WWF on the Ground in Nepal - The area

The Terai Arc Landscape project (TAL) area map.
© WWF Nepal Program

From Mount Everest to tropical jungles

Peaceful coexistence with wildlife is a part of Nepalese culture. This rhesus monkey (<i>Macaca mulatta</i>) is enjoying a breakfast of flowers on a balcony in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Peaceful coexistence with wildlife is a part of Nepalese culture. This rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is enjoying a breakfast of flowers on a balcony in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
© WWF-Canon / Helena Telkanranta

Nepal is a nation of young faces. Almost 40% of Nepalese people are less than 15 years old.
© WWF-Canon / Helena Telkanranta

Nepal is a small country with exceptional diversity. From the Himalayan mountains in the north to tropical jungles in the south, the country covers a variation of cultures and landscapes that could fill a whole continent elsewhere.

In terms of biodiversity, the richest part of Nepal is the Terai. Its lowland jungles and grasslands are home to tigers, rhinos, elephants, and numerous other creatures.

Highly diverse for its size
Nepal is a land of extremes. The climatic conditions range from tropical jungles in the south to eternal winter on top of the highest mountain on earth, Mount Everest - or Sagarmatha, as it is called in Nepal.

The population of Nepal is 27 million, consisting of various cultures and ethnic groups. The official language is Nepali. In addition to this, there are about a dozen other languages and about 30 major dialects.

Rich in tradition, meagre in income
The majority of Nepalese people are Hindus. In fact, Nepal is the only official Hindu state in the world. The second largest religious group in the country are the Buddhists.

Nepal has a rich variety of cultural traditions. Located between India in the south and China in the north, it is a meeting point of Indian and Tibetan cultures, but a long history has also given rise to a multitude of local cultures and ethnic groups with their unique traditions.

High illiteracy rate
However, when measured in material terms, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Estimates on the extent of poverty vary, but according to UN, about 40 % of the population lives below the poverty line. Illiteracy is also common. One third of Nepalese men and two thirds of Nepalese women are unable to read and write.

A major obstacle for development in Nepal is the current insurgency. Maoist guerrillas have pursued an armed struggle since 1996, and the conflict has claimed more than 11,000 lives.