Chitwan National Park

Wilderness, and Wonder

Park: Chitwan and its territories are characterized as the land of jungle, bio-diversity hub and habitat of endangered species such as one horned rhinoceros and royal Bengal tiger. Chitwan was often used as a place to strengthen diplomacy between the British empire and Nepal by organizing the big game. King George V of the United Kingdom, Indian viceroys, dignitaries and prime minister of Nepal - Chandra Shumsher participated in the big game hunting trip in Nepal in 1911, hunting 39 tigers, 18 rhinoceroses, 4 sloth bears, several porcupines, and leopards. But later, the jungles of Chitwan was preserved for wild animals and promoted for safari tourism. Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973 which was later enlisted in the World Heritage site. The park is bounded by the Rapti and Narayani River in the north, Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the east and Madi settlements and India border in the south. The physiography of the park consists of the Terai and Siwaliks. Three major rivers Narayani, Rapti and Reu, and their floodplains; and several lakes and pools are the major water sources of the park. The park entails four types of vegetation - riverine forest, Sal forest, grassland and pine vegetation. The grasslands are mainly located in the floodplains of the rivers and form a diverse and complex community with over 50 different types of grasses including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp.), renowned for its immense height and is hub for biodiversity. A total of 68 species of mammals, 56 species of herpeto fauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. The park harbors not only the world’s largest terrestrial mammal (wild elephant) but also the world’s smallest terrestrial mammal (pygmy shrew). A total of 544 species of birds has been recorded so far including 22 globally threatened species including critically endangered Bengal Florican, Slender-billed Vulture, White- rumped Vulture and Red-headed Vulture. Chitwan National Park is surrounded by the indigenous Tharu people whose life is inexorably interconnected and interdependent on the forest and forest product. They have been living with forest and water bodies of Chitwan and its territories and therefore have profound knowledge on forest eco- system, wildlife, their habitat management. Therefore, Tharu culture is linked with jungle culture and they think jungle and the wildlife are the part of their culture and have profound sense of conservation.