Shuklaphanta National Park, one of Sudurpashchim Province’s major tourism destinations, has witnessed a steady rise in visitor arrivals during the current fiscal year, reflecting the growing popularity of the protected area among both domestic and international travelers.
According to data released by the park, 4,191 tourists visited Shuklaphanta National Park during the current fiscal year 2082/83 BS (ending July 16, 2026), marking an increase of 469 visitors compared to the 3,722 tourists recorded in the previous fiscal year. The latest figures represent an overall 12.6 percent growth in tourist arrivals.
Domestic Tourists Dominate Visitor Numbers
The majority of visitors to the national park continued to be domestic tourists. Of the total arrivals, 3,699 were Nepali visitors, accounting for approximately 88 percent of all tourists entering the park during the fiscal year. Among the domestic visitors, 1,513 were women, and 2,186 were men, indicating that Shuklaphanta is increasingly becoming one of Nepal’s preferred destinations for nature-based and wildlife tourism. According to the park’s Information Officer Purushottam Bagle, a total of 1,657 women and 2,534 men visited the park between Ashwin and Ashadh of the current fiscal year.
Foreign Tourist Arrivals Continue to Improve
The park also recorded encouraging growth in international arrivals. A total of 358 tourists from SAARC countries visited the park during the fiscal year, including 87 women and 271 men. Similarly, 156 tourists from countries outside the SAARC region visited the national park, comprising 57 women and 99 men. Although foreign tourist numbers remain relatively modest compared to domestic visitors, park officials say international arrivals have shown a gradual upward trend in recent years.
Growing Interest in Wildlife Tourism
Information Officer Purushottam Bagle said the number of foreign tourists has increased by 22 compared to the previous fiscal year, reflecting the park’s growing recognition among international travelers interested in Nepal’s rich biodiversity and wildlife experiences.
Located in Kanchanpur district, Shuklaphanta National Park is renowned for its vast grasslands, diverse wildlife, and conservation significance. The park is home to species such as the endangered Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, swamp deer, and more than 450 species of birds, making it one of Nepal’s important eco-tourism destinations.
With domestic tourism continuing to flourish and international interest gradually increasing, park authorities remain optimistic that Shuklaphanta National Park will attract even more visitors in the coming years while contributing to conservation awareness and sustainable tourism development in western Nepal.
