Tucked against the Indian border, Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve covers 305 sq km of sal forest and phanta (grassland) along the banks of the Bahini River. The terrain is similar to Bardia National Park and the reserve has tigers, rhinos, crocodiles, wild elephants and Nepal’s largest population of swamp deer (currently numbering around 2000) as well as large numbers of migratory birds. Like other national parks in Nepal, Sukla Phanta has been badly affected by poaching and human encroachment.
