Chitwan, to reiterate, comes from the full name
Chituwa Ban, meaning "Leopard Forest". It is
also believed to have originated from Chitta
Ban, or "Heart or deep of the jungle". Another
legend has it that the name of this tropical
valley comes from Sita Ban, meaning "Sita's
forest". Sita was the consort of Lord Ram, the
hero of the great Hindu epic Ramayana. Royal
Chitwan National Park was officially established
in 1973. It was included as |
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a World
Heritage Site in 1984 in recognition of its focus on
people-and-park harmony and the contributions it has made to the
replication model on conservation and sustainable development in
Nepal and the world.
The Park is situated 140 kms south west of the Kathmandu
Valley in the fertile Chitwan valley. It covers an area of
approximately 932 sq. km. Two rivers, Narayani and Rapti, drain
the park. The park covers sub-tropical jungles, elephant
grasslands, hilly areas and floodplains. With an average
rainfall of about 2,400-mm annually, the Royal Chitwan National
Park is a paradise for animals and birds. Some of the rare
species of animals found there are the Asian one horned rhino,
gharial and mugger crocodiles, leopard and the rare Royal Bengal
tiger. Chitwan is also a sanctuary for more than 450 species of
birds. It is also a favorite transit territory for migratory
birds such as cranes and ducks which come here, some from as far
as Siberia and Tibet, to inhabit the numerous lakes and ponds of
the park and its range in the winter months. This makes the park
a perfect host for bird watchers and nature lovers. |
