Phrumsengla National Park was gazetted in 1993 to conserve the biodiversity of the central region. In the year 2000 an independent management was established and became fully operational with the first ever management plan. Erstwhile known as Thrumshingla National Park, the park was renamed as Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) in 2014. PNP covers a total area of 906.654 km2 with huge expanses of some of the last remaining stands of cool temperate broadleaved forests and old fir growth. PNP provides forestry services to six gewogs of Bumthang, Lhuentse and Mongar dzongkhags through three Range Offices and three Beat Offices. State Reserved Forest Land adjoining the park are brought under Local Forest Management Areas, Community Forests and NWFP groups for scientific management.
Vision: A viable and thriving national park where people and biodiversity of Central and Eastern Bhutan co-exists.
Mission: To ensure socio-ecological benefits through landscape conservation for the species persistence in the east-central region of Bhutan.
Goal:
- Conserve and protect wild floral diversity with special emphasis on old growth fir forests and cool temperate broadleaf forests.
- Conserve and protect wild faunal diversity with special emphasis on priority species such as red panda, tiger, and musk deer.
- Promote ecotourism with special emphasis on the richness of bird diversity.
- Enhance species resilience and adaptations to changing climate and land use.
- Ensure efficient forestry services delivery to the park residents and adjacent communities.
Location and Topography
Phrumsengla National Park falls within the administrative boundaries of four Dzongkhags viz. Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang. The elevation ranges from 850 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) in the south to more than 4500 m.a.s.l. in the north. The vegetation ranges from subtropical broadleaf forest to alpine meadows.
People
There are more than 1000 households and estimated population of more than 6000 people living in and around the park. Two villages, Sengor village of Saleng Geog and Bim-Tharpaling village of Chumey Geog under Mongar and Bumthang Dzongkhag respectively are enclaved inside the park. They are primarily agropastoral and vastly depend on forest resources from the park. There are four ethnic groups of people (Sharchops, Bumthaps, Khengpas and Kurtoeps) residing within and adjoining park areas with distinct cultures and dialects of their own.
Climate
With wide variation in elevation, Phrumsengla National Park experiences varied temperatures and climate patterns. In the northern regions, temperature ranges from -21 ֯C to 13 ֯C while the south-eastern parts of the park experiences from 8֯C to 28֯C. The annual average rainfall in the northern part is 700 mm and in the lower elevation receives up to 1500 mm. The interplay of weather, steep and rugged terrain creates the amazing biological wealth in Phrumsengla National Park.
Biodiversity
Phrumsengla National Park is a unique combination of all different vegetation zones of the country.
- Alpine zone: occurs above 4200m.
- Subalpine conifer zone: 3700 to 4200m.
- Temperate coniferous forest: 2500 to 3700m.
- Cool temperate broad-leaved forest: 2000 to 2500m.
- Warm temperate broad-leaved forest: 1000 to 2000m.
- Subtropical zone: 150 to 1000m.
The park is a significant repository of floral and faunal diversity. More than 1000 species of plants occur in the park comprising 154 medicinal plants. The park is fundamentally significant for conservation of the large tracts of old East Himalayan Silver Fir Forest and extensive cover of cool broadleaved forests in the central region of the country.
Phrumsengla National Park is home to 69 species of mammals including the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris). The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) are frequently sighted along the national highway. Other mammal species such as Himalayan Black Bear, Common Leopard, Clouded leopard, Musk Deer, and Golden cats can also be sighted inside the park.
Attributed by wide range elevation and diverse vegetation cover, the park offers one of the best bird watching destinations in Asia. Of the 378 avian species recorded in PNP, three are vulnerable, six near-threatened and eight are restricted range species. Significant avifauna species of conservation interest in Phrumsengla National Park are Chestnut-breasted partridge (Arborophila mandellii), Rufous-necked hornbill (Aceros nipalensis) and Beautiful nuthatch (Sitta formosa) listed vulnerable under IUCN list. PNP also records herpetofauna, fish and butterfly species. There are 3 species of amphibians, 8 species of reptiles, 3 species of lizards, 10 species of fish and 165 species of butterflies.
Tourism and Recreation
The beautiful landscapes and high wildlife sighting potentials in Phrumsengla National Park can in future attract a high number of tourists. The national highway passing through the park offers easy access to most of the park’s ecological zones.
- Visitor Center
For complete information on Phrumsengla National Park, one can visit the Visitor Information Center at Park Headquarter, Ura. It is designed to provide education and information to all at a glance. The VIC houses herbariums, samples of timber species, seed display, posters, wildlife trophies, conservation theme based games for kids, the specimen of National Butterfly etc,.
- Beautiful Landscape
Phrumsengla National Park offers some of the country’s fascinating landscapes. Thrumshingla Pass on the highway overlooks Bhutan’s highest Peak Gangkar Phuensum on a clear day. The mountains of Bribdungla are well known for hundred alpine lakes and alpine meadows, and can be best visited from March to May and September to December.
- The Waterfalls
The rocky cliffs and wild waterfalls form unique features of Phrumsengla’s pristine landscapes. It is within these landforms the gift of humanity is conserved. Amongst many, Namling waterfall is one that many will remember the best. The cliffs and waterfalls at Yumchey in Jarry, Lhuentse and on the Kheng-Shingkhar route are some of the other fascinating falls in the park.
- Wildlife watching
Driving through highways and trekking inside the national park can be an unforgettable venture for nature lovers. From little Pica to large Himalayan Black bear, and bold leopard to shy Red panda roams in the wild. If one is lucky enough, one can sight the shy Red panda, Musk deer, Himalayan serow, Red fox, Sambar deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild pig, Malayan giant squirrel, Yellow throated marten, capped langur, Barking deer, Assamese macaque etc,.
- Trekking in PNP
Trekking is another promising scope the park offers. The trekking routes take you through the sites of historical and cultural significance, breathtaking high mountains, different vegetation zones and wildlife habitat. The part of (48 Km) Trans-Bhutan Trail (TBT) passes through the park starting from Lirichhu to Lingmithang. The best season to trek in PNP is April to June and September to November.
- Bribdungal Trek: 5 days moderately tough (alpine lakes, scenic alpine landscape)
- Rodungla Trek: 4 days moderately tough (ancient route between Bumthang and Lhuentse)
- Singmala Treak: 4 Days moderately tough (ancient route between Shingkhar, Bumthang and Zhongmey, Lhuentse)
- Ura – Gayzamchhu: 1 day moderate (TBT passing through Wangthangla)
- Thrumshingla – Sengor: 4 hrs. light (TBT)
- Sengor – Latongla: 5 hrs. moderate trek (TBT)
- Latongla – Lingmithang: 1 day light trek (TBT)
- Khandupang – Kheng Shingkhar: 4 days tiring (ancient route between Ura and Kheng Shingkhar)
- Bird watching
The park is a birders paradise, Phrumsengla National Park is home to many beautiful birds of different status. The park has recorded 378 bird species till date. The national highway is a commonly used trek for birding where we have areas for sighting; Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Kalij Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Rufous-throated Partridge, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Great Hornbill. Ward’s Tragon, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Beautiful nuthatch, Hodgson Frogmouth, Tawny Fish Owl etc. The best birding season is from October to May.
- In-situ Rhododendron Garden
If one is driving through the National Highway, we encourage one to take a 45 minutes’ walk through our In-situ Rhododendron Garden at Thrumshingla top. It is a short steep trail of 1.2 kilometers descending through lush subalpine forest. One can enjoy the facilities of basic amenities such as resting canopies, wooden bridges, and photo spots. Beneath the silver fir one can enjoy a variety of rhododendrons from March to June.
- Hot stone Bath
If one stops at Ura, one can camp at Lirichu camping site and go for hot-stone bathing at Drakchu. It is popularly known as Drupchu and believed to hold curative, recuperative and healing properties and is managed by the local community.
- Mushroom hunting
Ura valley is known for highly valuable fungi, the Matsutake locally known as Sangay Shamu. The Ura Mushroom Conservation and Marketing Group (UMCMG) is currently managing the mushroom growing areas and as part of their activity offers exciting opportunities to experience mushroom foraging for tourists from July and August.
- Local Festivals
The communities have a unique culture that has been passed down, each individual village has their own festival and dances. The communities in and around the park hold sacred Lhakhangs and traditional festivals. Some of the popular festivals are Ura Yakchu (11th to 15th of third Bhutanese month) and Shingkhar Rabney (6th to 10th of the tenth Bhutanese month). Matsutake mushroom festival in Ura is a fascinating event held every year on the 23rd and 24th of August. Tangsibi Mani (15th of 1st Bhutanese month), Khenyel Rabney at Metsho (14th of 10th Bhutanese month), Ladron Rabney in Jarrey (14th of 5th Bhutanese month), Saleng and Tshamang Lhasoel (8th day of 5th and 6th day of 7th Bhutanese month) are some other festivals held in the communities around the park.
- Accommodation service
Hotels are available at Ura, Sengor and Yongkola. Home-stays are available at Ura, Somthrang, Tangsibi and Shingkhar villages. Home-stays offer one with the best chance to experience traditional village life and know the true culture of the community. Your friendly host will offer you all the available local cuisines and beverages. Camping sites or areas are available along the National Highway and along the trekking routes. However, one should carry our own camping equipment. The best time to camp inside Phrumsengla National Park is from the month of March to May.
How to get to PNP?
Phrumsengla National Park is connected by the Northern east-west national highway. One can drive a car from Thimphu or catch any of the bus services to the east and drop at Ura or Chamkhar. There are no direct bus services to Ura. The park head office located at Ura, Bumthang is a 1.5-hour drive from Chamkhar town.
Our contacts:
- Phrumsengla National Park
- Department of Forests and Park Services
- Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
- Ura: Bumthang
- Mobile: +975 77192125/ 77192123
