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National Parks play an important role. They play an important role in conservation of unique natural resources, preservation of cultural identities and also the national security. There are 10 National Parks in the country today. Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is one of them. The Sanctuary covers three Dzongkhags, of Trashi Yangtse, Monggar and Lhuentse. It covers an area of 1545 square kilometres, out of which 420 square kilometres is the buffer zone.
The Sanctuary is the only National Park, which borders China in the north and India in the northeast.
“We have diversity of wildlife and plants. The very important thing about the bio-diversity is that we have some very rare species,” said Pankey Drukpa, Chief Forestry Officer, Trashi Yangtshe.
Of the many rare species, the National butterfly, the Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallow Tail is found in this Sanctuary. From mid- November to early March, it becomes a paradise for bird lovers as this nature reserve provides shelter to about 150 black necked cranes in the winter season every year. “The endangered black necked cranes roost in this area and with the support from the local people, we are able to conserve them. So, that’s why we are receiving and increasing number of tourist in this area,” added Pankey Drukpa.
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary also hosts 100 species of mammals including rare and globally endangered species.
There are also several important religious and cultural sites such as Aja Ney, Singye Dzong and Rigsum Gonpa.
Like this Sanctuary, the other National Parks have also played an important role in conservation of unique natural resources, preservation of cultural identities and also in national security.
“We have earmarked the whole northern areas as National Parks. From West to East, we have Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park in the west, which borders with Wangchuk Centennial Park in the centre and then it links with the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary through Thrumshingla National Park. So all across the northern border we have designated as National Parks,” said Pema Gyamtsho, Minister of Agriculture and Forests.
“Beside conservation purposes it also serves as important functions for border security,” he added.
Besides this the National Parks have been a paradise for nature lovers and researchers. Camera trappings are being used by researchers to study new species of animals roaming in the Parks.
The Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1995 to protect and preserve eastern Himalayan ecosystem. There are a total of 432 species of birds, 46 species of orchids, 130 species of butterflies and 7 species of fishes are among many which are found in this Sanctuary.
