Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, the forested protected area that spreads across Kathmandu and three other districts, is home to 124 of the 630 butterfly species found in Nepal, according to the park's records. The figures, highlighted in recent reports by RatoPati and Khabarhub, draw attention to the striking variety of butterflies thriving within the park's green forests, whose quiet environment and scenic trails have long made it a popular destination for hiking and nature observation.

A significant share of Nepal's butterfly diversity

The 124 species recorded inside the park represent close to one-fifth of the country's total butterfly wealth. Nepal hosts 630 butterfly species in all, and the presence of more than 120 of them within a single protected area underlines how rich a habitat the park's forests have become. According to the park's own records, the butterflies stand among the many natural attractions of an area that also shelters a variety of wildlife and numerous bird species.

The two reports offer complementary glimpses of this diversity. RatoPati's story, published as a photo feature under the title "Various butterflies in the forest of Shivpuri", presents images of the insects in their forest setting, giving readers a close visual look at the colours and patterns that make these creatures a favourite subject for nature observers. Khabarhub's report, meanwhile, focuses on the park's standing as a home for butterflies, citing the same records that place 124 species within its boundaries.

For readers looking for the essentials, the figures reported are as follows:

  • 124 butterfly species recorded in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
  • 630 butterfly species found across Nepal as a whole
  • The park spreads across Kathmandu and three other districts
  • Green forests, a quiet environment and scenic trails make the park a popular spot for hiking and nature observation

Green forests, quiet trails and scenic walks

Much of the park's appeal lies in the setting that supports this butterfly life. Its green forests, quiet environment and scenic trails have established it as a favoured destination for hikers and for those who simply want to spend time in nature. The reports note that the area's wildlife, its various bird species and its colourful butterflies together add to the natural beauty that draws visitors to the park's paths.

The photo feature published by RatoPati captures that atmosphere directly, showing various butterflies in the forest of Shivapuri. Such images serve as a visual record of the diversity described in the park's records and illustrate why the area is prized not only by hikers but also by anyone interested in observing insects, birds and other wildlife in their natural surroundings.

More than butterflies: birds and wildlife

While butterflies are the focus of the latest reports, they are only one part of the park's natural appeal. According to the park's records and the accompanying coverage, the area is also home to various bird species and a range of wildlife. This combination of forest habitat, birdlife and colourful insects is what gives the park its reputation as a destination for nature observation as well as for hiking.

The reports describe how these elements, taken together, add to the area's natural beauty. For visitors, that means a walk along the park's scenic trails can offer encounters with butterflies in the forest, birds among the trees and the wider wildlife of a protected area that stretches across four districts.

Why the count matters

The figures highlighted by RatoPati and Khabarhub do more than tally insects. With nearly one in five of Nepal's 630 butterfly species found within its boundaries, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park emerges from the park's records as a habitat of considerable importance for the country's butterfly diversity. The reports present the numbers as a reflection of the conditions found inside the park: green forests, a quiet environment and trails that remain a draw for hikers and nature lovers alike.

For the park's many visitors, the latest coverage serves as a reminder of what its forests contain beyond the well-worn hiking routes. The butterflies documented in the records, and pictured in RatoPati's photo feature, are presented as part of the same natural beauty that includes the park's bird species and wildlife. Readers who wish to see the photographs or read the reports in full can find them on RatoPati and Khabarhub, both of which draw on the park's own records for their figures.

As the coverage makes clear, the park's combination of accessible trails and rich forest life continues to make it one of the most inviting places near the capital for those seeking to observe nature, whether that means a day of hiking, birdwatching or simply watching colourful butterflies move through the trees.