Sagarmatha National Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| State Party |  Nepal |
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| Type | Natural | |
| Criteria | vii | |
| Identification | #120 | |
| Region2 | Asia-Pacific | |
| Inscription History | ||
| Formal Inscription: | 1979 3rd WH Committee Session |
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| WH link: | http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/120 | |
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1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List |
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| Sagarmatha National Park | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category II (National Park) | |
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| Location: | Nepal |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 1,148 km² |
| Established: | July 19, 1976 |
Sagarmatha National Park, is located in eastern Nepal, containing parts of the Himalayas and the southern half of Mount Everest. The park was created July 19, 1976 and in 1979 was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site. Sagarmatha is Sanskrit for "mother of the universe" and is the modern Nepali name for Mount Everest.
The park encompasses an area of 1,148 km² and ranges in elevation from its lowest point of 2,845 m (9,335 ft) at Jorsalle to 8,850 m (29,035 ft) at the summit of Everest. Barren land above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) comprises 69% of the park while 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is forested. The park contains the upper watershed of the Dudh Kosi river basin system.
The park's visitor centre is located at the top of a hill in Namche Bazaar, also where a company of the Nepal Royal Army is stationed for protecting the park. The park's southern entrance is a few hundred metres north of Mondzo at 2,835 m (9,300 ft), a one day hike from Lukla.
The entry fee for foreign nationals is 1,000 Nepalese Rupees ($13 USD in 2002).
[edit] Flora and fauna
Forests of pine and hemlock cover the lower elevations of the national park. At elevations of around 3500 meters and above, forests of silver fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper trees are found. The forests provide habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Danphe, Blood pheasant, Red-billed chough, and yellow-billed chough. Sagarmatha National Park is also home to a number of rare species, including snow leopard and panda.
