Wildlife Tourism in Nepal: A Case Study of Chitwan National Park

Abstract

This paper deals with the wildlife tourism in Nepal with the special references to the Chitwan National Park. CNP is represented by the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers, lakes, hundreds of Asiatic one horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tigers, plants and more than five hundred birds and species of fishes, different types and various number of reptiles, crocodile breeding centre, vulture breeding centre, elephant breeding centre as well as cultural heritage especially of Tharu community. These globally renowned properties make CNP peculiar, popular and prestigious in the world. Recognizing its unique ecosystem and heritages of global significance, UNESCO declared and enlisted it in a World Heritage List in 1984. What are the major wildlife tourism products of CNP? How far they are considered as the responsible sources of tourism in CNP?  are the major research questions and gaps which have been discussed and answered in this paper. Likewise, to identify the major wildlife tourism products of CNP and to analyze and describe the promotional role of tourism and accommodations available in CNP are the main objectives of this paper. In this research primary data and secondary information have been applied.