Despite the fact that Nepal occupies the 94th place in the world, with a territory of only 141 thousand km 2 and stretching only 885 km from southeast to northwest and 201 km from southwest to northeast, wealth its flora and fauna is amazing. Nepal has 2% of the flowering plants in the world, among them 319 species of exotic orchids, and a total of 600 plant species. The fauna is also unusually rich, Nepal is home to 848 species of birds (8% known on Earth); 4% mammals; 500 varieties of butterflies, 11 types out of 15.
According to Bag Lib, Nepal impresses its guests with the fact that almost any type of vegetation can be found in the country: from the rainforests of the Terai (jungle) in the south to the mountain-desert steppes with rare dry grasses and shrubs on the northern slopes of the Himalayas. Oaks, pines and rhododendrons grow at intermediate heights, and fir, larch and birch grow in higher valleys. The alternating hills, densely covered with forests, and the wide greyish-brown Terai valleys, along with the rest of the natural and climatic zones of Nepal, are still known to this day for the richest and most diverse flora and fauna in Asia. Sadly, but poaching, the development of agriculture and barbaric deforestation affect this corner of the globe, far from industrialization.
In general, the flora and fauna of Nepal can be classified into 5 different types, in accordance with the natural and climatic zones. These are tropical monsoon deciduous forests, subtropical mixed forests, temperate evergreen forests, and, finally, flora and fauna characteristic of the subalpine and alpine zone. Terai are flat areas separated by low hilly ridges. The main tree species characteristic of tropical forests at altitudes up to 1000 – 1200 m above sea level is the gigantic Shorea, or sal tree (Shorea robusta) – one of the most valuable tree species. The sal tree has very tasty fruits, in which, behind a hard shell, there are segments with juicy pulp and a large bone. In the tropical regions of Nepal with a clearly defined dry season, there are light deciduous forests dominated by felt terminalia (Terminalia tomentosa) and rosewood (otherwise rosewood, Dalbergia spp). In some tropical areas, at altitudes up to 1800 m above sea level, pine forests can be found formed from longleaf pine, or Roxburghii (Pinus roxburghii). Other types of trees are mixed with the tropical rainforests of Nepal: catechu acacia, palm trees, bamboo, tree ferns. The fauna of the tropical zone of Nepal is rich, gaurs, buffaloes, deer, tigers, leopards and many other species live in the forests. Gaur (Bos gaurus) stands out among the bulls with its special beauty, size and proportionality of addition. Rhinos, barasings (or swamp deer), spotted and barking deer, fallow deer, sambhar deer live in swampy pasture meadows. In the full-flowing rivers of the Terai, crocodiles and freshwater dolphins are found. size and proportionality of addition. Rhinos, barasings (or swamp deer), spotted and barking deer, fallow deer, sambhar deer live in swampy pasture meadows. In the full-flowing rivers of the Terai, crocodiles and freshwater dolphins are found. size and proportionality of addition. Rhinos, barasings (or swamp deer), spotted and barking deer, fallow deer, sambhar deer live in swampy pasture meadows. In the full-flowing rivers of the Terai, crocodiles and freshwater dolphins are found.
Subtropical mixed forests grow on the Mahabharat ridge, in the so-called middle mountains, at an altitude of 1000 to 2500 m. Here, 3 stages of vegetation can be distinguished. Castanopsis (Castanopsis indica) predominates in the lower part, and Shima Wallichii (Schima wallichii) is also found. Higher, on slopes from 1200 to 2000 m, evergreen, mixed and deciduous forests grow, in which litsea (Litsea lanuginosa), laurel (Cinnamomum glanduliferum), Nepalese alder (Alnus nepalensis), rhododendrons, waxwort (Myrica esculenta), photinia ( Photinia integrifolia). Evergreen oaks are also found here. At an altitude of 2000 to 2500 m, oak forests grow in a number of places. The most common oaks are: flag-like (Quercus semecarpifolia), gray (Q. glauca), sharp (Q. acutissima) and lamellar (Q. lamellosa). In the forests there are many epiphytes, orchids, ferns, Longleaf pine (Pinus roxburghii) is found everywhere. The lower the height in this belt, the richer and more diverse the vegetation becomes. The fauna of subtropical forests is not as diverse as tropical forests, however, some species of mammals are also widespread here. There are wild boars, barking deer, serows, gorals and bears. Numerous species of birds live permanently in this area, while the rest arrive during seasonal migrations. Most of the birds gather on the banks of large rivers: Karnali, Narayani, Sapti Koshi. barking deer, serau, gorals and bears. Numerous species of birds live permanently in this area, while the rest arrive during seasonal migrations. Most of the birds gather on the banks of large rivers: Karnali, Narayani, Sapti Koshi. barking deer, serau, gorals and bears. Numerous species of birds live permanently in this area, while the rest arrive during seasonal migrations. Most of the birds gather on the banks of large rivers: Karnali, Narayani, Sapti Koshi.
Temperate evergreen forests located at an altitude of 2500 to 4000 m in two steps. In the lower part, up to a height of 3200 m, coniferous forests grow with an admixture of deciduous species. They are dominated by Himalayan spruce (Picea smithiana), hemlock, yew, Nepalese cherry (Prunus nepalensis), Simon’s perennial (Pleiobiastus simoni), rhododendrons and various maple species. In the upper part, at altitudes up to 4000 m, grows Himalayan fir, or wonderful (Abies spectabilis), with an admixture of useful birch, or silver (Betula utilis), and rhododendrons. The upper border of the forest is formed by birches with an admixture of rhododendrons, as well as Himalayan pine and Wallich juniper (Juniperus wallichiana). Evergreen forests occupy the largest area in Nepal and, due to the presence of valuable species, are of great economic importance. There are wild boars, barking deer, serows, gorals, and sometimes you can meet the Himalayan tahr, a close relative of the wild goat. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is perhaps the most interesting mammal found in this belt. The avifauna, that is, the totality of bird species inhabiting a certain territory, is also very rich here. Several species of pheasants live here, among them the Danfe pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), protected by the state and considered the national bird of Nepal.
Shrubs in the subalpine and alpine zones distributed in the range from 4000 to 5200 m above sea level. Up to 4200 m, they can form continuous areas of creeping shrubs intertwined with each other. Rhododendrons (Rhododendron setosum, Rh. anthopogon), scaly juniper (Juniperus squamata) and honeysuckle (Lonicera obovata) grow in this belt. Above 4200 m, alpine meadows, thickets of sedges, mosses and lichens, occurring up to the border of eternal snows, predominate. There are few mammals living at such heights, except for the Himalayan marmot, pika, musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), snow leopard, and occasionally even blue sheep (nahur, Pseudois nayaur). It is possible that wild yaks and Tibetan llamas (sheep) still live in the highlands, but most of them have already been domesticated. Of the birds in the alpine zone, there are bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), snowcock (mountain turkey, Tetraogallus), snowy (Himalayan) partridge (Lerwa lerwa), chough (red-billed alpine crow, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and bunting (Emberiza). Redstarts (Phoenicurus) and dippers (Cinclus) live near the streams. The yak, the only domestic animal that feels good at such heights, serves the local population as a draft animal, as a riding animal, and even as a dairy and meat animal. Yak wool is used to make sweaters and shawls, and cheese is made from milk, which can be stored for months. and as a riding, and even as a dairy and meat animal. Yak wool is used to make sweaters and shawls, and cheese is made from milk, which can be stored for months. and as a riding, and even as a dairy and meat animal. Yak wool is used to make sweaters and shawls, and cheese is made from milk, which can be stored for months.
The unique, infinitely diverse flora and fauna of Nepal will delight the eye of naturalists, photographers and wildlife lovers.
