Environment in Nepal

Environment in Nepal

The dramatic differences in elevation found in Nepal result in a variety of biomes, from tropical savannas along the Indian border, to subtropical broadleaf and coniferous forests in the Hill Region, to temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests on the slopes of the Himalaya, to montane grasslands and shrublands and rock and ice at the highest elevations.

At the lowest elevations we find the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. These form a mosaic with the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, which occur from 500 to 1,000 metres (1,600 to 3,300 ft) and include the Inner Terai Valleys. Himalayan subtropical pine forests occur between 1,000 and 2,000 metres (3,300 and 6,600 ft).

Above these elevations, the biogeography of Nepal is generally divided from east to west by the Gandaki River. Ecoregions to the east tend to receive more precipitation and to be more species-rich. Those to the west are drier with fewer species.

From 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft), we find temperate broadleaf forests: the eastern and western Himalayan broadleaf forests. From 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. To 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows.

Subdivisions

Main articles: Regions of Nepal, Zones of Nepal, and Districts of Nepal

Subdivisions of Nepal.Nepal is divided into 14 zones and 75 districts, grouped into 5 development regions. Each district is headed by a permanent chief district officer responsible for maintaining law and order and coordinating the work of field agencies of the various government ministries. The 5 regions and 14 zones are:

Eastern Region (Purwanchal)

• Koshi
• Mechi
• Sagarmatha

Central Region (Madhyamanchal)

• Bagmati  
• Janakpur  
• Narayani

Western Region (Pashchimanchal)  

• Gandaki  
• Lumbini

Mid-Western Region (Madhya Pashchimanchal)

• Bher 
• Karnali 
• Rapti

Far-Western Region (Sudur Pashchimanchal)

• Mahakali 
• Seti

 Largest Cities

The 10 largest cities (by population) in Nepal are as follows :

1. Kathmandu (Pop.: 1,442,271)  
2. Pokhara (Pop.: 200,000)  
3. Patan (Pop.: 183,310) 
4. Biratnagar (Pop.: 182,324)  
5. Birgunj (Pop.: 133,238)  
6. Dharan Bazar (Pop.: 108,600)  
7. Bharatpur (Pop.: 107,157)  
8. Janakpur (Pop.: 93,767)  
9. Dhangarhi (Pop.: 92,294)  
10. Butwal (Pop.: 91,733)