Bardiya National Park
| Bardiya National Park | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Forest in Bardiya National Park
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| Location | Nepal |
| Coordinates | 28°23′0″N 81°30′0″E / 28.38333°N 81.50000°ECoordinates: 28°23′0″N 81°30′0″E / 28.38333°N 81.50000°E |
| Area | 968 km2 (374 sq mi) |
| Established | 1988 |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation |
The Bardiya National Park (Nepali: बर्दिया राष्ट्रिय निकुञ्ज; 
Bardiya Rastriya Nikunja.ogg ), also spelled Bardia, is a protected area in Nepal that was established in 1988 as Royal Bardia National Park. Covering an area of 968 km2 (374 sq mi) it is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Nepal's Terai, adjoining the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District. Its northern limits are demarcated by the crest of the Siwalik Hills. The Nepalgunj-Surkhet highway partly forms the southern boundary, but seriously disrupts the protected area. Natural boundaries to human settlements are formed in the west by the Geruwa, a branch of the Karnali River, and in the southeast by the Babai River.
Together with the neighboring Banke National Park, the coherent protected area of 1,437 km2 (555 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Bardia-Banke that extends over 2,231 km2 (861 sq mi) of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.
In 1815, Nepal lost this region to the East India Company through the Sugauli Treaty. For 45 years it was a part of British India and returned to Nepal in 1860 in recognition for supporting the suppression of the Indian Independence movement in 1857. Today, this annexed area is still called Naya Muluk meaning new country. An area of 368 km2 (142 sq mi) was set aside as Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969 and gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. In 1982, it was proclaimed as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve and extended to include the Babai River Valley in 1984. Finally in 1988, the protected area was gazetted as national park.
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