Chitwan City Travel Guide -
Nepal
General Information Of
Chitwan
-
Area 932 sq. km
-
Altitude 150-815 metres
above sea level
-
Languages Nepali, Tharu,
English
-
Best Time to Visit October
to May
STD Code 056
|
 |
Introduction to city Chitwan - In
Nepal
Situated in the South-Central Nepal along the international
borders with India, the Royal Chitwan National Park is home to
some of the most endangered wildlife species in the world. The
park till recently was a playground of Nepal/’s elite who hunted
freely, but things have changed enormously and today it is the
most protected forest zone in the country. Chitwan derives its
name from the local word Chituwa Ban or Leopard Forest,
though there are many more exceptions to this theory. According
to another theory, the park derives its name from Sita Ban
(forest of Sita), after the heroine of great Hindu epic
Ramayana. To substantiate the legend, there is Balmiki Ashram at
Triveni where it is said that Sita resided while in exile. The
park was officially established in 1973. In 1984, it became a
World Heritage Site as notified by UNESCO. Drained by two major
rivers Rapti and Narayani, the park covers subtropical
forests housing a variety of wildlife including elephants, royal
Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, leopard, sloth bear, and
wild bison. Migration of wildlife across the borders to Valmiki
National Park in India is a common phenomenon.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in
destination - Chitwan
The Royal Chitwan National Park is the third most popular
destination in Nepal after Kathmandu and Pokhara, and not
without reasons. The range of flora and fauna found in the Park
is amazing and administration of this place is a role model for
other protected areas in the country. Though the park is well
protected, you can still experience the feel of a real-life
jungle. Sub-tropical jungles, elephant grasslands, hilly areas,
and flood plains are all an integral part of park landscape.
An elephant ride through the park gives you the opportunity
to sight the denizens from close quarters, while a boat ride on
the river through the jungles can be an exciting affair and a
good option to move deep inside.
Chitwan Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Chitwan
|
|
Places to visit in the city Chitwan |
|
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK -
Chitwan
|
|
Sal (Shorea robusta) is the dominant floral species in the
park covering almost 70% of the area. There are also
grasslands and riverine forests that combine to make a
changing mosaic of landscape. Khair, sissoo, and simal are
some of the major species of riverine forests while the
grasslands present a complex community of over 50 species.
Renowned for its population of one-horned rhinoceros,
tigers, crocodiles, and many more species of common wild
animals, Chitwan is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Sighting of rhinoceros is almost guaranteed in any safari
inside the park. There are more than 43 species of mammals
in the park including endangered species like gaur, wild
elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin,
Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python. Some of the
other animals found in the park are common leopard,
barking deer, sambhar, chital, hog deer, sloth deer, palm
civet, wild dog, langur and rhesus monkeys.
With a population of more than 450 species of birds, the
Chitwan park is a gifted place for the birdwatchers too.
Some of these species have been categorised as endangered
like the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican,
black stork, and white stork. The park is also a favourite
transit territory for the migratory birds because of the
numerous ponds and lakes here. Siberian cranes and ducks
make these water bodies their home in the winter months.
March and December are the best time for bird watching.
The park also has more than 45 species of amphibians and
reptiles like marsh mugger crocodile, green pit viper,
cobra, and many species of frogs and tortoises.
|
|
|
ELEPHANT RIDE - Chitwan
|
|
Elephant riding is a major activity in the park. It gives
you the opportunity to sight an animal from a close
distance. |
|
BOAT RIDE - Chitwan
|
|
A boat ride on the lakes, ponds, and rivers of Chitwan
gives you an opportunity to discover the varied wildlife
of the place. Floating down the river on a canoe for
around an hour followed by walking back to the camp is
popular among tourists. Pedalling down the fast-flowing
Karnali and Geruwa Rivers is another exciting option.
|
Chitwan Excursion : Places
nearby Chitwan - Nepal
|
|
Places to visit nearby destination - Chitwan |
|
