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 ?anyan?(ficus bengalensis) are
to be noticed with their specific natural
characteristics. This tropical zone is
Nepal? 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
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 ?iddle
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.
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? national
bird.
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.