Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal, is spread over parts of Chitwan, Makwanpur and Parsa districts in Narayani zone of the Central Development Region. This national park was established in 2030 B.S. The park covers an area of 932 square Kilometers and includes Chure hills, Rapti Valley, the fertile plains of Narayani, Rapti and Riu rivers, marshland, lakes and ponds, forests, etc. This park is spread to the south from the foot of Mahabharat Mountain. The northern boundary of the park is Rapti River while the southern limit is Riu River and some swore hill. In the west, Narayani River marks the boundary and in the east is joined with the Parsa wildlife Reserve. The national park was established with the objectives of conserving, protecting and managing the areas natural environment, wildlife, birds, vegetation and the landscape.

The forest in the park consists of trees like Sal, Sisau, Khayar, Palas, elephant grass, flat low lands, jungles along the river together with more than 50 types of grasses and other types of vegetation. The main attractions of the park are the rare one horned rhinoceros, and the Royal Bengal Tiger. The other attractions are the rear crocodiles. The largest animal found here is the elephant. The domesticated elephants are used for sight-seeing purposes. Besides it, other animals in the park include bear, deer, ratuwa, languna, gaurigai, leopard, jarayo, chausighe deer, boar, red monkey, langur and 30 other species of big wildlife together with 50 species of mammals. 55 types of reptiles are found here which include crocodile, golden gohoro, dolphin python, tortoise, different snakes. There are more different type of butterflies, frogs and insects found in the park. The park is very enchanting with the beautiful ponds and lakes, the dense forest, wonderful quiet flowing rivers and the wet land.

The bio-diversity in the park proves its special place. The park is very important because of its bio-diversity, topography and natural environment. Bio-diversity found is not only Nepal’s wealth but is the heritage of the world. In recognition of the park’s bio-diversity, importance of the natural environment and its conservation and protection and considering the park as a unique eco-system of international importance. UNESCO declared the inclusion of Chitwan National Park in its World Heritage List in 1984 A.D (2041 B.S)

Earlier, malaria was common in Chitwan like other parts of the Terai region. Because of the prevalence of malaria there were few human settlement. Therefore, the forests were safe. Wildlife and vegetation also were under no threat. Besides the hunting activities indulged in by the rich and the powerful, there was no danger to the wildlife. Gradually, diseases like malaria were checked and men began to settle in Chitwan valley. Then started the encroachment of forests. The forests and wildlife faced direct threat. The protection of the natural forest came to be felt the need of the hour. The forests, protected by the disease of malaria in the past, had to be given special attention by the government after the disease was controlled.

Before the establishment of Chitwan National Park for the protection and development of the forest and wildlife of Chitwan valley, some efforts had been taken in this direction. In 1903 B.S, Rana Prime Minister Junga Bahadur Rana had declared Chitwan valley a hunting reserve thereby it was protected from encroachment by the people. After the enforcement of the Wildlife Conservation Act in 2015 B.S. The area south of the base of Mahabharat hills to the Tikauli forest was declared as the Mahendra Deer Reserve. This facilitated the conservation of the forest, deer and other wildlife in the area. The area south of the Rapti River was reserved for the protection of Rhinoceros, in 2020 B.S. His Majesty’s Government brought into force the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act-2029 in 2029 B.S. Later, in 2030 B.S., both the areas were merged to establish the first National Park of Nepal, namely Royal Chitwan National Park.

Till some years back, the area outside the national park was covered with dense forest. But, because of population pressure the destruction of the forest increased. The forest area has decreased. As a result, the villagers outside the National Park had difficulty in meeting their requirement of grass and fuel wood. It also created a situation of crisis for the wildlife here. Taking these realities into consideration, His Majesty’s Government amended the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act-2029 B.S. for the fourth time and created a buffer zone around the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves. It was also decided to implement the Park and People Program so that the participation of the local people themselves would contribute towards the conservation of wildlife. In 1996 A.D., 750 square Kilometer of forest around the National Park and private land was declared as the Buffer Zone.

The park and the local people jointly conduct various activities related to community development and manage the natural wealth of the Central Buffer Zone. There is a provision for the government to spent 32 to 50 percent of the revenue generated from the park for community development and management of the Buffer Zone. According to the provision, the aim is to increase the forest products and make it available to the local people conveniently to bring about the effectiveness of the conservation efforts.

His Majesty’s Government with assistance from United Nation Development Program (UNDP), has been active for the past four years to conserve bio-diversity in the park and the Buffer Zone and directed its efforts for community development. The government has also been conducting the park and people program. The primary objective of the program is the effective management of the park. Conservation of bio-diversity arise the economic status of people living in the Buffer Zone. For fulfilling the objective, the program focus on the local needs and conducts community development based on priority and conservation related various activities in the Buffer Zone.

The program has conduct various skill generating training for the people of the Buffer Zone. The people have also been participating in income generating activities so that there economic condition can be improved. As a result, many people have gained employment in the various service and production oriented business in the buffer zone.

Chitwan National Park has developed as the third tourist destination after Kathmandu and Pokhara. The promotion and conservation of this region is being undertaken in a planned manner for the development of tourism. This National Park is considered as Nepal’s best when it comes to viewing wildlife.

The National Park is world famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger and gharial crocodiles. The park has enough scope for the development nature tourism and eco-tourism.

Several Resort has been established inside the park with the government permission, for the convenience of tourist. These resorts arrange lodging for the tourist who visits the park. They also make arrangement for sight-seeing inside the park. These resort offer service like elephant safari, boating, forest walk, observing the rhinoceros, bird watching, watching gharials and major crocodile, and arrange for having an insight in Tharu culture and, dance and culture programs. There are more than 50 big and small resort and lodges outside the National Park which offer boarding and lodging facilities to all categories of tourist.

There is a danger of the extinction of the rare wildlife because of poaching and encroachment of National Forest area. Therefore, reliable security arrangement are vary essential for the national park. The effort of the park alone is not enough. It is the common duty of all the citizen. There is the need for the participation of the local people and increasing awareness among them. As the national park and wildlife reserve are for our benefit, the responsibility for conservation has to be shouldered by all Nepalese. Conservation of National Heritage is not an easy task and the co-operation and participants of all citizens is necessary.