Difference between revisions of "Royal Chitwan National Park" - New World Encyclopedia
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'''Chitwan National Park''' (formerly called "Royal Chitwan National Park(RCNP)" )(CNP), covering an area of 932 km², is the oldest national park of [[Nepal]]. Established in 1973, it was granted the status of a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1984. The RCNP is located at subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal in Chitwan district (200km away from capital [[Kathmandu]]). | '''Chitwan National Park''' (formerly called "Royal Chitwan National Park(RCNP)" )(CNP), covering an area of 932 km², is the oldest national park of [[Nepal]]. Established in 1973, it was granted the status of a [[World Heritage Site]] in 1984. The RCNP is located at subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal in Chitwan district (200km away from capital [[Kathmandu]]). | ||
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| + | ==Park Description== | ||
The park is rich in [[flora (plants)|flora]] and [[fauna (animals)|fauna]], which include one of the last populations of single-horned [[Indian Rhinoceros]] ''(Rhinoceros unicornis)'' and the [[Bengal tiger]] ''Panthera tigris tigris''. The area used to be known as "Four Mile Forest" (चार कोसे झाडी). It was a place for big game hunting and until 1951 it was a hunting reserve. At the park there is [[canoeing]], [[elephant]] rides, and guided jungle walks. | The park is rich in [[flora (plants)|flora]] and [[fauna (animals)|fauna]], which include one of the last populations of single-horned [[Indian Rhinoceros]] ''(Rhinoceros unicornis)'' and the [[Bengal tiger]] ''Panthera tigris tigris''. The area used to be known as "Four Mile Forest" (चार कोसे झाडी). It was a place for big game hunting and until 1951 it was a hunting reserve. At the park there is [[canoeing]], [[elephant]] rides, and guided jungle walks. | ||
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The vegetation consits mainly of moist [[deciduous forest]]s, with the [[sal]] as dominating tree species. In the [[Churia Hills]] [[pine]] trees predominate. On the floodplains of the large Rivers, by name the [[Rapti]], the [[Reu]] and the [[Gandaki River|Narayani]] there are large areas covered with [[Elephant grass]] alternating with riverine Forests mainly composed of [[Simal]], [[Khair]] and [[Sisau]] trees. | The vegetation consits mainly of moist [[deciduous forest]]s, with the [[sal]] as dominating tree species. In the [[Churia Hills]] [[pine]] trees predominate. On the floodplains of the large Rivers, by name the [[Rapti]], the [[Reu]] and the [[Gandaki River|Narayani]] there are large areas covered with [[Elephant grass]] alternating with riverine Forests mainly composed of [[Simal]], [[Khair]] and [[Sisau]] trees. | ||
| + | == Wildlife == | ||
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 [[species]] of [[mammal]]s, 450 species of [[bird]]s, and 45 species of [[amphibian]]s and [[reptile]]s. Elephants and Indian rhinos are the largest species found in the park, but a lot of other large herbivores are found in the park, [[gaur]], [[sambar deer]], [[Indian muntjac]], [[chital]], [[hog deer]], [[mainland serow]], [[chousingha]] and wild boar. Three large predator species, tigers, [[leopard]]s, [[dhole]]s prey on them and carrion eaters like [[striped hyena]]s are also found. [[Sloth bear]]s are among the main attractions of the Park. Smaller carivore species are [[golden jackal]], [[yellow-throated marten]], [[ratel]], [[smooth coated otter]], small Indian civet, large Indian civet, [[spotted linsang]], common palm civet, binturong, small Indian mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, crab-eating mongose, [[leopard cat]], [[marbled cat]] and [[fishing cat]]. Further mammal species found in the park are [[rhesus monkey]]s, [[hanuman langur]]s, Indian pangolin, northern palm squirrel, red giant flying squirrel, particoloured flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, hispid hare, Indian hare and ganges doplhin. | The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 [[species]] of [[mammal]]s, 450 species of [[bird]]s, and 45 species of [[amphibian]]s and [[reptile]]s. Elephants and Indian rhinos are the largest species found in the park, but a lot of other large herbivores are found in the park, [[gaur]], [[sambar deer]], [[Indian muntjac]], [[chital]], [[hog deer]], [[mainland serow]], [[chousingha]] and wild boar. Three large predator species, tigers, [[leopard]]s, [[dhole]]s prey on them and carrion eaters like [[striped hyena]]s are also found. [[Sloth bear]]s are among the main attractions of the Park. Smaller carivore species are [[golden jackal]], [[yellow-throated marten]], [[ratel]], [[smooth coated otter]], small Indian civet, large Indian civet, [[spotted linsang]], common palm civet, binturong, small Indian mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, crab-eating mongose, [[leopard cat]], [[marbled cat]] and [[fishing cat]]. Further mammal species found in the park are [[rhesus monkey]]s, [[hanuman langur]]s, Indian pangolin, northern palm squirrel, red giant flying squirrel, particoloured flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, hispid hare, Indian hare and ganges doplhin. | ||
Revision as of 17:40, 10 June 2008
| Chitwan National Park* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| State Party |  Nepal
|
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Reference | 284 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1984 (8th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
| Royal Chitwan National Park | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
 | |
| Location: | Nepal |
| Area: | 932 km² |
| Established: | 1973 |
Chitwan National Park (formerly called "Royal Chitwan National Park(RCNP)" )(CNP), covering an area of 932 km², is the oldest national park of Nepal. Established in 1973, it was granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. The RCNP is located at subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal in Chitwan district (200km away from capital Kathmandu).
Park Description
The park is rich in flora and fauna, which include one of the last populations of single-horned Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the Bengal tiger Panthera tigris tigris. The area used to be known as "Four Mile Forest" (चार कोसे झाडी). It was a place for big game hunting and until 1951 it was a hunting reserve. At the park there is canoeing, elephant rides, and guided jungle walks.
Adjacent to the National Park in the east is the Parsa Wildlife Reserve (49.900 ha) and further east the Bara Hunting Reserve (25.900 ha). In the south the Chitwan is contiguous with the Indian Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The vegetation consits mainly of moist deciduous forests, with the sal as dominating tree species. In the Churia Hills pine trees predominate. On the floodplains of the large Rivers, by name the Rapti, the Reu and the Narayani there are large areas covered with Elephant grass alternating with riverine Forests mainly composed of Simal, Khair and Sisau trees.
Wildlife
The Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Elephants and Indian rhinos are the largest species found in the park, but a lot of other large herbivores are found in the park, gaur, sambar deer, Indian muntjac, chital, hog deer, mainland serow, chousingha and wild boar. Three large predator species, tigers, leopards, dholes prey on them and carrion eaters like striped hyenas are also found. Sloth bears are among the main attractions of the Park. Smaller carivore species are golden jackal, yellow-throated marten, ratel, smooth coated otter, small Indian civet, large Indian civet, spotted linsang, common palm civet, binturong, small Indian mongoose, Indian grey mongoose, crab-eating mongose, leopard cat, marbled cat and fishing cat. Further mammal species found in the park are rhesus monkeys, hanuman langurs, Indian pangolin, northern palm squirrel, red giant flying squirrel, particoloured flying squirrel, Indian porcupine, hispid hare, Indian hare and ganges doplhin.
Among the reptiles marsh crocoiles, gharials and Indian python are the largest.
The park's unique rhino herd was featured on The Jeff Corwin Experience in season 2, episode 11. This national park is just 10 km far from nearby city Bharatpur, Nepal and the Bharatpur Airport.
Sal Forest (photographed by Leonardo C. Fleck)
Elephant safari in Chitwan NP (photographed by Leonardo C. Fleck)
Elephant safari in Chitwan NP (photographed by Autumn Snake)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Cosgriff, K. M., Neil R. Lipscombe, and Johannes J. Bauer. 1998. An assessment of the impacts of tourist activity on large mammals in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Albury, NSW: Charles Sturt University, Johnstone Centre of Parks, Recreation & Heritage. ISBN 9781875758784.
- Gurung, K. K., and Raj Singh. 1998. Field guide to the mammals of the Indian subcontinent: where to watch mammals in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. London: AP Professional. ISBN 0123093503.
- Mishra, Hemanta R., and Margaret Jeffries. 1991. Royal Chitwan National Park: wildlife heritage of Nepal. Seattle, WA, USA: The Mountaineers, in association with David Bateman. ISBN 9780898862669.
- Nepal. 2000. Royal Chitwan National Park and bufferzone: resource profile. Kathmandu: Dept. of National Park and Wildlife Conservation. OCLC 49873670.
- Nepal, Sanjay Kumar, and Karl E. Weber. 1993. Struggle for existence: park-people conflict in the Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Studies in regional environmental planning, 6. Bangkok, Thailand: Division of Human Settlements Development, Asian Institute of Technology. OCLC 30689506.
- Raj, Prakash A. 1999. Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal. [Kathmandu]: Nabeen Publications. OCLC 56597863.
- Seidensticker, J. 2002. "Tiger Tracks. In Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park, former foes-tigers and villagers-find they can live, even prosper, together". SMITHSONIAN. 32: 62-65. OCLC 192751182.
- Sunquist, Melvin E. 1981. The social organization of tigers (Panthera tigris) in Royal Chitawan National Park, Nepal. Smithsonian contributions to zoology, no. 336. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. OCLC 7577089.
External links
- Hotel Parkside. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
- Nepal-Reisen. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
- UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre - RCNP. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
- Royal Chitwan National Park Photos, October 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
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