KHANGCHENDZONGA NATIONAL PARK,SIKKIM

• The Khangchendzonga National Park

The khangchendzonga National Park is situated in the North and west Sikkim districts in the Indian state of Sikkim.It has an elevation of 1,829 metres to over 8,550 metres and has an area of 840.50 metre2. It was inscribed in the UNESCO in 2016.The Khangchendzonga National park was initially commissioned in August 1977,Initially the area of the National Park declared was 850 sq km,when first notified in August 1977,but was subsquently extended to 1784 sq km.Among the animals the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens,State animal of Sikkim),snow leopard (uncia uncia)and Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) are also among the birds unique to this Park.The park gets its name from the mountain kangchejunga.It was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage sites on July 17,2016 becoming the first mixed site of India.There are many glaciers in the park including the zemu glacier.Animals like musk deer,snow leopard,clouded leopard, and Himalayan tahr all make their home in the park.The vegetation of the park include temperate broad leaf and mixed forests consisting of oaks,fir,maple,willow etc.The vegetation of the park also includes alpine grasses and shrubs at higher altitudes along with many medicinal plants and herbs.The park contain many mammal species including musk deer,snow leopard,Himalayan tahr,wild dog,sloth bear,civet,Himalayan black bear,Himalayan blue sheep,serow,goral and ta kin.As well as reptiles including rat snake and Russel's viper.A recent study revealed that the Asiatic wild dog has become very rare in the area.About 500 species of birds are found inside the park including blood pheasant,satyr tragopan,ospray,Himalayan griffon,lammergeier,Tragopan pheasant,green pigeon,Tibetan snowcock,snow pigeon,impeyan pheasant,Asian emerald,cuckoo,sun bird and eagle.A new species of bird ma,ed Himalayan Forest thrush has been found in 2016.The best season to visit the park is between April-may.Snowfall is heavy during the winter months and monsoon showers occur from may to October mid.Parks,specific activity is trekking .Most of the trekking routes starts from yuksom in west Sikkim. There are few Lepcha tribal settlements inside the park.The park contains Tholung Monastery, a gompa located in the park's buffer zone.It is considered one of the most sacred monasteries in Sikkim.