WWF on the Ground in Nepal - The species

Terai - a haven for wildlife

The Terai is a stretch of lowlands in the southernmost part of Nepal. This is the area with the highest biodiversity in the country.

The protected areas in the Terai are an important foothold for many large mammals, like tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos and sloth bears. Some of the protected areas, like Royal Chitwan National Park, are considered to be among the best sites for wildlife viewing in Asia.

Why is the biodiversity so high?
For such a small country, Nepal has unusually high biodiversity. This is partly because of the geography having lead to a vast variety of habitats - from highest mountains on earth to tropical lowlands only about 100 metres above sea level.

Another reason for the multitude of species can be seen by looking at a world map. Nepal is a meeting point of northern Eurasia and the Indian subcontinent, and the ranges of many Eurasian and Indian species overlap here.

One more reason for such biodiversity still remaining in Nepal is the cultural tradition. Respect for living things is a part of Nepalese tradition. The need for nature conservation has thus been well understood in this culture.

Grasslands and forests
Grasslands and forests are the two main habitats of the Terai. Lakes are small and scarce, but the area does have several wide, shallow rivers - the ones that give birth to the mighty Ganges River. A typical species in grasslands is the elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Growing to an amazing height of four metres, it is the tallest grass species in the world.

Forests of Terai vary from lush and dense jungles to open forests with more sunlight. In the lowland areas, the latter are often dominated by the sal tree (Shorea robusta).

The climate in Terai ranges from tropical to subtropical. From April to June, the maximum daily temperature is around 35°C. Nights are a little cooler, around 20°C. The rainy season lasts from June to September and is characterised by heavy downpours that often cause severe flooding. In winter - especially from December to January - the daily maximum remains around 25°C. During nights, the temperature may fall below 10°C.