Location : South West Of Kathmandu, Nepal
Nearest Access : Bharatpur
Main Wildlife Found : One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger
Coverage Area : 932-sq-kms
About Royal Chitwan National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park (‘Chitwan’ means "in the heart of the jungle’) covers 932 sq. km. in the flat lowland region of southern Nepal. It is one of the most important sub-tropical parks on the Indian subcontinent with populations of the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, Greater One-horned rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), Wild Asian elephant, Gaur, Golden Monitor lizard, Gharial crocodile and many more.
The Chitwan region has had a long history of conservation. For many years it was the Royal hunting grounds for the Kings and dignitaries of Nepal and therefore was not hunted by the general public. It did however become a favorite spot for big game safari hunters in the late nineteenth and early to mid-twentieth centuries. This was coupled with a surge in local human populations following the development of anti-malaria medicines in the mid-twentieth century. The long-term effect was a drastic decrease in jungle habitat and animal populations in the Chitwan valley as jungles were converted to farmland and big game were hunted and poached to dangerously low numbers. The falling rhino (less than 200) and tiger (less than 30) populations in the present park region, focused attention on the Chitwan region and in 1963 the southern two-thirds of the park were declared rhino sanctuary. With sanctuary status came the relocation of 22,000 people from the Chitwan valley and a moratorium on hunting. Since 1963 wildlife populations and ecosystems have been rebounding. In 1973 Chitwan became Nepal’s first National Park. The relatively pristine state of the modern park and its unique ecosystems prompted UNESCO to declare the park a World Heritage site in 1984.
Flora In Chitwan National Park
A fifth of the park is made up of the floodplains of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers and is covered by dense tall Elephant grass interspersed with revenine forests of silk cotton (Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.
Fauna In Chitwan National Park
This ecologically diverse area is the last remaining home in Nepal for more than 300 of the endangered Asian one-horned inoceros and harbours one of the largest populations of the elusive and rare Royal Bengal Tiger. Besides Rhino and Tiger, Chitwan also support a great variety of flora and fauna. There are four species of Deer, including the Spotted Chittal, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Small Wild Cats, the white stockinged Gaur (world’s largest wild cattle) and many other smaller animals.
The swampy areas and numerous Ox-bow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for Marsh Crocodiles. In a stretch of the Narayani River is found one of the few remaining of the populations of the rare and endangered fish-only eating Gharial. In the summers the park is alive with migrants such as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian Pitta ans Parakeets.
Jungle Safari At Chitwan National Park:
Vititors can actively participate in exciting stalks thgrough the forest looking for animal signs. One unique Chitwan experience in Elephant back safaris in search of the one-horned Rhinocerous, Leopard, Deer, Bear, Monkey and Crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement of crashing through 20 feet high elephant grass and sighting wildlife.
Apart from Elephant safaris, the traveller will be happplt occupied for several days with natural walks, canoe rides down the park rivers and landrover drives through the forest. Another exciting alternative to reach the park is a two to three days raft trip down the Trishuli River to Narayanghat or directly into the western edge of the park.
How to Get there
Air : There are daily flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur.
Road : Chitwan is easily accessible from Kathmandu being well connected by national highway to Bharatpur and Saurana.
------ List of National Parks in India ----- |
| Bandhavgarh National Park |
|
Bandipur National Park |
|
Simplipal National Park, Orissa |
| Ranthambore National Park |
|
Sultanpur National Park |
|
Nandankanan Zoo, Orissa |
| Corbett National Park |
|
Rajaji National Park, Uttaranchal |
|
Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary, Orissa |
| Kanha National Park |
|
Dudhwa National Park, U.P. |
|
Namdhapha National Park, Arunachal |
| Sundarbans National Park |
|
Nagarhole National Parks, Karnataka |
|
Velvadhar Blackbuck Sanctuary, Gujarat |
| Manas National Park |
|
Kaziranga National Park, Assam |
|
Wild Ass Sanctuary, Gujarat |
| Dachigam National Park, J&K |
|
The Great Himalayan National Park, H.P. |
|
Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam |
| Milroy or Pabha Sanctuary, Assam |
|
Nameri National Park, Assam |
|
Pin Valley National Park, H.P. |
| Hemis High Altitude National Park, J&K |
|
Royal Chitwan National Park (Nepal) |
|
Royal Bardia National Park (Nepal) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Back to Wildlife Holidays India |
Email us
