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Nepal UNSCO World Heritage Sites

Nepal boasts an impressive array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect its historical, religious, and natural significance. These sites offer a captivating glimpse into the country's rich cultural legacy, spiritual heritage, and natural splendor, attracting thousands of visitors each year and providing an unforgettable experience of Nepal's diverse and timeless wonders. The sites are categorized into two groups: cultural and natural.

Cultural Heritage Sites

(Kathmandu Valley)

The Kathmandu Valley, a cultural treasure trove, encompasses seven groups of monuments and buildings, showcasing the rich artistic and architectural traditions of the Newar community. These include:

· Kathmandu Durbar Square: A historic square featuring palaces, courtyards, and temples, it was the royal palace of the Malla kings and later the Shah dynasty.

· Patan Durbar Square: Renowned for its stunning display of Newari architecture, it houses the ancient royal palace and numerous temples.

· Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Famous for its preserved medieval architecture, it includes the 55-Window Palace, Vatsala Temple, and Nyatapola Temple.

· Swayambhunath Stupa: Also known as the Monkey Temple, this ancient religious complex offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.

· Boudhanath Stupa: One of the largest stupas in the world, it is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

· Pashupatinath Temple: A sacred Hindu temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River.

· Changu Narayan Temple: The oldest Hindu temple in the valley, known for its intricate carvings and sculptures.

(Lumbini)

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a pilgrimage site of immense religious significance. The site includes the Maya Devi Temple, which marks the exact spot of Buddha’s birth, as well as various monasteries, the sacred Bodhi tree, and an ancient bathing pond.

Natural Heritage Sites:

01. Chitwan National Park

Located in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands, Chitwan National Park is Nepal’s first national park. It is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and various bird species. The park's lush landscapes feature dense forests, grasslands, and wetlands

02. Sagarmatha National Park

Home to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, Sagarmatha National Park is a dramatic landscape of rugged terrain, deep gorges, and glaciers. The park is inhabited by the Sherpa community and features unique wildlife such as the snow leopard and red panda. The park's spiritual and cultural significance is underscored by the presence of Tengboche Monastery.

Protected Areas of Nepal

Highlights:

• Nepal- 0.1 per cent of the global area

• 12 of the 867 global terrestrial ecoregions

• 118 ecosystem

• 35 forest types

Overview:

Protected areas in Nepal refer to the designated natural habitats that are legally protected and managed to conserve the natural environment and its biodiversity. These areas include national parks, wildlife reserves, conservation areas, hunting reserves and buffer zones.

Nepal hosts numerous national parks and protected areas that serve as crucial habitats for various rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, contributing significantly to the country's ecological and biological diversity. Out of the 118 ecosystems identified in Nepal, 80 are located within these protected areas.

At present, the protected areas in Nepal include 12 National Parks, 6 Conservation Areas, 1 Wildlife Reserve, 1 Hunting Reserve, and 13 Buffer Zones extending from lowland Terai to high mountains, covering 23.39 % of the country's total landmass.

Two of Nepal's national parks, Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park, are UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognized for their extraordinary ecological significance. Nepal is also part of a global biodiversity hotspot and ranks 49th worldwide for biodiversity.

Each protected area in Nepal contributes significantly to Nepal's conservation efforts, collectively demonstrating the nation's commitment to preserving its natural treasures for future generations and eventually aiding global climate change initiatives.

The list below provides an overview and summary of the protected areas, respectively.

National Parks

S.N.	National Park	Areas ( Sq. KM)	Buffer Zone (Sq. KM)	Districts covered	Established
1	Chitwan	952.63	750	Parsa, Chitwan, Makawanpur	1973
2	Sagarmatha	1148	275	Solukhumbu	1976
3	Khaptad	225	216	Bajhang, Bajura, Achham	1984
4	Langtang	1710	420	Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Nuwakot	1976
5	Makalu Barun	1500	830	Solukhumbu, Sangkhuwasabha	1992
6	Shey-Phoksundo	3555	1349	Dolpa, Mugu	1984
7	Shivapuri Nagarjun	159	159	Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu, Dhading	2002
8	Banke	550	343	Banke, Salyan, Dang	2010
9	Rara	106	-	Mugu, Jumla	1976
10	Bardiya	968	-	Bardiya, Kailali	1988
11	Shukla Phata	305	243.5	Kanchanpur	1976
12	Parsa	627.39	285.3	Makawanpur, Parsa, Bara	1984

Conservation Area

S.N.	National Park	Areas ( Sq. KM)	Buffer Zone (Sq. KM)	Districts covered	Established
1	Annapurna	7629	1985	Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, Lamjung	Annapurna
2	Gaurishankar	2179	2010	Ramechhap, Dolkha, Sindhupalchowk	Gaurishankar
3	Krishnashar	16.95	2009	Bardiya	Blackbuck
4	Manaslu	1663	1998	Gorkha	Manaslu
5	Api Nampa	1903	2010	Baitadi, Darchula	Api Nampa
6	Kanchenjunga	2035	1997	Taplejung	Kanchenjunga

Wildlife Reserve

S.N.

Wildlife Reserve

Areas

( Sq. KM)

Buffer Zone

(Sq. KM)

Districts covered

Established

Koshi Tappu

176

1987

Sunsari, Saptari, Udayapur

Koshi Tappu

Hunting Reserve

S.N.

Hunting Reserve

Areas

( Sq. KM)

Buffer Zone

(Sq. KM)

Districts covered

Established

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

1325

1987

East Rukum, Myagdi, Baglung

Nepal Visa Requirement(2024)

01. Tourist Visa

Application Process:

Arrival Card: Fill out upon arrival.

Application Form: Complete online via Nepal Immigration or at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Visa Fee: Payable at the airport. Fees are $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, and $125 for 90 days.

Documents: Valid passport (six months' validity, two blank pages), passport-size photo, proof of accommodation, return travel ticket, and proof of sufficient funds.

Visa on Arrival: Available for most nationalities except for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Palestine, who must apply at a Nepalese embassy or consulate.

Visa Extension: Extendable up to 150 days in a calendar year (January to December) at $3 per day, with a $5 per day late fee.

02. Business Visa

Requirements: