Chitwan: Nepal’s Jungle Paradise & Tharu Culture

Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first protected area, has a rich history of environmental conservation and more than three decades of park management. Chitwan, which translates to "heart of the jungle," is one of the few remaining examples of the uninterrupted stretch of grasslands and trees. The UNESCO World Heritage site (natural) list includes Chitwan National Park. For the royal families, Rana rulers, and their visitors, Chitwan was a major game region. The park is particularly well known for protecting gharial crocodiles, royal Bengal tigers, and one-horned rhinoceroses. The park is home to 68 species of animals, 56 species of herpetofauna, 126 species of fish, and 544 species of birds.