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Government of Nepal
Ministry of Forests and Environment
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservations

Api Nampa Conservation Area Office

Darchula

Introduction

The Api Nampa Conservation Area (ANCA), establishedin 2010 AD (2067 BS), is spread over an area of 1,903sq. km and borders with India to the west and China tothe north (Figure 1.1). ANCA encompasses parts or all of five Rural Municipalities (RMs) and one Municipality with a total resident population of approximately 60,000 people, of whom 52 per cent are female and 48% male (CBS 2014). The conservation area is named after two mountains in the area: Mt Api (7,132 masl) and Mt Nampa (6,757 masl). ANCA hosts a wide variety of plants and wildlife and itshuman settlements are characterized by their rich cultural heritage. The high mountains are the habitat of the snowleopard while the mid-hill forests are home to populations of the Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan black bear.Several species of trees, shrubs and herbs that are used for various purposes, ranging from utilitarian to culturaland aesthetic, are found in ANCA; and making this area their home since centuries ago are various social groups, including Chhetri, Brahman and Dalit and a number of ethnic groups like the Byansi/Shauka, Magar and Tamang.

ANCA at a glance

  • 2010 AD (2067 BS)

    Established Year

    ANCA was established in 2010 AD WHICH falls within two physiographic zones of Nepal: High Mountain and High Himalaya.

  • 1903 sq. km

    Area

    The total area of ANCA is 1903 sq. km which is characterized by steep hills and river valleys in the lower portion and mountains, glaciers and high valleys in the upper portion.

  • Darchula District

    Location

    ANCA lies in Darchula district with Khalanga, Mahakali (today part of Mahakali Municipality) as its district headquarters, covers an area of 2,322 km2 (897 sq mi) and has a population (2011) of 133,274.

  • Mt Api (7,132 masl)

    Highest point

    The highest point within the entire conservation area is Mt. Api with the height of 7,132 masl. Moreover the conservation area is named after two mountains in the area: Mt Api (7,132 masl) and Mt Nampa (6,757 masl).

  • 59,609 ( 52% female; 48% male )

    Population

    ANCA encompasses parts or all of five Rural Municipalities (RMs) and one Municipality with a total resident population of approximately 60,000 people, of whom 52 per cent are female and 48 per cent male.