Background
Considering the critical importance for biodiversity conservation in the northern part of Darchula district, the Government of Nepal declared Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) on 12 July, 2010. The name of this conservation area is named after two famous Himalayas Api and Nampa. Api-Nampa Conservation Area office headquarter located Khalanga, Darchula. ANCA’s management is being performed under the Conservation Area Government Management Regulation 2057 BS.
A Conservation Area represents human’s sublime idea of giving space and resource for the other species to live in an un-interfered manner. Establishment of Api Nampa Conservation Area is a good initiative to harmonize conservation and development in an integrated way. ANCA is located between 29° 30’ to 30° 15’ North Latitude and 80° 22’ to 81° 09’ East Longitude, in the Far-Western Development Region and characterized an ecologically diverged region of Nepal. Api Nampa Conservation Area occupies 1903 sq km of Darchula district varies in altitudes from 539 to 7132 meters.
Goal
The goal of the Api Nampa Conservation Area is to conserve the unique flora and fauna, biodiversity, perpetuation of ecosystem of the northern part of the district and to contribute reducing poverty of this region.
Protected Area
A protected area represents human’s sublime idea of giving space and resource for the other species to live in an un-interfered manner. Establishment of Conservation Area is a major form of government intervention, which leads to conservation of resource use and development of local communities. Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) is a good initiative to harmonize conservation and development in an integrated way. It is located in between 29° 30’ to 30° 15’ North Latitude and 80° 22’ to 81° 09’ East Longitude.in the far-western Development Region of Nepal characterized an ecologically diverged region of Nepal. Api-Nampa Conservation Area occupies 1903 sq km of Darchula district.
Due to extreme contrasts in climate and geography; it has a unique topography ranging from lowlands with sub-tropical vegetation to arctic conditions in the Himalayan highlands. The Api Nampa Conservation Area located between The goal of the Api Nampa Conservation Area is to conserve the unique fl ora and fauna, biodiversity, perpetuation of ecosystem of northern part of Dharchula district and to reduce poverty. Enhanchment of socio-economic improvement.
Climate
The climate of the area is generally characterized by high rainfall and humidity. The climatic condition varies along the elevation gradient. Climate of the ANCA varies widely from sub tropical to alpine. In the north, most of the parts remain under snow having alpine climate. In the Southern part and valleys the climate is subtropical. Mid- hills has temperate type. The average maximum temperature is 18.60C and the minimum temperature is 7.70C.
Eighty percent of the total rainfall during the four months of the monsoon, from June to September. All areas experience very high rainfall intensities, ranging between estimates of 125-350 mm for a 24 hour period.
Within its elevation range of 1800m to 6500m there are limited subtropical valleys in the southern margin although most of the area is ecologically temperate or highland. A cold, generally dry climate exists in the high alpine valleys just north of the southern arm of the Himalaya that cuts across the bottom of Darchula.
Wildlife
Due to diverse climatic condition and altitude variation many prime habitats of wildlife exists in ANCA.
Mammals
Large mammals commonly seen in the CA are the Himalayan Tahr, Blue sheep and Musk deer. Other large mammals include: common langur (Semnopithecus entellus), jackal (Canis aureus), small number of grey wolf (Canis lupus) (V), Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus) (V), Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) (V), snow leopard (Uncia uncia) (E), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis) (I), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) (K) and goral (Nemorhaedus goral etc).
Herpetofauna and Butterflies
The lower elevation temperate zone is the main habitat of herpetofauna. Documentation of the invertebrate fauna is limited to common species of butterfly.
NTFP found in Api Nampa Conservation Area are: Panchaunle (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), Kutki (Neopicrorhiza scrophularifl ora), Yartsagumbu (Cordyceps sinensis), Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandifl ora), Sarpagandha (Rauvolfi a serpentine), Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansi) and etc.
Forest Type Avifauna
The sub tropical, temperate , sub alpine, alpine vegetation and forest of ANCA encompasses suitable habitat
for wildlife species including endangered, vulnerable and common. The ANCA provides habitats of birds including Daphne (Impeyan pheasant), Munal, Snow Chock, Blood pheasant, Red billed chough, and Yellow-billed chough etc.
Conservation Approach
Government of Nepal has initiated several innovative approaches towards biodiversity conservation emphasizing protection to participation of local people from species focused conservation to ecosystem focused conservation and now landscape approach. The Api-nampa Conservation Area is based upon integrated conservation and development approach with people’s participation.
Boundary
The Mahakali River flows along the western boundary and Bajhang and Baitadi district joins in the east boundary. International boundary with China in the north and Lasku and naugad lies in the western boundary of ANCA.
How to Get There
You can take bus from Kathmandu to Dhangadi or take the daily fl ight. From Dhangadi, bus service is available to the Api-nampa Conservation Area HQ at Darchula. Bus services are available to Dharchula, India from Delhi capital city of India. You will be in the Conservation Area soon after crossing the Mahakali river which makes an international border between Nepal and India.
Facilities
Be advised to carry a comprehensive fi rst-aid kit. There are no more medical facilities in remote villages. Cell phone may be available over the ANCA. Moderate hotel accommodations are available but warm clothing would be benefi cial to keep you warm in higher altitudes.
Regulation
