Kathmandu, May 13

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has expressed concern about the impact of tourism on the biodiversity of the Sagarmatha National Park.

An advisory mission led by UNESCO representative to Nepal, Christian Manhart, had recently visited the national park. After the field visit, the mission expressed concern about increased human disturbance in the area.

SNP is an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers, deep valleys and seven peaks and is home to several rare species such as the snow leopard and the red panda.

UNESCO focal person Dr Maheswor Dhakal said, “After the visit, the UNESCO representative expressed concern about disturbance caused by tourism in the national park area.

They want the park to be maintained as one of best in the world.” He said field monitoring, public discussions and stakeholder meetings were conducted in the SNP area during their visit.

The UNESCO team that visited the park included Dhakal, Manhart, Bruce Jefferies from International Union for Conservation of Nature and chief warden of SNP Ganesh Pant.