Chitwan National Park - Reading Text and Exercise: Grade Nine.

Background Information 0f Chitwan National Park Chitwan National Park (CNP) is situated in South-central Nepal, covering an area of 952.63 km2, in the subtropical lowlands of inner Terai. In 1957, the area between Tikauli and the Mahabharat range was declared a “rhino sanctuary”, which was the first step towards formal wildlife management in the country. Due to heavy deforestation and rampant poaching, there was a sharp drop in the number of wild animals during the 1950s. Due to this alarming situation, a National Park to the north of Rapti River and a rhino sanctuary to the south were proposed. In 1963, the area to the south of Rapti has declared a rhino sanctuary and by April 1971, the border of the National Park was fixed by a survey team.  In 1973, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted, and Chitwan National Park was declared as the first National Park of Nepal. In 1977, the boundaries were increased from 540sq. km to 932 sq. km. Recognizing its outstanding uni…