Nawalpur (Nawalparasi): Chitwan National Park (CNP) has witnessed a surge in foreign tourists, surpassing domestic visitors in the first five months of the current fiscal year. From mid-July to mid-December, a total of 72,461 tourists visited the park, contributing to revenue collection of Rs 106.71 million.

According to Avinash Thapa Magar, CNP's Information and Conservation Officer, the park welcomed 33,730 foreign tourists and 32,880 domestic tourists during this period. Additionally, 5,851 visitors came from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.

In conservation efforts, the park released 41 gharial crocodiles—40 females and one male—into the Rapti River from the Gharial Breeding Center in Kasara across three phases. Preparations are also underway for the internal relocation of rhinos, as the western part of the park has seen an increase in their population. This measure aims to mitigate risks posed by flooding in the Narayani River and enhance conservation efforts in the eastern region.

The relocation plans were discussed in a meeting involving senior officials, including Haribhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Dr. Ganesh Panta, Senior Conservation Officer at CNP, and representatives from the local community, tourism committees, and buffer zone user groups.

CNP remains committed to wildlife protection and poaching prevention, with action plans being developed in collaboration with local stakeholders.