Introduction

The Baghmara Bufferzone Community Forest, located on the northeast boundary of Chitwan  National Park lies on  Ratnanagar Municipality, Ward 7, Chitwan district, Nepal. The area is subtropical region of lowland and surrounded by Rapti in the south Budi Rapti and Khagedi River in the northwest and settlement in the east by covering 215.6 ha area in between 27°34.78'-27°35.53 northern latitude and 84°28.43'-84°29.40' eastern longitude at the elevation between 200m-300m from the sea level.

The Baghmara was a dense forest and famous hunting ground for the tiger, and hence given the name Baghmara (Bagh-Tiger, mara-kill). This forest and its open ground were also famous for drying many skins of other wild animals, like rhino, leopard, deer, bear, hare, jackal, etc. and in previous days the area of this community forest also facilitated by airfield.  After malaria eradicated in the 1950's, people from the hills migrated to the lowland region clearing forest to make their land for settlement and cultivation; heavily degraded the forest. In 1990, recognizing the importance of conservation and value of natural resources, the locals gathered to protect and conserve the forest and its biodiversity leading to the beginning of community conservation of this forest. Later on July 25, 1995, this forest was officially handed over to the community user group.  In 1996, Government of Nepal has declaed the Bufferzone Program in around the proteceted areas, hence Baghmara Commnuity Forest also affiliated as 'Bufferzone' community forest and officially registered in Chitwan Natonal Park on February 2, 2003.