Botany

Botany originated in prehistory as herbalism with the efforts of early humans to identify and later cultivate edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, making it one of the oldest branches of science. Research topics of botany include the study of plant structure, growth and differentiation, reproduction, biochemistry and primary metabolism, chemical products, medicinal value, development, diseases, evolutionary relationships, systematics, and plant taxonomy. Nepal, a landlocked country located in the central part of main Himalayan range is floristically characterized by presence of six adjoining floristic regions, namely central Asiatic in the North, Sino-Japanese in the North East, South East Asia-Malaysian in the South East, Indian in the South Sudano-Zambian in the South-West and Irano-Turranean in the West. The altitudinal variation ranges from about 60m to the top of the world (8,848m) has made Nepal a rich country in plant bio-diversity. It has 35 forest types, 75 vegetation units and 118 ecosystems. Nepal’s botanical wealth is conserved through various acts and laws and particularly protected in 10 National Parks, 3 Wild-life Reserves, 1 Hunting Reserve, 6 Conservation Areasand 12 Buffer Zones as in-situ conservation. Plants are also conserved, as a part of ex-situ conservation, in national level Botanical Garden (National Botanical Grade, Godavari, and Lalitpur) and 10 district level Botanical gardens at various parts of the country. One of the major functions of Global Institute of Nature Conservation  is research on economic, medicinal flowering and nonflowering plants as well as ethno botanicalstudies of various plants that are found in Nepal in order to increase and improve the supply of medicines, foods, fibers, building materials, and other plant products. The plant carries various medicinal values which is mostly practiced in rural areas where the poor people can’t afford medicines. Reported medicinal plants are systematically screened through phytochemical and pharmacological for potential bioactive compounds. Experimental validation of these remedies may help in developing new drugs which can be used to cure inevitable disease. This is a great contribution for pharmaceutical and herbal industries in Nepal. Conservationists use botanical knowledge to help manage parks, forests, range lands, and wilderness areas. Public health and environmental protection professionals depend on their understanding of plant science to help solve pollution problems.

Herbariums

A herbarium is a collection of preserved plants stored, catalogued, and arranged systematically for study by professionals and amateurs from many walks of life. A collection like this is a vital reference when we need to identify a plant and also serves in the identification of thousands of plant names. A herbarium is a cross between a museum of priceless artifacts and a warehouse of birth certificates for plants and acts as a source of information about plants where they are found, what chemicals they have in them, when they flower, what they look like. Preserved plant specimens can be used to provide samples of DNA and to validate scientific observations. A herbarium is therefore of immense practical use and of fundamental importance to science. At present we have about thousand plant specimens housed in our herbarium. Our Organization also provides the identification services to the concerned people as well as research organization.

Flora in Nepal

There are over 6500 species of trees, bushes and flowers.In the temperate areas flowers start blooming when winter ends. The only time that flowers really bloom in the temperate and alpine area is during the monsoon season. During this time the landscape abound with brightly colored flowers. In the higher elevation valleys there are buttercups, polygonums, scrophs, mints, composites and cinquefoils. In the alpine areas there are junipers, saxifrages, primulas, rhododendrons, cotoneasters and ephedras. In the subtropics flowers bloom as the temperature gets warmer. The main flower season is March and April when the rhododendrons are in their full glory. The large white magnolias, orchids, lavender primuds, and blue irises. There are also flowers on the bushes. In western Nepal the best time to see flowers is July and August. It gets less rain than the rest of Nepal, so it is more comfortable to visit during the monsoon than other places. At lower elevation there are orchids, roses, campanlas, impatiens, anemones, corydalis and edelweiss. In the alpine areas there are geraniums, saxifrages proliferate, poppies, larkspurs and sediums. In the Himalaya area there are astragalus, Ionicera (from honeysuckle family) and caragana. Just after the monsoon in October and November most of the flowers are gone. Some flowers may be seen in the subtropical areas such as mauve osbeckia, yellow St John’s wort and pink luculia. Also there are reds flowers on barberry bushes, flowers on the cherry trees and the yellow of the withering maples. In the temperate areas there are blue gentians.

There are over 300 types of orchids in Nepal.

Eupatorium is called ban mara or “death to the forest” by the Nepalis. It is a red-stemmed daisy that has heart-shaped leaves. It is a native of South America that was introduced to Nepal in the19th century. It is spread all over the subtropical and temperate areas. It takes over deforested areas and is not eaten by animal, not even goats. It is seen as a sign of environmental decline.

Trees

Two tree are often seen the banyan and pipal tree. They are considered very holy and are often found near temples, holy place and rest areas along walking routes. Banyan trees have hanging roots and elliptical leaves. They can often been huge as the roots connect and different inter-connecting trunks may grow. Pipal have heart-shared leaves. The pipal is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhist. It is believed that the Buddha attained enlightenment under a pipal tree. Hindus believe that the banyan tree to be an embodiment of Laksmi, the goddess of fortune and consort of Lord Vishnu. The pipal is seen as the embodiment of Lord Narayan (Vishnu). Bamboo is seen throughout Nepal. Giant bamboo is seen in the tropics and dwarf bamboo in the temperate areas. The grass species is used for building and for making baskets.

Vegetation

Nepal is found at a southern point, equal to central Florida. Species that are found in tropical area are found in Nepal. Because of its high elevation species found in Europe are also found in Nepal. Depending on the slope of a hill or mountain, the climate and vegetation can change. The south and east slopes get more sun and therefore are drier. The north and west faces receive less sun and are more rain and have a higher selection of vegetation. At elevation increases so also does rainfall up to 2700m. After 2700m there is almost no rain and crop can not grow above this level. As the elevation increases the temperature decreases which influence vegetation. It rains more in eastern Nepal than the west. East of the Kali Gandaki Valley species are typically those found in wet forests. In the west, species are those are found to exist in drier area.

Tropical Zone

The main tree to be found at this level is the Sal (shorea robusta), a semideciduous hardwood. It is found all over Nepal. It has wide leaves that are used to make plates. It is wood is used in building. There are also rosewood and acacia trees, and areas of high elephant grass. The grass is burned off in the winter, or it would be taken over by the sal forest. The red silk cotton has red flowers in the spring. From these trees comes a cotton (kapok) that is used to stuff pillows and mattresses. When younger these trees have thorny trunks and when older they are smooth.

Subtropical Zone (1000m to 2000m)

The main vegetation here is the chesnut and tea species. Chestnut flower in the fall and the tea species has white flowers in the late spring. In the west is found the chir pine, which has long needles in three bundles. They can also be found in the east in the dryer southern slope areas.

Lower Temperate Zone (1500m to 2600m)

The main species in this area is evergreen oak. Birch and Alder can be found around waterways. In western Nepal, found usually on the west and north faces are maple, walnut and horse chestnut. There are many blue-pine forests in western Nepal, found mainly on south faces. It has shorter needles (in bundles of five) than the chir pine and it has long cones.

Upper Temperate Zone (2500m to 4000m)

There are two types of evergreen oak that are found here, with two different types of leaves. Mainly found are rhododendron forests with fir and hemlock interspersed. There are over 30 species of rhododendron in Nepal. The Rhododendron arboreum is the national flower. It has different colors from white to red. In the west there are blue pine, with spruce and fir. In the east there is blue pine, hemlocks, fers and yews. Also found is forests of maple and laurel.

Subalpine Zone (3000m to 4000m)

East of the Kali Gandaki only birch is the only tree found up to the tree line, and in some area there are only rhododendron bushes and bamboo. In the west there are silver fir, birch and oak. In dry areas juniper can be found up to the tree line. Forest are found higher up in western Nepal than in the rest of the country because it does not rain as much.

Apline Zone (4000m to snow line)

Under the toughest wild flowers can survive here because of the extremely cold temperature and often lack of rain. Plants often have thick underground stems. Much of the vegetation to survive is of the type found in the Tibetan plateau. The stellara can exist above 5500m.    

Fauna In Nepal

Ranging from the subtropical forests of the Terai to the great peaks of the Himalayas in the north, Nepal abounds with some of the most spectacular sceneries in the whole of Asia, with a variety of fauna and flora also unparalleled elsewhere in the region. Between Nepal’s geographical extremes, one may find every vegetational type, from the treeless steppes of the Trans-Himalayan region in the extreme north and the birch, silver fir, larch and hemlock of the higher valleys to the oak, pine and rhododendron of the intermediate altitudes and the great sal and sissau forests of the south. The rolling densely forested hills and broad Dun valleys of the Terai along with other parts of the country, were formerly, renowned for their abundance and variety of wildlife. Though somewhat depleted as a result of agricultural settlements, deforestation, poaching and other causes, Nepal can still boast richer and more varied flora and fauna than any other area in Asia. For practical purposes, Nepal’s flora and fauna can be divided into four regions:-

1. Tropical Deciduous Monsoon Forest :This includes the Terai plains and the broad flat valleys or Duns found between successive hill ranges. The dominant tree species of this area are Sal (Shorea Robusta), sometimes associated with Semal (Bombax malabricum), Asna (Terminalia termentosa), Dalbergia spp and other species, and Pinus rosburghi occurring on the higher ridges of the Churia hills, which in places reach an altitude of 1800m. Tall coarse two-meter high elephant grass originally covered much of the Dun valleys but has now been largely replaced by agricultural settlements. The pipal (ficus religiosa) and the Ôbanyan’ (ficus bengalensis) are to be noticed with their specific natural characteristics. This tropical zone is Nepal’s richest area for wildlife, with gaurs, buffaloes, four species of deer, tigers, leopards and other animals found in the forest areas rhinoceros, swamp deer and hot deer found in the valley grasslands and two species of crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin inhabiting the rivers. The principal birds are the peacock, jungle fowl and black partridge, while migratory duck and geese swarm on the ponds and lakes and big rivers of Terai. Terai forests are full of jasmin, minosa, accecia reeds and bamboo.

2. Subtropical Mixed Evergreen Forest :This includes the Mahabharat Lekh, which rises to a height of about 2400m and comprises the outer wall of the Himalayan range. Great rivers such as the Karnali, Narayani, and Sapta Koshi flow through this area into the broad plains of the Terai. This zone also includes the so-called middle hills which extend northwards in a somewhat confused maze of ridges and valleys to the foot of the great Himalayas. Among the tree species characteristic of this region are Castenopsis indica in association with Schima wallichii, and other species such as Alnus nepalensis, Acer oblongum and various species of oak and rhododendron which cover the higher slopes where deforestation has not yet taken place. Orchids clothe the stems of trees and gigantic climbers smother their heads. The variety and abundance of the flora and fauna increase progressively with decreasing altitude and increasing luxurance of the vegetation. This zone is generally poor in wildlife. The only mammals, which are at all widely distributed, are wild boar, barking deer, serow, ghoral and bears. Different varieties of birds are also found in this zone. Different varieties of birds are also found in this zone.

3. Temperate Evergreen Forest :Northward, on the lower slopes and spurs of the great Himalayas, oaks and pines are the dominant species up to an altitude of about 2400m above which are found dense conifer forests including Picea, Tusga, Larix and Abies spp. The latter is usually confined to higher elevations with Betula typically marking the upper limit of the tree line. At about 3600 to 3900m, rhododendron, bamboo and maples are commonly associated with the coniferous zone. Composition of he forest varies considerably with coniferous predominating in the west and eracaceous in the east. The wildlife of this region includes the Himalayan bear, serow, ghoral, barking deer and wildboar, with Himalayan tahr sometimes being seen on steep rocky faces above 2400m. The red panda is among the more interesting of the mammals found in this zone; it appears to be fairly distributed in suitable areas of the forest above 1800m. The rich and varied avifauna of this region includes several spectacular and beautiful pheasants, including the Danfe pheasant, Nepal’s national bird.

4. Subalpine and Alpine Zone :Above the tree line, rhododendron, juniper scrub and other procumbent woody vegetation may extend to about 4200m where it is then succeeded by t a tundra-like association of short grasses, sedge mosses and alpine plants wherever there is sufficient soil. This continues up to the lower limit of perpetual snow and ice at about 5100m. The mammalian faun is sparse and unlikely to include any species other than Himalayan marmots, mouse hare, tahr, musk deer, snow leopard and occasionally blue sheep. In former times, the wild Yak and great Tibetan sheep could also be sighted in this region and it is possible that a few may still be surviving in areas such as Dolpa and Humla. The bird life at such as lammergeyer, snowcock, snowpatridge, choughs and bunting, with redstarts and dippers often seen along the streams and rivulets. Yaks are the only livestock, which thrive at high altitude. They serve both back and draught animals. The cheeses prepared out of the milk are edible for months. The female Yak provides milk to the Sherpas.Of the wonderful flora and fauna must suffice to indicate what a paradise Nepal is to the lovers of wild animal and bird life, to the naturalists and to the foresters.