Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located mostly in Trashigang District and just crossing the border into Samdrup Jongkhar District, Bhutan.[2] It is one of the country's protected areas. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.
Sakteng | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1] | |
Location | Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan |
Area | 750 km2 (290 sq mi) |
Flora and fauna
The sanctuary represents the easternmost temperate ecosystems and landscapes of Bhutan,[2] and is part of the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests ecoregion. It protects several endemic species including the eastern blue pine and the black-rumped magpie.[2]
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary was created in part to protect the migoi, a yeti-like cryptid whose existence has not been scientifically confirmed, but in which the local population strongly believes.[3][4] The migoi are believed to haunt the northern part of the area.[5][6]
Territorial Dispute
The area including Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary made news in June 2020 when the Chinese government claimed it was a territory disputed between China and Bhutan. Bhutan rejected the assertion, and denied that China had ever laid claim to the area in the past.[7] In July 2020, BRO was tasked with building new strategic roads to connect eastern Bhutan to westen Tawang area such as Lumla-Trashigang road through Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.[8]
See also
References
- "Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary". World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- Chandra Bisht, Ramesh (2008). International Encyclopaedia Of Himalayas. Mittal Publications. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-8324-265-3.
- Jordans, Bart (2008). Bhutan: A Trekker's Guide. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 307. ISBN 978-1-85284-553-7.
- "Older Bhutanese Remember Abominable Snowman". Associated Press. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2010.
- Johnsingh, A. J. T. (2006). Field days: a naturalist's journey through South and Southeast Asia. Universities Press. p. 283. ISBN 978-81-7371-552-5.
- "Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary". Himalaya 2000 online. Bhutan Travel Guide. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- Joshua, Anita. "Beijing now bullies Bhutan". The Telegraph India. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- India proposes to build road in Bhutan’s ‘Yeti territory’ which China claimed recently, Economic Times, Jul 15, 2020.