Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve in Zhenkang County, Lincang
Overview
The Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve (南捧河省级自然保护区, Nánpéng Hé Shěngjí Zìrán Bǎohùqū) is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán Shěng), within Zhenkang County (镇康县, Zhènkāng Xiàn). It covers a total area of 36,241.38 hectares. The reserve is divided into four main regions: Zhuwu (竹瓦, Zhúwǎ), Mangbing Houqing (忙丙后箐, Mángbǐng Hòuqìng), Bodao Mountain (薄刀山, Bódāo Shān), and Xuezhu Forest Mountain (雪竹林山, Xuězhú Lín Shān), spanning 65 kilometers from east to west and 36 kilometers from north to south.
On November 30, 2023, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration included the Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve as an important habitat for terrestrial wildlife, specifically noting its significance for mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Reserve Details
- Chinese Name: 云南镇康南捧河省级自然保护区 (Yúnnán Zhènkāng Nánpéng Hé Shěngjí Zìrán Bǎohùqū)
- Protection Level: Provincial Level (省级, Shěngjí)
- Geographic Location: Zhenkang County, Yunnan Province (云南省镇康县, Yúnnán Shěng Zhènkāng Xiàn)
- Total Area: 36,241.38 hectares
- Key Protected Species:
- Golden Monkey (蜂猴, Fēnghóu)
- Black-necked Long-tailed Pheasant (黑颈长尾雉, Hēijǐng Chángwěizhǐ)
- Green Peacock (绿孔雀, Lǜ Kǒngquè)
- Round-nosed Giant Lizard (圆鼻巨蜥, Yuánbí Jùxī)
- Management Authority: Nanpenghe River Provincial Nature Reserve Management Bureau (镇康南捧河省级自然保护区管护局, Zhènkāng Nánpéng Hé Shěngjí Zìrán Bǎohùqū Guǎnhùjú)
- Approved Date: October 1999
Historical Background
In 1986, the Zhenkang County Committee and the county government proposed the establishment of a nature reserve. In 1998, the Bodao County-level Nature Reserve and the Mangbing Houqing County-level Nature Reserve were established. In October 1999, the reserve was officially recognized as a provincial-level nature reserve, incorporating the original areas of Bodao Mountain and Mangbing Houqing, along with the newly added Zhuwu and Xuezhu Forest Mountain regions.
Geographic Environment
The Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, within Zhenkang County. It encompasses a core area of 13,058.95 hectares, a buffer zone of 4,167.04 hectares, and an experimental area of 19,015.39 hectares.
Geographic Range
- North: Da Zhupeng River in Baobao Village, Mengpeng Town, Zhenkang County
- South: Xuangang Village to Chashan Village, Baisa Water in Nansan Town, Zhenkang County
- West: Border with Myanmar
- East: Boundary with Yongde County
- Coordinates: Between 98°41′E – 99°18′E and 23°45′N – 24°04′N
Conservation Goals
The reserve is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including:
- Seed Plants: 184 families, 721 genera, 1,713 species, with notable national protected plants such as:
- Magnolia Long-stamen (长蕊木兰, Chángruǐ Mùlán)
- Vine Jujube (藤枣, Téngzǎo)
- Vertebrates: 39 orders, 123 families, 742 species, including:
- National I-level protected species: Western Black-crested Gibbon (滇西亚种, Diānxī Yàzhǒng), Golden Monkey, Clouded Leopard (云豹, Yúnbào), Green Peacock, and others.
- National II-level protected species: Asiatic Black Bear (黑熊, Hēi Xióng), Macaque (猕猴, Míhóu), and others.
In September 2024, staff from the management bureau discovered a new species of beetle, the Golden Scorpion Beetle (格彩臂金龟, Gé Cǎibì Jīnguī), a national II-level protected animal, marking its first record in the Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve.
Online Resources
For more information about the Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve, including visitor guidelines, conservation efforts, and activities, check local tourism websites or the official site of the Zhenkang County Government. These platforms often provide details on how to engage with the reserve’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
How to Get There
To visit the Nanpenghe River Nature Reserve:
- By Air: Fly into Lincang Airport (临沧机场, Líncāng Jīchǎng) and take a taxi or a bus to Zhenkang County.
- By Bus: Long-distance buses are available from major cities like Kunming (昆明, Kūnmíng) to Zhenkang County.
- By Car: Drive along the G213 national road, which connects several towns in Yunnan Province.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is during the dry season from October to April, when wildlife sightings are more common.
- Respect Nature: Follow all reserve rules and guidelines, and refrain from disturbing wildlife.
- Bring Essentials: Pack water, snacks, and appropriate clothing for hiking and exploring.
- Photography: Capture the beauty of the landscape and wildlife but avoid flash photography to minimize disturbances.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining guided tours to enhance your understanding of the local ecosystem and conservation efforts.
