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Kanchenjunga National Park is one amongst the important biological conserve of India. Explore Kanchendzonga Park in Sikkim.


Kanchenjunga National Park

Location: North Sikkim District
Area: 850 sq km
Attraction: Wide range of flora and fauna
Significance: Largest Park in Sikkim
How to reach: One can easily reach KNP by taking regular jeeps or by hiring taxis from Mangan

Kanchenjunga National Park can be termed as a huge asset to the ecological conserve of India. Sited on the threshold of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the National Park got its name from this third highest peak of the world. This park of national importance, also embraces the gigantic Zemu glacier in its periphery. Sprawled across an area of 850sq km, Kanchendzonga National Park is known to be the largest wildlife reserve in Sikkim.

Kanchenjunga Park is extended in a large expanse and due to this; most of its part has not been explored yet. In order to explore this vast park, one is required to obtain permit and fulfill other formalities, which are required by the government of Sikkim. Ranging between altitudes of 1829 to 8585 meters, Kanchenjunga National Park (KNP) touches the feet of Mt Kanchendzonga on its western border.

The term Kanchenjunga literally means 'the Abode of Gods consisting of Five Treasure Houses'. These five treasure houses imply the five lofty peaks of Mt Kanchenjunga including Mt Narshing, Mt Pandim, Mt Siniolchu, Mt Simvo and Mt Kabru. The first three peaks are the most beautiful amongst all of them and stand tall in the locale of KNP. The varied elevation has given a perfect base to the rich collection of flora and fauna in the Park.

Coming to the fauna of this park, one can find animals like Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Tibetan Antelope, Wild Ass, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Squirrel Clouded Leopard, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Thar, Lesser Cats, Tibetan Wolf, Serow, Great Tibetan Sheep, Red Panda and many more. Regarding avifauna, the park comprises almost 550 species of birds including Blood Pheasants, Satyr Tragopan, Osprey, Himalayan griffon, Lammergeier, Snow Pigeon, Impeyan Phesants, Sunbirds and Eagles.

The forested area of the park is adorned by Qurcus Spp, Schima Spp, Castanopsis Spp, Acer Spp, Birch Betula Spp, Himalayan Larch, Lari griffithi etc. KNP also has many medicinal plants along with shrubs of Mecohopsis, Primula, Rhododendron, etc. The trekking route that moves from KNP scrolls from Dzongri, Thangshing, Gochala, Chaurigang (Khanchendzonga Base Camp) to Green Lake, Jakthang and eventually to Yabuk.