Ecosystem Restoration

Nepal is endowed with rich biodiversity. This is because of diverse topography, climatic zones and altitudinal variations. 86 per cent of its land consists of hills and high mountains, and 14 per cent the flat lands in the Tarai region. It covers only 0.1 per cent of the world’s area but has over 3 per cent flora and 1 per cent fauna of the globe. According to National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), around 208 mammals, 890 birds, 123 reptiles, 55 amphibians, 230 freshwater fish and 651 butterfly species are found in Nepal. People, animals and plants form an inalienable part of nature’s ecosystem. But growing human activities have threatened rare species, plants and water resources. The habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade of animal parts, conflict between animal and humans and climate-induced disasters have brought multiple crises to the existence of plants and animal species.