Introduction – Wangchuck Centennial National Park

Wangchuck Centennial National Park (WCNP) was formally gazetted as a National Park under Bhutan’s protected area system on June 10, 2008. It is the largest National Park amongst 10 Protected Areas in the kingdom of Bhutan with an area of 4914km². WCNP is declared as a tribute by the Government and people of Bhutan to the Wangchuck Dynasty for selflessly leading Bhutan for 100 years ensuring her sovereignty, stability and tranquility. The park is the most important high water towers feeding four major rivers of Bhutan, namely Punatsangchhu(Sunkosh),Mangdechhu, Chamkharchhu and Kuri chhu (tributaries of Manas) covering large extent of critical watershed of the country. Permanent snow covered mountains such as Gangkar Puensum, Rinchen Zoegila and Jazayla are located in the park. In the winter, almost 85% of the park remains under snowcoverforabout four months.

Location:

It is located in the central north part of the country. To the east, it is adjacent to Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, and to the west it is adjacent to the Jigme Dorji National Park. In the south it is bordered by continuous biological corridor. Thus, WCNP forms up the integral part of a protected area complex in the country and in the region transcending the boundaries of five political Dzongkhags and nine Gewogs. It encompasses Gasa, Wangdue Phodrang, Bumthang, Trongsa and Lhuntse Dzongkhags. The following Gewogs fall under the park:

Lunana under Gasa, Chhokhor and Tang under Bumthang, Sephu, Dangchhu and Kazhiin Wangdiphodrang, Kurtoe, and Gangzurin Lhuntse and Nubi in Trongsa.

Park’s Mission and Goals:

Thepark’smain missionand goal is toconserve natural biodiversity in harmony with people’s values and aspirations. Following main goals as listed hereunderit:

1. To conserve, protect and maintain the viability of species community, ecosystems, species in a way that will allow natural process of succession and evolution to continue withminimal human interference.
2. Protect cultural, historical and religious sites.
3. Contribute to the socio-economic development of the park residents and local people in the Park premises through sustainable use of the park resources and wise management.

Management Objectives:

WCNP hasfollowing management objectives:

1. To establish infrastructure and place adequate human resources in thePark.
2. To identify, prioritize and mitigate immediate threats to wildlife and their habitats.
3. Facilitate the control of orreversal of negative land uses in the park.
4. Build up scientific database on both society and biodiversity so that informed decisions can be made.
5. Protectreligious, cultural and historical sites of natural, regional or local importance.
6. Enhance socio-economic development of the park residents through participatory programs suchas community based eco-tourism and other ICDP packages.

Contact Info:

• 03634101 (CFO)
• 03634100(PABX)
• 03624103(FAX)