Gangtok: In a world where forests are dwindling and glaciers are melting, Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim stands out as a beacon of conservation success. The park has been rated “Good” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) latest World Heritage Outlook report, making it India’s only natural heritage site to receive this distinction. This recognition is a testament to the park’s unique blend of natural and cultural values, which have been preserved through community-based management and sustainable practices.
National Park is a haven of biodiversity, home to 280 glaciers, over 70 glacial lakes, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan tahrs. The park’s landscape is dotted with ancient monasteries, such as Tholung, which preserve spiritual traditions that coexist with modern conservation practices. The park’s expanded biosphere reserve model, introduced in 2018, connects protected areas with buffer zones that enable sustainable livelihoods for local villagers, showing how human communities and nature can thrive together.
The park’s success can be attributed to its community-based management approach, which involves close collaboration between forest rangers and local residents. This approach has helped to limit destructive human activity and promote sustainable tourism practices. Cross-border coordination with Nepal’s Kanchenjunga Conservation Area has also strengthened anti-poaching efforts, demonstrating the importance of regional cooperation in conservation.
