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Historical Background:  sports of big game hunting. In addition to the decree from the Rana rulers. the deadly malarial infestations provided a natural protection to the forest from human interventions. In early nineteenth century, the Government of Nepal had a policy to prohibit cultivation in the Terai in order to maintain a barrier of disease ridden natural forest as a defense against invasi from the British Empire in the south. During the regime of Rana rulers in Nepal (1946-1950), Chitwan Valley was maintained as a hunting reserve exclusively for the Rana rulers and their guests. Royalty from Europe and the princely States of India were invited to take part in grand hunting. Records show as many as 120 tigers, 38 rhinos, 27 leopards, and 15 bears killed in the valley by hunting party. However, such irregular big hunting hardly affected the total population of wildlife in Chitwan. Importantly, the hunting interest of the Rana rulers maintained a large span of high quality habitat intact for wild animals to flourish. Important events in Chitwan National Park:
 The Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana protected the wildlife of Chitwan Valley by declaring the area as a hunting reserve exclusively for the privileged class and introduced protection measures to wildlife by promulgating stringent penalties for poaching certain wild animal. 1850 In a hunting venture, Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana bagged 21 elephants, 31 tigers, 3 liopards, 1 rhino, 7 sambar stags, 20 other deer, 1 crocodile, 4 bears, and 6 pheasants. 1911 King George V of England visited Chitwan for hunting. The hunting party involved more than 600 elephants and bagged 39 tiger, 38 rhino, 27 leopards, and 15 bears. 1950 Human Population in Chitwan: 36,000. 1950 Rhino population: 800 1954 The United States Aid for International Development (USAID) began malaria eradication project in the Terai. 1957 Rhino population: 400 1959 Mrigakunja comprising the areas of Tikauli forest from Rapti River to the foot hills of the Mahabharat was declared by the late king Mahendra. But in the absence of its legal status and follow up activities this National Park could not be established in the  field.1959 Wildlife Management Division (Gainda Gasti or Rhino Patrol) under the Department of forest was established at Tukauli with the responsibility of protecting rhino. 1959 Rhino Population: 300 1960 Chitwan declared as malaria free area. Human population in Chitwan: 100,000 1961 A rhino sanctuary covering 800 sq. km set aside. 1966 Rhino population: 100  1972 Rhino population: 120-147 1973 Chitwan National Park gazette. 1973 Nepal Tiger Ecology Project started at Sauraha in Collaboration with the HMG/Nepal, Smithsonian Institution, and WWF. 1974 Chitwan National Park Regulation 1974 promulgated. 1975 Rhino Population: 270-310 1977 Gharial Conservation Project (Captive Breeding Center) started at Kasara with the support from the Frankfurt Zoological Society. 1980 Long Term Tiger Monitoring Project initiated  1984 UNESCO declared Chitwan National Park a World Heritage Site. 1987 Elephant Breeding Center was established. 1984 Gharial Crocodile population estimated at 58 in wild and 70 in captive. 1997 Gaur population estimated at 198. |