Chitwan, July 3 -- A proposal to introduce an evening jeep safari in the biologically sensitive Barandabhar forest corridor has drawn strong opposition from conservationists, who warn it could disrupt wildlife movement in one of Nepal's most critical biological linkages.

Jeep safaris are a long-established tourism activity in Chitwan, allowing visitors to observe rare wildlife. At present, safaris operate only in the morning and afternoon, with vehicles required to exit forest areas before sunset.

The new plan, however, seeks to extend safari operations into the evening inside the Barandabhar corridor, which links the hills of the Mahabharat range with the lowland ecosystems connected to the Chitwan National Park.

Conservationists say ...