No of wildlife increasing in Shey Phoksundo

Kathmandu : The Shey Phoksundo national park, spread over Dolpa and Mugu districts, has recorded significant success in conservation work. This has been possible through the joint effort of the locals and the park management authorities.

The park boasts of natural heritage found in the lower mountainous to high mountainous region. Snow leopard, Tibetan rabbit, Tibetan ass, blue sheep and Ghoral are some of its major attractions in terms of wildlife. It is also home to diverse flora and fauna.

It is regarded as the best habitat for snow leopard. The park is home to 200 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles and 32 species of butterflies.

Kanjirowa south (6,866 m), Sikalpo Khang (6,556 m) and Kande Hiuchuli (6,552 m) are major mountains located in this park, along with glaciers and lakes.

Phoksundo lake located in the mid of the park is Nepal’s deepest lake, recognized as a ramsar site in 2007. The Shey monastery built in the 11th century is another attraction inside the park.

Meanwhile, joint initiative by the local people and the park authorities has been leading to a rise in the number of wildlife in the park, claims the park warden Saromani Poudel.

For example, the number of Himalayan blue sheep locally called Naur has seen a steady increase with 2,072 in 2018 and 4,136 in 2019. The results of the 2020 count are yet to be released.