Kanchenjunga is the third highest
mountain in the world, bordering Sikkim in India,
the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and east
Nepal. The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA)
with an area of 1,650 km square accounts for nearly
65 percent of the entire land area of Taplejung
District. Because KCA is located due north of
Bay of Bangal , KCA receives more rainfall from
the summer monsoon than other parts of Nepal.
These climatic conditions, combined with steep
elevation gradients, support high biodiversity.
Surveys indicate that there are at least 2,500
species of flowering plants, and several endangered
wildlife species.
The cultural diversity within
KCA is equally impressive as it contains a number
of culturally significant landmarks, including
centuries-old monasteries (gompa) and sites
of Hindu pilgrimage. Limbu, the largest ethnic
population together with the Gurung, Rai, Brahmins
and Chhetris as well as Tibetan refugees, inhabit
the three river valleys - Tamur, Ghunsa and
Sibuwa. A majority of the population are dependent
on agriculture and livestock. Harvesting of
forest resources contribute much to their subsistence.
It is estimated that almost 75% of the households
in the Conservation Area face food scarcity
every year.
