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The Shivapuri
National Park (144 sq km) is the major watershed supplying drinking
water to the capital city of Kathmandu. Lying in the transition zone
between the subtropical and temperate climatic zones, its diverse
vegetation is composed of pine, oak, rhododendron and others. The park
is rich in wild mushrooms (129 species). The wildlife found in the
national park includes Himalayan black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and
rhesus monkeys. The park is home to over 177 species of birds including
9 threatened species, over 100
species of butterflies including rare and
threatened.
The park has several rain-red rivers
that are the major source of drinking water for the capital city. The
park produces 227 million liters water per day of which 30 million
liters per day are collected for consumption.
Towering over
the Kathmandu valley, the Shivapuri National Park is a fog-free
zone.During winter while Kathmandu and the other towns and settlements
of the valley are still dark under the thick cold fog, the park get
sparkling sunlight. It receives regular westerly winds blowing from the
Trishuli river valley.
Situated only 12 km to the
north of Kathmandu, the park is the main entrance of the trekking
routes to Gosainkunda, Helambu, Kagarkot and the Langtang National
Park. The major routes include Pani Muhan to Shivapuri peak (2,732
meter above mean sea level), Nagi gumba to the peak, Nagi gumba to
Baghdwar, Sundarijal to Chisapani. The breathtaking views of the high
Himalayan peaks can be seen from the top of the Shivapuri
Mountain.
The park is a spiritually significant for
the popular shrines and meditation centers in the natural surroundings.
The park consists of several religious and cultural heritage sites for
the Hindus as well as Buddhists. They include the peaks of Shivapuri,
Manichur, Tarkeswor and the source of the Bagmati and Bishnumati
rivers. The other famous shrines that are worth visiting are
Budhanilkantha, Sundarimai and the Nagi monastery attract thousands of
pilgrims during festive seasons.
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