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Natural
Environment
Flora and Fauna
This drastic change
in height, and climate, creates the biggest concentration of animal and plant species in
the world. There are about 800 bird species and exotic mammals such as the
royal Bengal tiger, snow leopards, as well as rhinoceros, elephants, bears, deer, monkeys
and jackals. With overgrowing population densities, many of these animals are now
confined in National Parks, such as Chitwan.
Geography
and Environment
Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north,
the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the
south. All this from 60 meters above sea level to the highest peak in the world:
Mount Everest at 8848 meters. The fertile hill region provides support for the farming
peasants of Nepal.
Topographic
Map
The Himalayas
The Himalayan range
makes up the northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total land area of
Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8.848 m), Kanchenjunga (8.598 m), and Dhaulagiri (8137 m)
are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4.500 m. Some of Nepal's most
beautiful animal and plant life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and
danphe bird are much talked about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce
and sell cheese besides working as porters and guides. Many also trade with Tibet and
travel across the border to sell their goods.
The Hills
This region covers
65% of the total land area of the country. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal is located
here. Elevations range from 500 to 3.000 m above sea level. During summer the temperature
reaches an average of 32 degrees Celsius. Winters are cold, temperature reaching - 1
degree Celsius sometimes. Areas in the eastern hills receive more rainfall because of the
monsoon clouds which come from the south-east. The rivers in the west which do not receive
much rainfall are dependent upon the melted snow that flow down the Himalaya. Wild animals
to be found here are the spotted leopard, barking deer, and Himalayan black bear. The
hilly region is also popular for different kinds of birds. Over four hundred species of
birds are found here. The people in this region have gained from the growth in the tourism
industry. The people here work as trekking guides and porters and also sell garments and
carpets to add to their income.
The Terai
The Terai covers
17% of the total land area of Nepal. It provides excellent farming land and the average
elevation of flatlands is 100 to 300 m above sea-level. Sub-tropical forest areas,
marshes, and wildlife which include the Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, and the
garial crocodile are found here. After the eradication of malaria in the 1960s, many
people migrated to the Terai in search of farming land. Today, about 48% of the country's
population occupies this region. Flat farmlands and the region's flexible topography have
given rise to many industries. The main industrial towns are Biratnagar, Butwal, Bhairawa,
Birgunj, and Janakpur. Calcutta, a metropolitan city in India is the closest sea-port. It
lies 1,000 kilometers away from Birgunj.
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