Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park is home for many endangered rare flora and fauna of the country and is the third largest Protected Area in the Country. Centrally located and encompassing a wide altitudinal variation & vegetation, it is habitat for the Wild langur, Himalayan bear, and a variety of deer. The park also protects a large area of virtually untouched ecosystem ranging from mixed conifer to broadleaf forest.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park borders Royal Manas National Park in the south and it is connected to JigmeDorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial National Park to the north and Phrumsengla National Park to the north east by biological corridors, thus forming a contagious belt between tropical south and alpine north. Administratively, JSWNP covers 5 districts partially.

JSWNP best represents the middle Himalayan ecosystem & contains several ecological biomes ranging from sub-tropical to alpine meadow. The biologically diverse park has recorded the presence of 39 mammals, 270 birds, 139 species of butterflies, 16 fishes, and we are yet to establish the baseline for herpeto fauna, fungal diversity and diversity of orchids and herbal plants.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park

Amongst the mammals, the species includes some of the Asia’s most charismatic species including the Royal Bengal tiger, golden langur, musk deer, clouded leopard, golden cat, marbled cat, red panda, gaur etc. Birds of conservation significance include Rufous-necked Hornbill, Satyr tragopan and Himalayan Monal. JSWNP also harbours 50% of the population of ‘Critically Endangered’ White-bellied Heron.

The mission of the park is to “Conserve and manage its Natural Biodiversity in harmony with People’s Values and Aspirations.” Like all other protected areas, JSWNP also has a fair set of challenges that makes balancing ecological conservation extremely difficult. Habitat fragmentation, human wildlife conflicts, unsustainable forest resource use, development activities (construction of farm roads, hydropower plant and transmission lines), poaching are some of its pressing challenges park faces.