Area: 2330 sq. km. (1500 sq. km. National Park and 830 sq. km. Conservation Area)
Established: 1992
LOCATION:
The park and conservation area are situated in the Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu Districts, bordered by the Arun River on the west, the Nepal-Tibet border on the north and the Saune Danda (ridge) to the south.
FEATURES:
This is the only protected area in Nepal with a strict nature reserve. The park has some of the richest and most unique pockets of plants and animals in Nepal.
Stepping up the slopes are a series of vegetation zones starting with tropical Schima-Castanopsis forest (1000-2000m), fir/birch/rhododendron forests in the sub-alpine (3000-4000 m); and herbs, grasses and rhododendron/juniper shrubs in the alpine pastures (4000-5000 m). There are 47 varieties of orchids, 67 species of economically valuable medicinal and aromatic plants, 25 varieties of rhododendron, 19 species of bamboo, 15 oaks including Arkhoulo, 86 species of fodder trees and 48 species of primrose.
Over 400 species of birds have been sighted in the Makalu-Barun area, including two species of warbler never before seen. Wildlife includes the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard and possibly ghoral, Himalayan tahr, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan marmot and weasel, common langur monkey and the serow. The Arun River system contain 84 varieties of fish. Over 32,000 people inhabit the conservation area.
BACKGROUND:
High in the heart of the eastern Himalayas, seven valleys radiate from Mt. Makalu, the world's fifth highest peak. These valleys, particularly the Barun valley, treasure some of the last remaining pristine forests and alpine meadows of Nepal. From the bottom of the Arun valley, at just 435 m. above sea level, the Himalayas rise to the snow-capped tip of Makalu 8463 m. within a 40 km distance. Within this wide range of altitudes and climates, the Makalu-Barun area contains some of the richest and most diverse pockets of plants and animals in Nepal.
Nestled in the lower reaches of these valleys are communities of Rai, Sherpa, and other farming communities. Though economically poor and isolated, they retain a rich cultural heritage. They hold the key to the preservation of the unique biological and cultural treasures of the Makalu-Barun area.
The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area was established in 1992 as Nepal's eighth national park and the first to include an adjacent inhabited conservation area as a buffer. A new park management approach encourages local people to become actively involved in protecting the forests and natural resources upon which their lives depend, and in conserving their own rich cultural heritage. Traditional resource management systems, such as community controlled grazing and forest guardianship, are being strengthened and low level technologies introduced where appropriate. Working in collaboration with an American NGO, Woodlands Mountain Institute, His Majesty's Government, Nepal is striving to improve local living standards through infrastructure, educational and income-generating activities.
Covering 2,330 sq. km, Makalu-Barun is a vital component of the greater Mount Everest ecosystem which includes Nepal's 1,148 sq. km Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park to the west and the 35,000 sq. km Qomolangma Nature Preserve in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.
THE NATIONAL PARK
Most of the Makalu-Barun National Park is a remote wilderness, with just two small settlements and seasonal herding in the high pastures. Historically, few foreigners have visited the area except for the occasional climbing expedition.
The incredibly steep topography and abundant monsoon rains (1000 to 4000 mm per year) of the eastern Himalayas support unusually diverse bioclimatic zones and a rich storehouse of medicinal and useful plants. Alpine pastures above 4000 m contain the religiously important dwarf rhododendron and juniper, aromatic herbs and delicate wildflowers. Sub-alpine forests of fir, birch, and rhododendron, and temperate stands of oak, maple and magnolia thrive between 2-4000 m. Luxuriant orchids drape the chestnut and pine forests of the sub-tropical zone (1-2000 m), and forests reach their northernmost limit within Nepal along the banks of the Arun (below 1000 m).
STRICT NATURE RESERVE
The inaccessible lower Barun Valley, glacier-fed tributary to the Arun river, and its tributary the Saldima, flow through the most pristine area in the Park and thus have been designated as a Strict Nature Reserve, the first in Nepal. Here, natural ecosystems and processes will be protected in an undisturbed state for scientific study, environmental monitoring, education, and the maintenance of genetic resources.
THE CONSERVATION AREA
Some 32,000 people of ethnically diverse backgrounds live in the Conservation Area. The majority belong to various tribes of Rais and practice an ancient religion which reinforces harmony with nature. Sherpa people, originally from Tibet, live at higher elevations and carry on Buddhist traditions. A handful of other hill tribes including Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Newar, Brahmins, Chhetris and occupational castes live in the lower elevations.
These peoples live in isolated villages much as they have for centuries. As farmers, herders and seasonal traders, their livelihoods depend heavily upon forest resources for animal fodder, fuel, food, housing materials, fertilizers, medicine and other creative uses: clothing spun from allo (nettles), paper made from lokta (daphne bark), and countless items made from bamboo including furniture, containers, baskets, musical instruments, raincoats, and aqueducts.
While culturally rich, most people of the Makalu-Barun area are economically very poor. Subsistence farming does not produce enough food for the entire year. Many people migrate seasonally to other areas to supplement their income through trade or wage-earning jobs.
A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
The Makalu-Barun area is little known to most tourists due to its relative inaccessibility. But those few hundred trekkers and mountaineers who visit each year come away with an unforgettable experience.
For the naturalist, there are spectacular displays of wildflowers and exotic plants. More than 3,000 species of flowering plants, with hundreds of orchid varieties, 48 primroses, and 25 of Nepal's 30 rhododendron species splash the hillsides with color. The forests shelter abundant wildlife, including the endangered red panda and musk deer as well as the ghoral, Himalayan tahr and leopard, ornithologists have identified 400 bird species, at least 16 of which are extremely rare.
Most trekkers and mountaineers visit the Makalu-Barun area during October-November and March-April when high passes are less likely to be snowed over. Lower elevations are temperate throughout winter, and hot during April and May. Heavy monsoon rains occur throughout the region from June through September, with occasional showers during April-May. For the hardy botanist, the monsoon season is bursting with life, including the pesky leech.
MAIN TREKKING ROUTES
The chief destination of trekkers and mountaineers is Makalu Base Camp. Other notable peaks of the Kumbhakarna Himal are Chamlang, Baruntse, and Nepau. Mera Peak is a popular trekking peak.
Trek Descriptions
Makalu Base Camp/Sherpini Col: From Tumlingtar, two trails lead to Seduwa: one through Khandbari to Num then crossing the Arun river. The other traces the Arun's western banks through lush forests.
Most groups spend two nights acclimatizing at Tashigaon (2060 m), the last settlement. Entering the National Park, the trail climbs to a campsite at Khongma (3500 m), then crosses Shipton La and Keke La Passes (4,200 m) and descends into the upper Barun valley. Trekkers overnight at Mumbuk (3500 m), Nghe or Yangle Kharka (3600 m), before reaching Shersong (4700 m), the highest camp. The return follows the same trails. Food and lodging are available only along the Khandbari-Num-Tashigaon route.
Experienced mountaineers may attempt to cross Sherpini Col (6,100 m) from Shersong, entering the Panch Pokhari, "Five Lakes", area and exiting either via the Inkhu valley to Lukla, or crossing Amphu Laptsa (5,780 m) or Mingbo La (5,817 m) passes to Khumbu.
Mera Peak and Panch Pokhari: From Lukla or Phaplu, the route climbs north-eastward into the Inkhu valley, then crosses Mera La (5,382 m) and enters the upper Hongu valley and Panch Pokhari. The high passes mentioned above give access to Shersong or Khumbu. Mera Peak (6,654 m) is a popular but challenging three day ascent accessible via the Inkhu Valley. Climbers must obtain a trekking peak permit.
The Salpa La (3,400 m) route connects Tumlingtar to Kharikhola in Solu, the gateway to Khumbu.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are daily flights from Kathmandu to: Tumlingtar, Biratnagar (a 6-7 hour drive by bus to Hile and 3 day trek to Tumlingtar), and Lukla; and less frequent service to Phaplu (Solu), an alternative entry to the Inkhu valley.
PARK FACILITIES
The Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area Temporary Headquarters is located in Khandbari, with Sector Offices in Seduwa and Khanegaon (Tamku). Visitor information is available at all Park offices. A kerosene depot at Seduwa sells kerosene to trekking groups. Coupons for kerosene can be purchased at the Seduwa Sector Office.
NATIONAL PARK REGULATIONS
1. All foreign visitors to the Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, with the exception of Indian nationals, must purchase a trekking permit as well as pay a national park fee of Rs. 650/- at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. Entry permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The park fee receipt must be shown at Park offices.
2. All foreigners and staff are required to use kerosene or gas for cooking and heating in the National Park. No wood or vegetation cutting or burning is allowed in the National Park. Use of kerosene in the Conservation Area is encouraged.
3. All non-burnable and non-biodegradable refuse (i.e., tins, plastics, glass, batteries) must be carried out of the National Park and deposited at appropriate locations. Please contact the Makalu-Barun staff posted at Park offices for details.
4. Fishing and hunting are prohibited. The collection of animals, birds, plants, and other materials for scientific research purposes requires official permission from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. No endangered species may be caught or harmed in any way.
All relevant regulations will be enforced by Makalu-Barun personnel who patrol the National Park and Conservation Area. Offenders will be subject to fines and other penalties according to national park laws.
SOME IMPORTANT POINTS
