Chitwan, April 29 -- The Chitwan National Park has issued a 15-day notice to vacate encroached areas, warning of fines and imprisonment if the deadline is not met.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, the park said those failing to vacate within the stipulated time will face penalties depending on the offence. It said offenders could be fined up to double the assessed amount, along with one year of imprisonment if the loss is quantified. In cases where the loss is not quantified, the penalty includes a fine of up to Rs20,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

Encroachment has long been reported in and around the park, particularly in its southern sector, including the settlement now known as Hanumanjhula in the Bandarjhula area. The ...