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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