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Abstract

The Terai Arc Landscape at Nepal and Indian border at the foot of the Himalayas are the most important conservation area of tigers. Here, the grasslands seem to play a pivotal role as the tigers hunt for deer in these geographical areas. However, the complex interaction between river morphodynamics, flood regime and grassland dynamics in these landscapes are poorly understood. An international research project studies the natural and anthropogenic influences on the temporal dynamics of the grasslands and link to wildlife habitat. This is not only a scientific, ecohydrological novelty but also crucial in combining preservation of the tiger habitat with sustainable water resources management in the Terai Arc Landscape and upstream Himalayas. The multi-disciplinary research project focuses on the interrelationships between river dynamics, groundwater, landcover and land-use, and grazing in the Bardia national Park and the associated Karnali River in Western Nepal and applied research to identify essential similarities and differences in the current hydrological and ecological conditions of the grasslands in the 23 nature reserves present at the foot of the Himalayas.