Makalu-Barun
National Park and Conservation Area
High
in the heart of the eastern Himalayan, seven valleys radiate
form Mt. Makalu, the world's fifth highest peak. These valleys,
particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining
pristine forest and alpine meadows of Nepal.  From
the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m above sea level,
the Himalayan rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu- 8463 m.
within a 40 km distance. Within this wide range of altitudes
and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest
and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal, elsewhere
lost to spreading human habitation.
Nestled
in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai,
Sherpa, and Shingsawa (Bhotia) farmers. Though economically
poor and isolated, they ratain a rich cultural heritage. They
hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and
cultural treasures of the Makalu-Barun area.
The
Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established
in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national park and the first to include
and adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer. A new
park management approach encourages local people to become actively
involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon
which their live depend, and in conserving their own rich cultural
heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community
controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened
and low level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working
in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute,
His Majesty's Government, Nepal is striving to improve local
living standards through infrastructure, educational and income-generating
activities.
Covering
2,330 sq. km. Makalu-Barun is a vital component of the greater
Mount Everest ecosystem which includes Nepal's 1,148 sq. km
Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the
35,000 sq. km Comolangma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous
Region of China to the north.
Details
About the Park :
Most
of the Makalu-Barun National Park is a remove wildness, with
just two small settlements and seasonal herding in high pastures.
Historically, few foreigners have visited the area except for
the occasional climbing expedition.
The
incredibly steep topography and abundant monsoon rains (1000
to 4000 mm per year) of the eastern Himalayan support unusually
diverse bioclimatic zones and a rich storehouse of medicinal
and useful plants. Alpine pastures above 4000 m contain the
religiously important dwarf rhododendron and juniper, aromatic
herbs and delicate wildflowers. Subalpine forests of fir, birch
and rhododendron, and temperate stands of oak, maple and magnolia
thrive between 2-4000 m. Luxuriant orchids drape the chestnut
and pine forests of the subtropical zone (1-2000 m.) and sal
forests reach their northernmost limit within Nepal along the
banks of the Arun (below 1000 m).
Strict
Nature Reserve :
The
inaccessible lower Barun valley, a glacier-fed tributary to
the Arun river, and its tributary the Saldima, flow through
the most pristine area in the Park and thus have been designated
as a Strict Nature Reserve-the first in Nepal. Here natural
ecosystems and processes will be protected in an undisturbed
state for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education,
and the maintenance of genetic resources.
The
Conservation Area :
Some
32.000 people of ethnically divers backgrounds live in the Conservation
Area. The majority belong to various tribes of Rais and practice
an ancient religion which reinforces harmony with nature. Shingsawas
and Sherpas. Bhotia peoples originally from Tibet, live at higher
elevations and carry on Buddhist traditions. A handful of other
hill tribes including Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Newar, Brahmins,
Chhetris and occupational castes live in the lower elevations.
These
peoples live in isolated villages much as they have for centuries.
As farmers, herders and seasonal traders, their livelihoods
depend heavily upon forest resources for animal fodder, fuel,
food, housing materials, fertilizers, medicine and other creative
uses; clothing spun from allo (nettles), paper made form lokta
(daphne bark), and countless items made from bamboo including
furniture, containers, baskets, musical instruments, raincoats,
and aqueducts.
While
culturally rich most people of the Makalu-Barun area are economically
very poor. Subsistence farming does not produce enough food
for the entire year. Many seasonally migrate to other areas
to supplement their income through trade or wage-earning jobs.
A
Wilderness Experience :
The
Makalu-Barun area is little known to most tourists due to its
relative inaccessibility. But those few hundred trekkers and
mountaineers who visit each year come away with an unforgettable
experience.
For
the naturalist, there are spectacular displays of wildflowers
and exotic plants. More than 3,00 species of flowering plants,
with hundreds of orchid varieties, 48 primroses, and 25 of Nepal's
30 rhododendrons splash the hillsides with color. The forests
shelter abundant wildlife, including the endangered red panda
and musk deer as well as the ghoral, Himalayan tarh and leopard.
Ornithologists have identified 400 bird species, at least 16
of which are extremely rare.
Most
trekkers and mountaineers visit the Makalu-Barun area during
October-November and March-April when high passes are less likely
to be snowed over. Lower elevations are temperate throughout
winter and hot during April and May. Heavy monsoon rains occur
throughout the region from June through September, with occasional
showers during April-May. For the hardy botanist, the monsoon
season is bursting with life. including the pasty leech.
How
to Get There :
There
are daily flights from Kathmandu to: Tumlingtar, Biratnagar
(a 6-7 hr drive by bus to Hile and 3 day trek to Tumlingtar),
and Lukla; and less frequent service to Phaplu (Solu), an attentive
entry to the Inkhu valley.
Facilities
:
The
Makalu-Barun National and Conservation Area Temporary Headquarters
is located I Khandbari, with Sector Offices I Seduwa and Khanegaon
(Tamku), Visitor information is available at all Park offices.
A kerosene depot at Tashigaon sells kerosene to trekking groups.
Coupons for kerosene can be purchased at the Seduwa Sector Office.
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