News
Gharials decline in Chitwan
Despite several programs launched by different organizations, Gharial population in Nepal is declining.
Gharials are breeded in Chitwan national park based breeding center and off springs were released into various rivers since 1978. “The reptiles released in various rivers are declining in number unexpectedly,” said Assistant Conservation Officer at Chitwan National Park, Dec Bahadur Khadka.
The crocodile breeding center at Kasara, the headquarter of Chitwan national park have been releasing the amphibian reptiles into six rivers since 1981.
Visit Crocodile breeding center in Nepal
Visit Crocodile breeding center at Chitwan national park headquarter with other jungle safari activities like canoe ride to observe Gharial and Mugger crocodiles in their habitats. Customize your Chitwan tour with jeep safari or jungle walk.
According to Khadka, as many as 1,240 gharials have been released into Rapti, Narayani, Kaligandaki, Spatakoshi, Karnali and Babai rivers so far. However population of gharials are 150 each in Narayani and Rapti and 50 each in other rivers.
Increasing river pollution and human activities in the rivers have caused the decline in the population. Due to the habitat lost and shortage of food, about 75 % of the reptiles cross into the Indian territory with the river flow and don’t return.
A census carried out in the rivers of Nepal in March-April last year had shown an increase in the number of gharial crocodiles by 74, in comparison to the census carried out in 2013, when only 124 crocodiles were found in river of Nepal.
The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is one of two surviving members of the family Gavialidae. Gharial is the second longest type of crocodile found in the world. A fully grown male gharial can be 6 meters long.
Gharial are listed as critically endangered species that came to the brink of extinction in 1970es. Conservation efforts of environmentalists working with several governments reduced the threat of extinction by reducing poaching, habitat protection and captive breeding. Ranching operations launched collected eggs from the wild and raised the off springs in the captivity to protect them from natural predators. More than 3,000 gharials have been released throughout India and Nepal through these programs. There are seven breeding centers across India and Nepal including Chitwan and Bardia national park.
Recently this species has moved from Endangered to Critically Endangered on the 2007 Red List of endangered species of animals and plants issued by the World Conservation.
Nature and wildlife tour of Nepal
Visit crododile breeding centers in Chitwan national park and Bardia national park with activities to spot Tiger and other endangered wildlife of Himalayan foothills.
Upcoming Events
Tiji Festival 2024
The most mystic mask dancing festival in the Himalayas is celebrated in Upper Mustang of Nepal. Monks after three months of fasting and retreat, participate in the three days long mask dancing to ward off the evil spirit.
Vesak Day 2024
Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha for the most auspicious day, the Vesak day. This is when Buddha was born, enlightened and attained Mahaparinirvana.
Helicopter Tour
Tibet Overland Tour
Best of Himalayas
Nepal Tour News
Small Pagoda found by Chinese archaeologists is believed to have Buddha\'s skull inside.
Tiger population in Nepal reached 355 from 121 in 2010. Nepal successfully achieved its goal of doubling the number of Tigers by 2022. World Tiger Day 2023
Nepal Tibet border remained closed in Autumn 2015 for foreigners. Tourists rerouted their visit via Hilsa, Simikot or flying in and out of Lhasa.
The leading travel guide book publisher, Rough Guide has listed Nepal as the number one destination of the top ten travel destination of 2016.
Prince Harry\'s is taking an official tour of Nepal to observe how the country is recovering from devastating April 2015 earthquake.
International Buddhist conference is held in Nepal to celebrate 2,060th Buddha Jayanti.
Recent count has recorded increased number of Indian Bison - Gaur in Chitwan National park, a natural heritage sites enlisted by UNESCO.
National Geographic has listed Nepal in its top 10 destination to visit in 2016. The country needs tourism to rebuilt, it says.
The leading travel guide book, Lonely planet, recently featured �Pun Hill� as top ten tourist destination in Nepal.
A British trekker Kellinu Portelli died in Labuche near Everest base camp on 28th October 2019. The 54 years family man was a father of two and was trekking to Everest base camp to raise money for a cancer charity.
Series of scientific excavation have uncovered the Shakya palace of Tilaurakot where Lord Buddha spent 29 years as Prince Sidhartha.
Bird festival celebrated in Pokhara to bring awareness about bird conservation and to promote bird tourism.
Kathmandu the gateway city to the Himalayas, is listed as the top 5th destination in the world to travel in 2019 by Lonely Planet.
Over 300 climbers successfully climbed Mt Everest so far out of the 381 mountaineers permitted for Spring climbing season 2019.
Nepal removed quarantine and resumed on-arrival visa for fully vaccinated travelers. Nepal is now open and is the safest destination to travel for autumn 2021.
Bahraini Prince Shaikh Mohamed Hamad Mohamed Al Khalifa climbing Mt Everest in May 2021. 13 members of Bahrain defense force and 3 British nationals arrive Kathmandu, Nepal on 10 March 2021. The team successfully submitted Mt Labuche and Mt Manaslu in October 2020.
Post-Covid Increase in Nepal tours signal a rebound of Nepal tourism for Spring 2022.
Photographer \'Kettiya Pawlowski\' takes brilliant photos of Snow Leopard near Everest base camp.
Famous Hollywood actor Jet Li went on a spiritual tour of Nepal during the Christmas and New year 2023 holiday.
Tibet is open for foreign tourists from April 2023
CNN has placed Mustang in the list of 23 places in the world to visit in 2023
Shinta Mani Mustang Resort, A Bensley Collection, has been listed among the top 22 \'best new hotels for 2024\' in National Geographic\'s \'Best of the World\' list.