NEPAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
FLORA
& FAUNA IN NEPAL
Nepal's
flora and fauna can be divided into
four regions:-
Ranging
from the subtropical forests
of the Terai to the great peaks of
the Himalayas in the north, Nepal
abounds with some of the most spectacular
sceneries in the whole of Asia, with
a variety of fauna and flora
also unparalleled elsewhere in the region.
Between Nepal's geographical extremes,
one may find every vegetational type,
from the treeless steppes of the Trans-Himalayan
region in the extreme north and the
birch, silver fir, larch and hemlock
of the higher valleys to the oak, pine
and rhododendron of the intermediate
altitudes and the great sal and sissau
forests of the south.
The
rolling densely forested hills and broad
Dun valleys of the Terai along with
other parts of the country, were formerly,
renowned for their abundance and variety
of wildlife. Though somewhat depleted
as a result of agricultural settlements,
deforestation, poaching and other causes,
Nepal can still boast richer and more
varied flora and fauna than any other
area in Asia. For practical purposes,
Nepal's flora and fauna can be
divided into four regions:-
1.
Tropical Deciduous Monsoon Forest :
This
includes the Terai plains and the broad
flat valleys or Duns found between successive
hill ranges. The dominant tree species
of this area are Sal (Shorea Robusta),
sometimes associated with Semal (Bombax
malabricum), Asna (Terminalia termentosa),
Dalbergia spp and other species, and
Pinus rosburghi occurring on the higher
ridges of the Churia hills, which
in places reach an altitude of 1800m.
Tall coarse two-meter high elephant
grass originally covered much of the
Dun valleys but has now been
largely replaced by agricultural settlements.
The pipal (ficus religiosa) and the
Ôbanyan' (ficus bengalensis) are
to be noticed with their specific natural
characteristics. This tropical zone
is Nepal's richest area for wildlife,
with gaurs, buffaloes, four species
of deer, tigers, leopards and other
animals found in the forest areas rhinoceros,
swamp deer and hot deer found in
the valley grasslands and two species
of crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin
inhabiting the rivers. The principal
birds are the peacock, jungle fowl and
black partridge, while migratory duck
and geese swarm on the ponds and lakes
and big rivers of Terai. Terai forests
are full of jasmin, minosa, accecia
reeds and bamboo.
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2.
Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest :
This
includes the Mahabharat Lekh,
which rises to a height of about 2400m
and comprises the outer wall of the
Himalayan range. Great rivers
such as the Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta
Koshi flow through this area into the
broad plains of the Terai. This zone
also includes the so-called middle hills
which extend northwards in a somewhat
confused maze of ridges and valleys
to the foot of the great Himalayas.
Among the tree species characteristic
of this region are Castenopsis indica
in association with Schima wallichii,
and other species such as Alnus nepalensis,
Acer oblongum and various species of
oak and rhododendron which cover
the higher slopes where deforestation
has not yet taken place. Orchids clothe
the stems of trees and gigantic climbers
smother their heads. The variety and
abundance of the flora and fauna increase
progressively with decreasing altitude
and increasing luxurance of the vegetation.
This zone is generally poor in wildlife.
The only mammals, which are at all widely
distributed, are wild boar, barking
deer, serow, ghoral and bears. Different
varieties of birds are also found in
this zone. Different varieties of birds
are also found in this zone.
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3.
Temperate Evergreen Forest :
Northward,
on the lower slopes and spurs of the
great Himalayas, oaks and pines
are the dominant species up to an altitude
of about 2400m above which are found
dense conifer forests including Picea,
Tusga, Larix and Abies spp. The latter
is usually confined to higher elevations
with Betula typically marking the upper
limit of the tree line. At about 3600
to 3900m, rhododendron, bamboo and maples
are commonly associated with the coniferous
zone. Composition of he forest varies
considerably with coniferous predominating
in the west and eracaceous in the east.
The wildlife of this region includes
the Himalayan bear, serow, ghoral,
barking deer and wildboar, with Himalayan
tahr sometimes being seen on steep rocky
faces above 2400m. The red panda
is among the more interesting of the
mammals found in this zone; it
appears to be fairly distributed in
suitable areas of the forest above 1800m.
The rich and varied avifauna of this
region includes several spectacular
and beautiful pheasants, including
the Danfe pheasant, Nepal's national
bird.
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4.
Subalpine and Alpine Zone :
Above
the tree line, rhododendron,
juniper scrub and other procumbent woody
vegetation may extend to about 4200m
where it is then succeeded by t a tundra-like
association of short grasses, sedge
mosses and alpine plants wherever there
is sufficient soil. This continues up
to the lower limit of perpetual snow
and ice at about 5100m. The mammalian
faun is sparse and unlikely to include
any species other than Himalayan
marmots, mouse hare, tahr, musk
deer, snow leopard and occasionally
blue sheep. In former times, the wild
Yak and great Tibetan sheep could also
be sighted in this region and it is
possible that a few may still be surviving
in areas such as Dolpa and Humla. The
bird life at such as lammergeyer, snowcock,
snowpatridge, choughs and bunting, with
redstarts and dippers often seen along
the streams and rivulets. Yaks are the
only livestock, which thrive at high
altitude. They serve both back and draught
animals. The cheeses prepared out of
the milk are edible for months. The
female Yak provides milk to the Sherpas.
Of the wonderful
flora and fauna must suffice
to indicate what a paradise Nepal
is to the lovers of wild animal
and bird life, to the naturalists and
to the foresters.
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