In 1978 it was declared a reserve under the successful Project Tiger 7. The first national park of Nepal was set up in 1973. It is considered among the best wildlife parks in Asia. Chitwan is synonymous with tigers and Rhinos. There are a total of 43 species of birds found here.
Elephant rides to view the wildlife are most popular.
The boat trips in Chitwan along the Rapti or Narayani rivers are the most peaceful way of experiencing the wildlife and the surrounding scenery. The Gir National Park is where the last surviving population of the Asiatic lion is to be found and the Little Rann of Kutch, the home of the Indian wild ass. Located in the South west of the Saurashtra Peninsula, the Gir National Park is a haven to about 300 Asiatic lions. The 1,412.14 sq. Park has a rugged terrain and the steep rocky hillsides are recovered in mixed deciduous forests.