Wangchuck Centennial National Park, the largest protected area of 4914 Km2, born to mark 100 years of serene rule of the benevolent monarchs and as a tribute to the altruistic service of the kings under Wangchuck dynasty of Bhutan is a newly established protected area of the country, i.e. The park is considered one of the most imperative high water towers feeding four major rivers of Bhutan, namely Punatshangchu (Sunkosh), Mangduechu, Chamkarchu and Kurichu (tributaries of Manas). Permanent snow clad mountains such as Gangkar Puensum, Rinchen Zoegila and Jazayla are located in the park. Almost 85% of the park remains under snow cover for about four months during the winter. Summer monsoon rainfall extends from June to September. The longevity of these water towers and watersheds of this park will be vital for sustaining hydropower generation for the present and the future generation of the Bhutanese. The vegetation ranges from warm broadleaf forests to alpine meadows, spanning an altitudinal range from 2,500 to 5,100m. Over 693 species of vascular plants, 44 mammal species, and 251 bird species, 246 species of butterfly and 5 species of fish has been recorded from the park and its buffer zone. The mammal fauna includes several iconic species such as the Tiger (Panthera tigris), Snow leopard (Uncia uncia), Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus), Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei), Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), and Red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Five Dzongkhags (Districts) namely Gasa, Wangdue Phodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang and Lhuentse and their ten geogs (Blocks) fall within the ambit of Wangchuck Centennial Park.
