Hkakaborazi National Park


Hkakaborazi National Park is a national park in northern Myanmar with an area of. It was established in 1998.
It surrounds Hkakabo Razi, the highest mountain in the country.
It ranges in elevation from comprising evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forests in Nogmung Township, Kachin State. It is managed by the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division.
It is contiguous with Bumhpa Bum Wildlife Sanctuary and Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. These protected areas together with Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary comprise the largest continuous expanse of natural forest called the Northern Forest Complex stretching over an area of. Its objective is to conserve the biodiversity of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin river basins.

Biodiversity

Flora

The vegetation in Hkakaborazi National Park comprises broadleafed evergreen and mixed deciduous forest. Shrubs growing in riverine areas include Rhododendron simsii, Homonoia riparia, Ficus, Phyllanthus, Ligustrum, Camellia and Euonymus species. Flowering trees like Wightia gigantea, Dipterocarpus alatus, Elaeocarpus, Nephelium, Bauhinia, Schima, Fagraea, Aeschynanthus and Magnoliaceae grow at elevations of about. Altingia excelsa, Terminalia myriocarpa, Selaginella, Lysimachia, Impatiens and at least six Begonia species are among the flowering plants growing at elevations of about. Albizia, Alnus, Ficus, Saurauia, Callicarpa arborea grow in selectively logged areas. Diverse bamboo species grow in all forest zones up to. Alpine vegetation includes plum-flowered rhododendron, Rhododendron selense, Primula sikkimensis, Gentiana sino-ornata and Saussurea gossypiphora.
Seventeen orchid species were recorded during expeditions in 1996 and 1997, including black orchid, ivory-colored cymbidium, aloe-leafed cymbidium, Aerides falcata, Arundina graminifolia, Bulbophyllum odoratissimum, Dendrobium hercoglossum, charming dendrobium, pinecone-like raceme dendrobium and Phaius tankervilleae.

Mammals

During expeditions in 1996 and 1997, a new muntjac species, the leaf muntjac, was discovered in lowland forest of Hkakaborazi Protected Area. Local hunters reported blue sheep, red serow and takin to occur in the foothills of Hkakabo Razi mountain. Red goral was sighted.
During surveys between May 2002 and May 2003, Indian muntjac, leaf muntjac, wild boar, mainland serow, stump-tailed macaque, rhesus macaque, capped langur, western hoolock gibbon, Malayan porcupine, brush-tailed porcupine, Asiatic golden cat, sun bear, dhole, binturong, masked palm civet, hog badger and orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel were recorded.
Wildlife recorded during camera trapping surveys in 2003 and 2004 comprised yellow-throated marten, spotted linsang, Chinese ferret-badger, clouded leopard, marbled cat and leopard cat.

Birds

Among the 160 bird species sighted during a survey in spring 1997 were crested serpent eagle, Indian paradise flycatcher, Kalij pheasant, Himalayan monal, rufous-necked hornbill, great hornbill, wreathed hornbill, Oriental pied hornbill, great barbet, golden-throated barbet, blue-throated barbet, ibisbill, rosy minivet, scarlet minivet, red-whiskered bulbul, common emerald dove, rufous treepie, red-headed trogon, maroon oriole, Asian fairy-bluebird, golden babbler, rusty-naped pitta and purple sunbird.
In 2005, the Naung Mung scimitar babbler was described based on three zoological specimens collected southwest of Hkakaborazi National Park in disturbed primary forest at an elevation of.