Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is named after Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) - second highest mountain in Nepal and the third highest in the world. Kanchenjunga has been designated as a conservation area in March 1998. It covers an area of 2035 sq. km. in Taplejung district, lies in the northeast corner of Nepal. Taplejung district is also renowned for high peaks (eleven peaks higher that 7,000 m) and glaciers. The conservation area with unique mountain ecosystems is envisioned as a tri-national peace park with Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China to the north and Sikkim, India, in the east. Sikkim already has Khangchenzonga National Park adjoining KCA whereas the extension of Qomolungma Nature Reserve in TAR to cover the land bordering KCA is in progress from China side. In April 1997, Government of Nepal declared Kanchenjunga region as a Gift to the Earth as part of WWF’s Living Planet Campaign 2000.