Chitwan
National Park (932 sq km)
Owing to its rich adornment of
nature, Chitwan National Park was declared UNESCO Nature Heritage Site in 1979.
The park that includes in its area a part of the Shivalik Hills, is covered
with deciduous forests overlooking the floodplains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu
rivers and offering a wilderness of rich ecosystem that includes mammals,
birds, reptiles and water animals of several kinds.
There are around 600 plants, 50
mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians reptiles spices found in the park The
highlights, of course, are the 500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and some
100nocturnal 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, white stockinged gaur, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats.
Among reptiles are different kinds of snakes including the python, while the
river areas breed amphibians like the endangered snouted gharial popularly
known as Gangetic Crocodile and Marsh Crocodiles.
The forest is alive during summer
with the arrival of migrant birds’ paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and
parakeets, while winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails,
bar-headed gees, cormorants and migratory birds form Siberia. Other bird
varieties are woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans and
redheaded trogons. A rare attraction of the park is the world’s fresh water
dolphin variety sometimes seen in River Narayani.
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.
- Activities: Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive
- Accommodation: Resort hotels and lodges
- Access: The park headquarters at Kasara is a 21 km from Bharatpur which is 20 minutes by air or 146 km by road from Kathmandu
- Best Season: Oct-Feb(average temperature 25 degrees Celsius); Mar-Jun(hot, up to 43 degrees Celsius), Jul-Sep (rainy)
- Park headquarter: Kasara, Tel: 056-529405
