon climate brings three seasons — summer, monsoon and winter — and the regenerating Churia forests provide cover for an expanding wildlife population.
Wildlife
Banke shelters around 34 mammal species and serves as critical tiger habitat alongside Bardiya.
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0The park's reason for being — part of the Bardia–Banke tiger landscape.
Endangered
Photo: Dr. Raju Kasambe · CC BY-SA 4.0One of several protected species, alongside striped hyena.
Photo: Sabina Bajracharya · CC BY-SA 4.0Asian elephants move through the park and its corridors.
EndangeredVisiting
Quiet and little-visited, Banke pairs naturally with a Bardiya safari.
Jungle drives and walks in a quieter setting than the larger Terai parks.
Boating on the Rapti and Babai rivers within the wider landscape.
Regenerating Sivalik forest, increasingly rich in wildlife.
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