“We are mulling to close core areas of park for jungle walk as visitors may be attacked by wild animals,” Ganesh Panta, assistant warden of CNP said. [break]
Recent census shows that the number of wild animals such as rhinos, tigers, bears, Gaur and other aggressive animals have increased in the park.
Most visitors willing to enjoy jungle walk enter the park through Sauraha -- the main gate to CNP. Visitors can go far jungle walk that begins from Sauraha to Tiger Tops via Kasar, the headquarters of CNP.
According to CNP officials, Sauraha section of jungle walk route is the densest in terms of wild life population.
Shankar Sainju, president of Regional Hotel Association Sauraha, said arrangements for nature guides have been made keeping in mind the threat wild animals pose to visitors.
“We have to ensure more security to the tourists while in the jungle,” said Sainju.
Chitwan -- the third most popular tourist destination after Kathmandu and Pokhara -- receives over 120,000 tourists annually. Besides jungle walk, tourists can enjoy jungle drive and elephant rides in one of the world´s most popular wildlife safari site.
Park officials are also mulling to give more priority to jeep safari which is more secure compared to jungle walk. “But we have to formulate rules and regulations to regulate jungle drive. We are holding discussions with tourism entrepreneurs to make jungle walk safer for the tourists,” said Panta.
Related story
CNP sees more foreign visitors than domestic visitors
