Animals and Plants

Which animals live in Nepal?

About 30 larger and over 80 smaller mammal species live in Nepal. Anyone who travels the country will particularly notice the many species of butterflies. There are a lot of insects and they tend to be a bit bigger than ours. Some animal species can only survive protected, such as the unicorned rhinoceros or the elephants. In very remote areas of the Himalayan Mountains you can still find bears and snow leopards. With luck, tigers can also be spotted in protected areas. Unfortunately, their population has decreased significantly because the tigers have been hunted for many years.

Yak, Dzo and Muli

The yaks, which can only survive at an altitude of over 3000 meters, are very popular in Nepal. They adapt very well to the environmental conditions at high altitudes in the mountains. The dzos, crossbreeds of yak and cow, value it a little less. Especially in the area of ​​Annapurna you can often find mules, a cross between horse and donkey.

All three animal species are suitable for transporting goods or luggage for tourists. And since there are many poorly or not at all paved roads in Nepal, the use of these animals is often vital.

Animally useful roommates

The insects get quite big in Nepal. So that these do not get out of hand, lizards and geckos have made it their business to devour insects. Those who travel in Nepal have to get used to the flatmates.

There is also a great variety of snakes. The Nepalese appreciate these animals because they in turn eat the mice and rats, which so often become a nuisance and can destroy entire crops. 800 species of birds and 590 species of butterflies in all possible shapes and colors are also found in Nepal.

What is growing in Nepal?

Over 65,000 plant species grow in Nepal, there are 375 different ferns alone. The Terai area in southern Nepal is very fertile. There are several types of trees here, the wood of which is also used to make doors and windows. This includes the sal tree, the wood of which is very durable so that it can withstand the bad rainy seasons. The Pipal tree is also known. Incidentally, Gautama Buddha is said to have found his enlightenment under one of these. There are also kapok trees here in large numbers.

As the Terai has a tropical climate, creepers can be found. Some fruit trees grow here. Delicious mangoes, oranges, grapefruit and lemons can be picked. Herbs, mimosa and the fragrant jasmine plant also grow. Peach, pineapple and papaya trees can still be found in the Kathmandu valley.

Plants in the plateau

The higher you go, the more difficult it becomes for the plants to survive. But the rhododendron is very resilient and can be discovered up to an altitude of 4000 meters. Incidentally, the rhododendron is also the country’s national flower. Eucalyptus and oak trees can also be found. The magnolia blooms particularly beautifully in spring, a tree that we also have. Cedars and pines grow on conifers and there are some alpine plants that can survive at these heights. The tree line begins in the subalpine zone. In the alpine zone above 4500 meters only very little grows, a few bushes and grasses.

It also bloom countless species of orchids in Nepal as well as the huge poinsettias, you may know us from the flower pots, which are found mainly at Christmas time in any supermarket. In Nepal, as in other regions of Asia, these bloom meters high.

Economy

What do people work in Nepal?

According to topschoolsintheusa, 68 out of 100 Nepalese work in agriculture. Unfortunately, not much money is made in this area. The main crop is rice, plus potatoes, maize and other types of grain. Most of the products that are exported from Nepal are agricultural products. The Terai, a region in the south of the country, has the largest agricultural areas. The other regions are too mountainous, which makes farming difficult. The roads in the mountains are also often poor.

Only 17 out of 100 Nepalese work in industry, as this branch is not yet well developed. However, a lot is happening here and attempts are being made to strengthen the industry. Mainly carpets are exported, because Nepal is known for this traditional handicraft.

Tourism

Tourism is important for Nepal. Year after year, the Himalayan mountains draw the adventurous to the heights. The selection of high mountains that can be climbed in Nepal is huge. Then there are the royal cities in the Kathmandu valley, which are part of the world cultural heritage.

Tourism brings money into the country on the one hand, but it also causes immeasurable damage because the Nepalese state does too little to protect culture and nature. There is no water disposal, so the waters continue to pollute. The stations of mountaineers who want to explore the landscapes of the Himalayas are often littered with garbage.