The Terai Jungle is home to many threatened species, including the Critically Endangered Bengal Florican, a bustard with global numbers estimated at less than 1,000. The Critically Endangered Elongated Tortoise is equally at risk from loss of habitat, mass harvesting for food and religious purposes, and the pet trade. The Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin also depends on this ecosystem for its survival.

Rainforest Trust and our local partner, KTK-BELT, are working to protect a 215,859-acre swath of wetlands and lower montane habitat here. This area will be designated as an Indigenous Community Conservation Area. It is the capstone to projects conducted in the region over the past four years and completes a 648,000-acre wildlife corridor from the Koshi Tappu floodplains to the third tallest peak in the world, the 28,169-foot Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Watch the recording of Rainforest Trust’s Field Journal: Nepal—Conservation in a Vertical World

Help Migratory Species Adapt to Climate Change

More than 60 threatened species inhabit the rich and biodiverse ecosystem found in Southern Nepal. The grasslands, wetlands and forests of the Terai Jungle progress up a short, steep climb to the snow-capped Himalayas.

The steep incline of this area will help migratory species like the Bengal Florican (CR) and others self-regulate against the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas. Establishing these “vertical reserves” is a top conservation priority in Nepal. Climate conditions here range from hot and humid tropical regions of tall grasses to high-altitude lakes and areas of snow cover.

Stop the Destruction of Important Habitat

Between 2001 and 2021, 8% of Nepal’s total tree cover loss occurred in humid primary forests. Increased road construction without corridors for wildlife has also led to landslides here.

This wildlife corridor will be the first of its kind in the Himalayas and will be replicable elsewhere in the country.

Our local partner in Nepal, KTK-BELT, discusses their efforts to safeguard a variety of landscapes and species habitat through the seven projects that make up their Vertical University.