Nepal’s
wildly varying ecosystems support a vast range of vegetation and wildlife. This
includes over 6,500 known species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, more than
800 bird species (at nearly 10 per cent of the entire world’s bird species, the
figure is higher than that of Canada and the United States combined!), and a
large number of reptiles and mammals.
There are several reasons for the tremendous diversity of
plant and animal species found in Nepal.
Its phenomenal topography contains ecological zones that in most other parts of
the world, are separated by thousands of kilometres. Nepal’s
geographical location, climate, altitude and aspect all combine to make it a
nature lover’s paradise.
Flora: By the
Season
March/ April
Nepal comes alive with the spectacular colours of nature –
rhododendrons, huge magnolias, orchids (there are over 300 species in Nepal)
blue irises, lavender primulas and a variety of shrubs burst into bloom.
July/ August
(Monsoon)
This is when you can marvel at the true colours of the Himalayas,
particularly the southern slopes and the inner valleys, which are lush with
mints, scrophs, buttercups, cinquefoils and polygonums. The temperate and
alpine zones abound in dwarf rhododendrons, junipers, ephedras, cotoneasters,
saxifrages and primulas.
These months are also the best time to visit Western
Nepal. As it falls in the rain-shadow area, monsoon conditions
ensure that the region is dry and free of leeches. The Dolpo area in
particular, has a rich variety of flora. Jumla east is filled with ground
orchids, edelweiss, corydalis, campanulas, anemones, forget-me-nots, impatiens
and roses. Higher up in the alpine regions, larkspurs, geraniums, poppies,
sedums and saxifrages proliferate.
Common vegetation in the trans-Himalayas is primarily from
the legume family, such as the spiny caragana and astragalus, and lonicera from
the honeysuckle family.
Post-monsoon
Although this is the time most people choose to travel to Nepal,
it is also the period in which most of the flowers of summer are gone. However,
wild flowers such as luculia, osbeckia and St. John’swort usually survive in the subtropical and lower temperate areas. There are
also the autumn yellows of maple and ginger leaves, and the reds of barberry
shrubs to enjoy.
The temperate forests are a joy to behold in the dark. When
they are backlit, the moss, epiphtic ferns and orchids seem almost luminescent
and other-worldly.
The KathmanduValleyis filled with silky oak, bottlebrush and eucalyptus, which are planted as
ornamentals in their adoptive land along with cherry, poplar, jacaranda,
bougainvillaea and giant poinsettias. Nepalis have always had a passion for
gardening and exotic plants such as hibiscus, camellia, cosmos and marigold are
abundant.
Fauna: By the
Region
The Terai
Eight species of storks and somewhat fewer species of cranes
have been identified along the watercourses of the Kali Gandaki and the Dudh
Kosi rivers. Herons and egrets are quite common in the tropical and
sub-tropical areas. Migratory waterfowl can be seen at the Kosi Barrage in the
eastern Terai and in the Chitwan and Bardia areas. The bar-headed goose has
been observed at altitudes of about 8,000 metres. Timalids or babblers and
laughing thrushes are common in the tropical Terai and the upper temperate forest.RoyalChitwanNational Park of the Inner Terai
and RoyalBardiaNational Park in the western Terai
protect sufficient habitat to sustain viable populations of the royal Bengaltiger. The one-horned rhino, the largest of three Asian species, is a denizen
of the grasslands of the Inner Terai, specifically the ChitwanValley, although it has also been
reintroduced to RoyalBardiaNational Park. The western part of
the Terai and Chure hills is home to the only wild elephants to be found in Nepal.
Two indigenous species of crocodile – the gharial and marsh mugger – inhabit
the Terai. The majority of snake species, including venomous ones such as
cobras, vipers and kraits are also found in the Terai.
The hills and
mountains
Some of Nepal’s
most beautiful flora and fauna can be found in its hills and mountains. Birds
of prey and carrion eaters of all sizes are found in the Himalayas.
These include the Eurasian kestrel, Himalayan griffon, and a large number of
eagle species such as the golden eagle. Of the over 600 species of birds that
can be found here, there are six species of pheasant in Nepal,
including the impeyan pheasant, which is the national bird. The yellow-billed
cough is known to enter mountaineers’ tents high on Everest. The snow leopard
inhabits inhospitable domains above the tree line, competing for space with
packs of wolves. Also found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer,
Himalayan tahr and the blue sheep. The omnivorous Himalayan black bear rarely
attacks humans, but is a bane to crops. Jackals can be found from the Terai to
the alpine region. The mountain pit viper and a few other non-venomous species
of snakes can also be found in the higher regions.
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