Chitwan ponds become centre of attraction

By Shaligram Nepal

Chitwan, Feb 22 : Ponds in and around Chitwan National Park (CNP) have become the centre of attraction for tourists from both home and abroad.

CNP’s information officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari informed that there are more than 50 large ponds within the park known as Bahunna Pokhari (52 ponds) and Tripanna Tals (53 lakes).

There are more than a hundred small and big ponds inside the park, he said. “Some ponds are in the buffer zone forest area, and the community has been operating and protecting them.”

Bishazari Tal (lake), Batule Pokhari and Rhino Tal which are in the list of World Wetlands are inside the buffer zone area.

The large ponds inside the park include Lami Tal, Tamor Tal, Kamal Tal, Devi Tal, Surya Tal and others. All these are becoming the centre of attraction for tourists from home and abroad. Birds, gharials, one-horned rhinos, peacocks, and other species of water birds can be seen at Bishazari Tal and Batule Tal, which are near Bharatpur.

Local communities have arranged tickets to enter the ponds inside the buffer zone area. 

Toilets and rest chairs have been arranged in the surrounding area along with boats in the pond, Tiwari said. It is not allowed to enter the ponds inside the national park without permission.

Januka Paudel, a local, said that the ponds have become the choice of tourists because of their peaceful environment.

Gyanu Sunar, president of Batule Pokhari Buffer Zone Community Forest, said that ponds and lakes are the choices of those who love the natural environment. She said, “Up to 500 people come every day on public holidays and some of them also come for video shooting,” she said.

“We have built a structure here with the money received from the entrance fee, there is a boat arrangement in the pond, and many birds and animals such as rhinoceros can be seen in the evening and in the morning. Sunar said it was an example for those who said forest cannot make progress with a female president.

Prakash Dhungana, chairman of the Buffer Zone Development Committee, said that the park and the surrounding ponds are being developed as tourist centres. But many such attractive destinations around the national park have been overshadowed due to lack of publicity.

Another such centre is Rani Pokhari in West Chitwan. Bharatpur Mtropolis has invested in the protection and promotion of this pond located in the middle of the settlement. Rani Pokhari is also included in the tourist destinations within the metropolis.