Royal Chitwan National Park is the oldest National Park in Nepal and established in 1973. It is situated in the Tarai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. The park covers an area of around 1000 square kilometers. In its circumference it contains the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of Rapti, Reu, and Narayani Rivers.
Nearly 70% of the Royal Chitwan National Park vegetation comprises Sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%) and Pines (5%). The park also supports a very vivid and distinct fauna. According to a conservative estimate by the UNESCO, the park has at least 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Among animals, one-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, and Crocodile are special ones. It is estimated that the current population of the endangered one-horned Rhino is around 400. Apart from that, the park also has a population of Gaur, Wild Elephant, four-horned Antelope, Striped Hyena, Pangolin, Gangetic Dolphin, Monitor Lizard, Python, Chital, Hog, Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Deer, Common Leopard, Palm Civet and Rhesus Monkeys. A few of the common birds seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, and different species of egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers.
In 1973, His late Majesty King Mahendra approved, in principle, the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park. UNESCO designated the park as a World Heritage Site in the year 1984.
Nepal has always kept pace with the world. It is said that nearly every movement that has influenced the west has influenced Nepal too. Of course, tourists bring these waves with them. In fifties Nepal propagated Rock-n-roll. The sixties were known for Punk. But it was seventies that put Nepal on the world map. Nepal became the abode of Hippie movement in the seventies; the decade it rocked the world. Scores of movies based on the theme were shot in Nepal.
Katmandu and Dharan find mentions in every second hippie anthems. It was then that the casino and the gambling industry witnessed boom. And Nepal has not stopped yet. It continues to experiment; it continues to reinvent itself and it continues to attract travelers from all over the world.
Nepal surrounded by the lofty heights of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of eternal beauty and attraction. It's a land of colorful cultures, ancient history and people, picturesque scenery and some of the best walking on earth.
Parks and Reserves
Annapurna Conservation Area- Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
- Chitwan National Park
- Kanchenjunga Conservation Area
- Royal Chitwan National Park
- Sagarmatha National Park
- Royal Bardia National Park
- Langtang National Park
- Rara National Park
- Shey-Phoksundo National Park
- Makalu Barun National Park
- Royal Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve
- Parsa Wildlife Reserve
- Koshi-Tappu Wildlife Reserve
- Shivapuri National Park
- Manaslu Conservation Area
