July 29: The income of Chitwan National Park has declined due to the low arrival of tourists in the last fiscal year.

The park, which earned Rs 187.38 million from tourists visiting the park in Fiscal Year 2019/20, was able to collect only Rs 25.537 million in the last fiscal year (FY 2020/21). The park also generates income from other sources.

In Fiscal Year 2019/20, the park collected revenue of Rs 118.70 million other sources besides tourists’ fees, whereas, in the last fiscal year, the income generated from those sources increased to Rs 188.24 million.

Information Officer of CNP Lokendra Adhikari, who is also an Assistant Conservation Officer, said that the main source of income of the park is the tourist fee. And due to the decline in arrival of tourists because of the prohibitory order, the income has declined significantly.

 "Our main source of income is tourism, including foreign tourists," he said. "Other income from the park is riverine excavation fees, contracts and fines.”