United
Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) keeps the
record of most valuable and significant destinations around the world as UNESCO
world heritage sites. UNESCO has listed four Destinations of Nepal as UNESCO
world heritage site in Nepal. Two sites are listed in natural and two are
listed in cultural category. Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National
Parks are listed in natural category and Kathmandu valley including three
durbar squares (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan ) and Lumbini; birth place of
Gautam Buddha is listed in Cultural category. The list of UNESCO world heritage
sites present in Nepal are listed below with their brief description:-
1. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park was established in the year 1973 as
Royal Chitwan National Park in district Chitwan, Nepal. It was declared as
UNESCO world heritage site in the year 1984 in Natural category (viii), (ix),
and (x). Chitwan National Park is located at the subtropical inner Terai
Lowlands of South Central Nepal; 2 (360
sq. mi). This region ranges from the height of 100 m (330 ft.) in river valleys
to 815 m (2674 ft) in Churia Hills. The climate present at Chitwan National
Park is Tropical monsoon with high humidity almost all the year. This area is
neighbored by Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern side and Indian Tiger
reserve- Valmiki National park in the southern side covering an area of 932 km.
This region is a preeminent conservation region for different
species of wildlife and vegetation. More then 700 species of wildlife are
living here. This region is the main habitat for the rare and endangered
species of mammals such as Bengal tigers, one horned Rhinos, Leopard, Gaurs
etc. 17 other species of snakes rather than King Cobra and Starred tortoise and
monitor lizards can also be found here in this region. This region is also home
for one of the endangered snake i.e. Rock Python. The Narayani-Rapti river
system and other small lakes and other small tributaries present here is the
habitat for 113 recorded species of Fish, mugger crocodiles and wild Gharials.
Jungle safari on foot, jeep and elephant is one of the best ways
to explore the wildlife of Chitwan National Park.
2.
Lumbini
Lumbini; the birth place of Gautam Buddha was listed as UNESCO
world heritage site in the year 1997 of cultural category (iii), (vi). Lumbini
was discovered in the year 1896 with a great stone pillar believed to be
established by the king Ahoka (245 B.C). Buddha
took his first bath in the holy pond namely Puskarini which is present at
Lumbini. The meaning of Lumbini in historic language Sanskrit is ‘The lovely’.
Lumbini consists of a larger area which is meant to build different monasteries
rather than any restaurant, hotels or lodge.Gautam Buddha sacrificed the
facilities of his kingdom and the family joy to find out the real meaning of
life for gaining peace and left the royal palace at the age of 29. Buddha later
became the founder of Buddhism and finally he was able to discover the real
meaning of life which can be found in some religious Buddhist books.
In present days, lots of people following Buddhism come to
Lumbini on yearly basis for pilgrimage. Lumbini is approximately 10 hrs
drive from Kathmandu; the capital and 45 minutes drive from Bhairahawa. The
closest airport; Gautam Buddha airport at bhairahawa is the one and only means
of air transportation present here.
3.
Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National park was reserved in the list of UNESCO
world heritage site in the year 1979 in natural category vii. This national
park is situated in the eastern part of Nepal covering the area of 1.148 km2
(443 sq. mi) containing the southern half of Mt. Everest. Sagarmatha National park ranges from 2,845 m (9,334 ft) at Jorsalle to 8848m (29,029 ft) at the top of the world i.e. summit of Mt. Everest. The upper areas are mostly filled with snow so it is almost impossible to find any vegetation at the upper part but some species of flora found at lower altitudes here are rhododendron, fir, birch, juniper, pine, hemlock, bamboo etc. There are approximately 118 species of birds found in this region of which Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Red Billed Chough and Yellow Billed Chough are some names of birds. Rare species of mammals also are found in this region such as Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear and Red Panda. The other species found in this area are Himalayan Thars, Langur monkeys, Martens and Himalayan Wolves.The tourism in this region is basically centered at Namche Bazaar.
4
Kathmandu Valley
UNESCO provided the status of world heritage site to Kathmandu
valley in the year 1979 in cultural category (iii), (iv) and (vi). The valley surrounded by hills on its four sides consists of three districts i.e. Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal) covers the area of 220 sq mi (Almost the area of Singapore). Bagmati is the main river flowing in this valley. The main habitat of this valley is newars and this valley was developed by the ancient Malla, Lichhavi and Shah Kings. The valley consists of great significance in history and culture. The valley was previously called the as the city of temples because temples were found more then the number of houses. This valley is amongst the most developed and the most populated valley around the country. This valley consists of 130 important monuments of which 7 are declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO. The most unique factor is that these all monuments lie within the distance of 20 km.; this kind of uniqueness is found nowhere else on earth. This valley consists of different monuments and pilgrimage sites for both hindu and Buddhists. The seven world heritage sites includes of different Hindu and Buddhist monuments which are listed below:
i. Pashupatinath (religious hindu temple)
ii. Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa)
iii. Swayambhunath Stupa (centre of religion for both hindu and Buddhists)
iv. Hanuman dhoka durbar square (ancient palace at Kathmandu city)
v. Patan durbar square (ancient palace present at the heart of Lalitpur district)
vi. Bhaktapur durbar square (ancent artistic palace at Bhaktapur district)
vii. Changunarayan (religious hindu temple of lord Bishnu)
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