Khangchendzonga National Park
Protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sikkim, India
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Through UNESCO, Man and the Biosphere Programme and Tibet
Geography
Khangchendzonga National Park covers an area of 1,784 km2 (689 sq mi) in Mangan district and Gyalshing district at an elevation of 1,829 m (6,001 ft) to over 8,550 m (28,050 ft). It is one of the few high-altitude national parks of India and was designated as a mixed-criteria UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2016.
In the north, it adjoins Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet, and in the west Kanchenjunga Conservation Area in Nepal.
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Flora
The vegetation of the park include temperate broadleaf and mixed forests consisting of oaks, fir, birch, maple and willow. Alpine grasses and shrubs occur at higher elevations along with many medicinal plants and herbs.
Fauna
About 550 species of birds occur in the park including blood pheasant, satyr tragopan, osprey, Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, several species of green pigeon, Tibetan snowcock, snow pigeon, impeyan pheasant, Asian emerald cuckoo, sunbirds and eagles. The dhole has been recorded by camera traps at elevations of 2,501–4,100 m (8,205–13,451 ft). Six cat species live in the park: Indian leopard, clouded leopard, snow leopard, jungle cat, Asian golden cat, and leopard cat. Other mammals include Indian jackal, Himalayan wolf, large Indian civet, red panda, Himalayan goral, bharal, Himalayan tahr, mainland serow, alpine musk deer, black musk deer, and northern red muntjac.