Forests of Nepal

Nepal is rich in forest resources. People therefore say that ‘green forests are the wealth of Nepal’. The forests of Nepal can be classified into these five parts – (1) sub-tropical evergreen, (2) Temperate Deciduous, (3) Temperate coniferous (4) Alpine vegetation and (5) Tundra vegetation.


1. Sub-tropical Evergreen Forests: These are found in the regions up to the height of 1200metres. The rainfall is heavy and temperature is high in areas such as the Terai and the Chure. Trees are tall and thick, and always look green. This type of forest runs from eastern border to western border of Nepal. This type of forest in which Sal, Sisau, khayar, etc are found is most important one from the economic point of view.

2. Temperate Deciduous Forest: Such a forest is found at the Mahabharata at the height 2100metres. It is not thick. In winter it is very cold and most of the leaves of trees fall off. Important trees of this forest are sallo, katus, gurans, sal, etc.

3. Temperate Coniferous forest: It is found at the places lied between 2100metres and 3300meters of the Mahabharata. As it is cold all the year round, it snows here. Soft wood, useful for making furniture and match stick, like sallo, devadaru dhupi, katus, simal, etc is found here.

4. Alpine Vegetation: It is at the Himalayan regions and hilly areas. The climate here being always dry no tall trees except short grass are found here.