Chitwan, March 16 -- Tourism in the Chitwan National Park's buffer zone is set to get a boost with the official opening of the Patihani-Dudhaura jeep safari route on Sunday. The route links Ghatgain of Patihani to Dudhaura through Belsahar.

Ganesh Pant, the chief conservation officer of the Chitwan National Park (CNP), inaugurated the service, which traverses both the park's buffer zone and community forest areas. Operated jointly by the Patihani Buffer Zone Consumer Committee and Belsahar Community Forest, the initiative aims to decentralise tourism benefits.

"Patihani's tourism landscape has evolved significantly. We launched this to provide premier services while ensuring conservation benefits directly reach our community," said Saja...