The national parks of Nepal offer much more than just a beautiful environment to take in the wonders of nature we received from our predecessors. They are home to a treasure trove of rare and endangered plants and animals. Among all of Nepal’s national parks, Makalu Barun National Park is relatively well-known for being the only protected region in the world with an elevation gain of more than 80,00 metres, encompassing both tropical forest and snow-capped peaks.
In 1991, Sagarmatha National Park’s eastern boundary was expanded to create Makalu Barun National Park. It extends over 1500 square kilometres. The 830 square km buffer zone was further expanded in 1999. This protected region has an elevation range of 435 metres to more than 8000 metres. This protected area includes Mount Makalu (8,463m), the fifth-highest mountain in the world. Similarly, some of the peaks in the Makalu region include Chamlang (7,319m), Baruntse (7,129m), and Mera Peak (6654m). The national park lies in between the sacred Himalayan landscapes.
A great variety of habitats can be found in Makalu Barun National Park, from alpine meadows at the height of 4000 metres to near-tropical monsoon forests. Almost 25 rhododendron species, 47 orchid variants, 19 bamboo species, 15 oak species, 86 fodder tree varieties, and 56 rare and endangered plant species are supported by 27 types of woods.
The protected area serves as a home for a variety of wildlife. There are 16 species of reptiles and 315 species of butterflies. 78 different kinds of fish can be found in the park’s ponds, rivers, and lakes. In this naturally rich and diversified protected region, 88 species of animals and 433 species of birds have also been identified. Red pandas and snow leopards, two endangered species, call the park and its surroundings home.
Speaking specifically about red pandas, they have gained enormous popularity due to their endearing appearances, but these secretive animals are much more than just their kitten-like features and eye-catching reddish-brown coats.
Red pandas, who are remarkable acrobats that climb and swing on trees in their Asian forest surroundings, are approximately the size of a house cat and previously caused a raging controversy regarding their kinship to gigantic pandas. Taxonomists formerly classified them as members of the bear and raccoon families, but DNA analysis subsequently demonstrated that they really belong to their own distinct family (Ailuridae) and genus (Ailurus).
With the exception of Nepal, they are primarily found in wet Himalayan forests in India, Bhutan, northern Myanmar and central China.
They spend most of their time sleeping and sunbathing in trees. These creatures have done a fantastic job of adapting to their surroundings. They have flexible ankles that allow them to climb down trees headfirst, and they have sharp, semi-retractable claws that let them grab slick branches. With their coats matching the moss clumps that grow their tree houses and their black bellies making it harder for predators to notice them from the ground, they are able to flee from jackals and snow leopards, who may find it challenging to identify the creatures in the first place.
Red pandas often live alone, but when they do contact one another, they arch their tails, bobble their heads, squeak, or make a noise called a “huff-quack” that sounds like a cross between a duck quack and a pig snort. When threatened, pandas may bark or expel a strong liquid from glands.
In the winter and spring, when males are looking for a partner, they emit this pungent liquid to establish their territory. They have a small window since females are only fertile a few days a year. Usually, they have one to four cubs, and they stay with them for around 90 days. Males show little to no interest in the cubs and leave the moms to raise them.
Compiled By: Rebika Bishokarma
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