The Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, officially designated as the “Qomolangma National Nature Preserve,” encompasses the surrounding area of Mount Everest, including the counties of Tingri, Dinggyê, Gyirong, and Nyalam. Established in 1988 and approved by the State Council as a national nature reserve in 1994, it stands as the world’s highest nature preserve, with its primary focus on protecting the alpine and plateau ecosystems. The core areas of the reserve are located in Tashizom Township and Qudang Township in Tingri County.

Boundaries and Expanse

The reserve stretches from the international border in the south to the Yarlung Tsangpo River (within Gyirong County) and the southern watershed divide (within Tingri County) in the north. It extends from the Nadangqu and Haqu watershed divide to the east, encompassing tributaries of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and downstream of the Gyiblung River, and to the Amgaqu, Wombaqu, and Sangqu, Siyoudetangbu watershed divide in the west. Covering an area of 33,819 square kilometers, the reserve features a relative altitude reaching up to 7,408 meters.

In 2001, it became part of the Chinese Man and the Biosphere Program, and in 2004, it was recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. On October 8, 2004, the Tibet Autonomous Region erected a monument inscribed by Jiang Zemin in Gangkar Town, Tingri County, commemorating the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve. The monument, symbolizing global environmental concern in the 21st century, is 21 meters long and 8.848 meters high, representing the peak’s elevation and highlighting the tripartite structure of the Earth’s Third Pole.

Conservation and Ecosystems

The preserve is a comprehensive conservation area primarily aimed at safeguarding the rare alpine ecosystems, plateau natural landscapes, geographical relics of significant scientific value, and Tibetan historical and cultural heritage. The management strategies within the reserve address different types of ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, shrubs, grasslands, and deserts, with a focus on preserving the main forest, shrub, and grassland ecosystems.

The Mount Everest National Nature Reserve is characterized by the Himalayan range and the southern watershed divide, incorporating a variety of geomorphic types such as plateau basins, broad valleys, rivers, lakes, glaciers, periglacial, and aeolian landscapes. It houses the world’s tallest and youngest mountain range, the Himalayas, known for its distinctive geomorphology.

Today, the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve has established a comprehensive management system, showcasing a commitment to environmental conservation and ecological balance at the highest reaches of our planet.

The Majestic Peaks of the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve

The Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, renowned as the “Roof of the World,” hosts an unparalleled assembly of peaks that make it one of the most spectacular mountainous regions globally. Within its boundaries, five peaks soar above 8,000 meters, including Mount Everest (8,844.43 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Makalu (8,463 meters), Cho Oyu (8,201 meters), and Shishapangma (8,012 meters). Additionally, the reserve is home to 38 peaks over 7,000 meters and countless others between 5,000 and 6,000 meters, creating a forest of high peaks unlike any other.

Climate and Ecology

Predominantly situated on the northern slopes of Everest, the reserve experiences a cool, semi-arid continental plateau climate with altitudes ranging between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. Only in the southern areas of Zhangmu and Chentang, where the elevation drops below 2,000 meters, does the climate become more humid and warm. The average annual temperature is around 2.1°C, with extreme temperatures ranging from a high of 24.8°C to a low of -46.4°C. The region enjoys a frost-free period of 100 to 120 days and receives an average of 3323 hours of sunshine and 270.5 mm of precipitation annually, mostly between July and September.

Biodiversity

Preliminary surveys have identified five major valleys within the reserve: Chentang Valley, Gama Valley, Rongxar Valley, Zhangmu Valley, and Gyirong Valley. These valleys host a diverse array of ecosystems, rare and endangered species, new species, and endemics. Medicinal plants alone account for more than 160 species across 50 families. The reserve is a sanctuary for 53 species of mammals, 206 species of birds, 8 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, and 10 species of fish. Among them, 10 species are under national first-class protection, and 28 are under second-class protection.

Human and Cultural Presence

Approximately 90,000 people live within the Mount Everest National Nature Reserve, maintaining unique ethnic customs. In Tingri’s Guozha Village, an annual tradition involves selecting a fairy for the mountain god every fifth month of the Tibetan calendar. The Sherpa people, known for their distinctive attire and dance, reside in Dinggyê’s Chentang and Nyalam’s Zhangmu, adding to the cultural richness of the region.

Moreover, the reserve has yielded the world’s highest discoveries of three-toed horse fossils and alpine oak fossils. It is rich in archaeological sites, including dozens of monasteries, making it an ideal location for research in geology, meteorology, paleontology, ancient geography, anthropology, as well as for tourism and exploration.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Everest National Nature Reserve

1. Restricted Areas for Visitors

As of January 2019, both individuals and groups are prohibited from entering the core area above the Rongbuk Monastery in the Everest National Nature Reserve. Remember, if you’re planning to visit areas within the reserve, you’ll need to obtain a border pass—so plan accordingly!

2. Waste Management Protocols

Since its establishment in October 1988, the reserve has implemented specific guidelines for waste management: Local village environmental personnel are responsible for handling residential waste, while the area between 5,000 and 6,000 meters altitude is cleaned by the reserve’s staff. The areas above 6,000 meters are managed by the mountaineering association. Visitors are urged not to litter and are advised to either carry out their trash in bags or dispose of it in designated bins to help maintain the pristine nature of this unique ecosystem.

3. International and Local Cooperation

The Everest National Nature Reserve has fostered partnerships with various international and grassroots organizations to support its conservation efforts. One notable initiative is the “Pendeba” project, funded by the American Next Generation Foundation. “Pendeba,” meaning community welfare center in Tibetan, aims to provide healthcare services to the local agricultural and pastoral communities within the reserve and offer avenues for income generation. Furthermore, collaborations with the United Nations Development Programme, World Concern, and other entities have facilitated development projects in the Everest region, enhancing both conservation and community welfare.

4. A Recognized Attraction

In 2006, the Everest National Nature Reserve was designated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The reserve’s unique natural landscapes and rich ecological diversity continue to attract scientists, mountaineers, explorers, and tourists from around the globe, underscoring its significant value for protection, research, and sustainable development.

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