CNP generates more than Rs 100 million in revenue from 72,000 visitors

NAWALPUR (NAWALPARASI)Over Rs 100 million in revenue has been generated from 72,000 tourists visiting Chitwan National Park (CNP). Individuals numbering 72,461 visited the park in the first five Nepali months (from mid-July to mid-December) of the current fiscal year.

According to CNP’s Information and Conservation Officer, Avinash Thapa Magar, foreign tourists outnumbered domestic visitors during this period. Records show that 33,730 foreign tourists visited the park, compared to 32,880 domestic tourists. Additionally, 5,851 tourists from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries also visited during this time.

The revenue collection from domestic and foreign tourists over the past five months amounted to Rs 106.71 million, according to Officer Magar.

Meanwhile, the park has lately released 41 gharial crocodiles, raised at the Gharial Breeding Center in Kasara, into their natural habitat. The release included 40 females and one male, which were introduced into the Rapti River on three separate occasions.

Officer Magar stated that the park is actively engaging with locals to develop action plans for wildlife protection and poaching prevention.

Highlighting an increase in the rhino population in the western part of the park, he revealed plans to relocate some rhinos to the eastern region. The relocation is deemed necessary to mitigate risks posed by flooding in the Narayani River.

As part of preparations for the internal relocation of rhinos, an interaction program was held involving key stakeholders. They include Haribhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; Dr. Ganesh Panta, a Senior Conservation Officer at Chitwan National Park; the battalion commander of the new Gorakh Battalion; the Divisional Forest Officer; Chairs of Buffer Zone Users Committees; tourism committee officials; businesspersons; and local representatives.