It is the world's only protected area with an elevation gain of more than 8,000 m (26,000 ft) enclosing tropical forest as well as snow-capped peaks.

[4] In the early and mid-1980s, personnel of The Mountain Institute (TMI), under its president Daniel C. Taylor conducted surveys in the Barun Valley to study whether an explanation could be found for the enigma of the Yeti.

At the time, about 32,000 people resided in the conservation area's 12 Village Development Committees, who are primarily subsistence farmers of the Limbu, Sherpa, Yakkha, Gurung, Tamang, Magar, Newar, Brahmin and Chhetri ethnic groups.

Ecotourism was promoted as a way of expanding off-farm employment opportunities for local people while at the same time minimizing negative environmental impact.

Hunting and trapping of rare and endangered wild animals is strictly prohibited in the MBNPCA, except in extreme cases of threat to human life.

[2] The park is located in the eastern climatic zone of the Himalayas, where monsoon starts in June and eases off in late September.

Forest aspects vary depending on seasonal moisture availability, temperature and snow cover at different elevations and slopes.

Forests span five bioclimatic zones:[2] On alpine pastures at altitudes above 4,000 m (13,000 ft) the religiously important dwarf rhododendron and juniper, aromatic herbs and delicate wildflowers prosper.

[3] Ornithologists have recorded 440 bird species, ranging from eagles and other raptors to white-necked storks and brilliantly colored sunbirds.