About

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located in the easternmost part of Bhutan, specifically in Merak and Sakteng Gewogs of Trashigang District and just across the border into Samdrup Jongkhar District. It was established on 17th April, 2003 and covers an area of 742.46 kmĀ². The sanctuary is divided into three ranges: Merak Range, Sakteng Range, and Joenkhar Range.


The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It represents the easternmost temperate ecosystems and landscapes of Bhutan, and is part of the Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests ecoregion. It protects several endemic species including the eastern blue pine, Meconopsis merakensis var. merakensis, the black-rumped magpie, and the endangered Himalayan red panda, A. f. fulgens. The 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.


The sanctuary is also home to the Brokpas, a unique and ancient people who live in the alpine pastures. They are basically nomads rearing yaks and herds of cattle for sustenance. Overgrazing by cattle and overexploitation of forest resources are negatively impacting the biodiversity of the park.


The area including Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary made news in June 2020 when the Chinese government reaffirmed that it is 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. In July 2020, the Indian Border Roads Organisation was tasked with building new strategic roads to connect eastern Bhutan to western Tawang area such as Lumla - Trashigang road through Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary.