Renowned as a country of natural beauty, Nepal is also rich in forest resources. People, therefore, opine, “Green forests are the wealth of Nepal.” In fact, forests do contribute a lot to the all-round development of the country. They do yield a great many advantages.

According to a joint five-year survey conducted by the Department of Forest Research and Survey and the National Forest Products Survey Project in between 2067 to 2071 BS, it shows that of the total 147,181 square kilometers area of Nepal, forest area makes up 44.74 percent. Of it, 40.36 percent is covered by forest and remaining 4.38 percent is scrubland.  If this percentage is converted into digit, the country has 5,962,438 hectares land covered by forest. The mid-west region comprises the maximum section of forest area while the far-west covers the least section. According to the data made available by the Department, the mid-west region has 1,846,365 hectares of forest area while the forest area in the far-west is expanded to 135,900 hectares. The mid-hill area is greener than other regions as forest area here makes up 37.8 percent and is followed by 32.25 percent in the high hilly land, 23.04 percent in the Chure region and 6.90 in the Terai.

The forest of Nepal is classified on the basis of geographical location and climatic characteristics into three kinds. Types of forests of Nepal are as follows:

1. Tropical forest –

Nepal’s forest is up to a maximum elevation of about 4,000 ft. comes under tropical. It covers Southern Terai plains along Churia hills. Because of usual adequate rainfall and sun, these forests mostly remain evergreen. Valuable trees for commercial and industrial purposes like sal, sisoo, semal, khair, karma and asna grow abundantly in these forests. Wild animals like elephants, tigers, leopards, etc. are also available.

2. Temperate forests-

It covers 4,000 to 10,000 ft. in elevation. This includes the entire Mahabharat Pines, poplar, larches, oaks, firs, etc. grow abundantly. Since leaves fall off at the season, this is known as deciduous monsoon forest. Wild animals like bears, leopards, etc. are available.

3. Alpine forests –

Nepal’s forest above 10,000 ft. in elevation comes under alpine zone. It consists of high Himalayan Mountain Himalayan Valleys. There is the abundant growth of rhododendron and coniferous varieties. Tsauri, Ghoral, musk deer, and other alpine animals thrive in various parts of the alpine forest.

Some forest specialists are defines like this:

In Nepal, plural kinds of forests are found because of altitudinal variations. They are as follows:

Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest: This sort of forest is found in the realm up to the height of 1200 meter from” the sea level. The rainfall is very high and the temperature is also very high in this region: the Terai and the Churia range. So, there are found the evergreen and massively tall trees, which are plied for construction and building bridge and railways slippers.

Temperate Deciduous Forest: Such type of forest is found at the Mahabharat range at the altitude of 2100 meter. Winter is pretty cold in this realm and so the trees thresh and ply. The important trees of this sorts of forests include sallo (pine), katus, guras (rhododendron), sal etc.

Temperate Coniferous Forest: It is found at the height of 2100 up to 3300 meters of the Mahabharat range. As it is very cold all the year round, heavy snowfall occurs. Very soft trees like- sallo, devdaru, dhupi. katus, simal etc. are available in this region, which is used for making furniture and matchsticks.

Alpine Vegetation: This sort of vegetation is found in the Himalayas and high hill regions. The climatic condition is very dun, dry and extremely cold and snowy. Therefore, no tall trees except short grass and shrubs are found in this region.

Tundra Vegetation: It is found above 5000 meters. This area is covered with thick snow and prevails extreme and unbearable climatic condition. Hence, neither trees nor the other plants can grow in this realm.

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