The Bardia National Park (BNP) in the outer foot hills of the Himalayas is known for being extremely rich in biodiversity. The park is a complex habitat of Sal forest, grassland, savanna, riverine forest, and wetlands. It provides a habitat for many threatened species of plants and animals. Bardia is one of the last remaining natural habitats for Asia’s most threatened large mammals; the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Asian Elephant and the Great One-horned Rhinoceros.
Satellites help manage the Bardia National Park in Nepal.
In 1976, the Nepalese government declared Bardia a protected area to restore ecological integrity, maintain biodiversity, and manage wildlife. Land cover/use dynamics, in and around the protected area, determine our ability to preserve ecological integrity and biodiversity.
Earth observation data and geographic information systems are being used to monitor and report changes of habitat in protected areas. The purpose of this case study is to assess landscape characteristics to prepare habitat suitability for mega fauna using Earth observation and GIS data in the BNP.
