Nam Kading National Protected Area
{{Short description|National protected area in Bolikhamsai Province, Laos}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Nam Kading National Protected Area
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = VI
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| map = Laos
| map_caption = Location in Laos
| map_width =
| relief =
| location = Bolikhamsai Province, Laos
| nearest_city = Paksan
| coordinates = {{coord|18|24|28|N|104|14|25|E|region:LA-BL|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|1690|km2|-1|abbr=on}} (decreed), {{convert|1570|–|1584|km2|0|abbr=on}} (actual)
| designated = {{start date|1993|10|29|df=y}}
| visitation_num =
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Nam Kading National Protected Area is a national protected area in Bolikhamsai Province in central Laos. This rugged and largely inaccessible park, cut through by its namesake Nam Kading river, is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, some endangered. Due to its ruggedness, the park lacks any significant human settlement.
Geography
Nam Kading National Protected Area is located about {{convert|40|km|0}} east of Paksan near the village of Pakkading and covers parts of Paksan, Pakkading, Borikhane and Khamkeut districts. The park's current area is about {{convert|1600|km2|-1}}. Elevations range from about {{convert|140|m|-1}} to the park's highest point, Phou Pa Paek at {{convert|1514|m|-1}}.
The park's main river is the Nam Kading, flowing from south to north through the park. It is a significant tributary of the Mekong. The Nam Theun 2 Dam, Laos's largest hydroelectric project, impounds the Nam Kading south of the park in Khammouane Province. The courses of three other rivers, the Nam Muan, Nam Sat and Nam Tek, divide the park into four mountain ranges.
History
Flora and fauna
The park's main forest types are evergreen forest dry mixed deciduous forest. Native forests in Nam Kading cover 84% of the park area. A study for the proposed hydropower projects identified 256 plant species in the park. Included were two rare species: Lagerstroemia balansae and Justicia gendarussa.
File:Rufous Necked Hornbill 2.jpg
The native forests of Nam Kading host a large variety of animals and birds, including endangered species. At least 43 mammal species and 234 bird species have been catalogued. Animal species include both northern and southern white-cheeked gibbon, sun bear, gaur, tiger, elephant and giant muntjac.
Endangered bird species include great hornbill, rufous-necked hornbill, green peafowl and Vietnamese crested argus. Other bird species include wire-tailed swallow, wreathed hornbill, river lapwing, sooty babbler and rufous-throated fulvetta. One species is unique in Laos to Nam Kading: the pale-capped pigeon.
Environment
Nam Kading faces a number of environmental threats. The most significant is from the effects of current and future hydropower projects. The current Theun-Hinboun project has reduced the flow of the Nam Kading river. The Nam Theun 1 project would flood an area of {{convert|40|km2|0}} within the park, causing biodiversity loss and separating habitats. Hunting of wildlife by locals is currently a threat and is expected to increase if the Nam Theun 1 project finishes, as easier boat access to the park interior would become possible.
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References
{{reflist|refs =
{{cite web | title = Nam Kading NBCA | url = http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/directory/protected_areas/namkading.htm | publisher = Greater Mekong Subregion Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR | accessdate = 13 December 2015 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222080154/http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/directory/protected_areas/namkading.htm | archivedate = 22 December 2015 | url-status = dead }}
{{cite book | last1 = Sayer | first1 = Jeffrey | editor1-last = Sunderland | editor1-first = Terry C. H. | editor2-last = Sayer | editor2-first = Jeffrey | editor3-last = Hoang | editor3-first = Minh Ha | title = Evidence-based Conservation: Lessons from the Lower Mekong | chapter = Chapter 8: Nam Kading National Protected Area | publisher = Routledge | date = 2013 | pages = 91–109 | isbn = 978-1-8497-1394-8 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1B3PsQArBIMC&pg=PA91 | accessdate = 13 December 2015 }}
{{cite web | title = Nam Kading | url = http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/namkading.htm | publisher = Greater Mekong Subregion Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR | accessdate = 13 December 2015 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151123153348/http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/namkading.htm | archivedate = 23 November 2015 | url-status = dead }}
}}
Category:National Biodiversity Conservation Areas