Tourism activities resume at CNP after six months

CHITWAN: Tourism activities at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) have resumed after a break of around six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elephant safari, jungle walk and bird viewing have been open at the CNP, said CNP Chief Conservation Officer Ananath Baral.

“Repairing trails for a jeep safari is underway. It will be completed until the upcoming Dashain festival,” he said.

The contract process has been forwarded to operate boats in the Rapti River and clean-up at the footpath trail was underway, said the CNP’s Information Officer Ashok Ram.

However, tourism activities at the community forests under the CNP have already been open. Tourist destinations in the district would resume following entry opening to the CNP, said Chairperson of the Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan, Dipak Bhattarai.

Entrepreneurs in Sauraha hoped domestic tourists would visit Sauraha during the upcoming Dashain festival, he said, adding that discount offers have been announced for visitors.

Last year, 182,435 tourists visited the CNP, of which 89,441 were domestic tourists, 14,239 from the SAARC countries and 78,755 from other countries.

The CNP collected over Rs 199 million in revenue. But this year, its revenue collection is nil.