Tourist numbers decline at Chitwan National Park amid road disruptions

In Kartik alone, 28,211 tourists visited the park, while 28,464 people visited from Shrawan to Asoj.

Magar attributed the overall decline to road blockages caused by heavy rains, which disrupted access to the park.

Last fiscal year, 48,895 tourists visited in Kartik, significantly higher than this year’s figures.

Tourist activity within the park is typically suspended from Shrawan to Asoj, which contributes to a seasonal drop in numbers during that period.

However, community forests surrounding the park continue to see visitors, Magar noted.

Chitwan National Park and its community forests remain popular for their diverse wildlife, including the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, leopards, bears, and a wide variety of bird species.

Most visitors enter the park through checkpoints at Sauraha, Meghauli, Kasara, and Amaltari, with Sauraha being the busiest entry point.

Despite the current challenges, the park continues to draw domestic, international, and third-country tourists seeking to explore its unique biodiversity.