 The
name ‘Chitwan’ has several possible
meanings, but the most literal translation of
the two NEPALI words that make it up: chit or
chita (heart) and wan or ban (jungle). Chitwan
is thus ‘the heart of the jungle’.
At the beginning
of the nineteenth century, cultivation in the
valley was deliberately prohibited by the government
of Nepal in order to maintain a barrier of disease-ridden
forests as a defense against the invasion of diseases
from the south. Then for the century between 1846
and 1950, when the Rana prime ministers were de
facto rulers of Nepal, Chitwan was declared a
private hunting reserve, maintained exclusively
for the privileged classes. Penalties for poaching
were severe - capital punishment for killing rhino
- and the wildlife in the area thus received a
measure of protection.
From time to time
great hunts for rhino were held during the cool,
mosquito-free winter months from December to February.
The Ranas invited royalty from Europe and the
Princely States of India, as well as other foreign
dignitaries, to take part in these grand maneuvers,
which were organized on a magnificent scale, often
with several hundred leopards.
CLIMATE
The Park has a range of climatic seasons each
offering a unique experience. October through
February with average temperatures of 25oc offer
an enjoyable climate. From March to June temperatures
can reach as high as 43oC. The hot humid days
give way to the monsoon season that typically
lasts from late June until September, rivers become
flooded and roads are impossible.
In late January,
local villagers are allowed to cut thatch grasses
to meet their needs, which offer a better viewing
of wildlife for visitors. Also, between September
and November and February and April, migratory
birds join the residential birds and create spectacular
bird watching opportunities. While the monsoon
rains bring lush vegetation, most trees flower
in late winter. The palash tree, known as the
"flame of the forest' and silk cotton tree
have spectacular crimson flowers that can be seen
from a distance.
FEATURES
The Park consists of a diversity of ecosystems-including
the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood
plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers.
The Churia hills rise slowly towards the East
from 150 m. to more than 800 m. The western portion
of the Park is comprised of the lower but more
rugged, Someshwor hill. The Park shares its eastern
boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
FLORA AND
FAUNA
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical
forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park.
Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals
and religious offerings.
Grasslands cover
20 percent of the Park. There are more than 50
different types of grasses, including the elephant
grass (Saccharum spp), renowned for its immense
height. It can grow up to 8m in height. The park
is home to more than 50 mammal species, over 525
birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. The endangered
fauna found in the Park are: One-horned rhinoceros,
Gaur. Royal Bengal tiger. Wild elephant, Four
horned antelope, Pangolin, Golden monitor lizard,
Python, etc. Bengal florican. Lesser florican,
Giant hornbill, Black stork, White stork, etc.
FACILITIES
The Park offers interesting sites and activities.
The display at the visitor centre at Sauraha provides
fascinating information on wildlife and conservation
program. The women's user groups' souvenir shop
offers a variety of handicrafts and other local
products for gifts and souvenirs.
Elephant safari
provides opportunity to get a closer view of the
endangered one-horned rhinoceros. One may also
get a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger. The
Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor, Sauraha gives
you information on captive elephant and the calves
born there.
The museum at Kasara,
the Park headquarters, has informative displays-
near the HQ visitors can see Bikram Baba, a Hindu
religious site of archival value. A short walk
(1km) from the Park HQ will take you to the Gharial
Breeding Center, which is also a home to the Marsh
mugger, gharial crocodiles and other turtles.
Inside the Park,
there are 7 resorts run by Park concessionaires
that can provide lodging and access to wildlife
activities. Various resorts and lodges situated
outside the park also offer variety of services.
HOW TO GET
THERE
Chitwan is linked by public buses, tourist coaches,
and air service. There are eight entrance gates
to the park
- Kasara via Jagatpur
- Ghatgain via Patihani
- Bhimle via Maghauli
- Khagendra mali via Bhandara
- Sunachuri via Sunachuri
- Sauraha via Tandi (Ratna Nagar)
- Laukhani via Pragatinaggr
- Amaltari via Danda
- Kujauli via Rajahar
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