Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is Nepal’s third conservation area which is named after the third highest mountain in the world – Mount Kanchenjunga (8586 m). it is established in 1997 and covers an area of 2035 sq. km. The conservation area is part of the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. Additionally, this protected area links the two different places as it has the transboundary areas between Kanchendzonga National Park in India and Quomoloangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet.

Location

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area lies in the Taplejung district of eastern Nepal. This area touches the boundary line of Kanchendzonga National park of India at the northern side and Quomoloangma National Nature Preserve of Tibet in the southern part. Moreover, to the west, it touched the Sankhuwassabha District. The conservation area ranges from an altitude of 1200 m to 8583 m.

Climate

The climate varies depending upon its altitude. Monsoon season is the most experienced season in this region. Besides this, during the winter season, frequent snowfalls and low climatic temperatures can be experienced.

 Wildlife and Vegetation

Kanchenjunga conservation area includes more than 2000 species of the flowering plant out of which 23 species of the flowering plant are only endemic to Nepal. Furthermore, KCAP is the homeland of 82 species of insects, 5 species of fish, 6 species of amphibians,252 species of birds, and 22 species of mammals. Similarly, endangered species such as snow leopard, red panda, and vulnerable species like the clouded leopard, Himalayan black bear, Assamese macaque serow are found in this conservation area.

The local Population at the Buffer Zone

The protected areas lie in the Taplejung district. Tibeto- Burman ethnic groups such as Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Jirel, Thakali, and Sherpa reside in this region. About 122,072 people reside in this district. Mainly, it is famous for the Sherpa communities.

Things to Do and Place to Visit

 You can do several activities in the Kanchenjunga conservation area such as:

• Peak Climbing
• Trekking
• Explore Yalung Glacier
• Snow leopard Tracking
• Red panda Tracking
• Trek to Timbu Pokhari