Annapurna Conservation Area

{{Short description|Protected area in the Annapurna range of the Nepalese Himalayas}}

{{Infobox Protected area

|name = Annapurna Conservation Area

|alt_name =अन्नपूर्णा संरक्षण क्षेत्र

|iucn_category = VI

|photo =AnapurnaFromPokhara.jpg

|photo_caption = Annapurna range as seen from Pokhara

|location = Nepal

|map = Nepal

|relief = 1

|coordinates = {{coords|28.78|N|83.97|E|display=inline, title}}

|area = {{cvt|7629|km2}}

|established = 1992

|governing_body = Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation

}}

Annapurna Conservation Area is Nepal's largest protected area covering {{cvt|7629|km2}} in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. It ranges in elevation from {{cvt|790|m}} to the peak of Annapurna I at {{cvt|8091|m}}. The conservation area stretches across Manang, Mustang, Kaski, Myagdi, and Lamjung Districts.{{cite book |author=Bhuju, U. R. |author2=Shakya, P. R. |author3=Basnet, T. B. |author4=Shrestha, S. |year=2007 |title=Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites |publisher=International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific |location=Kathmandu |isbn=978-92-9115-033-5 |url=http://lib.icimod.org/record/7560/files/Nepal%20Biodiversity%20Resource%20Book.pdf}}

Annapurna Conservation Area encompasses Annapurna Sanctuary and is known for several trekking routes including the Annapurna Circuit.

History

The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and gazetted in 1992. It is managed by the National Trust for Nature Conservation.

Climate

Two climatic regions within a span of {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} and an elevation of {{convert|1000|to|8000|m|ft|abbr=on}} are distinguished.

Rainfall in the southern part of the Annapurnas is higher than in the rain shadow to the north of the peaks. Annual precipitation is highest during the Asian monsoon between June and September ranging from {{convert|5032|mm|in|abbr=on}} on the southern slopes at {{convert|2950|m|ft|abbr=on}} elevation to {{convert|1099|mm|in|abbr=on}} in rain shadow areas at {{convert|2760|m|ft|abbr=on}} elevation. Snow accumulates between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft|abbr=on}}. In the winter of 1999–2000, areas above {{convert|3000|m|ft|abbr=on}} were snow-covered until the end of March, and until May above {{convert|4400|m|ft|abbr=on}}. At this elevation, winter air temperatures range from {{convert|-4.65|to|-6.06|C|F}}.{{cite journal |last1=Putkonen |first1=J. K. |year=2004 |title=Continuous snow and rain data at 500 to 4400 m altitude near Annapurna, Nepal, 1999–2001 |journal=Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=244–248 |doi=10.1657/1523-0430(2004)036[0244:CSARDA]2.0.CO;2|s2cid=51226986 }}

References

External links

{{cite web |author=BirdLife International |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/14322 |title=Important Bird Areas factsheet: Annapurna Conservation Area}}
[http://www.dnpwc.gov.np/protected_areas/details/annapurnaconservationarea Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal: Annapurna Conservation Area] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618185138/http://www.dnpwc.gov.np/protected_areas/details/annapurnaconservationarea |date=2019-06-18 }}

Category:Protected areas of Nepal

Category:1992 establishments in Nepal

Category:Wildlife conservation in Nepal