CHITWAN, Nov 7: There are plans to develop ‘Meghauli Rhino Park’ in Meghauli, a popular tourist destination in Chitwan district. As per information given by tourism expert Biswa Raj Subedi, a detailed project report (DPR) is prepared for construction of the park that will cost estimated Rs 210 million.
The rhino park will cover wards 27 and 28 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City. It will be constructed over 550 bigha of land. The park will include four community forests of the two wards – Radha Krishna, Mallika, Rapti Betari, and Sadabahar. The park will be adjacent to Meghauli airport.
Meghauli is among the three entrance areas to Chitwan National Park that lie in Bharatpur Metropolitan City; the other two being Patihani and Devnagar.
Rhino horn found inside Chitwan National Park
Meghauli is famous for jungle safari, boat safari, home-stay, and sunset views from the confluence of Narayani and Rapti rivers. Tourists come here to observe wildlife such as rhino, tiger, and different types of birds. The place is regarded as a suitable place to observe peacocks.
“We are not planning to construct massive infrastructure for the park,” said Subedi. “We will be basically developing and better managing whatever infrastructure is here. We hope to attract more tourists here and make their stay longer.”
A 20 feet wide and 40 feet long rhino statue is proposed to be built as the major attraction of the park. It will cost an estimated Rs 27.6 million. Digitized tourist information center, local museum, and biological diversity study center are proposed to be built in the park.
The park will also have a pond spreading over 30 bigha to 40 bigha of land. Likewise, a ‘canopy walk’ trail will be constructed around the park. “It will be easier to see rhinos from the canopy walk,” Subedi said. “The park will have grass land over 50 bigha for rhinos.”
The DPR also proposes to build towers to observe tigers and birds. The park is targeted to be developed within four years.
The DPR was prepared with support from Province 3 government. This fiscal year, the provincial government has allocated Rs 5 million for construction of the information center and Rs 5 million for the rhino statue.
Harish Chandra Mahato, chairperson of Meghauli Tourist Development Committee, hoped that more tourists will visit the place after the construction of the park. “It will generate employment for locals and contribute toward economic development of the area,” Mahato said. The government of Province 3 has enlisted Meghauli among top 10 tourist destinations from 13 districts of the province.
