User:Kustudent/Rara National Park

Rara National Park is a Nepalese protected area located in high mountains about 370 kilometers northwest of the capital city, Kathmandu. Established in 1976, Rara National Park is Nepal's smallest national park, with an area of only about 106 square kilometers. The park was established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Humla-Jumla Region of Nepal. Most of the park lies in the Mugu District, with a small area in the Jumla District of the Karnali Zone. Rara is under the management of the Nepalese Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), and the park is protected with the assistance of the military.

Description
The main feature of Rara National Park is an alpine fresh water lake located on a plateau at an elevation of 2990 meters, Rara Lake (Mahendra Tal). Though the park itself is the country’s smallest protected area, Rara Lake is the largest lake in Nepal, at 10.8 square kilometers, with a maximum depth of 167 meters. It is oval shaped, with its axis situated in an East-West orientation. At its longest and widest points, the lake is 5 kilometers by 3 kilometers, and it drains to the Mugu-Kamali River via Nijar Khola.

The park ranges in elevation from 2800 meters to 4039 meters, with its highest point being Chuchemara peak on the southern side of the lake. On the northern side, the peaks of Ruma Kand and Malika Kand overlook Rara Lake.

Flora and Fauna
Rara National Park is rich in flora and fauna. The park is a rare example of a natural wetland in the Himalayan region. The vegetation is generally sub-alpine and high-temperate, and is dependent on the altitude. Under 3200 meters, the vegetation consists of mainly Blue Pine (Pinus excelsa), Rhododendron (Rhododendron arboretum), West Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithina), Black Juniper (Juniperus wallichiana) and Himalayan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa). Above 3200 meteres, the vegetation changes to a coniferous forest consisting of a mixture of fir, spruce, and pine.

Around twenty species of mammals reside in the park including the Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferous), Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Yellow Throated Marten (Martes flavigula), Otter (Lutra lutra), Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), Common Langur (Presbytes entillus), Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta), and the Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens).

There have been 235 recorded species of birds, including 49 species of wetland birds, many of which are migratory. Coots (Fulica atra) are found at the lake often. During the winter, Great-crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Common Teal (Anas crecca), and Merganser (Mergus merganser) are common. Other birds seen often include the Snow cock (Tetraogallus himalayenis), Chukor Partridge (Alectoris chukor), Impeyan Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leuco elana) and Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus).

The lake contains several endemic species of Snow Trout (actually, "Snow Minnows") (Schizothorax macropthalamus, S.nepalensis, S.raraensis), and one species of endemic frog (Paa rarica).

Climate
The climate of Rara National park is pleasant during the summer, but becomes very cold during the winter, because of the altitude. The best times to visit the park are in September, October, April and May. During the winter, temperatures drop below freezing, and many high passes become blocked by snow. The summer is warm, but June to August is monsoon season, making the trek to Rara National Park difficult.

Tourism
Rara is not generally a tourist destination, as there are little to no accommodations within the park, no health post, and it is difficult to get to. Visitors must fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, and from there to Jumla or Kolti. From there, a three day trek will bring them to the park office. Alternatively, visitors can travel from Nepalgunj to Kurkhet, where it is a ten-day trek to the park. The lake has not received over 200 tourists in any year. Experienced trekkers can visit the national park via any of these routes, and Rara National Park for many interested in seeing various flora, fauna, and scenery unique to the area.

In his article "Top 10 Coolest Treks in the Nepalese Himalaya," GORP author Ethan Gelber describes a Rara trek as such:

"The largest lake in Nepal and also a vital habitat area for water birds, Rara Lake is at the heart of Rara National Park, established to preserve this life-giving watershed, as well as the nearby snow-capped peaks and high altitude pine, spruce and juniper woodlands. Although more trampled than in the past, the road to Rara Lake is still without any of the comfortable services available along more popular trails. Logistically it is not an easy trek; it is hard to get to and from, and it is an organizational challenge, requiring informed guides and porters to tote the two weeks' worth of material that will keep you warm, dry and fed. It is also tough on the bones, involving several 11,000-foot passes. However, once you overcome the obstacles, the rewards are legion: few if any other trekkers, incomparable natural splendor, "untouched" villages, blissful quiet…"

And GORP founder described Rara Lake as:

"a shimmering blue jewel set in a ring of snowy peaks."

There are no settlements within the boundaries of Rara National Park, as the two villages once inside the area, Rara and Chhapru, were resettled in the Banke District when the protected area was established. Agriculture is the basis for the local economy in the surrounding areas, which has led to pollution inside the park. Sediment from the surrounding hills as well as sewage and solid waste threaten the park.