Chitwan

Small museum with cultural exhibits about the Tharu people, an indigenous ethnic group. The Tharu people are an indigenous ethnic group living in the mountain ranges of the southern Himalayas. Their origin is uncertain, but is surrounded by myth and oral tradition. The Rana Tharus claim to be of Rajput origin and migrated from the Thar Desert to the far west of the Terai region of Nepal. The Eastern Tharus, on the other hand, claim to be descendants of the Sakia and Koliya peoples, and that they lived in the ancient city of Kapilavastu. The Tharu themselves claim to be a forest people. In Chitwan, they have lived in the forests for hundreds of years, practicing a limited system of fallow and shifting cultivation.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal's top attractions. This reserve protects more than 932 km2 of forests, marshes, and grasslands, which in turn provide shelter to large animal populations. This makes it one of the best national parks in Asia for spotting wildlife such as Indian rhinos, deer, monkeys, and more than 500 species of birds. With luck, you can even see leopards, elephants, sloth bears, or even the elusive Bengal tiger. The Tharu people are an indigenous ethnic group living in the mountainous foothills of the southern Himalayas. The origin of the Tharu people is uncertain, but they are surrounded by myths and oral tradition. The Rana Tharus claim to be of Rajput origin and migrated from the Thar Desert to the far west of the Terai region of Nepal. The Eastern Tharus, on the other hand, claim to be descended from the Sakia and Koliya peoples, and that they lived in the ancient city of Kapilavastu. The Tharu themselves claim to be a forest people. In Chitwan, they have lived in the forests for hundreds of years practicing a small system of fallow and shifting cultivation. They grow rice, mustard, maize, and lentils, but also collect forest products such as wild fruits, vegetables, materials, and medicinal plants to build their houses. They hunt deer, rabbits, and wild boars, and fish in rivers and along the shores of lakes.