Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park

The Shivapuri National Park lies to the north of Kathmandu valley. It is about 12kms away from the city center. The park covers an area of 159 sq. kms and was announced as the country’s ninth national park in 2002. Before it was given the status of national park, it was managed under the Shivapuri Watershed Development Board, the main source of drinking water of Kathmandu valley. Shivapuri Nagarjun National park provides a chance to enjoy nature close to the city. Shivapuri lies in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. The vegetation consists of a variety of natural forests of pine, oak and rhododendron along with a number of orchid species. The park is home to various wildlife species such as Indian leopard, jungle cat, large Indian civet, golden jackal, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan goral, barking deer, wild boar and rhesus monkey to name some. The park also houses 318 species of birds including Eurasian eagle-owl, slender-billed scimitar-babbler, white-gorgeted flycatcher, barred cuckoo-dove and golden-throated barbet, 102 species of butterflies with a number of rare and endangered species, and 129 species of mushroom. There are many hiking and trekking trails in the park. Trekking routes to Nagarkot, Gosaikunda, Helambu and Langtang National Park also pass through the park. On a clear day visitors can have the view of the snow-capped mountains to the north and Kathmandu valley to the south.