Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park
Established: 1973
Park area: 952.63 sq km.
Buffer zone area: 729.37 sq km
Chitwan National Park is located in the subtropical Terai of the Inner Terai of Chitwan, Makawanpur, Parsa and Nawalparasi districts in south-central Nepal. It is located between 27°16.56′- 27°42.14′ latitude and 83°50.23′-84°46.25′ longitude. Its elevation ranges from 110 m to 850 m above sea level. The park is bounded by the Rapti and Narayani rivers to the north, the Parsa Wildlife Reserve to the east, and the Madi settlement and the Indian border to the south. The park’s topography includes the Terai and the Shivaliks. The three major rivers are the Narayani, Rapti and Reu, and their floodplains; and several lakes and ponds are the park’s major water sources. Being the first protected area in Nepal, it has a long history of over three decades in park management and rich experiences in nature conservation. Chitwan was a major playground for the royal family, Rana rulers and their guests. The Tikauli forest area, spread over an area of 175 square kilometers from the Rapti River to the foothills of the Mahabharata, was declared as the Mahendra Deer Park in 1959. The area south of the Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary in 1963. In 1973, it was declared as the Royal Chitwan National Park, covering an area of 932 square kilometers. In 2006, the park was renamed Chitwan National Park. In recognition of its unique biological resources of outstanding universal value, UNESCO designated CNP as a World Heritage Site in 1984. In 1996, an area of 750 square kilometers surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone, which includes private lands, including forests and farmland. The buffer zone contains the Ramsar site – Bisahazari Lakes. The park and local people jointly undertake community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone.
Climate of Chitwan:
The park has different seasonal seasons, each offering a unique experience. October to February offers a pleasant climate with an average temperature of 25°C. From March to June, temperatures can reach 43*C. Hot humid days give way to the monsoon season which usually lasts from late June to September when the rivers flood and most roads become almost impassable.
In late January, local villagers are allowed to mow the grass to meet their needs, which provides visitors with a good view of the wildlife. Also, between September and November and February and April, migratory birds join the resident birds and create fantastic bird watching opportunities. While the monsoon rains bring green vegetation, most trees bloom in late winter. The Palash tree, known as the “flame of the forest”, and the Silky Cotton tree are covered in brilliant red flowers that can be seen from afar.
Biodiversity – Habitat types:
The Chitwan Valley is covered with tropical and subtropical forests. About 70 percent of the park’s vegetation cover is sal (Shorea robusta) forest, which is a humid deciduous vegetation type of the Terai region. The remaining vegetation types include grasslands, riverine forests and sal with the common pine Pinus roxburghii. The latter is found on the summit of the Churia mountain range. The riverine forests include khair (Acacia catechu), sisu (Dalbergia sisu) and simal (Bombax ceiba). The grasslands are mainly located in the floodplains of the rivers and form a diverse and complex community with more than 50 different types of grasses, including elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), which is famous for its enormous height. It can grow up to 8 meters in height.
Species diversity:
A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is particularly famous for the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal tiger and the Gharial crocodile. The park is home to not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (the wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (the pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds have been recorded so far, including 22 globally threatened species including the critically endangered Bengal florican, slender-billed vulture, white-rumped vulture and red-headed vulture.
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