Khangchendzonga National Park Rated “Good” by IUCN

Context: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has rated Khangchendzonga National Park as “Good” in its 2025 global review of natural World Heritage Sites — making it India’s only site with a positive conservation status.

About Khangchendzonga National Park Rated “Good” by IUCN:

• What it is?
  • A global IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2025 assessment that evaluates the conservation effectiveness of all natural World Heritage Sites based on biodiversity health, management quality, and climate resilience.
• Initiative by IUCN:

• • Conducted under the World Heritage Outlook programme to track the condition of 252 natural sites globally.
  • Sites are ranked as “Good,” “Good with Some Concerns,” “Significant Concern,” or “Critical.”
  • Khangchendzonga National Park emerged as the only Indian site rated “Good,” indicating effective ecological management and cultural conservation.

About Khangchendzonga National Park:

What it is?

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site (2016) and India’s first “mixed” heritage site, recognized for both its natural beauty and cultural significance.

Location:

• Situated in North and West Sikkim, covering 1,784 sq km—nearly 40% of Sikkim’s total area—along the India–Nepal border.

History:

• Declared a National Park in 1977 and later incorporated into the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
• Named after Mount Khangchendzonga (8,586 m), the world’s third-highest peak and India’s highest.
• Inscribed as a UNESCO site in 2016 for its integration of Lepcha spiritual traditions and Himalayan biodiversity.

Geographical Features:

• Encompasses 280 glaciers and 70+ glacial lakes, including Zemu Glacier and Tso Lhamo Lake.
• Spans diverse biomes — from subtropical forests (1,300 m) to permanent snowfields (8,598 m).
• Habitats include Himalayan moist forests, alpine meadows, and temperate broadleaf forests.

Uniqueness:

• Houses rare species like snow leopard, red panda, clouded leopard, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, and over 550 bird species including Impeyan pheasant and Satyr tragopan.
• Represents a sacred landscape — the Lepcha’s Mayel Lyang and Tibetan beyul (hidden paradise).
• Known for its intact ecological gradients, pristine biodiversity, and fusion of spiritual ecology with scientific conservation.