NP025
Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2005 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus LC resident 1989 common A3
Swamp Francolin Ortygornis gularis NT resident 2002 frequent A1, A3
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca NT winter 2002 uncommon A1
Yellow-footed Green-pigeon Treron phoenicopterus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus LC resident 1989 rare A3
Sirkeer Malkoha Taccocua leschenaultii LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Sarus Crane Grus antigone VU resident 1997 1 breeding pairs A1
Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis CR resident 2002 frequent A1, A3
Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus CR non-breeding 2002 rare A1
Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus NT resident 2002 frequent A1, A4i
Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala LC resident 2002 uncommon A1, A4i
Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus NT resident 2002 rare A1, A4i
Red-naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster LC resident 2002 frequent A1, A4i
Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus LC resident 2002 present A3
Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda EN non-breeding 2004 rare A1, A4i
Dusky Eagle-owl Bubo coromandus LC resident 2002 present A3
Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus CR non-breeding 2004 uncommon A1
White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR resident 2002 uncommon A1, A3
Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris CR resident 2002 uncommon A1, A3
Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastata VU unknown 2004 rare A1
Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga VU winter 2002 uncommon A1
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT winter 2002 uncommon A1
Pallas's Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus EN resident 2004 rare A1
Lesser Fish-eagle Icthyophaga humilis NT non-breeding 2002 rare A1
Grey-headed Fish-eagle Icthyophaga ichthyaetus NT resident 2002 frequent A1
White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa LC resident 2000 frequent A3
Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineatus LC resident 2002 present A3
Brown-headed Barbet Psilopogon zeylanicus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Leiopicus mahrattensis LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni LC winter 2002 uncommon A1
Plum-headed Parakeet Himalayapsitta cyanocephala LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus LC resident 2002 present A3
Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus LC resident 2002 present A3
White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens LC resident 1989 common A3
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark Eremopterix griseus LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Bengal Bushlark Mirafra assamica LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Sand Lark Alaudala raytal LC resident 2002 present A3
Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Bristled Grassbird Schoenicola striatus VU breeding 2002 frequent A1, A3
Jerdon's Babbler Chrysomma altirostre VU resident 2002 rare A1, A3
Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra LC resident 2002 present A3
Indian Grass-babbler Graminicola bengalensis NT resident 2002 common A1, A3
Striated Babbler Argya earlei LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Jungle Babbler Argya striata LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Jerdon's Bushchat Saxicola jerdoni LC resident 2002 present A3
White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis VU winter 2002 frequent A1
White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucurus LC resident 1989 uncommon A3
Black-breasted Weaver Ploceus benghalensis LC resident 1989 frequent A3
Finn's Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus EN resident 2002 frequent A1, A3
Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola CR winter 2004 frequent A1

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2005) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2005. The most recent assessment (2011) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2011 unfavourable high medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population good

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Reference Actual Units % remaining Result
Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis 13 8 individuals 62 unfavourable

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Quantity (% remaining) Quality (% carrying capacity) Result
Wetlands (inland) moderate (70-90%) poor (40-69%) very unfavourable
Forest moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable
Grassland good (> 90%) good (> 90%) favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Biological resource use happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1976 Suklaphanta वन्यजन्तु आरक्ष 100
2004 Suklaphanta - Buffer Zone मध्यवर्ती क्षेत्र 37

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Artificial/Terrestrial -
Forest -
Grassland -
Wetlands (inland) -
1. IUCN Habitat classification.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve (Nepal). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sukla-phanta-wildlife-reserve-iba-nepal on 22/11/2024.