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| Chitwan National Park |
An ideal get-away from the blistering Indian Summer is heading
north into the erstwhile Kingdom of Nepal today “The Federal Democratic
Republic of Nepal”.
Geographically land-locked with India bordering on the east,
west and south and the TAR region of China on its north, it is predominantly
mountainous with 8 of the world’s 10 tallest peaks including the the Mount
Everest being here.
The south and east called the Terai form the foothills to
the mountainous north and are relatively flat with rivers making it fertile for
agricultural production. In this flood plain was established in 1973 the
Chitwan National Park, later designated a World Heritage site. It now covers an
area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi).
Adjacent to the east is the Parsa Wildlife Reserve and in
the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve called Valmiki National Park. The total
protected area under the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) of
Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, covers a 3,549 km2 (1,370 sq mi) block of alluvial
earth.
Chitwan has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity
all through the year with rains starting in mid June and easing off in late
September. The typical vegetation consists predominantly of Sal trees. Rosewood is also to be seen here.
It is home for close to 700 species of wildlife and a not
yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and insect species. Apart from
King Cobra and Rock python, 17 other species of snakes, starred tortoise and
monitor lizards are seen here. Also seen in the rivers & lakes close-by are
113 recorded species of fish and mugger crocodiles. If you are lucky enough,
you may catch site of a gharials in the
Narayani River.
Also occupying pride of place are 43 species of mammals of
whom the Bengal Tiger is the “King”. The habitat is one of the best in the
world for tigers. Their population has seen ups and downs thanks to poaching.
Leopards are also most prevalent at the peripheries. Indian Rhinoceros,
Elephants and wild buffaloes called Gaurs and wild boards also occupy this
region.
How do you get to this place?
For most Indians the best approach to Nepal is by road
through 2-3 land borders at Birgunj-Raxaul, Kakarbhitta-Naxal Bari,
Sonauli-Siddharthanagar (Bhairawa) and Nepal gunj-Rupaidiha.
You may alternatively go by air from Mumbai to Kathmandu and
catch an overnight bus to Chitwan.
As regards Chitwan National Park, the best way about is to
get to Gorakhpur town, take a bus/ taxi/ jeep to Sunauli border town, clear all
customs formalities and cross over to Siddharthanagar also called locally as
Bhairawa. From Bhairawa one travels
further 160 kms to Sauraha, a town adjacent to the Chitwan National Park and
serves as an accommodation hub for travelers. It has decent places to stay, eat
and rest. Well, if you attach yourselves with seasoned tour operators in Pune
who additionally are holiday makers like Raghukul Holidays, you leave Pune
blindfold and open your eyes only in Chitwan National Park. The rest being
mundane matters is taken care of by their experienced and courteous staff.
At Chitwan, tourists
can indulge in the following activities:
- The elephant back ride. A great way to visit a
thick forest as the elephant moves around with ease and you to go really closer
to the animals with them not feeling disturbed in any way.
- The jeep safari. A 4-5 hours drive through pre-
defined paths through the jungle. It is not as interesting as the former due to
the presence of tall elephant grass which are best negotiated by, elephants.
- Visit the crocodile breeding centre: Chitwan in
its heyday had one of the best croc population including the famed “gharials”
but rampant poaching has brought down their numbers drastically. Since they
don’t breed too well in captivity, the best way was to have a place with the
feel of the wild.
- In 2008, a Vulture breeding centre was set-up to
breed each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal.
- Elephant breeding centre: A world exclusive with
recorded instances of twins which is extremely rare. The elephants here are not
for show but are put to good use for visitors to go around as also the security
to hunt down poachers. And what are they fed on?? Elephantine momos!! Yes rice
chunks wrapped in grass and leaves. They even practice for the annual elephant
football match and elephant races which are done for tourists.
- Boating on the river in dug-out canoes. A good
way to see the marine life of the river which may include the customary fish
and toads and all. The surprise package are the gharials and crocodiles! And
the once-in-a-while encounter with larger animals who come near the river shore
to drink water
- A jungle walk which, if you are lucky may end-up
with your seeing a tiger or a leapord or any other wild animal at very close
quarters.
Raring to go? And why not? Tour operators in Pune are
waiting to fulfill your wish! Before the kinds and wife get after you, get
after parties like Raghukul to take you to a kool place!
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Please feel free to post your comments below.
About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.
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