NEPAL ~ Chitwan National Park - UNESCO ~

... Great new National Park postcard💚... in spite of having the highest mountains in the world with vast snowfields and glaciers, and relatively little flat land, Nepal also has stretches of lush tropical jungle...  a unique mix of subtropical lowland ecosystems, including riverine forests, grasslands, and hills.. it's here, on the flat lowlands adjoining northern India, called the Terrai, that this elephant🐘 takes his bath... activities include jungle safaris (by jeep, canoe, or on foot)... a jungle trek takes you through the park, walking through varied landscapes and past traditional Tharu villages... the indigenous Tharu people have lived there for centuries... along the way you will come face to face with unspoilt nature and have plenty of opportunities to spot wild animals... they also offer jungle tours where you can explore the wilderness on the back of an elephant... it sounds like a great adventure, but think carefully about whether you really want to ride an elephant, as it is not exactly an animal-friendly outing😔...  Thanks a lot Boris! (✿◠‿◠)

Photo: Dorothy Mierow
Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal. It was established in 1973 and  covers an area of 952.63 km2 in the Terai of south-central Nepal. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile.

The name "Chitwan" translates to "heart of the jungle".

In 1984, Chitwan National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Stamp:

Mount Cho-Oyu 

(09-10-2014)