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Chitwan National Park
From royal hunting grounds to one of Asia's great conservation triumphs — the story of Chitwan National Park is a story of recovery against the odds.
Pre-1900s
The Rapti Valley was maintained as private royal hunting grounds for Nepal's Shah dynasty. The area was deliberately kept undeveloped, which paradoxically preserved its wildlife and forests.
1950s–60s
Malaria eradication programs opened the Terai to settlement. Population pressure began reducing wildlife habitat dramatically. Rhinoceros numbers plummeted to under 100 individuals.
1973
Chitwan was established as Nepal's first national park under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. The park boundary was formally gazetted covering 932 km².
1978
The Nepal Tiger Conservation Programme began in collaboration with WWF. Systematic anti-poaching patrols and habitat management became part of park operations.
1984
Chitwan was inscribed as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site — the first in Nepal — in recognition of its outstanding universal value for biodiversity conservation.
2022
Nepal reached its target of doubling the tiger population years ahead of schedule. Chitwan was central to this achievement — one of the great conservation success stories of the 21st century.