Chitwan National Park (CNP), the country’s first national park, is the top revenue generator among the 20 national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas in Nepal. 

According to the Tourism Ministry’s statistics unveiled on Tuesday, CNP’s earnings amounted to Rs246.91 million in the fiscal year 2014-15, followed by Sagarmatha National Park in the north-eastern part of the country. 

CNP, famed as the home of the one-horned rhino, received 173,425 foreign safari goers last year. The park was established in 1973 and was granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations. 

There are several lodges inside the national park offering full board and accommodation in combination with elephant and jeep safaris, rafting tours and guided jungle walks.

Similarly, Sagarmatha National Park collected Rs92.75 million in royalty fees from foreign visitors. The statistics showed that 35,157 tourists visited the park last year. 

The government has collected Rs433.89 million from different national parks and conservation areas. These parks received 431,673 tourists last year.

Likewise, Langtang National Park, established in 1976, is the third highest revenue generator. The park hosted 12,552 tourists last year and collected Rs43.75 million in entrance fees from them. 

Shey Phoksundo National Park, the country’s largest and only trans-Himalayan national park, stood fourth in terms of income. It collected Rs25.27 million from 417 tourists. The park, established in 1984, straddles Dolpa and Mugu districts in the Mid-Western Region. It offers a diversity of spectacular landscapes and ranks among the most scenic mountain parks in the world. 

Likewise, Bardia National Park earned Rs21.93 million in entrance and park fees. The park hosted 14,197 sightseers last year. 

Banke National Park, Shivapuri National Park and Apinappa Conservation Area were other top revenue generating parks. Shivapuri National Park receives the highest number of visitors, but generates less revenue. The park welcomed 180,464 tourists last year and collected Rs10.37 million in revenue. 

The government’s income from these parks jumped 14.52 percent over the review period. In the fiscal year 2012-13, the government collected Rs165.34 million and the figure doubled to Rs378.86 million in 2013-14. In the last one decade, the royalty collection from these parks has jumped nine-fold. The government collected Rs42.14 million from the parks in 2003-04.

Top 10 parks and conservation areas 

Area                                    Tourist       Revenue

Chitwan National Park           173,425     Rs 246.91 million

Sagarmatha National Park     35,157       Rs 92.75 million

Langtang National Park         12,552       Rs 43.75 million

Shey Phoksundo                  417             Rs 25.27 million

Bardia National Park             14,197       Rs 21.93 million

Banke National Park                ——-         Rs 17.46 million

Shivapuri National Park         180,464     Rs 10.37 million

Apinappa Conservation Area     ——         Rs 10.23 million

Makalu Barun National Park   1,083        Rs 4.25 million

Sukla Phanta Wildlife             984          Rs 3.53 million

(Source: Tourism Ministry)