Chitwan is situated in Rapti valley in subtropical land of Terai. It covers an area of 932 sq. km. The rugged Churia hills, sal forests, grassland and reverine forests, swamps and lakes provides excellent habitats for an unusually rich variety of large mammals. It is one of the few remaining habitat of Royal Bengal tiger and great one horned rhinoceros. Small herd of wild elephants are occasionally seen. About 309 species of birds including genetic dolphin, waterfowl – both migratory and residential, and two species of crocodile are found in the park.