Hkakaborazi

Hkakaborazi National Park covers about 3,810 km² in Nogmung Township, Kachin State, in the far north of Myanmar, and surrounds Hkakabo Razi, described as the country's highest mountain. It is an ASEAN Heritage Park and is part of the Northern Forest Complex, a continuous block of natural forest of about 30,110 km²^[1]. The park lies in Putao district and holds the headwaters of the Ayeyarwady River^[2].

Expeditions in 1996-1997 found a new species, the leaf muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis), in lowland forest, and hunters reported blue sheep, red serow and takin in the foothills of Hkakabo Razi. Surveys in 2002-2003 recorded Indian muntjac, wild boar, stump-tailed and rhesus macaques, capped langur, western hoolock gibbon, sun bear, dhole and binturong, and camera traps in 2003-2004 recorded clouded leopard, marbled cat and leopard cat. A spring 1997 bird survey sighted 160 species, among them Himalayan monal, great hornbill and ibisbill^[1].

Vegetation ranges from tropical rain forest through laurel and coniferous forest to alpine plants, and bamboo grows in all forest zones up to about 3,700 m. Around 1,500 m the forest includes Altingia excelsa, Terminalia myriocarpa and at least six Begonia species, while alpine areas hold rhododendrons, Primula sikkimensis and Gentiana sino-ornata. Seventeen orchid species were recorded in 1996-1997, including the black orchid Paphiopedilum wardii^[1].

The park spans elevations of roughly 900 to 5,710 m^[1]. Its terrain includes mountain ranges, waterfalls, fast-flowing streams and ravines, and the headwaters of the Ayeyarwady River rise within it^[2].

The area was first designated a forest reserve in 1996 and declared a national park in 1998^[2]. It is classed as IUCN Category II and managed by the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, and it adjoins Bumhpa Bum and Hukaung Valley wildlife sanctuaries^[1].

The Northern Forest Complex it belongs to was set up to conserve the biodiversity of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin river basins. The park is listed among the ASEAN Heritage Parks and is associated with an Important Bird Area. Selective logging has occurred in some areas and hunting has been reported in adjoining tropical forests^[1].