Despite the suspension of jeep safaris within Chitwan National Park, other tourist activities remain fully operational. According to Suman Ghimire, former president of the Regional Hotel Association, visitors to Sauraha can still enjoy jungle walks and boat rides, ensuring that tourism thrives even during the rainy season.
Tourists visiting the buffer zone community forests of Kumroj, Baghmara, and Chitrasen are still able to partake in various activities. Jeep safaris continue in Kumroj, while elephant safaris are available in Baghmara and Chitrasen. Additionally, boat safaris are being conducted in Janakoli, Baghmara, and Chitrasen. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the information officer of Chitwan National Park, confirmed that only the jungle safaris inside the park have been halted, and all other activities are ongoing. The peripheral community forests offer year-round elephant, jeep, and boat safaris, ensuring that the suspension of the jeep safari within the park does not significantly impact overall tourist activities.
Dipendra Khatiwada, president of the United Elephant Cooperative, highlighted that despite the rainy season, activities such as jungle walks and boat rides continue within the park. With fewer tourists during this period, around ten elephant safaris are conducted daily, utilizing the cooperative’s fleet of 30 elephants. Khatiwada emphasized the importance of conveying the message that tourism activities are ongoing, attracting both domestic and international visitors.
According to Jeet Bahadur Tamang, president of Baghmara Buffer Zone Community Forest, over 150,000 tourists have visited Baghmara this year, enjoying elephant and boat safaris as well as overnight stays in observation towers. Chitwan National Park is renowned for its jungle safaris, drawing tourists to see rare wildlife such as the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger. The adjoining buffer zone community forests offer similar wildlife experiences, often making it difficult for tourists to distinguish between the national park and the buffer zones. Former president of the Regional Hotel Association, Deepak Bhattarai, noted that the community forest activities provide ample entertainment for tourists, with the same types of forests and wildlife found in both areas.
