Gandaki Zone Map

Gandaki Zone
From Mukti Kumar search

The Gandaki zone lies in the western administrative region of Nepal. It is named as Sapta Ganadaki after the seven tributaries (Kali Gandak, Trishuli, Budhi Gandak, Marsyangdi, Madi, Seti Gandak, and Daraudi) that make up the Gandaki River. Pokhara serves as its regional and zonal capital. It is also the birthplace of Bhanubhakta Acharya, first poet of Nepal.

The Gandaki zone is home to multiple cultures which are unique in themselves. Some, like the Magar, Gurung, have made themselves famous as Gurkha fighters. Also it is home of Acharyas, descendants of Bhanubhakta Acharya.

Gandaki is divided into 6 districts, listed below with the headquarters in parentheses:

* Gorkha District (Gorkha)
* Kaski District (Pokhara)
* Lamjung District (Besisahar)
* Manang District (Chame)
* Syangja District (Syangja)
* Tanahu District (Damauli)
Annapurna Conservation Area
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)[1], the first and largest conservation area in Nepal, covers 7,629 sq. km (5.8% of the total land area of Nepal). Launched in 1986 as an innovative concept in the protected area management system of the country, the conservation area embraces multiple land use principles of resource management that combines environmental protection with sustainable community development. Traditional subsistence activities are woven into a framework of sound resource management, supplemented by conservation, development and alternative energy programmes to minimize the negative impacts of tourism and enhance the living standards of the local people.

Some of the activities of ACAP are a) Conservation of Resources, b) Community Development, c) Tourism Management and d) Conservation, Education and Extension

ACAP is spread out in 5 districts, of the Western Development Region of Nepal and covers 55 Village Development Committees (VDCs). ACAP is divided into seven unit conservation offices located in the field – Jomsom, Manang, Lho Manthang in the Northern Program section and Bhujung, Lwang, Sikles and Ghandruk in the Southern Program section. While the focus of Jomsom, Manang and Ghandruk, which are also popular areas for trekking, is on integrated tourism management and agro-pastoralism, the programme priorities for Bhujung, Sikles and Lwang are poverty alleviation and integrated agriculture and livestock development, agro-forestry, and community development respectively.

Each Village Development Committee (VDC) is assigned to carry out the responsibilities to manage, utilize and protect all the natural resources within the respective VDCs.

The biological diversity of the Annapurna Region is equally rivaled by its rich cultural diversity. Since the first trekker came to the Annapurna Sanctuary in 1957, the natural and cultural features of ACAP have made it the most popular tourist destination in Nepal, drawing more than 60 per cent of the country’s total trekkers. ACAP follows the three grass root philosophy of maximum peoples’ participation, sustainability, and its role as a catalyst (facilitator) whereby the local people are involved in all aspects of the conservation and development processes, both as principal actors and prime beneficiaries.

The Annapurna Conservation Area supports high diversity of flora and fauna species. A total of 1,226 species of plants (including 38 Orchid species and 9 Rhododendron species), 101 species of reptiles and 22 species of amphibians have been recorded in the ACA. The area harbors rare and endangered wildlife species such as the Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Tibetan Argali, Impeyan Pheasant and Tragopan Pheasant. The ACA provides a large protected area with the entire habitat gradient from sub tropical Sal forests to perennial snow in which to maintain the Biodiversity and integrity of the central Himalayas.

The Marsyangdi river basin is in the heart of the ACAP.

By Mukti Aryal