WILDLIFE CORRIDOR MAPPING BETWEEN ROYAL BARDIYA NATIONAL PARK , NEPAL AND KATARNIYAGHAT WILDLIFE RESERVE , INDIA BY USING

This paper deals with the potential corridor analysis between the Royal Bardiya National Park, Nepal and Katarniyaghat Wildlife Reserves, India. Possible forest corridors between Royal Bardiya National Park (RBNP) and Katarniyaghat Wildlife Reserve, India (KWR) were studied with the help of field survey, direct observation and informal discussion with the local people/concerned authorities. Three different corridors along the Karnali-Geruwa and Khaurahi , Orai and Babai river system were identified from the Topo-map of 1:25,000 scale and field survey. GPS was used for ground points verification. Arc View 3.2a and Arc Info 3.4/3.5versions GIS software packages were used for wildlife corridor mapping purpose. Along the proposed buffered corridors, different forest conservation and management practices, wildlife distribution and movement areas, bottleneck areas, degraded habitats, poaching threat areas and anthropogenic activities were compared and analyzed for corridor suitability. Restoration of vegetation and critical habitat along the proposed corridor should be given priority with the accomplishment of Integrated Conservation Development Program. Additionally, minimization of all kinds of pressures in the corridor areas and providing higher protection to proposed corridors are highly recommended.