Biodiversity of Nepal

Biodiversity refers to those all living things in land, water and in air of a particular place. Also, it is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Nepal is a small country landlock country in south Asia, having India in south, east and west and china in north. Nepal is of roughly trapezoidal shape, 800 kilometers (500 mi) long and 200 kilometers (120 mi) wide, with an area of 147,181 km²(56,827 sq. mi). Nepal is commonly divided into three physiographic areas: Himal, Pahad and terai.  These ecological belts run east–west and are vertically intersected by Nepal's major, north to south flowing river systems.

Although being a small country it is very rich in biodiversity, Nepal occupies about 0.1 per cent of the global area, but harbors 3.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent of the world's known flora and fauna, respectively. About 4.5 per cent of the world's known mammals, 9.3 per cent birds, 5.1 per cent gymnosperms and 8.2 per cent bryophytes are reported in Nepal.

I feel amaze because of diversity of biodiversity in such a small country and also it makes me proud. Due to lack of sufficient research we are not able to do detail study in many creatures. There are many flora and fauna, only found in Nepal. Local community and Nepal government combinedly working together to conserve and protect all the resources that we have.

Nepal is famous in One horn rhino, tiger and other mammals and birds. Due to rich in biodiversity yearly many tourists visit here. Biodiversity is aiding in national economy of Nepal. Our national biodiversity is providing a lot of things, we have to and must conserve our resources.

According to IUCN

Nepal consist of 20 protected areas including 10 National parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 1 hunting reserve, and 6 conservation areas.

23.2% of the total land area of Nepal is protected

5 physiographic zones, including High Himal (23%), High Mountains (19%), Middle Mountains (29%), Siwalik (15%) and Terai (14%)

10 Ramsar sites (4 in the High Himal, 2 in the Middle Mountain and 4 in Terai region)

44.7% of the country is forested

4.5% of mammals (208 species) are found in Nepal

118 identified ecosystem types (38 in High Himal, 52 in high hills and Middle Mountain, and 28 in Siwalik-Chure and plain/ Terai), of which 80 ecosystem types are in protected areas

9.3% of birds (874 species) are found in Nepal

4% of butterfly species are found in Nepal

2.7% of flowering plants are found in Nepal

1.6% of reptiles’ species are found in Nepal

10 World Heritage Sites are in Nepal, of which two are natural and eight are cultural World Heritage Sites

68% of the energy in Nepal comes from fuel wood

1% of amphibians and fresh water species are found in Nepal

18,133 community forest user groups are managing 1,700,048 hectares of forest

 References