Increasing attraction of tourists for jungle safari in Meghauli

By Shaligram Nepal,Chitwan, Aug. 9: The number of tourists going for jungle safari in the Meghauli area of western Chitwan has increased since tigers and rhinos have been spotted.

Tourists usually enter from the eastern region of Chitwan National Park at Sauraha for jungle safari and travel westward towards Kasara. 

Due to the decreasing number of rhinos in the entry area at Sauraha and the increasing animal population in various locations of western Meghauli and Amaltari, the attraction for safaris has shifted to Meghauli.

Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, Information Officer of Chitwan National Park, said that the number of animals, including tigers and rhinos, has increased in the western region over the past few years. 

“Animals are easily seen in the western region compared to the eastern area because it provides a suitable habitat with water availability and fewer human disturbances. This has resulted in an increase in rhinos and tigers in the western area,” Tiwari said.

Tiwari said that due to the high number of rhinos in the west, they had to relocate some to the eastern area from Sauraha. He also said that the jungle, wide grasslands, and abundant water sources have led to an increase in the animal population in Meghauli and the surrounding areas.

The relocation was done to prevent fighting and deaths among the animals when they are concentrated in one place. As tourists visiting the park prefer to see wild animals, they have started going to the western region, he added.

During the rainy season, jeep safaris are closed for three months starting from June/July due to poor road conditions and fallen trees blocking the paths. However, community forests adjacent to the park have not stopped safari activities. 

The number of visitors for jeep safaris in Radha Krishna Community Forest and Sada Bahar Community Forest in Meghauli has increased.

Bedhnidhi Subedi, Chairperson of Radha Krishna Community Forest, said that tourists who used to focus solely on Sauraha are now coming to Meghauli. Due to the increase in tourist numbers, they have even started operating jeeps for safaris, he added. 

Tourists are still coming even during the rainy season, and they can easily see rhinos, he said. There are specific areas where animals rest and graze, so it does not make much difference where they go, he explained.

There are grasslands along the Rapti River and within the jungle. Because of abundant water sources, visitors can see rhinos, deer, antelope, langur (Semnopithecus), peacocks, boars, and tigers.

Subedi said that there has not been a single instance where visitors have not seen any animals after a jungle safari. Due to the demand for safaris among tourists coming to Meghauli, they have added more jeeps. Each jeep has nine seats, and it is cheaper for groups. 

Tourism expert Dr. Bishwo Subedi from Bharatpur Metropolitan City said that the upgrading of Meghauli Airport and the construction of well-equipped hotels have increased the attraction of foreign tourists. 

Regardless of the entry point into the park or community forests, visitors can easily see rhinos and occasionally tigers, he said.