The Sagarmatha National Park is a protected area in the north-eastern Himalayas of Nepal. It includes the famous Mount Everest (8848m), Everest base camp trek and its surrounding glaciers, valleys, and trails. It is home to rare species such as the red panda and snow leopard. It also has numerous Sherpa settlements, such as the Tengboche Monastery. Visitors can also see the migratory water birds that flock to the Gokyo Lakes.
The mountain is also a popular trekking destination for the Sherpa people. The Sherpa people are mostly Buddhists and are committed to maintaining the delicate ecology and cultural traditions of the region.
In the early 1960s, the park was opened to the public and is recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site. Since then, it has attracted an average of 30,000 visitors per year. The park also features a variety of different types of vegetation, and the park's floral diversity is incredible.
The park is also home to Himalayan thars, snow leopards, and Himalayan wolves. There are many species of mammals that live in the park, including the Red Panda, the Snow Leopard, the Tarai Gray Langur, the Asiatic Wild-dog, and the Snowy Owl. It is also home to several species of cats, including the Bengal Tiger and the Clouded Leopard. The park is home to over 118 species of birds in 32 families.
Sagarmatha National Park
The Sagarmatha National Park is a globally iconic place, with the highest peak in the world and many visitors flocking to it each year. Sagarmatha National Park is located in eastern Nepal and is dominated by Mount Everest. It encompasses 443 square miles and is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. The park is home to over seven thousand Sherpa people, and contains the headwaters of several major rivers. During the tourist season, these villages set up around the trekking trail. These Sherpa communities depend on agriculture and livestock farming for their livelihood.
Sherpa people believe that the mountains of Sagarmatha National Park are sacred. They believe that the mountains are inhabited by spiritual beings and are judged and monitored. Therefore, the Sherpa people associate the mountains with the Beyuls, the gods of nature. This belief is part of Sherpa culture, and the people who live here must protect these sacred places.
It is also home to Gokyo wetlands, a Ramsar designated wetland of international value. The Park is extremely popular, with the best time to visit being from March to May and September to November. As a result, the park is more crowded in these months. National park entry tickets are a must for trekking in the park, and national park tickets can be purchased in Manjo village.
The park is also under threat of development. Tourism is a major source of income for the locals, which has led to an increase in illegal logging and a significant increase in human population. As a result, tourism is affecting the natural resources of the park and the Sherpa people living there. The park is at risk from these challenges, and it needs to be protected as a sacred place.
Plant and Wildlife in Sagarmatha National Park
The plant life of Sagarmatha National Park is abundant and diverse. The plant life in Sagarmatha National Park is varied, ranging from blue pine and hemlock forests in the low elevations to alpine dwarf shrub lands and scattered cushion plants in higher elevations.
The park has a small population of mammals. This is likely due to the park's geologically recent origin. But the park is still home to 28 species of mammals. Despite its small size, Sagarmatha National Park has a great deal to offer. It is also home to many birds, including the endangered snow leopard and the rare Himalayan thars.
The climate in Sagarmatha National Park is semi-arid and temperate. The park receives heavy rainfall between July and September. The average annual rainfall is around 1000mm. However, the winter months can be very cold, so it is best to visit during October to November or March to May.
There are 28 species of mammals in the park. However, their density is relatively low. This is probably due to human activity. The park contains about 80 percent of Nepal's plant life. The number of mammals is low, largely because of the lack of space. Nevertheless, the diversity of plant life makes it a fascinating place to visit.
The Park's glaciers and snow cover decreased from 1978 to 1996. However, there was a small increase in the area of barren land, which is believed to be due to climate change. The decline in glacier may also explain the positive growth of the rangeland category. The buffer zone of the Park, on the other hand, has more cultivated land. This suggests a lower dependence on agriculture in the Park's core area.
Birds in Sagarmatha National Park
The bird life of the Sagarmatha National Park is rich and varied, and a visit to this park is a must for bird lovers. Birds found in the park are a very important part of the landscape.
Over 150 different species can be found within the park, including some that breed only at high altitudes. Some of these species are endangered and are not commonly found elsewhere. Other important birds include the Wood Snipe, Himalayan Griffon, Satyr Tragopan, and Ferruginous Pochard.
The park contains large areas of temperate forest, as well as a large alpine area. These habitats support a large number of characteristic bird species, including the critically endangered Wood Snipe. Visitors can also observe rare species like the red-billed chough and the snow cock.
In addition to the birds that live in the park, a diverse array of eagles is found here. Birdwatchers may also enjoy seeing the rare sarus crane. In the forest, a number of other birds are common, including the White-rumped Vulture and the Hodgson's Bushchat.
Local Peoples in Sagarmatha National Park
The Sagarmatha National Park is home to Mount Everest and other high mountains. Its landscape is rugged, with deep gorges, steep mountains, and unreachable rock faces. Visitors can also see rare animals such as the red panda and Himalayan musk deer. The park is also home to 2,500 Sherpa people.
Sagarmatha National Park is part of the Khumbu region and borders Tibet. It is situated on the upper catchment of the Dudh Kosi River, 140 km east of Kathmandu. The park is administered by the Sagarmarha National Park Authority, part of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. It covers 114,800 acres and adjoins the Makalu-Barun National Park. Its elevation ranges from 2,845m at Mondzo to 8,848m on Sagarmatha.
The park is a world heritage site. It is home to more than 20 Sherpa villages. This ancient ethnic community has been living in the area for more than four centuries and practices traditional culture and reverence for all living creatures.
