Unique among natural heritage sites
world-wide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which
includes Mt. Everest (8,848 m) and other high
peaks such as Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam,
Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and
Kwangde. Located North-east of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha
National Park is 1,148 sq km. in area and consists
of the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi,
Bhote Koshi and the Imja Khola rivers. Much of
the park lies above 3,000m. Sagarmatha is rugged,
with deep gorges, glaciers and unnegotiable ice
and rock faces. Locally known as the 'Khumbu',
it is the home of the famous Sherpa people. The
Sherpas make a living by farming barley and potatoes
and graze their yaks in high altitude pastures.
Young Sherpas have also made their name in mountaineering
and the trekking industry has of late become the
community's economic mainstay. In 1979 the park
was declared a World Heritage Site.
Trees such as rhododendron, birch,
blue pine, juniper and silver fir are found up
to an altitude of 4,000 meters above which they
give way to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring
and summer, the hillsides around the villages
of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Thyangboche and Thame
are a riot of colours with several species of
rhododendon in bloom. Wildlife most likely to
be seen in Sagarmatha are the Himalaya tahr, ghoral,
musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel and occasionally
jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan
black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Birds
commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant,
snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow
billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The vegetation found at the lower altitude of
the park includes pine and hemlock forests, while
fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron, scrub and
alpine plant communities are common at the higher
altitude.
The Park is home to the red panda,
snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, marten,
Himalayan mouse hare (pika) and over 118 species
of bird including the Impeyan pheasant, snow cock,
blood pheasant, red billed cough etc.
BUFFER ZONE
His Majesty's Government of Nepal, in 2002 declared
the Buffer Zone in and around the Park with the
objective of reducing the biotic pressure in the
fragile ecosystem. The government has also made
a provision of ploughing back 30 - 50 percent
of the revenue earned by the Park to community
development activities in the Buffer Zone.
POPULAR TREKKING ROUTE
The trek from Namche to Kala Pathar is very popular.
The Gokyo Lake and Chukung valleys also provide
spectacular views. The Thame Valley is popular
for Sherpa culture while Phortse is famous for
wildlife viewing. There are some high passes worth
crossing over. However, the trekkers must have
a guide and proper equipment for the trek.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
High altitude sickness can affect if elevation
is gained too rapidly and without proper acclimatization.
The symptoms are - headache, difficulty in sleeping,
breathlessness, loss of appetite and general fatigue.
If someone develops the symptoms, stop ascending
immediately; if symptoms persist, the only proven
cure is to descend to lower elevations.
Medical advice could be sought from
Kunde Hospital or Pheriche Health Post. Telephones
services are available at local Namche Bazar.
In case of emergency, helicopters services can
also be availed upon request.
HOW TO GET THERE
The most common ways to reach the
Park from Kathmandu are :
