Introduction

According to the National Forest Inventory (NFI, 1989-1996) report forests cover 5,828,007 ha (about 39.6% of the total land area), of which about 4,268,798 ha (about 73.25% of the total forest area) covered by trees and shrubs cover 1,559, 209 ha (about 26.75% of the total forest). The NFI also indicated that since 1978 forest cover has declined at a rate of 1.7 percent per annum and the total woody vegetation (forest and shrub) cover has decreased at an average annual rate of about 0.5%.

There are significant differences in total vegetation cover among different development regions. The Far Eastern development region has 35.2% forests and 13.5% shrub covers and the Western development region has the least forest (25.0%) and shrub (8.7%) covers. The main reasons for forest cover change are as follows:

• Deforestation occurred due to the fodder, fuel wood and timber collection.
• Forest fire.
• Forest land encroached by the farmers.
• Landless peoples settled in forest area.
• Road and other infrastructure construction in forest areas.
• Land slides.
• River bank cutting by floods etc.

 Land Use

The Land Resource Mapping Project (LRMP, 1986) is the only source that provides a holistic picture of land use Nepal. The land use of 1985-86 (‘000ha) is presented in following tables.

Source: MPFS (1988/89)

About 86% of the total area of Nepal is in fragile hill eco-systems (High Mountains, High Hills, Mid Hills, and Shiwaliks), which need eco-sensitive forestry and agroforestry systems planning and management. Following five vegetation categories can be found in Nepal based on an altitudinal classification (bio-climatic zones).

Tropical forest (below 1 000 m)

Forests of tropical zone are located in the Terai and the Shiwalik (Churia) hills. Broadleaved forests dominate this zone except for some coniferous forests (Pinus roxburgii) on southern aspects in the upper regions. Terai region covers about 14% of total area, which differs in the flora of the western and eastern parts due to difference in climate, rainfall and soil type. Forest types of this zone are as follows:

• Sal (Shorea robusta) forest
• Khair (Acacia catechu) and Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) forest
• Riverian forest
• Deciduous forest of western foot hills
• Grass lands

Subtropical forest (1,000 to 2,000 m)

This zone included the central belt that lies north of the Shiwaliks and is made up of a network of ridges. The subtropical forest consists of species such as Schima wallichii, Castanopsis indica,and Castenopsis tribuloides on relatively humid areas while Pinus roxburghii forms forests in drier regions. Forest types of this zone are as follows:

• Pine forest
• Chilaune and Katush forest
• Uttis forest
• Riverian forest dominated by Toona and Albizia spp

Temperate forest (2,000 to 3,000 m)

This zone supports broadleaved evergreen forest dominated by plants such as Quercus lamillosa and Q. semicarpifolia in pure or mixed stands. Species such as Lindera and Litsea, Tseuga dumosa and Rhododendron spp. are also present in the upper levels of this zone. Forest types of this zone are as follows

Sub alpine forest (3,000 to 4,000 m)

The sub alpine zone covers about 43% of the land but accommodates only 6% of Nepal’s population. This zone supports forest vegetation up to the tree line with different flowering plants. Medicinal and other NTFP species such as Aconites, Allium, Bergenia, Ephedra, Daphne (Lokta), Swertia (Chiraito) and Taxus (lauthsalla) are found in this zone and used by local people. The Betula-Rhododendron campanulatum and Abies spectabilis forest represents in this zone.

Alpine zone (4,000-5,000 m)

The alpine forest is characterized by the presence of various stunted bushy shrubs. The main species are Rhododendron setosum, R. anthopogon, R. lepidotum, Potentilla fruiticosa, Ephedra gerardiana, Berberis spp. and Cotoneaster accuminata, and alpine grasses are also found. Some common and important herbs of this zone include Primula spp, Gentiana spp, Corydalis spp. and Saussurea spp.