Royal Chitwan National Park
Area : 932 sq. km.,  Established : 1973

Introduction:

Royal Chitwan National Park, the oldest national park in Nepal, is situated in the subrtopical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal covering 932 sq. km. Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. 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.

CLIMATE:

The park has a range of climatic seasons, each offering a unique experience. October through February with an average temperatures of 25°C offer an enjoyable climate. From March to June temperatures can reach as high as 43°C. The hot humid days give way to the monsoon season that typically lasts from late June until September. Rivers become flooded and roads are impassable. In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut thatch grasses to meet their needs, which offers a better viewing of wildlife to visitors. Also, between September and November, and February and April, migratory birds join the residential birds and create spectacular bird watching opportunities. While the monsoon rains bring lush vegetation, most trees flower in late winter. The palash tree, known as the "flame of the forest," and silk cotton tree have spectacular crimson flowers that can be seen from a distance.
 

FEATURES:

The park coversa pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow  lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%), riverine forest (7%), and sal with chirpine (3%), the latteoccuring at the top of the Churiya range. The riverine forests consist mainly of Khair, sissoo and simal. The grassland from a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharun species, often called elephant grass, can reach 8 m. in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are useful for thatch roofs.

There are more than43 species of mammals in the park. The park is especially renowed for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the tiger and the gharial crocodial along with many other common species such as gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, pengolin, Gangetic dolphin, montor lizard and phython, Other animals found in the park include the  sambar, chatal, hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, palm civet, languar and rhesus monkey. There are over, 450 species of birds in the park, Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black strok and white storek. Common birds seen in the park include the peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, heron, Kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best time for bird watching is March and December. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles occur in the park, some of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises. The park is actively engaged in the scientific studies of several species of wild fauna and flora.
 

How to Get There:

Chitwan is linked by public buses, tourist coaches, and air service. There are eight entrance gates to the park:

PARK REGULATIONS:

National Parks, Hunting Reserve and Wildlife Reserves of Nepal

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