Kanchenjunga National Park
Views
The Kanchendzonga (High Altitude) National Park extends from the cold desert of Lhonak valley and the ridges of Lachen in the North District to the historical place at Yuksom. The western boundary of the park runs along the international boundary with Tibet. The park Covers area of 1784 sq km. and occupies as much as 25.14% of the land area of Sikkim. This area lies within reserved forest and expect for a small Tibetan village community at Tshoka, there are no other village settlements inside the park. The park has spectacular wilderness with one of the world's highest peaks towering above virtually undisturbed forests.
Herbs
There are many herbs found, such as Acounitum species, Prcrorhiza Kurrooa, Orchis Latifolia, Nardostachys Jatamasi, Rheum Emodi and Panax Pseudogingseng.
Habitats
The Kanchendzonga (High Altitude) National park is a reservoir of diverse habitats including some rare and endangered species like the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Red Panda (Sikkim?s State Animal), Must Deer, Nayan or the Great Tibetan Sheep, Bharala or the blue sheep, Himalayan Thar, the Shapi of Sikkim, Marco Polo Sheep (Reported) Leopard, Goral, Serow, Barking Deer, Lesser cats, wild dogs, Tibetan wolf, Mountain Fox, Tibetan Fox, Himalayan Black Bear, Marmots and monkeys.
Forests division
Park is divided into three forests zones:
- Temperate Broad-Leaved Forest 18292730 mt dominated by Quercus Lineata, Quercus Lamellosa, Quercus Pachyphylla, Schimma Wallichii, Canstanopsis Species, Acre Cambellii, Engelhardtia Spicata, juglans Regia, Michelia cathcartii, Magnolia Cambellii and Cinnamounm Obtusifolium.
- Mixed Conferous Forest 27303650 mt dominated by fir, Abies Densa, Maple, Acer species, Spruce, Picea Moriandoides and Junipers (Juniperous species) with associates of taller varieties of Rhododentrons and Bamboo (Arundinaria species).
- Alpine Scrup and Grass above 3650 mt dominated by common shrubs and herbs live Mechonopsis species, primula species, prostrating junipers, Iris Gentiana, Anemone and Delhpinium.