Chitwan National Park is a preserved area in the Terai Lowlands of south-central Nepal, known for its biodiversity. The park is famous for one of the best wildlife-viewing experience in Asia, where nature lovers have excellent chance of spotting endangered animals. The park is home to 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna(amphibians) and 126 species of fish. Originally in 1950, Chitwan’s forest and grasslands extended over more than 2,600 km2 (1,000 sq mi) and was home to about 800 rhinos, but settlement, poaching, and agricultural cultivation reduced the area to the current level when it was felt conservation was important.
The park is home to one-horned rhinos, royal bengal tiger, deer, monkeys, wild boar and birds. It was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. Among the two national parks listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list from Nepal, Chitwan National Park is a protected area for conservation of the natural habitat, flora and fauna of the subtropical scape of Nepal. The park also contains a Ramsar Site – Beeshazari Tal in its buffer zone. Its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa National Park, contiguous in the south is the Tiger Reserve of Valmiki National Park in Bihar, India.
The typical vegetation of the Inner Terai is Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests with predominantly sal trees cover about 70% of the national park area. The park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill. Dugout canoes traverse the northern Rapti River, home to crocodiles. Inside the park is Balmiki Ashram, a Hindu pilgrimage site. October to early March is the best time to visit Chitwan due to its pleasant 25°C temperatures, but if visitors can stand the heat, April and May, the end of the dry season when wildlife gathers at waterholes is the best tine. The park is fed by 2 major rivers, Rapti River that flows east to south west in the south of Bharatpur and forms the northern border of the Chitwan National Park. The Narayani River flows north to south to the west of Bharatpur.
On a good day, the overland journey between Kathmandu and the Chitwan National Park is only about five hours. It’s a scenic drive, following the Trisuli Valley much of the way, with its steep forest-covered hills and farming villages, and then turns south at Mugling and towards the plains. Public buses, tourist coaches, and airlines service link Chitwan. There are nine entrance gates to the park including Kasara via Jagatpur, Ghatgain via Patihani, Bhimle via Maghauli, Khagendra mali via Bhandara, Sunachuri via Sunachuri, Sauraha via Tandi (Ratna Nagar), Laukhani via Pragatinaggr, Amaltari via Danda, and Kujauli via Rajahar. However, the main transportation hub for Chitwan is Narayangarh in Bharatpur, from where visitors can go to Sauraha or Maghauli. There are regular bus services and air service in Bharatpur with flights from Kathmandu and Pokhara. All “tourist” buses going from Kathmandu or Pokhara destined for Chitwan charge between Rs 500-700 to go to town of Sauraha, from where tourist can take taxi, bicycle rickshaw or ox cart.
The park is home to estimated over 600 rhino and 100 tigers. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 952.63 sq. km in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest-from Rapti river to the foothills of the Mahabharat-extending over an area of 175 sq.km. was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1996 an area of 750 sq.km. surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone, which consists of forests and private lands including cultivated lands.
The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. Government of Nepal has made provision of to provide 30-50 % of the park revenue for community development and natural resource management in the buffer zone. The park authorities have initiated numerous conservation methods, translocation programs, patrol guarding and monitoring to reduce illegal activities such as poaching, unauthorized deforestation. The national park has grown into a prime tourism hub for wildlife, photography, bird watching and sightseeing enthusiasts.
The lush green tranquillity of Chitwan, makes it among the most popular destinations in Nepal. Spread in more than 932 sq. km of forests, marshland and grassland, the park gives once-in-a-lifetime chance to spot a majestic Bengal tiger, elephant and rhino within short span of time. Visitors have a choice between elephant safari and jeep safari to enter the park premises. Visitors can also visit the Elephant Breeding Centre and Gharial Breeding Centre inside the park as well as take jungle walks with tour guides or canoe ride in the water bodies especially rivers and lakes. An extended weekend visit to the Chitwan National Park is ideal. However, tourist need to book accommodation in hotels, lodges and resorts around the park or nearby towns in advance.
The park earlier had lodges inside, but to protect environment they were shutdown by the Nepal government few years ago. The restaurants in and around the park serve Nepali cuisine at reasonable prices. Compared to the cost of visiting national parks around the globe, Chitwan National Park is one of the cheapest.
