Api Nampa Conservation Area

Api Nampa Conservation Area

Api Nampa Conservation AreaΒ 

Named after Mt. Api and Mt. Nampa, Api Nampa conservation area was established as a conservation area in the year 2067 BS (2008 AD). This area was announced as a conservation area with the purpose to protect natural sources, medicinal herbs as well as to develop tourism in the region.

The Api-Nampa Conservation Area is a protected area in the Far-Western Development Region, Nepal. It was established in 2010 and covers 1,903 kmΒ² encompassing 21 Village Development Committees in the Darchula District

Major Attractions

  • Api Himal (7,132m), Nampa (6,757m), and Byas (6,670m)
  • Panthera uncia, Moschus chrysagaster, Ailurus fulgens, Lophophorus impejanus, Tragopan satyra, Catreus wallichii.
  • Holy place of Byas
  • Religious Place Marma and Dunhu
  • Byasi (Sauka) culture

 

Fact Sheet

 

National Park declared a year 2010 AD
National park area 1,903kmΒ²
Location Province No. 7, Darchula District
Bioclimatic zone Subtropical to Alpine
Elevation 539 m to 7,192 m above mean sea level
Major Rivers Mahakali, Naugadh and Chamelia
Major Peaks Api (7,132m), Nampa (6,757m), and Byas (6,670m)
Main mammals Moschus chrysogaster, Ailurus fulgens, Panthera uncial, Hemitragus jemlahicus, Nemorhaedus goral, Ursus thibetanus, Capricornis thar, Pseudois nayaur, Presbytis entellus, Canis aureus, and Canis lupus, etc.
Main birds Lophophorus impejanus, Tragopan satyra, Catreus wallichii, Ithaginis cruentus,
Major tree species Shorea robusta, Pinus spp., Rhododendron spp., Cedrus deodara, Betula Utilis, Quercus spp., Abies Spectabilis, etc.
Municipality One (Mahakali)
Rural Municipalities Five (Marma, Naugad, Dunhu, Apihimal and Byas)
Population 59,609
Major caste groups Chhetri, Brahaman, Byasi (Sauka), Thakuri, Bishowkarma
Economy Agriculture, animal husbandry, Trade, and Labour

 

Location

Covering the area of 1903 sq. km., this conservation area lies in the far western region of the country. Located in the northern Darchula district, it is surrounded by Bajhang district, Mahakali River, and the Tibetan border.

 

Climate

Mt. Api (7,132 m.), Mt. Nampa (6,757 m.), Mt. Byas (6,670 m.), and many other mountains stand tall in this conservation area. The elevation in this area ranges from 539 m. to 7132 m. at the top of Mt. Api. The southern and the valleys have a subtropical climate while the mid-hills have a temperate climate. The average temperature in the region is 18.6 degrees Celsius, and in the cold climate, it falls up to 7 degrees Celsius.

 

Getting There

This youngest conservation area has two major entry points in Khalanga and Gokuleshwor. To get to this area, public transportations (Bus) are available from Dhangadi. Also in about a 12-14 hours drive through Dadeldhura, we can reach Api Nampa Conservation area.

 

Major Flora and Fauna

Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA) is recognized for its tremendous diversity of flora and fauna. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncial), Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), Himalayan Thar (Hemitragus jemlahicus), Ghoral (Nemorhaedus ghral), Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), Common Langur (Presbytis entellus), Jackal (Canis aureus), Grey wolf (Canis lupus), Serow (Capricornis thar), are among the important wildlife found in the conservation area.

National bird Danphne (Lophopherus Impejanus), Cheer (Catreus wallichii) as well as Munal (Crimson spp) are found in the higher Himalayan range. Temperate zone is the main habitat of herpeto-fauna. The Conservation area is characterized by subtropical to alpine vegetation. Common plant species include Shorea robusta, Pinus spp., Cedrus deodara, Betula utilis, Quercus spp., and Abies spectabilis, etc.

Major medical plants are Panchaunle (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), Kutki (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariflora), Yarsagumbu (Cordyceps Sinensis), Jatamansi (Nardostachys Grandiflora), Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentine) and Sugandhawal (Valeriana jatamansi), etc.

 

Local Population at the buffer zone

The local community in the buffer zone earns their living with agriculture and herb picking. In the summer season, they live in high-altitude areas. While in winter, they migrate down to the lower valleys towards Darchula. Visitors can get a multicultural feel in the Khalanga Bazar due to the migration and nearness to the Indian border.

 

Safety Precautions

  • A first-aid kit is recommended to carry by the visitors for their own safety.
  • Visitors should be alert from the wildlife inside the core area.

 

Stop Pollution

  • Carry out what you carry in.
  • Buy only what won’t pollute, or carry it out.
  • Take only photographs, leave only footprints.
  • Do not use polythene/ plastic materials.