CHITWAN: The number of foreign tourists visiting Chitwan National Park (CNP) has declined in the current fiscal year, while domestic tourist arrivals have increased significantly.
According to the park administration, 89,630 foreign tourists visited the park by the end of Baisakh in the current fiscal year, down from 100,830 during the same period last fiscal year.
Of the total foreign visitors this year, 13,992 were from SAARC countries and 75,638 were from other countries, compared to 18,933 SAARC tourists and 81,897 tourists from third countries last year.
Meanwhile, the number of domestic visitors rose to 137,246 this fiscal year from 103,672 during the same period last year, said the park’s information officer, Abinash Thapa Magar.
According to Thapa Magar, the decline in foreign tourist arrivals may be linked to political developments in Nepal following the Gen-Z protests, as well as ongoing conflicts in Middle Eastern countries. However, domestic tourism has increased as more Nepalis have started traveling within the country.
“Domestic tourist numbers may also have increased due to the government’s implementation of a two-day weekly holiday,” he said.
The park recorded 47,661 domestic visitors during Falgun, Chaitra, and Baisakh this year, compared to 34,202 during the same period last year.
Tourists mainly visit the park and its surrounding buffer zone community forests for wildlife observation and nature-based activities, including elephant safaris, jeep safaris, jungle walks, and boat rides. The park is known for rare wildlife species such as the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, elephant, sloth bear, gharial crocodile, and a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and plants.
The park has collected Rs 235.5 million in revenue so far this fiscal year. According to the park office, Rs 71,350 was earned from firewood sales, Rs 195.03 million from non-timber forest products, Rs 1.07 million from fines, and Rs 1.52 million from other sources.
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