Khangchendzonga National Park – The National Park

Khangchendzonga National Park – The National Park

The park has an area of 849.50 km2 (327.99 sq. mi) and has an elevation of 1,829 m (6,001 ft) to over 8,550 m (28,050 ft). It adjoins the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet in the north and the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in Nepal in the west. The park is named after the mountain Kangchenjunga (Khangchendzonga), which is the third-highest peak in the world at 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) tall. The mountain was until the mid-19^th century believed to be the highest mountain in the world. It exhibits one of the widest altitudinal ranges of any protected area worldwide.

The park falls within the Himalaya global biodiversity hotspot and displays an unsurpassed range of sub-tropical to alpine ecosystems. The Himalayas are narrowest here resulting in extremely steep terrain which magnifies the distinction between the various eco-zones which characterise the park. The park is located within a mountain range of global biodiversity conservation significance and covers 25% of the State of Sikkim, acknowledged as one of India’s most significant biodiversity concentrations.

The combination of extremely high and rugged mountains covered by intact old-growth forests up to the unusually high timberline further adds to the exceptional landscape beauty. The park includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, caves, rivers, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world’s third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga. The park boasts eighteen glaciers including Zemu Glacier, one of the largest in Asia, occupying an area of around 10,700 ha.

This glacier is about 26 km long. Similarly, there are 73 glacial lakes in the property including over eighteen crystal clear and placid high altitude lakes. Mount Khangchendzonga and other sacred mountains represents the core sacred region of the Sikkimese and syncretistic religious and cultural traditions. The primary reason visitors head to the national park is to hike and take the trek out to view the world’s third tallest mountain. There are a few Lepcha tribal settlements inside the park. Snowfall is heavy during the winter months and monsoon showers occur from May to mid-October.

Flora & Fauna:

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://explore-natural-beauty-of-india.blogspot.com/2023/06/khangchendzonga-national-park-flora-and-fauna.html

Mount Kanchenjunga:

Kanchenjunga is the pinnacle mountain attraction in thenational park. It straddles the western boundary of Khangchendzonga National Park. It features a summit of 28,169 feet (8,586 m), making it the third tallest summit in the world. Kanchenjunga is part of the Himalayas that sits along the eastern border of Nepal and India. It was originally believed to be the tallest mountain globally until official surveying concluded that Mount Everest was actually the tallest.

Tholung Monastery:

It is a Buddhist ecclesiastical fortification known as a Gompa.  It is situated in the isolated area of Dzongu in the buffer zone of the park. It is considered as one of the most sacred monasteries in Sikkim. It was built during the 18th century and now houses treasured manuscripts and artifacts from other Gompas.  It is known to be a storehouse of many rare objects and scriptures, which were brought to this remote monastery from other monasteries across Sikkim for safekeeping during the invasion of Sikkim by Nepal. It serves as one of the foundational reasons for the park to receive UNESCO World Heritage Status.

Nature Interpretation Centre:

The Nature Interpretation Centre is situated at the forest check gate in Yuksom, ahead of the starting point for the trek routes. It offers a fairly comprehensive insight into the park and its natural wealth through display boards and photographs.