Shey-Phoksundo National Park

Context: Six Indian tourists stranded in heavy snowfall at high-altitude mountain passes (Numla and Wagla) near Shey Phoksundo Lake were successfully rescued by a private helicopter after being out of contact for two days.

About Shey-Phoksundo National Park:

What it is?

• The largest national park in Nepal and the country’s only protected area situated within the trans-Himalayan ecological zone. Managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), it covers an expansive area of 3,555 square kilometres.

Located in: Spans the Dolpa and Mugu districts of Karnali Province in northwestern Nepal, approximately 300 km northwest of Kathmandu, with park administrative headquarters based at Palam in Dolpa.

Background:

• Established in 1984 to conserve the fragile trans-Himalayan ecosystem, unique cold-desert landscapes, and endangered high-altitude wildlife.
• A dedicated buffer zone of 216 square kilometres was declared in 2006 to support local community co-management and sustainable forest use.
• Its centerpiece, the oligotrophic Phoksundo Lake, was designated as a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance) in September 2007.

Key Characteristics:

• Extreme Altitudinal & Topographical Gradient: Extends from 2,130 metres near Ankhe to 6,883 metres at Kanjiroba Himal, encompassing diverse Himalayan landscapes and high-altitude ecosystems.
• Alpine Waterbodies & Drainage: Features Phoksundo Lake (3,612 m), renowned for its turquoise waters and 167-metre waterfall, alongside the Langu, Suligad and Jugdual river systems.
• Snow Leopard Habitat: Supports a significant population of snow leopards (Panthera uncia), sustained by prey species such as blue sheep, Himalayan musk deer and argali.
• Trans-Himalayan Rain-Shadow Flora: Dominated by arid shrubs, juniper and Tibetan plateau vegetation, while moist southern valleys support birch (Bhojpatra) and silver fir forests.
• Bon & Buddhist Cultural Heritage: Preserves Shey Gompa monastery and Ringmo village, safeguarding ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the indigenous pre-Buddhist Bon-po religion.

Significance:

• Serves as a vital Trans-Himalayan wildlife corridor, supporting snow leopard conservation, high-altitude biodiversity research and cross-border ecological connectivity.
• Preserves traditional agro-pastoral livelihoods, ancient monasteries and Himalayan pilgrimage routes, promoting sustainable tourism alongside cultural and ecological