Bardia National Park, Mahendranagar, Mahakali Nepal

 Bardia National Park (810 20' E and 280 35' N) is the largest lowland protected area of Nepal. The park is located in the western lowland and encompasses a total area of 968 km2. The park includes alluvial floodplains created by Karnali River in the west and pristine ecosystem of Bardia valley in the northeastern section of the park.

In 1967, part of the area was established as Royal Hunting Reserve. Later in 1976, the area was gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve to include an area of 386 sq km and renamed as the Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve (RBWR) in 1982. Before the establishment of hunting reserve the villages located in Baghaura Phanta and Lamkoili Phanta were relocated outside the reserve boundary. In 1984, the area was extended in the east to include the Babai Valley to encompass a total area of 968 km2. In 1988, the whole area was declared as Bardia National Park (RBNP). Recently the proposed extension of the park in the east in Banke district has been dedicated as a "Gift to the Earth" and declaration is in process.

The park is bordered with Ratna Highway (Nepalganj-Surkhet road) in the east. Geruwa River, eastern branch of Karnali river system forms the western boundary of the park. The crest of the Churia range forms the northern boundary of the park and the southern boundary adjoins cultivated lands, settlements, buffer zone forest and part of the East-West Highway.

The park is reputed for its rich biodiversity. The vegetation in the park ranges from early successional stage, tall floodplains grassland, established on the alluvial floodplain of Karnali, Orai and Babai river systems to the climax stage, sal (Shorea robusta) forest, extended on relatively dry flat lands and slopes of the park are revegetated and are dominated by grass species.

The faunal diversity of the park includes 53 species of mammals including endangered megaherbivores like rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and elephant (Elephas maximus), more then 25 species of reptiles, over 400 species of birds, 121 species of fishes and unknown diversity of mollusks and arthropods.

The park provides an excellent wilderness experience for visitors. Unique flora, fauna and landscape of the park and indigenous culture of buffer zone communities are important attraction for the tourists. In recent years the number of tourists visiting the park has increased remarkably.