Kanchendzonga National Park Overview
Kanchendzonga Nation Park it is a National park cum Biosphere reserve area which is located in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. It was declared as National park in the year 1977 and in the year July 2016 it was listed as the UNESCO world heritage site becoming the first mixed heritage site of India. It was also including in UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme. The park is named after the mountain Kanchenjunga which is the third-highest peak in the world and highest peak in India at 8,586 meters (28,169 ft) tall and the total area of the park is 849.5 km2 (328.0 sq mi).
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Places to visit in Kanchendzonga National Park
The park contains Tholung monastery it is one of the oldest monastery which is located in the parks buffer zone and considered one of the sacred monasteries of Sikkim. Inside this park there are settlements of Lepcha Tribal communities.
The Kanchendzonga National Park is situated in North and West district of Sikkim. It is at an altitude of 1829 m to over 8550 m. and one of the high altitudes national’s parks in India. The national park have the unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snowcapped mountains covered with ancient forests. Mythological stories are associated with this beautiful mountain and with other great number of natural elements such as caves, rivers, lakes, forest etc. that are the objects of worship by the indigenous people of Sikkim.
Kanchendzonga National park is under the wildlife protection act 1972 of India which ensures strong legal protection of all fauna and flora as well as mountains, glaciers, water bodies and landscapes which contribute to the habitat of wildlife. This also assures the protection and conservation of the exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value of the natural elements within the Park.
Khangchendzonga National Park displays a rich intertwined range of natural and cultural values which warrant a more integrated approach to the management of natural and cultural heritage. This park is home to about 18 glaciers including the magnificent Zemu glacier and has a unique diversity of plains, rivers, valleys, lakes and gorgeous snow-capped mountains covered with forests.
The best time to visit the Kanchenjunga national park is between the moths of April and May. Snowfall is in its full swing during the winter months and monsoon showers start to occur from May continuing till mid-October. So, it will also be a good idea to visit this fascinating Kanchenjunga National Park in the time between Septembers to mid-December.
The vegetation of the park include temperate broadleaf and mixed forests consisting of oaks, fir, birch, maple, willow. The vegetation of the park also includes Alpine grasses and shrubs at higher altitudes along with many medicinal plants and herbs. The park contains many mammal species including Musk deer, Snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, Dhole, Sloth bear, Viverrids, Himalayan black bear, Red panda, Tibetan wild ass, Himalayan blue sheep, Serow, Goral and Takin, as well as reptiles including rat snake and Russell's viper. In 2014 study of dholes revealed it has become very rare in the area. The wild dogs in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve are thought to belong to the rare and genetically distinct subspecies C. a. primaevus. there are about 550 species of birds which are found inside the park including blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, osprey, Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, Western tragopan, green pigeon, Tibetan snowcock, snow pigeon, impeyan pheasant, Asian emerald cuckoo, sunbird and eagle. A new species of bird named Himalayan Forest Thrush has been found in 2016.
Most of the trekking routes start from Yuksom (145 km (90 mi) from Gangtok). Necessary Permit can be obtained from the Wildlife Education and Interpretation center at Yuksom or from the check post. State Tourism Department along with other travel agents organizes treks to Dzongri (4,050 meters (13,290 ft)) and other places.
The most popular trek routes are:
- Yuksom - Tshoka - Dzongri
- Bakim - Dzongri - Thangshing - Samuteng - Goechala
- Dzongri Base Camp - Rathong – Khangerteng
- Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Kasturi Orar - Labdang - Tashiding
The most popular trek routes are:
- Lucanes Jakchen-Yabuk-Rest Camp (Marco Polo Camp) - Green Lake
- Lachen-Thasngu (13,695 feet (4,174 m)) - Muguthang (16,000 feet (4,900 m)) - Thay La (17,000 feet (5,200 m)) - Khyoksa La (18,000 feet (5,500 m)) - Rest Camp - Green Lake.
Most of these trekking routes pass through the Kanchenjunga National Park and is shown in the film ‘Singalila in the Himalaya’.
