Kathmandu, January 28
The number of tourists visiting the protected areas of the country has set a new record.
According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, a record-breaking 932,532 local and foreign tourists visited the protected areas in the fiscal year 2022/23, marking the highest number to date.
Data suggested around 60 per cent of foreign tourists visit Nepal to explore protected areas like the Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu.
| Protected area | Number of tourists |
| Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park | 301,287 |
| Chiwtan National Park | 292,392 |
| Annapurna Conservation Area | 172,108 |
| Sagarmatha National Park | 57,690 |
| Langtang National Park | 27,561 |
| Bardiya National Park | 23,511 |
| Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve | 12,029 |
| Rara National Park | 10,899 |
| Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve | 7,045 |
| Manaslu Conversation Area | 6,851 |
| Krishnasaar Conservation Area | 5,561 |
| Shey Phoksundo National Park | 3,782 |
| Shuklaphanta National Park | 3,528 |
| Khaptad National Park | 2,891 |
| Gaurishankar Conservation Area | 1,893 |
| Makalu-Barun National Park | 1,610 |
| Parsa National Park | 890 |
| Kanchenjunga Conservation Area | 713 |
| Banke National Park | 271 |
| Apinampa Conservation Area | 18 |
Among the protected areas, Chitwan National Park stands out as the highest revenue generator, followed by Everest. Over one year, a total revenue of Rs 757.70 million has been generated from protected areas.
Specifically, Chitwan National Park contributed Rs 281.3 million, while Everest generated Rs 148.1 million. Shivpuri-Nagarjun collected Rs 54.3 million in revenue, and Langtang collected Rs 42.4 million. Bardiya generated Rs 45 million in revenue, and Parsa contributed Rs 36.2 million.
Notably, across the country, 170 households have obtained permission to operate homestays within protected areas, offering services to 3,763 tourists simultaneously.
