Area : 305 sq km as a result of extension. Earlier area was 155 sq km.

Established : Gazetted in 1973 as Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. In 1969 it was declared as Royal Hunting Reserve and was a famous hunting area.

Suklaphant Wildlife Reserve which stand today as successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first National Park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique eco system significantly valuable to the whole world. The Park covering the protected area of 932 Sq. Km. is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of southern central part of Nepal. The Park gained much wider recognition in the world when UNESCO included this area on the list of World Heritage Site in 1984. It should also be emphasized that only a very small part of the national park is used for tourism.

The great majority of the land, particularly in the hills, remains unvisited and therefore undisturbed. This is ideal for wildlife, and also preserves an element of mystery for humans; because large areas are still unexplored, our knowledge of what birds and animals the park contains is by no means finalized, and there is always the possibility of making new discoveries.

Location :
Far western Terai in Kanchanpur District in Mahakali zone. The eastern boundary of this reserve is formed by the Chaudhar river by the International boundary pillars in the forest and partly by the Mahakali river.

Physical Features
The riverine flood plain of the reserve comprises hill wash and alluvial deposits. More than 33 percent of the reserve is covered by Sal (Shorea robusta) and other mixed forest. There are extensive grassland called phanta in Nepal. The biggest grassland is called Sukla Phanta. Several other extensive grasslands are separated bt the patches of the forest. A small lake called Rani Talk (Lake) lies on the eastern side of the reserve and it is the most fascinating area for the water birds and migratory birds.

There are also several water-logged area known as dhap or swampy ground covered by reed and tall grasses.

English Name	Scientific Name
Wild Elephant	Elephas maximus
Royal Bengal Tiger	Panthera Tigris
Leopard	Panthera Pardus
Indian Fox	Valpes bengalensis
Jackel	Canis aurevs
Wild Boar	Sus scrofa
Common Mongoose	Herpestes eduivardsi
Porcupine	Hystrix indica
Wild Cat	Telis Chans
Swamp Deer	Cervus duvauclli
Samber Deer	Cerus unicolor
Spotted Deer	Axix axis
Hog Deer	Axix porcinus
Barking Deer	Muntiacus mutjac
Blue Bull	Boselapus fragocamelus
Hispid Hare	Caproiagns hispidus
Black Naped Hare	Lepns nigricollis
Marsh Crocodile	Crocodyins balustris
Python	Python molunus
Fly Squirrel	Petaurista petauista
Three Striped Palm Squirrel	Tunambulus entielus
Rhesus Monkey	Macaca mulatta
Langur	Presbytis entielus
Pangolin	Manis crassicandata
Common Palm Cive	Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
Common Otter	Lutra lutra
Rhino	Rhinocerous unicornis

The reserve is home to about 45 to 55 Wild Elephant (Elephas maximus) an endangered species, which seems to leave a constant trail of destruction. About 35 Royal Bengal Tigers (Panthera tigris), an endangered species, inhabit the reserve preying on the abundant spotted deer. This is the highest densities of Tiger in the range countries.

About 268 species of birds have been recorded in the Reserve. Several species of endangered birds including the Bengal Florican (Eupodotis bengalensis) are found in the Reserve. Many grassland birds can be seen in the phantas.

Birds found in RSWR:

English Name	Scientific Name
Bengal Florican	Eupodotis bengalenis
Common Beafowal	Pavo cristatus
Pied Hornbill	Anthracolerus malbaricns
Jungle Fowl	Gallus gallus
Black Partrige	Francolinus francolins

More then 300 species of birds can be seen in the Reserve.

Among the reptiles, Marsh Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Indian Python (Python molurus), Monitor Lizard (Varanus monitor) and snakes like Cobra (Naja sp), Krait (Bungarus sp) and Rat snake (Ptyas mucosus) are recorded in this reserve.

The reserve is home to 21 species of fish including the Mahaseer, Rohu and Tenger.

Places of Interest
The extensive open grassland of the reserve serves for breathtaking views of the herds of Swamp Deer in the world. Casually in the flock, Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) with its squat, hog like appearance and movements appear.

Grassland birds are also very fascinating and attractive.

Wetlands such as Rani Tal, Sikari Tal, and other extension area viz., Kalikitch Lake, Lalpani Tal and Tara Tal also provide halting place for waterfowls. Rani Tal about 17 km from Majgaon the park headquarter is a beautiful lake for viewing waterfowl from machan or viewing towers.

Near Rani Tal is the ancient Temple of Singphal, devoted to Lord Shiva. During the Dasain festival, Hindus come here to worship Singphal.

Salgoudi Tal (Lake) is extremely pretty and has an abundance of birdlife. There is a Machan (View tower) from which egrets, herons, stroks, eagle, and many of the animals can be seen including elephants.

Fauna
The vegetation makes ideal habitat for swamp deer or Baradingha (Cervus duvauceli). About 2000-2500 Swamp deer inhabit the reserve. Other mammals viz., Spotted deer or Chital (Axis axis), Hog deer (Axis porcinus), Blue Bull or Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Tiger (Panthera tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Sloth Bear (Melursus thibetanus) and Wild Elephant (Elephas maximus) have also been reported. The extremely rare Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) has recorded in Sukla Phanta.