Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is the only protected area of Nepal managed by local communities. It is situated in the far eastern and northern parts of Nepal as transnational protected area between Sikkim, India, Tibet, Autonomous Region of China and Nepal. This area covers more than 56 % of the total area of Taplejung district with 2035 sq. kms. Due to its high altitudinal variation from 1200 m to 8,586 m (with world’s third highest mountain, Mt. Kanchenjunga), it has diverse climatic zones from sub tropical to alpine resulting in unique and high biodiversity in comparison to its size. KCA receives good rainfall from April- May to September- October and the average rainfall is 2,013 mm/yr. There are good networks of rivers including snow-fed river Tamor, Ghunsa, Simbuwa, Kabeli and other small tributaries. According to Land Resource Mapping Project reports (1978), KCA comprises of 41.2% rocks, 22.8% snow and glaciers, 16.1% forests, 10% shrubs, 9.3% pasture land, 0.5% agricultural land and 0.1% lake and landslide area. Because of its unique features, government of Nepal with the support from WWF Nepal, declared this area as “Gift of the Earth” in 1997.
This area was declared as conservation area in 1997 to protect and manage the biological and cultural resources of this area through the joint efforts of Government of Nepal, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and WWF Nepal. Government of Nepal handed over the management responsibilities of this area to the local communities on 22 September 2006, taking a step forward in the history of conservation in Nepal. Moreover, the government has endorsed Sacred Himalayan Landscape (SHL) Strategic Plan 2006 to protect and manage the landscape of the Himalayan region.
The main important floras of this area are: pure stands of Thingre Salla (Larix griffithiana) Dhupi (Juniperus spp), 48 types of orchids and 137 types of Non-Timber Forest Products. Among these, 13 plant species are endemic to this area while 24 are endangered species listed in IUCN, CITES and National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. Twenty two species of mammals and more than 253 species of birds are found in this area. Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Grey Wolf and Macaque are the important endangered mammals found here. Other important mammals of this area are Common leopard, Blue Sheep and Common lungur.
This area consists of four remotest Village Development Committees; Lelep, Tapethok, Walengchung Gola and Yamphudin, of Taplejung district. There are 35 villages and about 1000 households with a population of approximately 5,500. KCA accommodates culturally diverse ethnic groups including Sherpa, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, Sarki, Damai, Kami, Bahun and Tibetan refugees. Although KCA is rich in natural resources, local people’s socio-economic condition is below the satisfactory level. About 66% of total population falls below the poverty line. The main occupation of the local communities is agriculture along with animal husbandry. There are limited physical facilities for health and education. Furthermore, KCA is not connected with any road networks and the nearest road is about one and half day’s walk from southern boundary.
Local accommodations are available for small to medium sized group travelers in all trekking routes to KCA. There are small hotels and tea-shops in all trekking routes to KCA providing lodging, food and tea. Most of the areas have good camping facilities as well. Telephone facilities are available in almost all major settlements. There is one health post in Lelep and it is advisable to carry first aid kit. There are helicopter landing facilities in Lelep, Ghunsa, Kangchejunga base camp and other places. It is the only means of transportation for rescue in case of emergency.
KCA is the first protected area managed by local communities in Nepal, and almost probably in the world. So, everybody can see unique management system of protected area management than other government managed protected areas of Nepal. This area is taken a gift to the nature which would be a unique and virgin area for scientific study and research in the future. Mainly, it is easily accessible by air flight.
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