Chitwan National Park has asked jungle resorts inside the park premises not to lodge tourists from July 16 after their 15-year-long contract expired on July 15.

The CNP asked seven jungle resorts operating inside the national park not to lodge tourists after the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation couldn't decide on renewing their contract.

The decision has directly affected Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge, Machan Wildlife Camp, Chitwan Jungle Lodge, Gaida Wildlife Camp, Island Jungle Resort, Hotel Narayani Safari and Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge. 

Tiger Tops, the first jungle resort in Nepal, has been in operation since the last 45 years while the other resorts started operation some 20 years ago.

According to the sources, the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation is consulting with the Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation regarding the extension of contract of the jungle resorts.

The closure of the jungle resort will directly affect over 700 workers.

Meanwhile, sources at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation informed that the Ministry would soon open tender to operate jungle resorts in these seven sites plus four additional sites inside the national park.