world heritage sites

As nepal is a land of tourism,there are many national parks , monuments ,squarea and temples inlisted in united nations world heritage sites.They are:-

1. sagarmatha National Park (1148 Sq. Kms.)

This is the highest national park in the world, with the entire park located above 3,000 m ( 9,700 ft). This park includes three peaks higher than 8,000 m, including Mt Everest.

With its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers, this park can be divided into four climate zones

   the forested lower zone, 

  the zone of alpine scrub, 

 The upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth, 

 The Arctic zone where no plants can grow.

In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron grow.

Above this zone all vegetation are found to be dwarf or shrubs.

As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses.

Plants cease to grow at about 5,750 m (18,690 ft), because this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas.

The Sagarmatha National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the Earth, especially in summer. After the first monsoon rains in June, the hillsides become green and different varieties of flowers start blooming, and butterflies of myriad species appear in different colors.

118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies have made this park their home.

Sme of the endangered animals that are found in this park are musk deer, wild yak, red panda, snow leopard and Himalayan black bear. Many other animals such as Himalayan thars, deer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, martens, and Himalayan wolves are living here.

The oxygen gets thinner with the altitude. Therefore, the animals here are adapted to living on less oxygen as well as a cold temperature. They have thick coats or shortened limbs to prevent loss of body heat. The Himalayan bears go into hibernation in caves during the winter when there is no food available.

         

               
 

 2. Royal Chitawan National Park (923 Sq. Kms.)

This is one of the most popular national parks in Nepal. The park is situated in the sub-tropical lowlands of southern Nepal, lying between two mountain ranges, the Shivalik and the Mahabharat range.
This is the flood plain of three rivers, the Rapti, the Reu and the Narayani. The forest is dominated by Sal trees and tall grasses.
This is the natural habitat of endangered animals like Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, gharial crocodile, gaur , four species of deer, leopards, wild dogs, fishing cats, leopard cats, python and Gangetic dolphin. There are over 50 species of mammals and 450 species of birds in the park.
Before 1950, this area used to be the hunting reserve for the ruling class of Nepal. The hereditary prime ministers of the Rana family, who ruled Nepal for 104 years, often used to invite people from England and India as their guests and huge numbers of tigers and rhinos were killed.
Today the tourists can ride elephants and view the wild animals at close range.

 3.Swayambhu

Swayambhunath  is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the north-west parts of the temple. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Tree, for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. . For the Buddhist Newars in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudhanath.
The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose - but is the Nepali symbol of 'unity', in the main Nepali language dialect. There are also shops, restaurants and hostels. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the southwest entrance. The first sight on reaching the top of the stairway is the Vajra. Tsultrim Allione describes the experience:
We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunder-bolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive.

4. Bouddhanath

Boudhanath  is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu (Yambu), Nepal. It is known as  Bauddha by modern speakers of Nepali.Located about 12 km  from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation). Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

5. Bhaktapur durbar square

BhaktapurDurbar Square is the plaza in front of the royal palace of the old Bhaktapur Kingdom. It is one of three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are unjnesco World Heritage Sites.
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, which lies 14 km east of Kathmandu. , the whole are is informally known as the Bhakapur Durbar Square, and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley.
The Durbar Square proper houses the 55-window Palace which was constructed by King Jitamitra Malla and was home to royalty until 1770. It is now a National Gallery. Close by is the GoldenGate which leads into MulchokCourt which is home to the TalejuTemple. This temple, like others in the main towns of the Kathmandu Valley, is dedicated to the goddess TalejuBhawani and includes shrines to both the Taleju Bhawani and Kumari. Entrance to the temple is restricted to Hindus and the living goddess strictly cannot be photographed.
The Durbar square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The royal palace was originally situated at Dattaraya square and was only later moved to the Durbar square location.
The Durbar square at Bhaktapur was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1934 and hence appears more spacious than the others, located at Kathmandu and Patan.
Originally, there were 98courtyards attached to this place, but now only 6 remain. Prior to the earthquake, there were 3 separate groups of temples. But currently, the square itself is surrounded just by buildings that survived the quake.
                                    
                                    
                                     

6. Changunarayan

The ancient temple of Changu Narayana is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. The temple is located in Changu VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Visnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal. It exhibits the development of Newari religious architecture.
The temple is full of magnificent art works in metal and wood. In fact, it is one of the finest examples of Nepalese architecture. The first epigraphic evidence of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the reign of the Licchavi King Mandeva dating back to 464 A.D. shows that Changu had already been established as a sacred site in the 3rd century A.D. The present structure was probably constructed in the 17th century, through older elements have been incorporated during the restorations. The pagoda style temple has several masterpieces of 5th and 12th century Nepalese art. According to legends Changu Narayan temple existed as early as 325 A.D. in the time of Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma 

7. Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temple of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the bank of the Bagmati River in the eastern part of Kathmandu city. The temple served as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, Nepal is a secular country. . The temple is listed in unesco World Heritage Sites list.
The temple is one of the 275 Padal Petra Sthalams (Holy Abodes of Shiva on the continent). Over the past times, only born Hindus were allowed to enter the temple. Others could look at it from other side of the river. However, the norms have been relaxed due to many incidents. If the individual is destined, he/she takes and completes the journey to reach these footsteps without any resistance or obstructions along the way, is believed to be under loving grace of Rudra. It is final stage of harsh penance. Thus, the slave (pasu - the human condition) becomes the master ..
Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of the Animals. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400.0 A.D. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings'.

8.Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square, or Basantapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the old royal palace of the Kathmandu Kingdom. It is one of three Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are unesco World Heritage Site.
The Durbar square is surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The royal palace was originally situated at Dattaraya square and was only later moved to the Durbar square location.
The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. The square is presently known as Hanumandhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The preference for the construction of royal palaces at this site dates back to as early as the Lichavi period in the third century. Even though the present palaces and temples have undergone repeated and extensive renovations and nothing physical remains from that period, names like Gunapo and Gupo, which are the names referred to the palaces in the square in early scriptures, imply that the palaces were built by Gunakamadev, a king ruling late in the tenth century. When Kathmandu City became independent under the rule of King Ratna Malla  the palaces in the square became the royal palaces for its Malla kings. When Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Kathmandu Valley in 1768, he also favored the Kathmandu Durbar Square for his palace. Other subsequent Shah kings continued to rule from the square until 1896 when they moved to the NarayanHitiroyalPalace. 

9.Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of Lalitpur city. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are unesco World Heritage Sites. One of its attraction is The Ancient Palace where Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.
It was formed in the period of Malla kingdom during the rule of king Siddhi Narshing Malla before 19's bs it is one of the oldest durbar square.
The three main courtyards in the palace are MulChowk, SundariChowk and KeshavNarayanChowk. it is full of newari masterpiece architecture.

10.Lumbini

Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath.
Lumbini was where the Buddha lived until the age of 29. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple, and others under construction. Also located here is the Puskarini or Holy Pond where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace. At other sites near Lumbini, earlier Buddhas were, according to tradition, born, achieved ultimate awakening and finally relinquished earthly form.
Lumbini, as of 1997, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World Heritage program.
The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone in which only monasteries can be built, no shops, hotels or restaurants. It is separated into an eastern and western monastic zone, the eastern having the Theravadin monasteries, the western having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.
The holy site of Lumbini has ruins of ancient monasteries, a sacred Bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Asokan pillar and the Mayadevi temple, where the precise place of birth of Buddha is located. From early morning to early evening, pilgrims from various countries perform chanting and meditation at the site.

major tourism activities

Major Tourism Activities

Mountain Climbing

Trekking

Bird Watching

Mountain Flight

Rock Climbing

Rafting/Kayaking/Canoying 

Hot Air Ballooning

Bungy Jumping

Paragliding

Ultralight Aircraft

Mountain Biking

Jungle Safari

Religious Sites

 Major religious sites of Nepal are:

Pashupatinath Temple

Swayambhunath

Lumbini

Muktinath

Gosainkunda

Devghat

Manakamana

Pathibhara

Jaleshwar Mahadev

Dolakha Bhimsen

Swargadwari

Wildlife Reserve-Conservation Areas-Hunting Reserve

Wildlife Reserve:

1. Sukla Phanta wildlife Reserve 

Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal, covering 306 km2 .
The prevalent vegetation of the reserve is sukla phanta – grassland, which covers about 16 km2 in area and is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal. The main grass species include Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus. Khagra Reed  and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes of the seven small lakes. The dominant forest type is Sal. Khair and Sissoo grow alongside rivers.
The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the reserve are habitat for a wide range of faunal species. In the rivers, lakes and ponds 27 fish species, the globally threatened Mugger crocodile and Indian Rock Python have been recorded as well as the Monitor Lizard, Indian Cobra, Common Krait and Oriental Ratsnake.
Current checklists include 46 species of mammals, 19 of which are protected under CITES such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Sloth Bear, Swamp Deer, Asian Elephant and Hispid Hare. Great One-horned Rhinoceros were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country.
The congregation of Swamp Deer on the reserve's phantas is the largest in the world; the population of Hispid Hare may be of international significance.
A total of 425bird species has been recorded in the reserve that supports the highest population of Bengal Floricans in Nepal. It is the western limit of Swamp Francolin, Jerdon's Bushchat, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Chestnut-capped Babbler and Jerdon's Babbler; the north-western limit of Yellow-eyed Babbler; the eastern limit of Finn's Weaver and the most important regular wintering site of Hodgson's Bushchat.
During a survey carried out in January 2006, a total of 19 Hodgson’s bushchats were nly 9males.

 

 

 2. Parsa wildlife  Reserve

Parsa Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. Established in 1984, it covers an area of 450km2 in the Parsa, Makwanpur and Bara districts and is the largest wildlife reserve in the country. In altitude it ranges from 435 metres  to 940 metres (3,120 ft) in the Siwalik Hills.
In the north of the protected area the Rapti River and Siwalik Hills form a natural boundary to human settlements. In the east it extends up to the Hetauda - Birgunj highway. In the south, a forest roads demarcates the boundary. Adjacent to the west is Chitwan National Park. Together with the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park, the coherent protected area of 2,074 km2 (801 sq mi) represents the Tiger Conservation Unit ) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers a 3,550km2   block of alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests.
Before being converted to a protected area, the region used to be the hunting ground of the ruling class.
The typical vegetation of the park is tropical and subtropical forest types with Sal forest constituting about 90% of the vegetation. Chir pine grows in the Churia Hills. Khair, Sissoo and Silk cotton trees occur along watercourses. Sabai grass grows well on the southern face of the Churia hills.An estimated 920species of flora have been recorded including 299 vascular plants, 245 dicots, 57 monocots, five pteridophytes, and one gymnosperm.
In May 2008, a census conducted in the reserve confirmed the presence of 36 gaurs.A survey combined with extensive camera-trapping conducted in 2008 estimated four adult Bengal tigers resident in the reserve.

                      

3. Koshi-Tappu wildlife Reserve  
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of eastern Nepal covering 176 km2 of wetlands in the Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur Districts. In altitude it ranges from 75 to 81 metres  and consists of extensive mudflats, reed beds, and freshwater marshes in the floodplain of the Sapta Kosi River. It was established in 1976 and designated as a Ramsar site in December 1987.
It can be accessed from the Mahendra Highway.
The vegetation of the reserve is mainly characterised by mixed deciduous riverine forest, grasslands and marshy vegetation. The coverage of grasslands is 74%, compared to only about 7% of forest, which is predominated by Sisso. In the extensive wetlands, some 515 species of plants are found including Kapok, Sugarcane, reed, Cattail, Imperata cylindrica, eel grass, and species of Eichornia, Hydrilla, Azolla and Lotus.
A wide range of faunal species inhabit the protected area. In its water courses and ponds, 202 species of fish have been recorded, most of which are resident. Two toad species, nine frog species, six lizard species, five snake species, 11 turtle species are recorded. Gharial and Mugger crocodile occur as well.
The 32 species of mammals recorded include the Asian elephant, Spotted deer, Hog deer, Wild pig, Smooth-coated otter and Golden jackal. The Ganges River Dolphin has been sighted in the Koshi River. Gaur and Blue bull have declined in numbers.Nepal’s last remaining population of about 150 Wild Asian Water Buffalo called arna inhabit the area.
Notable among the 485 bird species are Watercock,  nightjar, eagleowl, Black-headed cuckooshrike, stonechat, grassbird, Large adjutant stork, Pallas’s fish eagle, Common golden-eye, and Gullbilled ternn.l Florican,  Francolin and l Rufous-vented Prinia occur as well.

 

 

 

 

Conservation Areas:

1. Annapurna conservation area 
The Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering 7,630.5 km2 in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas across the Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung districts. The area ranges in altitude from 798 m  to the peak of Annapurna I at 8,091 m .
The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazetted in 1992. It is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.
There are two distinct climatic regions within a span of 1202km  and an altitude of 1,001 to 8,002 m . 

      

 

2. Makalu-Barun conservation area/national park 


This national park lies in the wilderness at the eastern border of Mount Everest National Park and is more remote.
Its altitude ranges from 1,001 m to more than 8,001 m. This park contains four of the five highest mountains in the world. Most of the northern part of this park includes dense forests, valleys of the Barun River, great waterfalls and deep gorges.
it contains more than 3,002 flowering plants. Also about 68 species of medicinal plants and aromatic plants are to be found here. This park is the home of more than 51 species of animals and 402 species of birds.

Hunting Reserve:

 Dhorpatan 

The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal. Established in 1986 it covers an area of 1,325 km2  in the Dhaulagiri Himal of western Nepal in the Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung Districts. In altitude it ranges from 2,852 to 5,5001m 




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Wildlife

 This country harbors one of the world  best habitat for One horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Show-Leopard, Clouded-Leopard, Red panda, Blue-sheep and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant, buffaloes, bisons, blue bell, Brown, bear, Sloth bear, Leopard, crocodiles 
 and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families. And 848 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds.

Endangered Species

 Tiger, Rhino, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard Red Panda, Brown Bear, Asamese Macaque,  Dolphin, Wolf,  Elephant, Giant horn-bill, Swamp deer, Wild yak, Nayan, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, Four horned antelope, Musk deer pigmy hog, Pangolin, Gharial crocodile, Indian bustard, Saras Crane, Impean Pheasant, Python.