The Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (also spelled Bumdelling or Bomdeling), which also contains the former Kulong Chu Wildlife Sanctuary, covers 1,520.61 square kilometres (587.11 sq mi) in north-eastern Bhutan at elevations between 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) and 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). The Sanctuary covers most of Trashiyangtse District, including Bumdeling Gewog. The Sanctuary was planned in 1995 and established in 1998. It contains diverse flora, fauna, and scenery including alpine lakes and the Bumdeling Valley. The Sanctuary also contains several cultural and religious sites. Within the park live 3,000 resident households. The sanctuary has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports black-necked cranes, of which it is one of the country’s only