|
|
The
Kingdom of Nepal is a narrow, rectangular country at the heart of the
Himalaya. Bounded by the cold, arid Tibetan Plateau to the north,
and the hot, humid Indian plains to the south, Nepal is famous for its
culture and spectacular mountain scenery. Eight of the world's ten
highest peaks are found within its borders, including the highest point
on earth, Sagarmatha, 8,848 m (Mount Everest, 29,028 ft). Nepal is also
home to an amazing diversity of plants: from stunted alpines battling
with the harsh environments of the frozen mountains, to mighty trees of
the steamy lowland jungles down at around 60 m, and all within 150 km.
1.
Tropical Deciduous Monsoon Forest :
This
includes the Terrain 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.
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.
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.
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.
|
|
