Chitwan District, Administrative division in southern Bagmati Province, Nepal
Chitwan is an administrative unit in southern Bagmati Province, Nepal, stretching from the Terai lowlands to forested hills. The region is crossed by the Rapti River and its tributaries, which make the land fertile and create habitat for wildlife.
The name comes from Sanskrit and means heart of the forest, describing the dense vegetation that covered this area until the 20th century. Large parts were later cleared to create farmland, while one area was preserved as a national park.
Tharu communities have lived in this lowland region for generations and developed a close relationship with the forest, reflected in their mud and thatch houses. Visitors can discover their colorful wall paintings and traditional stick drums in villages, used during festivals.
The airport in Bharatpur offers connections to other Nepali cities and sits roughly in the middle of the region. The two main highways lead to Kathmandu in the north and along the border with India to the south.
Mustard oil presses still work using traditional methods, with wooden equipment driven by oxen or water power. The harvest of maize here exceeds that of rice, which is unusual for lowland Nepal.
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