Khangchendzonga National Park
Encyclopedia
Khangchendzonga National Park (previously named Kanchenjunga National Park) also Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve is a National Park
and a Biosphere reserve
located in North Sikkim district
in the India
n state of Sikkim
.
The park gets its name from the mountain Kanchenjunga (alternative spelling Khangchendzonga) which is 8586 metres (28,169.3 ft) tall, the third-highest peak in the world. The total area of this park is 849.5 square kilometre.
There are many glaciers in the park including the Zemu glacier
. Animals like musk deer
, snow leopard
and Himalayan Tahr
all make their home in this park.
The Kanchenjunga Park is situated in the North Sikkim District in the Indian state of Sikkim. It has an elevation of 1829 metres (6,000.7 ft) to over 8550 metres (28,051.2 ft) and has an area of 849.5 square kilometre. It is one of the few high altitude National park
s of India.
consisting of oak
s, fir
, birch
, maple
, willow
etc. The vegetation of the park also includes alpine grasses and shrub
s at higher altitudes along with many medicinal plants and herb
s.
, snow leopard
, Himalayan Tahr
, wild dog
, sloth bear
, civet
, 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.
, Satyr Tragopan
, Osprey
, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier
, Tragopan Pheasant
, Green Pigeon
, Tibetan Snowcock
, Snow Pigeon
, Impeyan Pheasant, Asian Emerald Cuckoo
, Sunbird
& Eagle
.
(145 km (90.1 mi) from Gangtok
) in West Sikkim
. Necessary Permit can be obtained from the Wildlife Education and Interpretation centre at Yuksom
or from the checkpost. State Tourism Department along with other travel agents organise treks to Dzongri (4050 metres (13,287.4 ft)) and other places. The popular trek routes are:
Another popular trekking point includes trekking to the Green Lake with Lachen
, a village in North Sikkim as the starting point.
Foreign nationals would require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
, Delhi
to visit the park and the associated region. Indian nationals are required to obtain an Inner-Line Permit from the State Home Department. Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also mandatory for everybody visiting the park.
The important and popular routes are:
Most of these trekking routes pass through the Khangchendzonga National Park.
Foreign nationals would require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Delhi
to visit the park and the associated region. Indian nationals are required to obtain an Inner-Line Permit from the State Home Department. Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also mandatory for everybody visiting the park.
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
and a Biosphere reserve
Biosphere reserve
The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
located in North Sikkim district
North Sikkim
North Sikkim is a district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its district headquarters is Mangan. It is the seventh least populous district in the country .-Geography:The district is the largest of the four districts of Sikkim....
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
.
The park gets its name from the mountain Kanchenjunga (alternative spelling Khangchendzonga) which is 8586 metres (28,169.3 ft) tall, the third-highest peak in the world. The total area of this park is 849.5 square kilometre.
There are many glaciers in the park including the Zemu glacier
Zemu Glacier
Zemu Glacier is the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya.It is about in length and found at the base of the Kangchenjunga in the Sikkim Himalaya, India. It may be one of the sources for the Teesta River.-Purported Yeti Sighting:...
. Animals like musk deer
Musk deer
Musk deer are artiodactyls of the genus Moschus, the only genus of family Moschidae. They are more primitive than the cervids, or true deer, in not having antlers or facial glands, in having only a single pair of teats, and in possessing a gall bladder, a caudal gland, a pair of tusk-like teeth...
, snow leopard
Snow Leopard
The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia...
and Himalayan Tahr
Himalayan Tahr
The Himalayan Tahr or Common Thar is a large ungulate related to the wild goat.-Habitat:...
all make their home in this park.
Geography
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s of India.
Flora
The vegetation of the park include temperate broadleaf and mixed forestsTemperate broadleaf and mixed forests
Mixed forests are a temperate and humid biome. The typical structure of these forests includes four layers. The uppermost layer is the canopy composed of tall mature trees ranging from 33 to 66 m high. Below the canopy is the three-layered, shade-tolerant understory that is roughly 9 to...
consisting of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
s, fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
, birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
, maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
, willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
etc. The vegetation of the park also includes alpine grasses and shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s at higher altitudes along with many medicinal plants and herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s.
Fauna
The park contains many mammal species including musk deerMusk deer
Musk deer are artiodactyls of the genus Moschus, the only genus of family Moschidae. They are more primitive than the cervids, or true deer, in not having antlers or facial glands, in having only a single pair of teats, and in possessing a gall bladder, a caudal gland, a pair of tusk-like teeth...
, snow leopard
Snow Leopard
The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia...
, Himalayan Tahr
Himalayan Tahr
The Himalayan Tahr or Common Thar is a large ungulate related to the wild goat.-Habitat:...
, wild dog
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, sloth bear
Sloth Bear
The sloth bear , also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution...
, civet
Civet
The family Viverridae is made up of around 30 species of medium-sized mammal, including all of the genets, the binturong, most of the civets, and the two African linsangs....
, Himalayan black bear, red panda
Red Panda
The red panda , is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs...
, Tibetan wild ass, Himalayan blue sheep, serow
Serow
Serow may refer to:*Three species of Asian ungulate in the genus Capricornis**Japanese Serow**Mainland Serow**Taiwan Serow* Serow, Iran, a city in Urmia County, West Azarbaijan Province, Iran*Alternative spelling of Serov...
, goral
Goral
Goral may refer to:* Three species of Asian ungulates in the genus Naemorhedus.* The Gorals, a people living in southern Poland, northern Slovakia and the Czech Republic....
and takin
Takin
The Takin , also called cattle chamois or gnu goat, is a goat-antelope found in the Eastern Himalayas. There are four subspecies: B. taxicolor taxicolor, the Mishmi Takin; B. taxicolor bedfordi, the Shanxi or Golden Takin; B. taxicolor tibetana, the Tibetan or Sichuan Takin; and B. taxicolor...
, as well as reptiles including rat snake
Rat snake
Rat snakes are medium to large constrictors that can be found through a great portion of the northern hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents and birds and, with some species exceeding 3 m , they can occupy top levels of some food chains. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one,...
and Russell's viper.
Avifauna
About 550 species of birds are found inside the park including Blood PheasantBlood Pheasant
The Blood Pheasant is the only species in genus Ithaginis of the pheasant family. This relatively small, short-tailed pheasant is widespread and fairly common in northern Southasia...
, Satyr Tragopan
Satyr Tragopan
The Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, also known as the Crimson Horned Pheasant, is a pheasant found in the Himalayan reaches of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps. Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, shrubland...
, Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier
Lammergeier
The Lammergeier, Lammergeyer, or Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus , is the only member of the genus Gypaetus. Traditionally considered an Old World vulture, it actually forms a minor lineage of Accipitridae together with the Egyptian Vulture , its closest living relative...
, Tragopan Pheasant
Western Tragopan
The Western Tragopan or Western Horned Tragopan is a medium-sized brightly plumaged pheasant found along the Himalayas from Hazara in northern Pakistan in the west to Uttarakhand within India to the east...
, Green Pigeon
Green pigeon
Treron is a genus of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. The genus is distributed across Asia and Africa. This genus contains 23 species, remarkable for their green coloration, which comes from a carotenoid pigment in their diet. Green pigeons have diets of various fruit, nuts, and/or seeds....
, Tibetan Snowcock
Tibetan Snowcock
The Tibetan Snowcock is a bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. This species is found in high-altitude regions of the Western Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, where it overlaps in part with the larger Himalayan Snowcock...
, Snow Pigeon
Snow Pigeon
The Snow Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columba genus in the Columbidae family.- Description :Snow Pigeon has a blackish head contrasting with white neck collar and white underparts shading into ashy on the abdomen. Back is brownish grey with a white patch on the lower back. Wing is pale grey...
, Impeyan Pheasant, Asian Emerald Cuckoo
Asian Emerald Cuckoo
The Asian Emerald Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam...
, Sunbird
Sunbird
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are a family, Nectariniidae, of very small passerine birds. There are 132 species in 15 genera. The family is distributed throughout Africa, southern Asia and just reaches northern Australia. Most sunbirds feed largely on nectar, but also take insects and spiders,...
& Eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
.
Trekking
Most of the trekking routes starts from YuksomYuksom
Yuksom is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal of Sikkim. The coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim is known as the...
(145 km (90.1 mi) from Gangtok
Gangtok
Gangtok is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of . The town, with a population of thirty thousand belonging to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, is administered...
) in West Sikkim
West Sikkim
West Sikkim is a district of theIndian state of Sikkim. Its capital is Geyzing, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other important towns include Pelling and Jorethang.-History:...
. Necessary Permit can be obtained from the Wildlife Education and Interpretation centre at Yuksom
Yuksom
Yuksom is a historical town in Geyzing subdivision of West Sikkim district in the Northeast Indian state of Sikkim. It was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 AD by Phuntsog Namgyal who was the first Chogyal of Sikkim. The coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim is known as the...
or from the checkpost. State Tourism Department along with other travel agents organise treks to Dzongri (4050 metres (13,287.4 ft)) and other places. The popular trek routes are:
- Yuksom - Tshoka - Dzongri
- Bakim - Dzongri - Thangshing - Samuteng - Goechala
- Dzongri Base Camp - Rathong – Khangerteng
- Thangshing - Lam Pokhari - Kasturi Orar - Lapdong - Tashiding. ioyul.;gy
Another popular trekking point includes trekking to the Green Lake with Lachen
Lachen (Sikkimese town)
Lachen is a town in North Sikkim district in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is located at an elevation of 2,750 metres. The name Lachen means "big pass". The town is being promoted as a tourist destination by the Sikkimese government. The town commands a panoramic view of the Himalayan...
, a village in North Sikkim as the starting point.
Foreign nationals would require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
to visit the park and the associated region. Indian nationals are required to obtain an Inner-Line Permit from the State Home Department. Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also mandatory for everybody visiting the park.
The important and popular routes are:
- Lucanes Jakchen-Yabuk-Rest Camp (Marco Polo Camp) - Green Lake
- Lachen-Thasngu (13695 feet (4,174.2 m)) - Muguthang (16000 feet (4,876.8 m)) - Thay La (17000 feet (5,181.6 m)) - Khyoksa La (18000 feet (5,486.4 m)) - Rest Camp - Green Lake.
Most of these trekking routes pass through the Khangchendzonga National Park.
Lodging
Lodging can be done at the Range office where there are four rest houses with about 20 beds.Approach
- Nearest airport:
- Bagdogra AirportBagdogra AirportBagdogra International Airport or Civil Aerodrome Bagdogra is a military airport that is open for civilian flights. The airport is located in the town of Bagdogra, about from the city of Siliguri in the Darjeeling district in northern West Bengal, India...
, Darjeeling districtDarjeeling districtDarjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. The district is famous for its beautiful hill stations and Darjeeling tea. Darjeeling is the district headquarters...
, West BengalWest BengalWest Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
(222 km (137.9 mi)) - Gangtok Helipad, East SikkimEast SikkimEast Sikkim is one of the four administrative districts of the Indian state of Sikkim. Geographically, East Sikkim occupies the south-east corner of the state. The capital of East Sikkim is Gangtok, which is also the state capital...
district, SikkimSikkimSikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
- Bagdogra Airport
- Nearest railhead: New JalpaiguriNew JalpaiguriNew Jalpaiguri is a major railway station of the city of Siliguri in the Indian state of West Bengal. The station is popularly known by its acronym NJP...
, Siliguri JunctionSiliguriSiliguri is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Siliguri Corridor or Chicken's Neck - a very narrow strip of land linking mainland India to its north-eastern states. It is also the transit point for air, road and rail traffic to the neighbouring countries of Nepal,...
(221 km (137.3 mi)) - Nearest highway: NH 31A (Sevok – Gangtok)
- Nearest town: Chungthan (20 km (12.4 mi))
- Nearest city: GangtokGangtokGangtok is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Shivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of . The town, with a population of thirty thousand belonging to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, is administered...
General Information
The best season to visit the Kanchenjunga national park is between April to May. Snowfall is heavy during the winter months and monsoon showers exist from May to mid October.Foreign nationals would require a restricted area permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
to visit the park and the associated region. Indian nationals are required to obtain an Inner-Line Permit from the State Home Department. Permission of the State Chief Wildlife Warden is also mandatory for everybody visiting the park.