ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK:
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK (932 sq km) covers a pristine area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world, containing the Churiya hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains. Approximately 70% of the park vegetation is forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland, riverine forest, and pine forest. There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. It is highly noted for the endangered Great One-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, gaur, wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin and Gangetic dolphin. Other animals found in the park include the hog deer, barking deer, sloth bear, palm civet, langur and rhesus monkey. There are over 450 species of birds in the park. Among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. Common birds seen in the park include the peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in the park, some of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper, and various species of frogs and tortoises.