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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. |
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