Shey-phoksundo National park

Shey-phoksundo National park is situated in the Trans-Himalyan region of north-west Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest national park. With diverse terrain and altitude veriation, the park spreads over Dolpa and Mugu districts and supports a broad range of wildife and vegetation. Geographical landmarks of the park are the Himalayan Peaks in the north and Lake Phoksundo, in the southern region. Vegetation includes pine, walnut, willow, oak, and cypress in the lower altitude and pine, spruce, juniper and birch at higher regions. Berberis, wild rose and caragana are seen in alpine areas while the regions higher up are mostly arid with grass alpine meadows with barely any trees. The park contains 286 flora species of botanical importance. Animals found in the region are sheep, ghoral, musk deer, leopard, wild dog, marmot, weasel, mouse hare, rhesus and langur monkeys, Himalyan tahr, Himalyan black bear and jackals. In the upper region is seen the rare and endangered snow leopard. Over 200 species including yellow-throated marten, Tibetan partidge, wood snipe, whitethroated tit, wood accentor, and crimson-eared rose finch are found in the park. Other species of birds found here are lmpeyan, cheer pheasant, chough, ravens, Tibetan snow cock, Tibetan twit, brown dipper, Himalyan griffon and lammergyer. Apart from these, the park is home to 6 species of reptiles and 29 species of butterfly.