Royal Chitwan National Park stands today as a successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first national park of Nepal established 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole World. The park covers an area of 932 sq. km. of Grassland, Riverine areas and tall Sal (soria robasta) forest. This is a refuge for some of Asia's rarest wildlife including the greatest one-horned rhinoceros, the famous sloth bear and leopard, four species of deer, wild boar, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, two species of crocodile (Marsh Mugger and the harmless Gharial), monkeys, python, fresh water dolphin and many other animals. The park is paradise for birds. More than 450 species of resident and migratory birds are found. In 1984 when UNESCO included this area on the list of World Heritage Site, the park has gained much wider recognition.