Photo: Birendra Singh Bhat · CC BY-SA 4.0National Parks / Shivapuri Nagarjun
Est. 2002 · Above the Kathmandu Valley
The forested green wall on the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley — a vital watershed, leopard habitat, and the capital's nearest escape into the wild.
Rising directly above the Kathmandu Valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun is the green wall that watches over Nepal's capital — a forested mid-hill park within sight of the city of a million people.
Established in 2002 as Nepal's ninth national park, it covers 159 km² across the Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok districts, on the northern fringe of the valley. It is named after Shivapuri Peak (2,732 m), and adjoins 23 Village Development Committees, extending west toward Dhading.
The park is a vital water source for the Kathmandu Valley and a beloved escape into nature for the city's residents.
Photo: Birendra Singh Bhat · CC BY-SA 4.0The Landscape
The park's subtropical and temperate forests cloak steep hills rising from around 1,000 m to the 2,732 m summit of Shivapuri. Pine, oak, rhododendron and a rich understorey shelter the headwaters of streams that feed the valley's rivers. Its proximity to Kathmandu makes it one of Nepal's most accessible protected areas.
Wildlife
Despite bordering a major city, the park supports surprising biodiversity.
Photo: Jenis Patel · CC BY-SA 4.0The park's top predator, ranging the forested ridges above the valley.
Photo: Ganesh Mohan T · CC BY-SA 4.0Present alongside jungle cat, wild boar and barking deer.
Photo: Pratap Gurung · CC BY-SA 4.0A rich bird community and abundant butterflies draw naturalists from the city.
Visiting
The most accessible national park in Nepal — a day-trip from the capital.
Popular trails to Shivapuri Peak, Nagi Gompa and Bagdwar from the valley rim.
The Nagarjun side offers forest trails and a hilltop viewpoint (Jamacho).
Bagdwar, the source of the Bagmati, and monasteries within the forest.
Reference
Thirteen parks, one extraordinary country.