Why in the news?

  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently rated Khangchendzonga National Park as “good” in its latest global review of natural World Heritage sites.

Khangchendzonga National Park

  • Location: Sikkim ( Sikkim–Nepal border)
  • Geography
    • Named after Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third-highest peak in the world (8,586 m).
    • Major glacier in the region is Zemu Glacier (one of Asia’s largest).
  • Ecological Significance
    • Forms part of the Himalaya Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
    • Part of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR).
    • India’s first “Mixed” World Heritage Site (2016) — recognized for natural and cultural values.
  • Vegetation: Altitudinal vegetation gradient: subtropical → temperate → alpine → tundra.
  • Major Fauna: Snow leopard, red panda, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, mainland serow.