July 28, 2025
In a country as geographically and ecologically diverse as Nepal, wildlife corridors are not just strategic conservation tools—they are lifelines. As human settlements, agriculture, and infrastructure expand, these natural passageways help ensure the long-term survival of iconic and endangered species like tigers, elephants, rhinos, and leopards by linking protected areas and allowing for safe migration, genetic exchange, and seasonal movement.
What Are Wildlife Corridors?
Wildlife corridors are stretches of habitat—forested patches, riverbanks, grasslands, or even community-managed land—that connect two or more larger habitats such as national parks or conservation areas. In Nepal, they are particularly important for wide-ranging species like the Royal Bengal tiger and Asian elephant.
Key Wildlife Corridors in Nepal
1. Churia-Mahabharat Corridors (Terai Arc Landscape)
This vast landscape stretches from eastern to western Nepal, linking 14 protected areas across Nepal and northern India. Some vital corridors include:
- Barandabhar Corridor (Chitwan NP – Mahabharat Range)
- Kamal River Corridor (Shuklaphanta NP – Indian border)
- Khata Corridor (Bardia NP – Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, India)
- Basanta Corridor (Bardia – Seti River landscape)
- Lumbini Corridor (Chure Range to the lowlands)
These corridors are crucial for the movement of elephants, tigers, rhinos, and leopards.
2. Eastern Elephant Corridors (Jhapa & Koshi Region)
- Bahundangi Corridor (Jhapa): A key elephant corridor linking Indian forests and the Koshi Tappu region. This area has witnessed increased human-wildlife conflict but also community-level conservation.
- Koshi Tappu – Chatara – Udayapur Corridor: Used by seasonal elephant herds moving northward.
3. Babai Valley Corridor (Bardia National Park)
Although within a protected area, Babai Valley acts as a natural corridor for species moving between the southern lowlands and the mid-hills. Tigers, elephants, and leopards use this route, making it essential to Bardia’s ecological integrity.
4. Middle Hills and Mountain Corridors
Though less studied, there are informal corridors facilitating movement of snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan black bears between:
- Langtang – Gaurishankar – Makalu Barun
- Annapurna – Manaslu – Dhorpatan
- Kangchenjunga – Singalila Ridge (India)
These mountainous links allow alpine species to shift territories in response to climate and resource availability.
Importance of Corridors
- Genetic Diversity: Prevents inbreeding by facilitating mating between sub-populations.
- Climate Adaptation: Enables species to shift ranges as climate changes.
- Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Strategically managed corridors reduce conflict hotspots.
- Ecological Services: Forest corridors provide water security, erosion control, and biodiversity.
Threats to Wildlife Corridors
- Infrastructure development (roads, railways, fences)
- Urbanization and agricultural expansion
- Deforestation and habitat fragmentation
- Poaching and illegal resource extraction
Conservation Efforts
- Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Initiative: A joint Nepal-India effort supported by WWF and government bodies to manage corridors for tiger and elephant conservation.
- Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs): Local people protect and manage forests that function as corridors.
- Eco-bridges and Underpasses: Introduced on highways like the Narayanghat-Mugling road to allow safe wildlife passage.
- Zonation in Protected Area Buffer Zones: Helps manage land use near corridors to minimize conflict.
How Travelers Can Support
- Visit conservation buffer zones and support eco-tourism homestays in key corridor areas
- Educate yourself about human-wildlife conflict and responsible behavior in rural areas
- Choose travel operators that contribute to corridor protection and community conservation
Looking Ahead
Maintaining and restoring wildlife corridors is essential to ensuring that Nepal’s extraordinary biodiversity thrives well into the future. As landscapes become increasingly fragmented, Nepal must continue to prioritize cross-border cooperation, community stewardship, and sustainable infrastructure planning to preserve the natural highways of its wildlife.