Name: Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (IUCN Category: VI)

Established.: 1998

Area (km2): 2035.00

Description:

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.

Additional Information

How to get there:

Kathmandu - Suketar by air;Kathmandu-Birtamode-Illam - Phidim - Taplejung Bazar by bus. Heritage Significance: The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in the eastern Himalaya comprises some of the most stunning scenery of Nepal. Not only does this region host the third highest peak in the world (Mt. Kangchenjunga), but it is also a global hotspot for plant diversity. Botanist have identified twenty-three species of rhododendrons growing in the area. In this eastern Himalayan setting, glacial streams cut through high ridges creating remote and steep valleys where traditional farming practices are a way of life. There are very rich forests that support more than 250 species of birds and endangered wildlife. A few days of walking will lead you to high-elevation pastures where yaks graze and colorful alpine flowers bloom. Throughout the KCA, you will encounter various ethnicities that continue to practice traditional subsistence lifestyles, their cultural and religious practices adding to the area's rich cultural heritage.

Vegetation:

Subtropical Evergreen Forest (800-1,200m): Evergreen tree species characterized by schima wallichii, engelhardtia spicata and castanopsis indica are found in this forest. However, much of the natural forests have been converted into agriculture land. Lower Temperate Forest (1,200-2,500m): It is slso known as Lower Temperate Mixed Broadleaf Forest. It is home to broadlef deciduous trees dominated by quercus, castanopsis, rhododenron arboreum and some members of the laurel family. Trees shed their leaves in the spring as a result of drought stress. Upper Temperate Forest (2,500-3,500m):. It is also called Upper Temperate Mixed Forest or Temeperate Cloud Forest. There is a floristic influence from both lower and higher zones. Here, deciduous oaks, maples, laurels and briches intersperse with evergreen firs, magnolias, junipers and rhododendrons. Most trees are deciduous. Trees are covered by mossses and epiphytic plants due to high moister content in this zone. Daphe bholua (locally known as lokta) is harvested from these forests. Sub-alpine Zone (3, 500-3,900m):. Mostly evergreen conifers are interspersed with few cold-hardy deciduos species. South-facing slopes are usually tree-less or contain pure stands of stuned rhododendrons. North-facing slopes have juniper, fir, willow, birch and rhododendrons. In Ghunsa valley, look out for extensive stands of the spectacular Himalayan larches (larix griffithiana) that turn the hillsides a golden-yellow in the fall. Alpine Zone (3,900-4,600m): Woody vegetation in this zone of moist alpine scrub consists of stuned junipers, roses and rhododendron, gentian and saxifrange abound. Hardy alpine grasses include carex, juncus and poa. Look out for herds of blue sheep foraging on hillsides above treeline. Perhaps, you may see signs of snow leopard that preys on these sheep.