Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP)

There are 376 glaciers in JDNP which constitutes 42.44% of the glaciers of the country.

Second largest national park
Total area: 4,316 km²
Location: Covers 5 districts in the north west of the country
Park is a water source for various mega hydropower projects
Only park in the country trekked by tourists through its paradisiacal alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains
Provides crucial connectivity to the Kanchenjunga Conservation Complex in northeast India and eastern Nepal

0 species of mammals recorded

0 species of birds

0 species of butterflies

0 species of medicinal plants

0 people reside inside the park

People residing in the park above 4000 meters practice a semi-nomadic pastoralist livelihood, primarily subsisting on raising yaks

People residing below 4000 meters in the park subsist on mixed farming with agriculture as the mainstay of livelihood

Famous trekking routes include the Jumolhari Trek, Snowman Trek, Gasa-Laya Trek, and Lunana Trek

Glaciers in the park are rapidly melting. This would have an adverse effect on the alpine ecosystem.

Increased developmental activities such as road construction within the park have resulted in the destruction and degradation of wildlife habitats.

Every year, the park’s staffare engaged in dismantling hundreds of trap set for musk deer, wild fowls, and other animals.

Reports of livestock depredation by wild predators and crop damage in the park have steadily increased since 2010.

The Bhutan Takin is a vulnerable subspecies of Takin native to Bhutan. It was chosen as the country’s national animal for its close association to Bhutan’s religious history.
Blue Sheep are found throughout northern Bhutan above 4,000 to 4,500 m asl.
Camera trap studies estimate the presence of approximately 15 Snow Leopards in the western region of the park. More extensive and elaborate camera-trapping surveys may reveal higher estimates.
JDNP includes a number religious sites of great significance. It is believed that many revered Buddhist saints from Tibet entered Bhutan through the park.
Of the 300 species of medicinal plants found inside the park, the most valuable and widely collected is the Chinese Caterpilar(Ophiocirdycepssinensis)