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Climate
The Park has a range of climatic seasons
each offering a unique experience.
October through February with average
temperatures of 25oc offer an enjoyable
climate. From March to June temperatures
can reach as high as 43oC. The hot humid
days give way to the monsoon season that
typically lasts from late June until
September, rivers become flooded and
roads are
impossible.
In late January, local villagers are
allowed to cut thatch grasses to meet
their needs, which offer a better
viewing of
wildlife for visitors. Also, between
September and November and February and
April, migratory birds join the
residential
birds and create spectacular bird
watching opportunities. While the
monsoon rains bring lush vegetation,
most trees flower in
late winter. The palash tree, kno
Features
The Park consists of a diversity of
ecosystems-including the Churia hills,
Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of
the Rapti,
Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia
hills rise slowly towards the East from
150 m. to more than 800 m. The western
portion of
the Park is comprised of the lower but
more rugged, Someshwor hill. The Park
shares its eastern boundary with the
Parsa
Wildlife Reserve.
Flora & Fauna
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical
and subtropical forests. Sal forests
cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves
are
used locally for plates in festivals and
religious offerings.
Grasslands cover 20 percent of the Park.
There are more than 50 different types
of grasses, including the elephant grass
(Saccharum spp), renowned for its
immense height. It can grow up to 8m in
height. The park is home to more than 50
mammal
species, over 525 birds, and 55
amphibians and reptiles. The endangered
fauna found in the Park are: One-horned
rhinoceros,
Gaur. Royal Bengal tiger. Wild elephant,
Four horned antelope, Pangolin, Golden
monitor lizard, Python, etc. Bengal
florican.
Lesser florican, Giant hornbill, Black
stork, White stork, etc.
Facilities
The Park offers interesting sites and
activities. The display at the visitor
centre at Sauraha provides fascinating
information on wildlife and conservation
program. The women's user groups'
souvenir shop offers a variety of
handicrafts and
other local products for gifts and
souvenirs.
Elephant safari provides opportunity to
get a closer view of the endangered
one-horned rhinoceros. One may also get
a glimpse
of the elusive Bengal tiger. The
Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor,
Sauraha gives you information on captive
elephant and
the calves born there.
The museum at Kasara, the Park
headquarters, has informative displays-
near the HQ visitors can see Bikram
Baba, a Hindu
religious site of archival value. A
short walk (1km) from the Park HQ will
take you to the Gharial Breeding Center,
which is
also a home to the Marsh mugger, gharial
crocodiles and other turtles.
Inside the Park, there are 7 resorts run
by Park concessionaires that can provide
lodging and access to wildlife
activities.
Various resorts and Lodges are situated
outside the park also offer variety of
services.
How to Get There
Chitwan is linked by public buses,
tourist coaches, and air service. There
are eight entrance gates to the park
Kasara via Jagatpur
Ghatgain via Patihani
Bhimle via Maghauli
Khagendra mali via Bhandara
Sunachuri via Sunachuri
Sauraha via Tandi (Ratna Nagar)
Laukhani via Pragatinaggr
Amaltari via Danda
Kujauli via Rajahar
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