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> Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
> Royal Chitwan National Park |
| Chitwan National Park |
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Geography |
The sanctuary is part of the Chitwan basin, which
embraces an area of 3,800 sq km. It is surrounded by hills,
the Siwaliks to the south and the Mahabharat range to the north.
The rivers Narayani and Rapti flow through it from west to east.
The park occupies the area between the Rapti River and its tributary,
the Reu. Mt Meghauli is on the north bank of the Rapti. These
natural boundaries of the Chitwan Valley provide a natural demarcation
within the traditionally forested Terai belt.
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Conservation Notes |
Chitwan has been one of the most important places
for research on the rhino and the indigenous ecosystem of Nepal.
While Chitwan shows significant gains in big game populations
(rhinos have risen to nearly 500 - one quarter of the world’s
population and tigers number over 100), Chitwan is still under
attack from Nepal’s growing human population. It is bordered
on the north by the Rapti River, on the south by the Reu River
and on the west by the Narayani River, all of which show signs
of increasing pollution. The result of degraded water quality
has been a total extinction of the spectacular Gangetic dolphin
in the Narayani River and decreased populations elsewhere. The
number of Gharials have also fallen. The upside to this is the
increased conservation measures in the form of the Crocodile
Farm.
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Park practicalities |
| Park entry permits cost Rs 650 for two days; children
under 10 free. If you are on a package, your cost should include
this fee. The permit can be purchased at the ranger’s
office, generally open from 6 am to 9 am and 1.30 pm to 4 pm.
The office is to the left of the visitor centre. A separate
fee may be required to enter certain forested areas outside
the park. There could be a queue around opening time, so get
there early. You can also book your elephant rides at the same
time. The visitors’ centre (daily 6 am - 6 pm) has a modest
but informative display on the ecology of the park. You can
get maps on Chitwan maps in Sauraha, helpful if you plan any
out of the ordinary expedition.
Guides
You are not allowed to enter the park on foot without a certified
guide. The guides are pretty knowledgeable and are a great
help in the forest. Their knowledge especially on birds, can
be quite encyclopaedic. The guides are certified by the King
Mahendra Trust and you should ask for their credentials before
hiring one. Ask the guide how many years he has been showing
people around Chitwan, and then hire.
Guiding tourists around the jungle is hazardous and you should
insist on a guide with at least three years experience. Generally,
every lodge will have its own in-house guide, and while it’s
convenient to hire one from the lodge, it is better to shop
around. Guide fees depend on the activity you’ve requested.
Remember that larger the group, the lower your costs.
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Conducted Tours |
Going as part of an organised package tour is
a popular but by no means the only way to visit Chitwan. Tours
are widely promoted in Kathmandu, Pokhara and other tourist
centres. They are usually of 2 to 3 nights duration and save
on the hassle of finding somewhere to stay. But accommodation
is abundantly available and easy to find in Sauraha. Similarly,
getting tickets for elephants rides and jeep tours of the park
as well as all other activities is straightforward - just ask
your lodge to arrange it for you.
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Eating Out |
| Most lodges in Chitwan have their own restaurant
and this is really your best bet here. There are few independent
diners in Chitwan, and what there is would be difficult to eat
at.
Nepali Kitchen
A small dal-bhat-tarkari restaurant on the main north-south
road.
Hunting Cave and Safari Water Hole
Offers a Thamelesque menu, and also does good breads and packed
lunches.
Tiger Restaurant and Bar
Has a good if standard tourist menu. The seating is on a first
floor thatched roof with good views over the river.
Hungry Eye
Does all types of food and a range of cocktails including
regular and special bhang lassis.
Jungle View Restaurant and Bar
Delightful rooftop terrace with fine views over the river
and park, standard eclectic menu, pizzas have been recommended,
one of the few places where butter is discernible on ‘butter
toast’, ideal for spending a lazy afternoon gazing across
the river.
Tharu Restaurant
This is a very small and poky place. They serve breakfast
and have ice-cream, beer. You can buy your toilet paper and
cigarettes here.
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