There are 6500 known species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal. The height of floral glory can be witnessed in March and April when rhododendrons burst into color (there are 30 species in Nepal). The huge magnolias of the east with their showy white flowers, on bare branches are also spectacular, as are the orchids (more than 300 species in Nepal).

In the postmonsoon season, the flowers of summer are all but gone. However, in the subtropical and lower temperate areas, some wildflowers that survived environmental degradation include pink luculia, mauve osbeckia, and yellow St john’s wort. Flowering cherry tree, and blue gentians in the temperate areas, adds autumnal color to the villages. Otherwise, one can enjoy the autumn yellows of withering maples and ginger, and the reds of barberry shrubs.

In the Kathmandu valley, silky oak with its spring golden inflorescene, and bottle brush and eucalyptus, are planted as ornamentals, along with the cherry, poplar and jacaranda. Historically, the Nepali’s have been avid gardeners of such exotics as hibiscus, camellia, cosmos, salvia and marigold.

Tropical Zone(Up to 300m)

Sal, a broad-leaved, semideciduous hard-wood, dominates here. These leaves are used for ‘disposable’ plates, and the wood is used for construction. There is also a deciduous moist forest off acacia and rosewood in this zone, as well as open areas of tall elephant grass. These forest types are typical of the chure hills and the inner terai.

Subtropical Zone (1000m to 2000m)

The dominant species east of kali gandaki are the true chestnut and member of the tea family, schima. Because of the popularity of chestnuts wood as a source of fuel, it is often depleted. In the west, the chir pine is found on all aspects.

Lower Temperate Zone (1700m to 2700m)

Evergreen oaks are indigenous to this zone. In the west, exhibits two types of leaves: the young ones are spiny, while older ones have leaf margins. In the east this species is confirmed to southern slopes but is heavily cut for fodder and fuel.

The spectacular wet rhododendron forests are interspersed with hemlock and fir. Rhododendron arboretum, the national flower, reaches height of 18m and ranges in color from red to white.

Subalpine Zone (3000m to 4000m)

Silver fir mixed with oak and birch extends to the tree line I the west. East of the kali Gandki, only birch is found to the tree line.

Alpine Zone (4000m to snow line)

Above the tree line, vegetation must cope with extremes, both in ground temperature and moisture levels. Only the most tenacious of wildflowers thrive here. In the Trans-Himalaya, the vegetation is restricted to arid-adapted species of the Tibetan plateau.

Fauna

Birds

More than 800 bird species are known in Nepal, or nearly 10% of the world’s species. Resident bird numbers are augmented by migratory species, as well as winter and summer visitors.

Eight species of stork have been identified along the watercourses of the terai. Similar In appearance are the cranes, though these are not as well represented, save for the demoiselle cranes tht fly down the kali Gandaki and dudh kosi for the winter, before returning in spring to their Tibetan nesting ground. Herons and egrets are quite common in tropics and subtropics.

Most of the waterfowl are migratory. Many can be seen at the Kosi Barrage in the eastern Terai and in the Chitwan and Berdia areas. The bar-headed goose has been observed flying at altitudes near 8000m.

Raptors of bird of prey of all sizes are found in the Himalaya, and are especially prevalent with the onset of winter. Raptors include the small Eurasian kestrel, the Himalayan griffon and the lammergeier. The latter two, with the two, with the wingspan of nearly 3m, are carrion eaters. There are also true eagles present, including the resident golden eagle common in the Khumbu.

There are six species of pheasant in Nepal, including the nation bird, the impeyan pheasant, the male of which has a plumage of iridescent colors. These birds are ‘down-hills flier’-they do not fly, per se, and must walk uphill! The cheer and koalas pheasants live west of the kali Gandaki, while the kalij pheasant is common through Nepal.

Nepal hosts 17 species of cuckoo, which are characterized by their distinctive calls. Arriving in March, they herald is coming of spring. The Indian cuckoo is recognized by its ‘kaphal pakyo’ call which announces in nepali thet the fruit of the box myrtle is ripe. The common hawk cuckoo has a repetitious call that rises in acresendo and sounds like ‘brain fever’-or so it was described by british sahibs as they lay sweating with malarial fevers. Most cuckoos lay their eggs in the nest of crows.

One of the most colorful, varied and vocal families in the timalids, or babblers and laughing thruses, common from the tropical terai to the upper temperate forest. They range in length from 8cm to 33cm, and love in both terrestrial and arboreal areas. They can often be identified by the raucous calls. The black-capped sibia with its constant prattle and ringing song is an integral part of west temperate forest. The spinney babbler is Nepal’s only endemic species.

Nepal is home to the 15 members of the crow family. The two species of blue magpies are similar in appearance, but each occupies a different altitudinal range. The red-billed blue magpie is a resident of subtropical Zone, while the yellow-billed blue magpie is found in the temperate. Likewise the Indian treepie prefers the topics, while the Himalayan species live in the subtropics and temperate. Above the tree line, two species of chough, congregating large flocks in winter, are prevalent. Though the two species often overlap in range, the yellow-billed chough is found higher and is known to enter mountaineers tents high on Everest. Another member of crow family, also conspicuous in the trans-Himalayan region, is the large raven.

Besides such families as kingfisher, bea-eaters, drongs, minivets, parakeets and sunbirds, there are host of other including 30 species of fly catcher and nearly 60 species of thruses and wabblers.

In the Kathmandu valley, sparrows and pigeons demonstrate adaptability of urban centers by their sheer numbers. Dark kites, hawk like birds with worked tails, are common over city. At sunset loose groups of crows, myhans, egrets and kites fly to their respective roosts. Pulchowki, najarjun, and shivapuri are excellent areas for finding birds of subtropical and temperate habitats.

In the pokhara region, the Indian roller is conspicuous when it takes flight, flashing the iridescent turquoise on its wings. Otherwise, while perched, it appears as a plain bird. Local superstition has it that is someone about to embark on a journey sees a roller going their way it is good omen. And the trip is aborted. Many trips must be destined for delay thanks to the presence of common crows.

Mammals

Due to habitat degeneration from both natural and human causes, opportunity of viewing mammals, are usually restricted to national parks, reserves and western Nepal, where the population is sparse. Wildlife numbers also have been thinned by poaching the pelts, and other animal parts that are considered to be delicacies or medicinally valuable. Animal are also hunted because of the damage they inflict on crops and mestic animals.

At the top of the food chain is the royal Bengal Tiger, which is solitary and territorial. Males have territorial anges that encompass those of two or three females and may span as much as 100 sq km. Royal Chitwan National park, and Royal Bardiya Nationall park, in the western terai protect sufficient habitat to sustain viable breeding populations.

The spotted leopards is an avid tree climber and, in general, more elusive than the tiger. Like the tiger, this nocturnal creature has been known to prefer human flesh when it has been grown old or being maimed. Local people have likened the spotted leopard to an evil spirit because it success at evading hunters suggest it can read minds.

The snow leopard is often protected from hunters, not only in the national parks, but also because in inhabits inhospitable domains above the tree line and sensitive border regions. Its territory depends upon the ranges of ungulate (hoofed) herbs, its pray species. Packs of wolves complete directly and when territories overlap, the solitary snow leopard will be displaced.

The one-horned rhinoceros is the largest of three asian species and distinct genus from the two horned African rhino. It has poor eyesight, and though it weights up to two tones, it is amazingly quick. Anyone who encounters a mother with its calf is likely to witness a charge, which is disconcertingly swift, even if you are on elephant.

The rhino is denizen of the grasslands of the inner terai, specifically the chitwan valley although it has also been re-introduced to Royal bardia national park and Royal sukla phanta wildlife reserve.

The Indian elephant is different from African relatives; belonging to a separate genus. The only wild elephants known to exist to Nepal are in western part of the terai and chure hills, though individuals often range across the border from india. Elephant are known to maintain matriarchal societies and females up 60 years of age bear claves. Though elephants are able to reach 80 years of age, there life spans are determined by dentition. Molars were replaced as they were down, but only up to six times. When the final set is worm, the animal dies of starvation.

There are several specis of deer, but most are confirmed to the lowlands. The spotted deer is probably the most beautiful, while the samber is the largest. The mutjac, or the barking deer, which usually makes it presence known by its sharp, one-note alarm called, is fount at altitude up to 2400m, while the unusual musk deer, which has antelope like features and is only 50cm high at its shoulder, range even higher.

There are two primates; the rhesus is earth-colored, with a short tail and travels on the ground in large structured groups unafraid of humans. The langur is aboreal with a black face, grey fur and long limbs and tail. Because of hanuman, the monkey god in the Hindu epic Ramayan, both species are considered holy and are well protected well. The rhesus ranges from terai up to 2400m, while the langur goes up to 3600m.

Two even-toed ungulate mammals are found in the alpine regions. They are the Himalayan tahr, a near true goat, and the blue sheep, which is genetically standard somewhere between the goat and the sheep. The male tahr with flowing mane posses on the grassy slopes of the inner valleys, while the blue sheep turns a bluish- grey in winter and found in the Trans-Himalayan region.

The Himalayan black bear is omnivorous and a bane to corn crops in the temperate forests. Though it rarely attacks humans, its poor eyesight may lead to interpret a standing person as making a threatening gesture to attack. If so, the best defense is not to run, but to lie face down to the ground-particularly effective when one is wearing a backpack. Nepal’s bear are known to roam in winter instead of hibernating.

There are some prominent cannies, though are fairly shy. The jackal, with its eerie howling that sets village dogs barking at night ranges from terai to alpine regions. It is both a hunter and scavenger, and will take chickens and raid crops.

The pica, or mouse hare, is the common guinea-pig-like mammal of the inner valleys, often seen scurrying nervously between rocks. The marmot of western Nepal is a large rodent; it commonly dwells in the Trans-Himalayas.

Noisy colonies of flying foxes or fruit bats have chosen the trees near the Royal palace in Kathmandu and the chir pines to the entrance to Bhaktapur as their Haunts. They are known to fly the great distances at night to raid orchards. They have adequate eyesight for their feeding habits and do not require the sonar system of insectivorous bats.

Pulchowki, Nagarjun, and Shivapuri are good areas for sighting small mammals.

Reptiles

There are two indigenous species of crocodiles: the gharial and the mass mugger. The gharial inhabits rivers and is a prehistoric looking fish-eating creature with bulging eyes and a long, narrow snout. The marsh mugger prefers stagnant water and is omnivorous, feeding on anything within reach. Because the value of its hide and eggs, the gharial was haunted to the brink of extinction, but has increased in numbers since the establishment of a hatchery and rearing centre in chitwan. Both crocodile inhabit the terai.

Though venomous snakes such as cobras, vipers and kraits are present, the chance of encountering one is small, not only because of their evasive tactics but also because they indiscriminately slaughtered. The majority of the species are found in the terai, though the mountain pit viper is known higher up, along with a few other non-venomous species.