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Nam Ha National Protected Area

Background

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This is the 4th largest national protected area in the country, and home to more than 20 ethnic groups. Also, the Nam Ha National Protected Area is an extremely important watershed, and harbors high population of birds and mammals: ranks 3rd for birds and 5th for large mammals out of 20 protected areas in the country.

Apart from this, the said protected area ranks 3rd in the national management priority index based on biodiversity and watershed values, ecotourism potential, and level of pressure on the site.

The Park measures 222,400 hectares and covers Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR.

Location

Luang Namtha Province

Area:

2,224 sq km

Date declared as an AHP:

18 December 2003, at the Signing of ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks

Contact information

Toui Kingmala
AHP Manager
Tel.: +856 86212152, +856 86312214
E-mail: toui100@yahoo.com

Unique Flora: Aquilaria trees; cardamom; Jewel orchid; Cinnamomum sp.; bamboos and rattans; dipterocap trees; Castanopsis stands

Unique Fauna: Clouded leopard; leopard; tiger; gaur; muntjac, Asian elephants; black-cheeked gibbon; northern pigtail;rhesus macaques; great flocks of butterflies including the leaf butterfly (Kallima sp.); Papilio and Graphium species; Indian purple emperor (Mimathyma ambica); silver pheasant (Lophurany cthemera); Blythe’s kingfisher; great hornbill (Buceros bicornis); green peacock (Pavo muticus).

Habitat Types: Evergreen gallery forests, semi-evergreen forests, subtropical Castanopsis forest, sub-montane forests on the higher peaks, mosaic of grasslands, limestone forests on the karst portions, caves, freshwater streams, secondary scrub, and village lands

Spectacular views, caves, waterfalls, and other natural and cultural landscapes await those who would visit this protected area. Activities to enjoy include trekking, hiking, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, and boat tours through villages of Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, Vieng Phoukha and Long. Visitors can also spend the night as homestays in local villages.

Tourists can also observe the minority groups and their own distinct culture and colorful costumes. These groups live relatively customary lifestyles and have a strong tradition in herbal medicine.