Nepal Calls You

Wildlife biodiversity is one of the distinct features of Nepal and its tourism. It is home to the unique bird Spiny Babbler which is found only in Nepal. It is host to several types of endangered species like Snow Leopard, one-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tigers, Crocodiles, and few other species. Not only fauna, when it comes to flora Nepal's mid hill forests are covered with 33 species of Rhododendron, the national flower. In order to foster the wildlife biodiversity, Nepal has established numerous National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Conservation Areas to protect its diverse fauna.

1. Mammals:

We can found 185 species of Mammals in and around Nepal.  Nepal's dense Terai jungles are serving as the natural habitat for exotic animals like the one-horned Rhinoceros, the Asiatic elephant, the Royal Bengal tiger. Some others include are the Leopard, Monkeys both (red and white), Langur, Hyena, Jackal, Wild boar, antelope, wild cats, wolves, sloth bears, chital and few species of deer like spotted deer.  Koshi Tappu region is more famous for wild buffalo commonly known as "Arna"  whereas western Terai forests of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is an abode of swamp deer. Likewise, the endangered blackbucks are residing in and around  Bardia National Park. Federal Democratic  Government of Nepal has started a mission to conserve black bucks by declaring  Bardia as Blackbuck Conservation Area with an area of  15.95 sq. km.

       Not only that, Nepal even has its own varieties of aquatic lives such as Dolphins in the fresh waters of Karnali and Narayani river. When it comes to the wildlife in the Himalayan region of Nepal it is considered as the home to the Red Panda and elusive snow Leopards. For only fortunate few, from Lantang to Kanchenjunga region there can have greater chances of encountering Red Panda, especially in Bamboo. Other mammals like Yak, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Thar, and Musk Deer also live in high altitude normally above 3000meters. The one and only hunting reserve of Nepal, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve also serves as a domicile to Blue Sheep and Himalayan Thar.

2. Birds:

Writing about recorded species of birds in Nepal, the figure counts around 850. On that good note, it can be informed to you all that half of these birds i.e. around 450 species can be witnessed in and around the Kathmandu valley alone. Surrounding hills and outlying villages of the valley like Godavari, Nagarjun, Shivapuri, Nagarkot, and Phulchowki are popular bird sites.

       Spiny Babbler, the one and only bird found in Nepal and which was thought to be extinct until it was spotted herein Nepal. The Red-Headed Trogan was also sighted here in April 2000 which is also regarded as extinct.

3. Reptiles:

Two indigenous species of crocodile are primarily found in Nepal. One is the fish eating Gharial which posses the long narrow snout and another one is the omnivorous, marsh mugger, generally eats anything it catches.  Snakes like  Cobras, Vipers, Kraits, and the Indian Python can be seen here. Other reptiles traced around the country are monitor Lizards as well as Turtles.  Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park are more popular for reptiles.

Tip:

If you happen to be a birder then you must visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, the home to migratory birds and has 485 species of birds including 26 species of duck alone. In addition to that, National bird, the Danphe (Lophophorous) can be seen generally above 2800m to 4000m especially in trekking destinations of Nepal.For more information about Nepal’s wildlife,

  

Himalayan Herbal Viagra: Yarsagumba (Cordyceps Sinensis)

Yarsagumba or Yarchagumba is an atypical and unique herb which is found in the pastureland above 3,500m up to 5000m in and around the high Himalayas of Nepal.

      Yarchagumba literally means ‘plant in summer' and  ‘insect in winter' in the Tibetan language. Though various types of famous medicinal plants are found in Nepal the popularity of Yarchagumba is simply overwhelming. It is demanded globally in high scale and with expensive rates.

       It is mainly famous for curing the sexual impotency and hence the name ‘Himalayan Herbal Viagra’. Also, there are many advantages of Yarsagumba and diseases like Headache, toothache is also healed with this strange creature (half insect and half plant). During the months of May and June people from the high altitude rush to gather Yarsagumba in 27 districts of Nepal, few parts of Tibet and Bhutan.

 

Further details can be found at http://www.dnpwc.gov.np, an official web page of the Department of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests & Soil Conservation), Nepal.