Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
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IUCN category II (national park)
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Entry gate of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park from Sundarijal
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Location map of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
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| Location | Nepal |
| Nearest city | Kathmandu |
| Coordinates | 27°47′42″N 85°23′24″E / 27.795°N 85.39°ECoordinates: 27°47′42″N 85°23′24″E / 27.795°N 85.39°E |
| Area | 159 km2 (61 sq mi) |
| Established | 2002 |
| Governing body | Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation |
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is the ninth national park in Nepal and was established in 2002. It is located in the country's mid-hills on the northern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley and named after Shivapuri Peak of 2,732 m (8,963 ft) altitude. It covers an area of 159 km2 (61 sq mi) in the districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk, adjoining 23 Village Development Committees. In the west, the protected area extends to the Dhading District.
The area has always been an important water catchment area, supplying the Kathmandu Valley with several hundred thousands cubic liter of water daily. In 1976, the area was established as a protected watershed and wildlife reserve. In 2002, it was gazetted as Shivapuri National Park, initially covering 144 km2 (56 sq mi). It was extended by the Nagarjun Forest Reserve covering 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi) in 2009.
The park includes some historical and religious sites, and a popular hiking route for local people and tourists.
Shivpuri is described in the Skanda Purana's Nepalmahatmya as "auspicious place of Lord Shiva, filled with Shivalingams"
The park is located in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climate. The annual precipitation of about 1,400 mm (55 in) falls mostly from May to September, with 80% during monsoon. Temperatures vary from 2–17 °C (36–63 °F) during the winter season, rising to 19–30 °C (66–86 °F) during the summer season.
The typical vegetation of the park is middle hill forest from 1,000 to 1,800 m (3,300 to 5,900 ft) of altitude, consisting of:
On higher elevation a variety of medicinal herbs prosper.Botanists have recorded 129 species of mushrooms and 2,122 floral species, out of which 449 are vascular and 16 are endemic plants.
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Wikipedia