Chitwan National Park (CNP) celebrated a remarkable milestone as it welcomed a staggering 272,942 visitors by the conclusion of the current fiscal year. This surge marks a notable increase of over 9,000 tourists compared to the preceding year, as documented by CNP records.
Last year marked a historic peak in CNP footfall over the past decade, indicating a sustained and growing interest in the park’s offerings. Despite a general upward trend in tourist numbers this year, revenue collection witnessed a significant spike, according to CNP authorities.
Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the CNP’s information officer, revealed that revenue collection soared to Rs 315,713,171 by the fiscal year-end, a substantial rise from Rs 244,946,860 reported during the corresponding period last year.
In the fiscal year 2075/76 BS, CNP hosted 187,109 tourists, generating a revenue of Rs 294,446,639. The revenue streams encompass sales of firewood, non-timber forest products, tourism, fines, and various charges.
Remarkably, this fiscal year saw a record-breaking Rs 267,153,050 in tourism revenue and Rs 34,082,395 from non-timber forest products. This underscores the park’s growing appeal as a premier tourist destination.
However, there has been a discernible decrease in Nepali and SAARC tourists, juxtaposed with a surge in visitors from other countries. This nuanced shift in visitor demographics may signify evolving tourism patterns and preferences.
The robust influx of tourists coupled with enhanced revenue streams bodes well for CNP’s conservation efforts and sustainable development initiatives. As CNP continues to enchant visitors with its rich biodiversity and captivating landscapes, it reaffirms its status as a crown jewel of Nepal’s natural heritage.
13th May 2024
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