The number of tourists visiting Chitwan National Park, a tourist destination for wildlife viewing, has exceeded three lakhs in the last financial year. Park officials say this number is the highest ever. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, information officer of the park, said that 3 lakh 6 thousand 837 people visited Chitwan Park in the last financial year.

The park has earned a revenue of Rs 3672 million 92 thousand 807 in the last financial year. Before that, the number of tourists in the financial year 079/80 was 299,412. 29 crore 89 lakh 65 thousand 495 rupees revenue was raised from that. The number of tourists visiting the park in the last financial year and the revenue is the highest so far. The number of tourists visiting the park crossed 3 lakh for the first time,” Tiwari said.

Chitwan National Park is the main habitat in Nepal for animals such as large one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, and crocodiles, which are in danger of extinction in the world. Wild elephants, many birds and aquatic animals and plants are also found here. The tribals Tharu, Bote, Kumal, Darai live in the park. whose culture is also preferred by tourists. 

While the increase in numbers is good, it also brings challenges due to the tourism associated with protected areas. We need to bring conservation and tourism together," said Tika Giri, a veteran conservationist from Chitwan who started nature guides since 1980 and ran a hotel himself 18 years ago. Giri said that after the earthquake, blockade and corona lockdown, it seems that the quality has not been taken care of.

is like a competition to reduce the price to increase the number of guests. Isn't that right? After explaining our tourism specialty to the tourists, let us compete to satisfy them by serving them. However, when there are less tourists, there is a feeling that we should do business as much as possible. But let's not do this all the time,” said Giri.

Babita Chaudhary, a hotelier, has the experience that even if the number of tourists has increased, the business has not increased. The effect of increased numbers should be seen in business. But there is no such improvement in business. Something is better than the time of Corona. But nothing significant is visible, said Babita. She said that since the number of foreign tourists has decreased in recent times, the government should promote and market it well in the international world. He also said that tourism professionals should be able to satisfy the tourists who come. 

The impact of economic recession is worldwide. Even within the country, the road condition is not good. At this time, there are many challenges in tourism," said Babita. As experienced by tourism professionals, the number of foreign tourists has not improved. In the last fiscal year, more than half of the visitors to the park were foreigners. Among the total number of tourists are 176 thousand 316 Nepalis. There are not even 100,000 foreign tourists.

park keeps details of Nepalese, SAARC and foreign tourists. There are 94,500 tourists from outside the SAARC countries who visit Chitwan Park. There are 36 thousand 471 people from SAARC countries. At one time, more than 60 percent of the tourists visiting the park were foreigners. After the earthquake, blockade and corona, foreigners are decreasing.

The highest number of foreign tourists came to visit Chitwan Park in the financial year 071/72, excluding SAARC. We also need to save our tourism identity. Wildlife-based tourism. The park and its surrounding forests and environment should also be protected. Picnics, dances, commotions and just entertainment type activities were not increased, said Giri, a tourism businessman. 

Chitwan National Park is connected with Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Makwanpur and Parsa districts. The most tourist activity is in Sauraha in Chitwan. Jagnarayan Bote, the leader of the Bote community, who ran a homestay in Chitwan Madi Pandavanagar, said that by expanding tourism in all areas, the locals would benefit.