Chitwan National Park

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK (932 SQ.KM.)

Chitwan National Park is established in 1973 A.D. was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1984. The Park that includes in its area a part of the shicalik hills is covered with deciduous forest overlooking the floodplains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers and offering a wilderness of rich ecosystem that includes mammals, birds, reptiles and water animals of several kinds. There are around 600 plant species, 50 mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians reptiles found in this park. The highlights, of course, are the One- Horned Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tigers that live in the dense forest of the park. Sharing home in this park are other animals like rhesus monkey, grey langur, deer, leophards, white stocking gaur, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats. Among reptiles are different kinds of snacks including the python, while the river areas breed amphibians like the endangered snouted gharials popularly known as Gangetic crocodile and marsh crocodiles? The forest is alive during summer with the arrival of migrant birds like paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets, while winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar- headed geese, cormorants and migratory birds from Siberia. Other bird varities are woodpeckers hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans and redheaded geese, cormorants and migrant birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar-heased geese, cormorants and migratory birds from Siberia. Other bird varities sometimes seen in River narayani. Another factor adding a distinct touch to the Chitwan experience is the colorful Tharu Culture. There are also sites of religious and historical importance of Devghat, Pandavnagar, Balmiki and Kabilaspur.