Nepal's first and most
famous national park is situated in the Chitwan Doon
or the lowlands of the Inner Terai. Covering an area
of 932 sq km. the park includes hilly areas of the Siwalik
Range covered by deciduous sal forest. One 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 riverine forests of
silk cotton (kapok), acacia and sisam trees. This ecologically
diverse area is the last remaining home in Nepal for
more than 300 of the endangered Asian one-horned rhinoceros
and harbours one of the largest populations of the elusive
and rare Royal Bengal tiger. Besides rhino and tiger,
Chitwan also supports a great variety of flora and fauna.
There are four species of deer, including the spotted
chittal, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey,
grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, the white
stockinged gaur (the world's largest wild cattle) and
many other smaller animals. The swampy areas and numerous
oxbow lakes of Chitwan provide a home for marsh crocodiles.
In a stretch of the Narayani river is found one of the
few remaining populations of the rare and endangered
fish-only eating gharial, or Gangetic crocodile. Here
also is found one of the world's four species of freshwater
dolphins. For the ornithologist and the amateur bird-watcher
the park offers excellent possibilities with more than
450 species recorded. Some of the resident specialities
are several species of woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal
florican, and red-headed trogons. Winter birds such
as waterfowl, Brahminy duck, pintails and bareheaded
geese, amongst many other cold weather visitors are
drawn by the sanctuary of the park's rivers. In the
summer the forest is alive with nesting migrants such
as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian pitta
and parakeets.
- Entry Fee Per Person Per Day:
- For Nepalese Nationals, Free
- For SAARC Nationals, Rs. 200/-
- For Other Foreign Nationals, Rs. 1000/-
- (Note: Entrance fee not required for children under
10 years).
Access:
Chitwan is easily accessible from Kathmandu, being well
connected by a national highway to Bharatpur and to
Sauraha. There are daily fights from October through
May to Meghauli airstrip just outside the park boundary.
Another exciting alternative is a two to three day raft
trip down the Trishuli river to Narayanghat or directly
into the western edge of the park.
Visitors can stay in one of the
several lodges and camps inside or outside the park.
Visitors can actively participate in exciting stalks
through the forest looking for animals signs. One unique
Chitwan experience is elephant back safaris in search
of the one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, deer, bear, monkey
and crocodile. Few visitors can ever forget the excitement
of crashing through 20 feet high elephant grass and
sightseeing wildlife. Apart from elephant safaris, the
traveller will be happily occupied for several days
with nature walks, canoe rides down the park rivers,
and land-over drives through the forest.
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