|
| |
|
Welcome:
Shey Phoksundo National Park
tours Page
Shey-phoksundo Narional Park is situated in the Trans-Himalayan
region of northwest Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest National Park
covering an area of 3,555 km2. It was established in 1984 to
preserve a unique Trans-Himalayan ecosystem with a diversity of
flora and fauna. The Park’s climatic differences, altitude
variations, and different zoo-geographical regions support a diverse
range of biotic systems.
In 1998, an area of 1349 km2 surrounding
the park was declared as buffer zone, which consists of forests and
private lands. The buffer zone is jointly managed by the park and local
communities. Together they initiate community development activities and
manage the natural and cultural resources. |
| |
|
Features |
|
Shey Phoksundo National Park provides a
diversity of spectacular landscapes. Elevations in the park range from
2,130m in Ankhe to 6,883m at the summit of Kanjiroba Himal. Much of the
park lies north of the Himalayan crest. Nepal’s deepest and second
largest lake, Phoksundo Lake, lies in upper regions of Suligad. Near
the lake’s outlet is the country’s highest waterfall. The major rivers
in the park are the Khung, Nmajung and Panjang, The Suligad and Jugdual
Rivers, which are the major tributaries of the Thuli Bheri River; and
the Langu Rilver, which drains the high dolpo plateau to the east and
flows westward.
Phoksundo Lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and te
spectacular scenery clearly rank it with the most scenic mountain parks
in the world. Ringmo village, a typical Tibetan village, is scenically
nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above
the lake area. The Park contain many Gompas (Monasteries) and religious
area. The most famous, Shey Gompa was established in the 11th Century.
Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago
to conserve wildlife. |
| |
|
Climate |
|
As a result of its spanning both the
northern and southern aspects of the Himalayan crest, the park
experience a wide climatic range. Most of the precipitation in the area
occurs during the monsoon (July-September), although the Dhaulagari and
Kanjiroba Ranges from a massive barrier preventing most of the rain from
reaching the Trans-Himalayan area. The park contains the transition form
a monsoon dominated climate with 1500 mm.of annual precipitation in the
south (Suligad) to an arid climate with less than 500 mm. a year in the
northern slopes. Winters are quite severe, with frequent snowfalls above
2,500m. and temperature’s remaining below freezing above 3,000m. through
much of the winter. |
| |
|
Flora & Fauna |
|
The flora found within the park is exteremely diverse. The northern
regions contain barren areas of the upper Himalayas and the
Trans-Himalayan slope lands consisting of some rhododendron,
caragana shrubs, and Salix, Juniper, white Himalayan birch, and the
occasional silver fir dominate the hig hmeadows of the Himalayas.
Less than five percent of the park is forested, with much of it
lying in the southern portion. The Suligad Vally’s flora consists of
blue pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, silver fir, poplar, rhododendron,
and bamboo. The park also contains 286 species of ethnobotanical
importance.
The park provides important habitat for
endangered species including the snow leopard, grey wolf, musk deer, and
blue sheep, goral, great Tibetan sheep, Himalayan tahr, leopard, jackal,
and Himalayan black bear are also found in the park. The park is home to
six reptiles and 29 species of butterfly, including the highest flying
butterfly in the world, Paralasa nepalaica. The park provides habitat
for over 200 species of birds, among which include yellow-throated
marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snip, white-throated tit, wood accentor,
and crimson-eared rosefinchl. |
| |
|
Facilities |
|
Local accommodations are available in
Dunai, Sangta, Chhepka, and Ringmo. Campsites with rubbish pits,
toilets, and shelters are available throughout the park. Trekking lodges
are located in Dunai, Chhepka, and Ringmo and provide food and limited
supplies. Park offices are located at Suligad, Chhepka, Palam Ringmo,
and Toijem, At the headquarters in Palam there is a small visitor
center. |
| |
|
How to get there |
|
The easiest way to reach the park is by air
from Nepalgunj to the Juphal airstrip in Dolpa followed by a half day
walk to the park entrance at Suligad. |
| |
|
Culture |
|
The park is home to more than 9,000 people
and their villages area among the highest settlements on Earth. Most of
the inhabitants of the park practice Bon Buddhism, an ancient religion
with roots in Animism and Buddhism. The Bon-po religion, which forms the
entire cultural base for Tibetan Buddhism, was founded 18,000 years ago,
during the Zhang Zung Empire of today's western Tibet. The landscape is
dotted with sacred monasteries, thangka paintings, and chortens. he
local community is heavily dependent on trade with Tibet and
agriculture. This area is also famous for its salt trade
caravans. |
| |
|
Trekking |
|
Individual trekking is permitted to trek to
Ringmo or Phoksundo Lake. The Tran-Himalayan region of inner Dolpa is
restricted to group trekking only, A group trekking permit is
needed and can be arranged through any recognized trekking agency
of Nepal. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
