Shey
Phoksundo National Park is situated in the trans-Himalayan region of
Northwestern Nepal, Dolpa which is also commomly known as Dolpo. This
is biggest isolated district of Daulagiri and bordering Tibet. The
western part lies She-Phoksundo National Park the biggest National Park
of Nepal occupying the area of 3,555 sq. km. The park was established
in 1984. It protects deep valleys, unclimbed peaks, remote monasteries
and rare flora and fauna. The region has been overlooked for centuries
because of its dreary geography. The park contains luxuriant forests
mainly composed of blue pine, spruce, cypress, poplar, fir and birch.
The Jugdual River valley consists mostly of Quercus (oak) species. The
trans-Himalayan area has near-desert type vegetation consisting of
dwarf juniper and caragana shrubs. It is also famous for different
types of medicinal plants. Yarshagumba is one of them. The literal
meaning of Yarshagumba is summer plants & winter insect.
Yarshagumba is currently very popular due to its use as aphrodisiac
(sex stimulant) and tonic.
The park provides prime habitat for the endangered snow
leopard and the blue sheep. Other common animals found in the park
include goral, Himalayan tahr, serow, leopard, wolf, jackal, Himalayan
black bear, Himalayan weasel, Himalayan mouse hare, yellow-throated
marten, langur and rhesus monkey.The park is equally rich in many
species of birds such as Impeyan pheasant (danphe), blood pheasant,
cheer pheasant, red and yellow billed cough, rave, jungle crow and snow
partridge.
