Byers, A.C.; Shrestha, M.; Zackary, A.; Byers, E.A.; Coburn, B.; Watanabe, T.; Chand, M.B. The Changing Ecology of a High Himalayan Valley: Challenges to the Sustainable Development of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. Sustainability2024, 16, 2434.
Byers, A.C.; Shrestha, M.; Zackary, A.; Byers, E.A.; Coburn, B.; Watanabe, T.; Chand, M.B. The Changing Ecology of a High Himalayan Valley: Challenges to the Sustainable Development of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2434.
Byers, A.C.; Shrestha, M.; Zackary, A.; Byers, E.A.; Coburn, B.; Watanabe, T.; Chand, M.B. The Changing Ecology of a High Himalayan Valley: Challenges to the Sustainable Development of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. Sustainability2024, 16, 2434.
Byers, A.C.; Shrestha, M.; Zackary, A.; Byers, E.A.; Coburn, B.; Watanabe, T.; Chand, M.B. The Changing Ecology of a High Himalayan Valley: Challenges to the Sustainable Development of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, Eastern Nepal. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2434.
Abstract
The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) is a high mountain protected area in eastern Nepal undergoing socio-economic and environmental changes that are unprecedented in the region’s history. In the following paper, we discuss recent changes involving new road construction, climate change, adventure tourism, and the wildlife/forest cover/medicinal plant sectors. Our assessments are based on the collective results of past and recent field research, remote sensing analysis, oral histories, and literature reviews. While similar changes are occurring in mountain protected areas (MPA) throughout Nepal, it is suggested that the KCA differs from other regions in that it still retains the option of conducting detailed feasibility, environmental, and impact assessments prior to the implementation of major change-associated projects, particularly the construction of roads. In turn, the KCA might avoid many of the environmental, social, and economic problems experienced elsewhere in Nepal, while enhancing its status, income-generating capacities, and sustainability as a global destination for adventure, nature, and cultural tourism.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
