Biodiversity in the Khumbu

The Khumbu region includes the highest point on the Earth’s Surface, Mount Sagarmatha (Everest; 8,848 m) and Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) at an elevation of 6,000 m covering almost 124,400 hectares in the Solu-Khumbu district of Nepal. An exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers, deep valleys and seven peaks other than Mount Everest the park is home to several rare species such as the snow leopard and the red panda. A well-known destination for mountain tourism with over 2,500 Sherpa people living within the park has combined nature and culture . The region hosts over 20 villages with over 6000 Sherpas who have inhabited the region for the last four centuries Continuing their traditional practice of cultural and religion bon practices including the restriction of animal hunting and slaughtering, and reverence of all living beings. These practices combined with indigenous natural resource management practices, have been major contributing factors to the successful conservation of the SNP