Chitwan National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Nepal, with a rich variety of plant life that provides essential ecosystem services and supports a vast array of animal species. The park is located in the subtropical lowlands of Nepal, Chitwan district, and its vegetation is shaped by the region's monsoonal climate.
One of the dominant vegetation types in the park is the sal forest, characterized by tall, straight trees of the Shorea robusta species. Sal trees provide essential ecosystem services such as soil conservation and carbon sequestration, and they are also used for timber and fuelwood. The sal forest is also home to a variety of animal species, such as the Bengal tiger, the Indian rhinoceros, and the Asian elephant.
Another important vegetation type in the park is the riverine forest, which grows along the banks of the Narayani and Rapti rivers. The riverine forest is dominated by trees such as khair (Acacia catechu), sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), and kapok (Ceiba pentandra), which provide essential habitat for many bird species such as the great hornbill and the white-rumped vulture.
The park also has a variety of grasslands, which are used for grazing by many animal species such as the one-horned rhinoceros and the swamp deer. The grasslands are dominated by tall grasses such as elephant grass (Saccharum spp.) and spear grass (Imperata cylindrica).
Chitwan National Park is also home to many valuable and medicinal plant species, which have been used by local communities for generations. Some of the notable plant species found in the park include:
Harro (Terminalia chebula): A deciduous tree that grows in the subtropical and tropical regions of Nepal, harro is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as respiratory infections, skin diseases, and digestive disorders.
Satuwa (Curculigo orchioides): A perennial herb that grows in the subtropical regions of Nepal, satuwa is used in traditional medicine to treat sexual dysfunction and as a natural aphrodisiac.
Asparagus (Asparagus racemosus): A climbing plant that grows in the subtropical and tropical regions of Nepal, asparagus is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as female reproductive disorders, anxiety, and insomnia.
The rich and diverse vegetation in Chitwan National Park provides vital habitat and ecosystem services for many animal species, from the Bengal tiger to the great hornbill. It also plays an essential role in supporting the livelihoods of local communities, who rely on the park's plant species for food, medicine, and other resources.