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Bhutan
- Wildlife Sanctuaries |
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Bhutan -
Wildlife Sanctuaries |
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Jigme Dorji National Park is the largest protected area in the
country, encompassing an area of 4329 sq km. It protects the
western parts of Paro, thimphu and Punakha districts and almost
entire area of Gasa district.
Fauna:- The Park is the habitat of several endangered species, including
the takin, snow leopard, blue sheep, tiger, musk deer, red panda,
himalayan black bear and serow. Other mammals to be found are
leopard, wild dog, sambar, barking deer, goral, marmot and pika.
More than 300 species of birds have been catalogued within the
park.
Flora:-
The park also has equally rich floral species consisting of a unique caterpillar fungus Cordyceps sinensis, rhododendrons, chirpines, cypress and hundreds of alpine medicinal and aromatic plants.
It is also the only park in Bhutan where national animal (takin), flower (blue poppy), bird (raven) and tree (cypress) exist
together. |
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Located in the south central part of Bhutan,
Royal Manas National Park has an area of 1023 sq km. It is the
oldest protected area system in Bhutan, established as early as 1966
and upgraded as national park in 1993.
The park covers three districts of Zhemgang, Sarpang
and Samdrup Jongkhar.
Fauna:- It is the home of rhinos, buffalos, tigers,
leopard, gaurs, bears, elephants and several species of deer. Also,
several rare species are found here including the golden langur,
capped langur, pygmy hog and hispid hare. Others such as wild boars,
wild dog, barking deer, pygmy hog, hornbill and peacock are not a
surprise. The bird species is extremely rich with a record of over
362 species. |
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The 1400-sq-km Black Mountain National
Park protects the range of hills that separates eastern and western
Bhutan. It is an important area because it includes virgin forests
in an area that is generally known as the middle hills.
Flora:- Plant life in park includes a wide range of
broadleaf species, conifers and alpine pastures.
Fauna:- Animals include tigers, Himalayan black bears,
leopards, red pandas, gorals, serows, sambars, wild pigs, golden
langurs and amazing 449 species of birds have been catalogued. |
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Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary located in the
South-central Bhutan. The Sanctuary has an area of 278 Sq. Km and
falls under Sarpang Dzongkhag. It is the only protected areas in the
country where natural Sal forest are found.
Fauna:- Several protected species thrive in this
sanctuary, including axis deer, chital, elephant, gaur, tiger,
golden langur and hornbill. |
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The 768 sq km Thrumshing la National Park lies
between Bumthang and Mongar and protects temperate forests of fir
and chir pine. It is known for its scenic vies, dense forests and
alpine meadows.
Fauna:- Presence of threatened species viz. rufous
necked hornbill, Satyra tragopan, Ward’s trogon, chestnut breasted
partridge is a noteworthy feature of this reserve. |
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Bumdeling Wildlife
Sanctuary (BWS) is located in the northeastern part of Bhutan and
covers an area of 1538 sq. km encompassing parts of Trashi Yangtse,
Lhuentse, and Mongar districts.
Fauna:- This sanctuary protects the habitat of blue
sheep, snow leopard, red panda, tiger, leopard, Himalayan black
bear, musk deer, wild boar, wild dog and fox. The sanctuary is a
show case for 293 species of birds. There are also 32 species of
butterflies out of which some are identified as rare. Bomdeling
Wildlife Sanctuary is also one of the two winter habitats for the
black-necked cranes, which come down from the Tibetan plateau to
escape the extreme weather conditions. |
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Located in the Eastern Part of Bhutan, Sakteng
Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 650 Sq. Km is one of the new
protected areas to be recently operationalised in the year 2002. The
two geogs of Merak and Sakteng under Trashigang Dzongkhag falls
under this Sanctuary. It was specially created to protect the
habitat of the yeti.
Flora:- Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary protects the
easternmost temperate forest ecosystems in the country with endemic
species like eastern blue pine, black-rumped magpie and many others
found only in the east. |
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Khaling Wildife Sanctuary is located in the
south-eastern part of Bhutan with an area of 273 Sq. Km. The
Sanctuary covers only one Dzongkhag of Sandrup Jongkhar. It is the
smallest of Bhutan's protected areas with an altitude range of
400-2,200 meters
Fauna:- This wildlife sanctuary is important for
elephant (Elephas maximus), gaur and other tropical wildlife and may
also contain the rare pygmy hog and hispid hare . |
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It is in the western part of the Haa District
(644 sq. km) protects the westernmost temperate forests of the
country, from broadleaf forests to alpine meadows within an altitude
range of 1,400-4,800m, and includes the small lakes of Sinchulungpa.
Unlike Bhutan's other protected areas, Torsa has no resident human
population. |
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