Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal. Established in 1997 it covers 2,035 km² (786 sq mi) in the Taplejung District and comprises two peaks of Kanchenjunga. In the north it adjoins the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet, and in the east the Kanchanjunga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim. To the west it adjoins the Sankhuwasabha District. It ranges in altitude from 1,200 m (3,900 ft) to 8,586 m (28,169 ft). It also falls within the Sacred Himalayan Landscape, which is being developed by WWF Nepal in partnership with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.

When the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area was designated in March 1997, it was Nepal’s third Conservation Area. In April 2003, a Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council was formed with the support of WWF Nepal, comprising seven Conservation Area User Committees, 44 User Groups, and 32 Mother Groups. These community based institutions support effective implementation of all planned activities. In August 2006, the Government of Nepal handed over the management of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area to the Management Council.

• Activities: Trekking, mountaineering
• Accommodation: Tea houses, camping
• Access: Fly to Taplejung via Biratnagar from Kathmandu
• Wildlife: Endangered snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, musk deer, red panda, blue sheep, rhesus monkey.
• Birds: 252 species of different birds including impeyan pheasant, red-billed blue magpie, ashy drongo.
• Vegetation: 20 indigenous gymnosperms, 15 among Nepal's 23 endemic flowering plants, 30 varieties of rhododendron species and 48 varieties of orchids
• Best Season: March-May; September-November.
• Park Headquarters: Lelep
• Entrance Fee: Nepalis - Free, SAARC nationals - Rs. 200 per person per entry, foreigners - Rs. 2,000 per person per entry.