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November blossom,
Dampus |
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Ibex |
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Fishtail &
Marygold |
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Flora &
Fauna
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 NepalÕs 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 o
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, NepalÕs 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 ŌbanyanÕ (ficus bengalensis) are to be noticed
with their specific natural characteristics. This
tropical zone is NepalÕs 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.
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 Ōmiddle hillsÕ 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.
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, NepalÕs
national bird.
4. Sub alpine
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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