CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

    Chitwan national park was created in 1973, but the area has been protected since at least the 19th century as a hunting reserve. It covers an impressive 932 sq km. A further 499 sq km is set aside parsa wildlife reserve. As well as the river, there are numerous small lakes dotted around the forest.

       Around 70% of the national park is covered in sal forest, but there are large area of grassland. Around the Rapti and Narayani river we can find the shisham, kapok, pipal and sal, the principle hardwood species in Terai. This national park boasts more than 50 different species of of mammels, including monkeys, tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boar, hyenas, deer, elephant and rhinos. Here bird watchers can tick off 450 different species of birds and at least 67 species of butterfly. One horned rhinoceros is the most famous animal in Chitwan and you stand a good chance of seeing one on an elephant safari. It also has significant population of tigers, crocodiles and dolphins. Not only these but there are many other animals such as barking deer, hog deers and massive gaurs. In 2005 there there were only 372 rinos were found and more kills were reported throught 2005. The national park has a highly successful breeding programme and dozens of elephants are used for wildlife spotting safari. Now there are at most 60 tigers in park due to the top predator 'killing machines'. Marsh Muggers, Gharials, and Gangetic Dolphins are the other signature species in chitwan. It is so much interesting to watch elephant in Rapti river, similarly the anually conducting elephant polo is one of the event that you should not miss.