Shey-Phoksundo
National Park
Shey-Phoksundo
National Park is situated in he mountain region of Western Nepal,
covering parts of Dolpa and Mugu Districts. Gazetted in 1984,
it is the largest national park in the country with an area
of 3555 sq. km. The main objectives of the park are to preserve
the unique trans.- Himalayan ecosystem with its typical Tibetan
type of flora and fauna, and to protect endangered species such
as the snow leopard and musk deer.
Much
of the park lies north of the Great Himalayan Range. Kanjiroba
Himal lies at the southern edge of the trans.-Himalayan region
of the Tibetan plateau. The high Dolpa plateau in the north-east
of the park is drained by the Langu (Namlang) River. The southern
catchment of the park is drained by the Jugdula and Suligad
Rivers, which flow south and drain into the Bheri River. Nepal's
second largest lake, Phoksundo, lies at 3660 m. in the upper
reaches of Suligad.
Vegetation
and Animals
The
vegetation found in the park is divers due to the influence
of two different micro-climates. The southern river valleys
along Suligad contain luxuriant forests mainly comprising blue
pine, spruce, cypress, poplar, deodar, fir and birch. The Jugdula
River valley consists mostly of Quercus species. The trans.-Himalayan
area has a near-desert type vegetation comprising mainly dwarf
juniper and caragana shrubs.
The
park provides prime habitat for snow leopard and blue sheep.
The blue sheep are mainly concentrated around Shey Gomba and
Dolphu. Other common animals found in the park are; goral, Himalayan
tahr, serow, leopard, wolf, jackal, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan
weasel, Himalayan mouse hare, yellow-throated marten, and languor
and rhesus monkeys.
The
park is equally rich in birds. The commonly seen birds are Impeyan
pheasant (danphe). blood pheasant, cheer pheasant, red and yellow-billed
choughs, raven jungle crow, show partridge and many others.
Seasons
Spring
season (March-May) usually has fine weather although high passes
still remain covered with the winter snow. Being located behind
the main Himalayan range, the park is little affected by monsoon
rain from June until September and weather usually remains clear.
The alpine flowers are at their best color during the months.
The winter temperatures drop below 0 C. Occasional heavy snowfall
in mid-winter closes the trails for several days.
Local
Communities
There
are several settlements in the park, totaling an approximate
population of 2000. The peoples' lifestyle and culture are still
strongly reminiscent of Tibet. Local inhabitants believe in
the Buddhist religion but the community of Phoksundo area practices
Bon, a pre-Buddhist sect. Almost all villages have their own
communal gompas.
The
local economy is heavily based on agriculture, growing mainly
potatoes, buckwheat, mustard, beans and some barley. Animal
husbandry is a main source of food and wool for weaving clothes.
Trading is done with Tibet, exchanging food grains for salt
and wool.
Places
of Interest
Shey
are is interesting for religions and wildlife. Phoksundo Lake
also known as Ringmo Lake, is the most interesting site of the
park. The lake is drained by a waterfall from a height of nearly
150 m. making it the highest waterfall in the country.
- There
are a few Buddhist monasteries near the lake in Ringmo and
Pugmo villages.
- There
are a few Buddhist monasteries near the lake in Ringmo and
Pugmo villages.
How
to Get There
The
easiest and shortest route to reach the park is to fly to Jufal
airstrip in Dolpa from Nepalgunj or Pokhara. From there , it
is an easy one day walk to reach the park guardpost at Suligad
and three days walk to reach park HQ. at Sumduwa.
Alternate
routes are to fly to Jumla and trek about one week to the park.
An adventurous route begins in Dhorpatan crossing several high
passes before reaching Dunai, the District HQ. of Dolpa.
Park
Regulations
All
visitors must pay a park entry fee at Ankhe- guard post of park
HQ or at National Parks' ticketing counter at the Dep. of Immigration
in Kathmandu.
- Adults
RS. 650/-
- Children
(below 10 years) Free
- Be
sure to keep your entry permit as it might be checked later
by park personnel.
- Flora
and fauna are fully protected and must not be disturbed.
- Visitors
should be self-sufficient in fuel supply entering the park.
Use of firewood is strictly prohibited.
- Rubbish
must be buried or disposed of in a designated place.
- Movement
in the park between sunset and sunrise is prohibited.
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