Chitwan National Park reported collecting over NPR 100 million in revenue from entrance fees as 72,461 visitors toured the park between Shrawan and Mangsir in the current fiscal year. According to Avinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer and Conservation Officer of the park, the majority of visitors were international tourists, numbering 33,730. Additionally, 32,880 Nepali tourists and 5,851 tourists from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries visited during this period. The total revenue collected from park entry fees amounted to NPR 106.7 million.
In conservation efforts, the park released 41 gharial crocodiles into their natural habitat from the Gharial Breeding Center in Kasara. These included 40 females and one male, all over five years old, which were reintroduced into the Rapti River in three phases. Thapa Magar highlighted the park’s commitment to wildlife conservation and its collaboration with local communities to combat poaching and ensure the effective preservation of biodiversity.
Preparations are also underway to relocate rhinos from the western sector of the park in Nawalpur to the eastern region. The western area has a higher rhino population, and the risk of flooding in the Narayani River potentially sweeping rhinos into India has necessitated this action. Senior Ecologist Haribhadra Acharya from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, along with senior park officials, representatives from local governments, buffer zone committees, tourism associations, and other stakeholders, recently conducted discussions and planning for the relocation process.
The park continues to work proactively to balance conservation efforts and sustainable tourism, ensuring the safety and well-being of its wildlife and fostering collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.
