Central Karakoram National Park
Central Karakoram National Park is located in Gilgit, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar and Ghanche Districts of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Established in 1993. It is the largest protected area in South Asia in terms of area covering an area of 10,557 sq km. CKNP is also the tallest national park in the world.
There are two parts to this park. One includes glaciers and high peaks, which are difficult for ordinary people to reach. The other part includes human populations and relatively low elevation areas.
The park is home to largest reservoir glaciers in the world after the Arctic such as Baltoro, Biafo and Hispar. The world’s greatest peaks, K2, Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2 and Broad Peak, are also part of the park.
Wildlife of Central Karakoram National Park includes Markhor, Mountain Goat, Urial, Marcopolo Sheep, Wild Rabbit and Mountain Weasel. Also include Martin, Brown Bear, Turkestan Black Horse, black bears, foxes, Tibetan wolves and snow leopards. Birds include the golden bird, the mountain parrot, the vulture, and various rare birds.