Bardia National Park was established in 1988 and is the largest protected area in Nepal’s Terai. Together with the neighbouring Banke National Park, represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke, a vast extension of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests home of the emblematic Bengal tiger.

Many efforts have been made in cooperation with international organisations to protect this endangered species that finds here one of the largest refuges in Asia and whose population is envisioned to double by 2022. The park is also home to many other endangered species such as the wild Asian elephant or the great one-horned rhinoceros along with 50 other mammal species and 400 of birds. Bardia National Park is firmly committed to preserve this wildlife and their habitat.  

Other projects seek to balance conservation of biodiversity while providing livelihood support for poor communities living around the forest by promoting local products and services and training local people on sustainable tourism.

Bardia National Park is dedicated to nature but also to culture preservation, especially, the Tharu culture and people, assumed to be the first settlers in the Terai region. Culture and tourism have a mutually beneficial relationship which can strengthen the attractiveness of Bardia, always through proper management and respect.

This destination participated in the 2019 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards at ITB Berlin by submitting a sustainable tourism story. Keywords: anti-poaching, wildlife conservation