| Widely
acknowledged as one of the best national parks
in Asia, the Royal Chitwan National Park, with
an area of 967 square kilometers, lies 90 kilometers
(crow-flight distance) southwest of Kathmandu
in the Inner Terai flood plains of the Narayani
and Rapti rivers. Formerly a royal hunting reserve,
Chitwan was the first forest area of Nepal to
be designated a national park in 1973, and was
later also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
in 1984.
Chitwan is a very
popular wildlife safari destination on account
of its thriving wildlife population and easy accessibility
from both Kathmandu and Pokhara. Visitors have
the opportunity of close encounters with wild
three-ton rhinos on elephant back; a thrilling
and frightening experience but not really dangerous
as both the elephants and their handlers are well
experienced in their work. The park is home to
an immense variety of wildlife so there are a
lot more other creatures to see besides the rhino.
That, including good facilities for accommodation
and jungle activities makes the Royal Chitwan
National Park well worth a visit. Chitwan ranks
third, after Kathmandu and Pokhara as the place
most preferred by visitors.
Vegetation
Within the Terai floodplains and the Churia Hills
(between 150 and 800 meters above sea level),
the sub-tropical forests of Chitwan are host to
a very diverse ecosystem. The predominant vegetation
of Sal (Shorea robusta) covers around 70% of the
forest. 20% is grassland, with as many as 50 species
of grass plants. The most spectacular among these
are the elephant grass, which attain heights up
to 8 meters. Seven percent of the area is riverine
forest in which we find Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia
sisoo), Kapok (Bombax ceiba), and Acacia Catechu
trees. The remaining 3% are the chirpine (Pinus
roxburghii) trees that crown the upper ridges
of the Churia Hills. Complementing the major vegetations
is an immense variety of wild flowers, vines,
creepers and parasites.
Wildlife Of the 43 species of animals recorded
in the park, there are an estimated 500 Great
One-Horned Rhinocerii and a recent tally on tigers
shows them to number 106 in all. In 1973, when
Chitwan was declared a national park, there were
less than 100 rhinos and only 15 to 20 tigers.
With the support of the WWF and IUCN and the dedicated
efforts of the park staff, the numbers of these
two endangered species are now reaching a safe
level. Other resident mammals include the Leopard,
Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Elephant, Sloth Bear,
Fresh Water Dolphin, Rhesus Monkey, Langur, Wild
Boar, Striped Hyenas, Dhole (wild dog), Jackal,
Ratel, Palm Civet, Mongoose, Four Horned Antelope,
Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, and Barking
Deer.
Chitwans crocodiles
are by far the most spectacular species among
the reptilian creatures. On bright sunny days,
they can often be seen basking along the riverbanks.
There are two species native to Chitwan, the Gharial
and the Mugger. The Gharials are by nature non-predatory
and thrive solely on fish, but the Mugger is an
aggressive carnivorous beast. Other reptiles indigenous
to Chitwan are the Indian Python, Monitor Lizard,
Pangolin, Tortoise, and King Cobra along with
19 other species of snakes.
At least 485
different species of birds have been recorded
inside Chitwan. The forests, grasslands, lakes,
swamps, and rivers all provide a wide variety
of habitat and food for the various species. Chitwan
is a paradise for both birds and bird watchers. |
