Jungle
Safari
Chitwan
National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the
country’s treasures of natural wonders.
The park is situated in south central Nepal,
covering 932 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. The
area was gazetted as the country’s first
national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique
ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO
declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984.
In 1996, an area of 750 sq. km surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone which consists of forests and private lands. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. His Majesty’s Government has made a provision of plowing back 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development in the buffer zone.
The Chitwan National Park offers
a wilderness of rich ecosystem that includes
mammals, birds, reptiles and water animals of
several kinds. It is little surprising therefore
that this is one of the most popular and most
frequented part of the country. The park that
includes in its area a part of the Shivlalik
HIlls, is covered with decidious forests overlooking
the floodplains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers.
There are around 600 plant species, 50 mammals,
526 birds and 49 amphibians, reptiles found
in the park. The highlights, of course, are
the 500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and some
hundred nocturnal Royal bengal tigers that live
in the dense forests of the park. Sharing home
with these are other animals like rhesus monkey,
grey langur, deer, leopards and wild cats etc.
Another factor adding a distinct touch to the chitwan experience is the colorful Tharu Culture. There are also sites of religious and historical importance at devghat , Pandavnagar, Balmiki Ashram and Kabilaspur. Chitwan is easy to reach from kathmandu and other parts of the country. Daily flights to Meghauli and Bharatpur are available from Kathmandu. It is also connected by road to the capital and other major cities in the country.
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