Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is named
after after Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m) - second highest mountain in
Nepal and the third highest in the world. Kanchenjunga was 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.
In April 1997, Government of
Nepal declared Kanchenjunga region as a Gift to the Earth as part of
WWF’s Living Planet Campaign 2000.
Heritage Significance
The
Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in the eastern Himalaya comprises
some of the most stunning scenery in allof 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 biodiversity.
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.
Tuked within these hidden valleys, one can
encounter 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 languidly and colorful alpne
flowers bloom. Throughout the KCA, you will encounter a medley of
ethnicities that continue to practice traditional subsistence
lifestyles, their cultural and religiouu spractices adding to the area's
ricjh cultural heritage.
Vegetation
Subtropical
Evergreen Forest: 800-1,200m Evergreen tree species characterized by
Schima wallichii, Engelhardtia spicata and Castanopsis indica. However,
much of the original forests have been converted to agriculture land.
Lower Temperate Forest: 1,200-2,500m. Also known as Lower Temperate
Mixed Broadleaf Forest. Home to broadlef deciduous trees repreented 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. Also called Upper
Temperate Mixed Forest or Temeperate Cloud Forest. Floristic influences
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 in 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 conifersinterspersed
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) taht turn the hillsides a golden-yellow in
the fall.
Alpine Zone: 3,900-4,600m. Woody vegetation in thsi 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.
Activites: Trekking, Mountaineering
Access: Fly to Taplejung via Biratnagar from Kathmandu
Best Season: March - May ; Sep-Nov
World famous Trekking route: Kanchenjunga North and South Trek
Source: Department of National parks and Wildlife conservation
