CHITWAN: The number of tourists visiting Chitwan National Park (CNP) has decreased this year compared to the previous fiscal year.
According to park information officer Abinash Thapa Magar, 182,227 tourists visited the park by the end of Chaitra this fiscal year, down from 250,337 during the same period last year—a significant decline.
Of the total visitors this year, 92,890 were Nepali, 16,798 were from SAARC countries, and 72,539 came from other international destinations. Data shows a notable drop in domestic tourist numbers compared to last year.
Chief Conservation Officer Dr. Ganesh Pant noted that both tourist arrivals and jeep safari numbers have decreased, leading to a drop in revenue.
While the park collected Rs 282.6 million during this period last year, only Rs 236.4 million has been collected this year. However, he also pointed out that reduced crowding is beneficial for wildlife conservation.
Prakash Dhungana, chairperson of the Chitwan National Park Buffer Zone Management Committee, attributed the drop to post-Covid economic challenges and the natural decline after last year’s surge in visits.
“When a destination hits a peak, some decline is expected,” he said, adding that delays in managing grasslands and the limited visibility of rare wildlife may have also discouraged visitors.
Gunaraj Thapaliya, vice-chairperson of the Regional Hotel Association, Sauraha, cited poor road conditions as a major deterrent.
“It’s difficult to travel by road or air,” he said. “Ongoing road upgrades from Chitwan to Bhairahawa, Kathmandu, and Pokhara have made travel inconvenient. Flights are often delayed or unavailable, and airfares are high.”
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