Area : 1710 sq. km.
Established : Designated in 1970-71
and gazetted in 1976.
Location :
Situated in the Central Himalayas, Langtang
is the nearest park to Kathmandu. The
area extends from 32 km. north of Kathmandu
to the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.
Features :
Langtang National Park encloses the catchments
of two major river systems: one draining west
into the Trisuli River and the other east to
the Sun Koshi River.
Some of the best examples of graded climatic
conditions in the Central Himalayas are
found here. The complex topography and geography
together with the varied climatic patterns have
enabled a wide spectrum of vegetation types
to be established. These include small areas
of subtropical forest (below 1000m), temperate
oak and pine forests at mid-elevations, with
alpine scrub and grasses giving way to bare
rocks and snow.
Oaks, chir pine, maple, fir, blue pine, hemlock,
spruce and various species of rhododendron make
up the main forest species.
The variations in altitude and topography
along with the existing forest cover (approx.
25% of the total area) provide habitat for a
wide range of animals including wild dog, red
panda, pika, muntjack, musk deer, Himalayan
black bear, Himalaya tahr, ghoral, serow,
rhesus monkey and common langur. The Trisuli
- Bhote Rivers forms an important route for
birds on spring and autumn migration between
India and Tibet.
About 45 villages (846 households = 4,500 people)
are situated within the park boundaries, but
they are not under park jurisdiction. In total,
about 3000 households (about 16,200 people)
depend on park resources for wood and firewood.
Culturally the area is mixed, the home of several
ethnic groups which have influenced the
natural environment over the centuries. The
majority of people are Tamang, an ancient
Nepalese race. The Tamangs, traditionally farmers
and cattle breeders, are especially well known
for their weaving. Their religion is related
to the Bon and the pre-Buddhist doctrines of
Tibet. Today this religion has merged with the
newer teachings of from Tibet.
The Helambu area, immediately north
of Kathmandu, has many scenic villages inhabited
by Sherpas and Tamangs who emigrated from Tibet.
