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Nepal's Flora and Fauna |
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Nepals flora and
fauna can be divided into four regions |
- Tropical Deciduous monsoon forest.
- Subtropical mixed evergreen forest.
- Temperate evergreen forest
- Subalpine and alpine zone.
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 Ranging
from the subtropical forests of the Terai to the
great peaks of the Himalayas in the north, Nepal
contains some of the most spectacular scenery to
be found in the whole of Asia. There is a huge variety
of fauna and flora not found in many other places
The geographical extremes provide a huge variety
of vegetation, from Sal and Sissau forests in the
south to Bamboo Rhododendrun and Oak in the Middle
hills. The high alpine region has forests of Birch
and Silver fir that grows just below the glacial
moraine of the Trans Himalyan region.
Tropical
Deciduous Monsoon Forest
This includes the Terai plains and the broad flat
valleys found towards the chain hill ranges. The
main tree species found here are Sal (Shorea Robusta),
sometimes associated with Semal (Bombax Malabricum),
Asna (Terminalia Termentosa), and Pinus Rosburghi.
Tall coarse two-metre high elephant grass originally
covered much of the Dun valleys, these have now
been largely replaced by agricultural settlements.
The Terai is a tropical zone and Nepal’s richest
area for wildlife.Tigers, leopards, rhinoceros,
swamp deer, hog deer, gaurs, etc are just a few,
over fourty three species of mammals have been recorded.
Two species of crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin
inhabit the rivers. The principal birds are the
peacock, jungle fowl and black partridge while migratory
ducks and geese swarm the lakes and big rivers of
Terai in the migratory seasons. Terai forests full
of jasmine, mimosa, acacia reeds and bamboo in season
time. |
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 Subtropical
Mixed Evergreen Forest
Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest is found further
north in the Mahabharat Lekh (hill) which rises
to a height of about 2400m to reach the outer wall
of the Himalayan range. The zone includes the middle
hills, these extend northwards from the Terai in
a series of many ridges and valleys, gradually rising
in altitude up to the foot of the great Himalaya.
Among the tree species characteristic of the region
are oak, rhododendron and bamboo which cover the
higher slopes.The area is ideal for the study of
the many species of orchids and gigantic climbers.The
variety and wealth of plants increases after leaving
the lower altitudes, apart from a large variety
of birds, the region is generally poor in wildlife.
The only mammals which are at all widely distributed
are wild boar, barking deer, Serow, Ghoral and bears. |
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Temperate Evergreen Forest
Oaks, pines bamboo and rhododendron are the main
species found in this zone which reaches altitudes
of between 3600 mtrs and 4200mtrs. The wildlife
of the upper zonal reaches includes the Himalayan
bear, serow, ghoral, barking deer and wild boar.
The Himalayan tahr is sometimes seen on steep rocky
faces. The Red Panda is among the more interesting
and rare species found . It lives in suitable areas
of forest above 1800 mts. The rich and varied fauna
includes several spectacular and beautiful pheasants,
including the Danfe, Nepal’s national bird.
Sub alpine and Alpine Zone
Rhododendron, juniper scrub and other procumbent
woody vegetation may extend to about 4200m where
it is succeeded by a tundra-like setting with short
grasses, sedge mosses and alpine plants wherever
there is sufficient soil. At altitudes of 5100 mtrs
and over there is permanent snow and ice. Mamals
found in the alpine zone include Himalayan marmots,
Mouse hare, Tahr, Musk deer, Blue sheep and the
elusive Snow leopard. In former times, wild Yak
and Great Tibetan sheep also inhabited the region.
It is possible that a few may still be surviving
in remote Himalayan areas of Dolpa and Humla.
Bird life includes lammergeyer, Snowcock, Snow partridge,
Choughs and Bunting. Redstarts and Dippers can be
seen along the streams and rivulets. Yaks are the
only livestock which thrive at high altitude. They
serve extremely well as pack animals. |
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