Amphibians and Reptiles of Chure Range, Nepal
SUMMARY
The Chure Range of Nepal is a biodiversity rich landscape, providing habitat for diverse flora and
fauna. Although various Herpetofauna species are reported from the Chure range, comprehensive
study on herpetofauna diversity is poorly understood. Herpetofaunal survey was the part of Faunal
Diversity Assessment in Chure Range of Nepal to explore faunal diversity in changing climatic and
political scenarios. The biodiversity assessment project was a joint venture of National Trust for Nature
Conservation with financial support of President Chure Terai-Madhesh Conservation Development Board.
For herpetofaunal survey, the entire Chure Range was divided into four survey blocks; namely a)-
Eastern block: Mechi river to Bagmati river section; b)- Central block: Bagmati river to Tinau river
section; c)- Western block: Tinau river to Karnali river section; and d)- Far western block: Karnali river
to Mahakali river section.
We recorded 99 species of herpetofauna from the entire Chure Range which makes 55.3% of herpetofauna
recorded in Nepal. Among the 99 species of herpetofauna, 24 species were amphibains belonging to six
families; and 75 species were reptiles belonging to 17 families. We recorded two new species namely
water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) and Golden backed frog (Hydrophyllax leptoglossa) for the first
time for Nepal.
The Chure Range of Province-1 and Bagmati Province had highest species richness (n=81, 81.81%) of
total Chure Range followed by Far-West Province (n=78, 78.78%), Gandaki Province and Province No.-
5 each with (n=73, 73.73%), Province-2 (n=60, 60.60%) and Karnali Province (n=48, 48.48%).
The Chure Range is type locality of two lizards Sitana sivalensis and Sitana fusca. The latter is endemic to
Nepal. In general, the habitat of Chure Range is highly disturbed by fire, grazing and human actions and
has some negative impacts for the important biodiversity. Therefore, we recommend for further studies
on herpetofauna and conservation initiatives in important biodiversity areas.
