Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal Photograph by Chris Carpenter   Asia: Bhutan, India, and Nepal Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands   13,400 square miles (34,600 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of Hawaii Critical/Endangered

· Realm of the Rhinos
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Realm of the Rhinos

Step carefully in these grasslands, because you could find yourself face to face with one of the world’s largest mammals: the one-horned rhinoceros. This ecoregion contains the highest densities of endangered rhinos, tigers, and ungulates in Asia.

Special Features

Savanna grasslands, evergreen and deciduous forests, thorn forests, and steppe all can be found in this ecoregion, depending on moisture conditions. In fact, a portion of the ecoregion--in the Nepal Terai--contains grass species that are resistant to both fire and flood and are able to spread rapidly under favorable conditions. This ecoregion is hot and humid in the summer, with temperatures commonly reaching over 100º F (40º C). Monsoon floods occur annually, depositing silt from the rivers. When the waters recede, grasses and trees such as the locally-named pithari and chamaror quickly colonize the area. The alluvial plain blends into hills forested with sal trees, which may reach 132 feet (40 m) in height.

	The rhinoceros’ horn is not really a horn (a bony extension of the skull) but rather a formation of compacted hairs. Unfortunately, the rhino’s horn is extremely valuable in the wildlife trade for medicinal and other purposes, which make the animal vulnerable to poaching.

Wild Side

Southern Nepal’s Royal Chitwan National Park harbors more than 300 of the world's 1,000 endangered greater one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as about 60 tigers. Other endangered mammals include Asian elephants, barasinghas (deer), pygmy hogs, hispid hares, and wild buffalo. Common leopards, clouded leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and gaurs inhabit this ecoregion as well. Waterways feature gharial crocodiles and threatened Gangetic dolphins. Near-endemic bird species include Manipur bush-quail, gray-crowned prinias, and spiny babblers.

Cause for Concern

The alluvial grasslands of this ecoregion are all that remain from a once-extensive ecosystem. Nearly three quarters of this highly fertile region has been cleared for agriculture, and extensive areas have also been degraded through erosion. Logging, water diversion for irrigation, poaching, and over-grazing are all continuing threats to wildlife and the remaining habitat.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.