Chhayanath National Park: Nepal’s Youngest National Park in Mugu

Chhayanath National Park: Nepal’s Youngest National Park in Mugu

Nepal officially welcomed its 13th national park in 2025. Chhayanath National Park, established in Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality, Mugu district. Previously, there were 12 national parks in the country. This marks the second national park in Mugu, nearly 50 years after the creation of Rara National Park in 2032 BS.

Why was Chhayanath National Park established?

The federal government, following a proposal from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, decided to create Chhayanath National Park to:

• Improve service delivery for the indigenous communities in northern Mugu.
• Strengthen wildlife conservation and anti-poaching measures.
• Reduce the hardship locals previously faced in accessing park facilities, which required a seven-day trek to Dolpa.

According to Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, the new park addresses the convenience of the Mugum Karmarong communities and ensures better management of natural resources.

Location and Size

Chhayanath National Park has been established by separating 843.36 square kilometers of land from Shey-Phoksundo National Park, incorporating Wards No. 1, 3, and 4 of Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality. As a result, this reorganization reduces Shey-Phoksundo’s area from 3,555 square kilometers to 2,711.61 square kilometers, while Chhayanath has a buffer area of 177.37 square kilometers. Despite this change, Shey-Phoksundo remains Nepal’s largest national park, with a buffer area of 1,170.1 square kilometers.

Furthermore, the new park borders Shey-Phoksundo in Dolpa and occupies 906 square kilometers of land from the Dolphu area, making it Nepal’s youngest national park.

Benefits to Local Communities

Before the creation of Chhayanath National Park, locals had to travel seven to eight days on foot to access services from Shey-Phoksundo National Park. Now, park facilities are closer, saving time and effort while promoting community involvement in park management.

Residents and officials have welcomed the change:

• Torjeng Lama, a local from Mugum Karmarong-2, expressed relief that park services are now accessible nearby.
• Chairman Tshiring Kapne Lama noted that the rural municipality had requested the federal government nine years ago to establish a national park in Mugu for both community convenience and wildlife protection.

Conservation and Management Goals

According to Narendra Aryal, Forest Conservation Officer of Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Chhayanath National Park will:

• Facilitate wildlife conservation and protection.
• Enhance anti-poaching efforts in the region.
• Improve management and service delivery for locals.

Therefore, the creation of the park reflects a careful balance between conservation needs and the well-being of local communities.  It ensures that the park’s presence supports sustainable development.

Conclusion

The establishment of Chhayanath National Park is a significant step for Nepal’s conservation efforts. Not only does it expand the network of protected areas, but it also brings vital services closer to indigenous communities. Moreover, it strengthens the country’s fight against poaching. As Nepal’s youngest national park, Chhayanath represents a model of community-centered conservation, setting the stage for sustainable wildlife and environmental management in the region.