JIGME DORJI NATIONAL PARK
With an area of 4,349 sq. km,
the Jigme Dorji National Park is the largest protected area in Bhutan. It is
one of the most biologically rich areas in the Eastern Himalayan region, and
stretches from warm broad-leaved forests to remain the permanent ice fields and
glaciers on Bhutan’s north-western border.
The monsoon rains and a varied
topographical gradient, from just over 1,000 meters to more than 7,000 meters
above sea level, account for this rich plant and animal diversity.
Sacred peaks such as Jomolhari,
Tsherimgang and Jichu Drakey are prominent landmarks in the park. Glaciers and
glacial lakes are interspersed in the mountains forming important head waters
for some of Bhutan’s main rivers.
The alpine region houses
numerous flowers such as the national flower blue poppy, edelweiss, orchids and
rhododendrons among many others.
Charismatic animal species like
the Snow Leopard, Takin, Tiger, Black Bear, Blue Sheep and Red Panda inhabit
the forests and mountains of the park. This may be the only place in the world
where the Royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard habitats overlap. Most of
Bhutan’s most popular trekking routes can be found inside the Jigme Dorji
National Park.
