Chitwan National Park Sees More Tourists but Less Revenue

Chitwan National Park experienced a notable surge in tourist arrivals during the fiscal year 2025/26, with numbers climbing by 41,594 to a total of 272,923 visitors. This increase, particularly among Nepali tourists who numbered 161,375, marked a significant rise from the previous year. However, this growth in footfall did not translate into higher revenue. The park collected Rs 31,01,64,551 in FY 2025/26, a decrease from the Rs 33,86,00,000 generated in FY 2024/25.

Park information officer Abinash Thapa Magar explained that the revenue dip is primarily due to a decline in foreign tourist numbers. He pointed to the "Gen-Z movement" and the Iran-US conflict as potential deterrents for international travelers, which consequently impacted the park's earnings. While Nepali tourists saw a substantial increase, visitors from SAARC countries and other nations experienced a slight decrease.

The park's entry fees are structured differently for various nationalities: Rs 150 for Nepalis, Rs 1,000 for SAARC nationals, and Rs 2,000 for other foreign tourists. An additional Rs 5,000 fee applies to jeeps entering the park. The Sauraha gate remains the busiest entry point, accounting for 237,025 of the total visitors last fiscal year. Despite the revenue challenges, Chitwan National Park continues to be a major draw for its diverse wildlife, including one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, and various bird species, offering activities like jeep safaris and jungle walks.

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the Gen-Z movement and the Iran-US conflict kept foreign tourist arrivals below expectations, which directly affected Chitwan National Park as well.