Nepalese biodiversity

            Biodiversity is a location means the existence of organisms and species of living beings per square unit. Biodiversity can be defined as variety and variability of all living organisms and the ecological complexes in a given habitat. It is different from one place to another. The biodiversity of a place indicates bacteria,gene, fauna, micro-organisms and ecosystem existing in per square unit of area. In short,biodiversity is the total number of living organisms on the earth.
Biodiversity indicates a total of the living organisms of the earth and their status as well as differences. It indicates the system and structure of living beings in the nature.

     Biodiversity is divided into three types.they are:   Species Diversity,EcosystDiversity, Genetic Diversity.                                        

          

                                                                                

    i) Species Diversity: Species diversity refers to the variety of living species. A species can be defined as a group or population of similar organisms that reproduce by inter-breeding within the group members of one spcies do not reproduce with the members of another species.Human beings, for example, belong to a singlespecies. The difference is wide in hilly ecosystem. due to this, the favourable habitatis created for different kinds of species.Hence, Nepal is supposed to be a rich country with regard to species diversity.



                                                                    

                                                                                         ii) Ecosystem Diversity: Various kinds of land and water ecosystem are available in the world according to geographical belts. There are different kinds of ecosystem in Nepal according to land topography.The climate of each geographical belt is different."Ecosystem diversity can be defined as the variety and frequency of distinct ecosystems including the variability of habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes in the biosphere." It compasses the broad differences between ecosystem types and diversity of habitats and ecological process occuring within  each ecosystem type.



     iii) Genetic Diversity: It is the range of genetic variation and variability found within the population of population of single species and between the species in a given region (habitat).
Genetic diversity can be measured within a variety of DNA and other techniques.

                     Importance Of Biodiversity
The biodiversity has great importance. Its importance is connected with the human food and habitat , life style, social activities, economic aspects, etc. The biodiversity can be taken as the source of various resources for the people. It is important in Agricultural Produts, Anima Products, Vegetative Products, Improvements in Breeds & Soil Conservation. It is also needed for Watersheed Conservation,  Natural beauty, Development of Tourism, Econimic Development ,Enviromental Balance & Natural Sources. It is also necessary in Study & Research Works.


              Need For Conservation

The conversation of biodiversity means the conservation of all living beings, their requirehabitat. and their breed quality. It is necessary to conserve them. Effort should be made for the conservation of living beings and their habitat and also for the conservation of ecosystem. Favourable environment should be created for it. It  is necessary for the conservation because it helps to Protect the Existence of Living Beings, Conserve the Sustainability of Resources, Promote the Natural Scenic Beauty, Maitain a Balance in Natural Process, Help Economic and Social Development.


                     Main Causes of Rareness

The first cause of rareness of animals, birds, other organisms and vegetation is natural calamities. The encroachment of people is also a responsible factor that causes rareness of plants, animals, and birds in nature. Some major causes are as follows:

1. Natural calamities like earthquake, volcano, heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, storms disturb and damage natural forests, water sources, vegetation,  habitats, settlements and physical features of
 the environment.

2. People exploit forests, mines, water resources and land excessively. They explode bombs and dispose hazardous chemicals. These activities disturb the natural environment. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insectides in agriculture cause terrestrial andaquatic pollution.
Consequently, habitats, food cycles, and reproduction process of living beings are adversely affected.

3. Development activities conducted by human beings disturb the natural environment. People use land, water, mines and forests for development. They exploit raw materials for industries.They construct buildings, roads, dams, irrigation canals, tunnels, bridges, etc. In the course of the construction works, the natural environment is damaged. The living beings are also affected.


                            Status Of Rare Plants

There are different kinds of plants taken as rare in our country. Some of yet not had been researched scientifically. Different kinds of rare plants and their introduction are given below:

          1.Golden Michelia (Champ): The golden michelia is a rare plant. Scientifically it is called Michelia Champaca. Such trees are available in mid hills. This tree is also available in some places of Terai at the altitude of 600 to 1500 metres. The flower of golden michelia is lightt yellow and golden.This flower gives sweet smell. It's height is about 30 metres. It is protected in Bardiya National Park.Oil can be prepared from it's flower. it is used for the treatment of eye and gout.

2. Spik Nard (Jatamasi): The spike nard is the small fruit with perfume. It's root-like spike is  netted by red and brown thread and string. It is taken as a rare plant. It's scientific name is Nardostachys grandi flora. It grows up to the height of 60 cm and has a leaves divided into three heart-shaped parts. Perfume oil can be made by liquid substance of it's root. Such oil is used ia Ayurvedic medicine. It's oil is used to make medicine for cholera, epilepsy & heart disease.It is protected in Shey-Foksundo National and Annapurna Conservation area.

            3. Serpentina (Serpagandha): It is found from Hill up to the altitude  of 1200 meters. The serpentina is found in small numbers in the sal forest. It is always green. Scientifically, it is called Ralfia serpentina. Its stem is dry and the wood is white.  Its root is used to make medicine to cure blood pressure, to reduce pain and to induce sleep. Its is prohibited for export outside the country. It is protected in Makalu Barun National Park and Wildlife Reserve. 

  4. Himalayan yew (Lauth salla): The Himalayan yew is found at an altitude of about 1700 to 3,400 meters. It is found in the mid and western region of Nepal. Its fruits is poisonous. Its height is about 8 meters. It contains the element to cure immature cancer disease. Its scientific name is Taxus baccata wallichana. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It can be prepared for intestinal diseases, headache, respiratory infection, diarrhoea, high blood pressure and dry cough. Its is protected in the Sagarmatha and Langtang national park.

5. Panch aunle (Orchid): Panch aunle is the small plant  just like the five fingers of our palm. The Panch Aunle is dactylorhiza Hatagirea. It produces attractive flower like a rose scientific name of flower. This plant grows upto height of 90 cm. Its root can be used for the treatment of cough and used as energy booster and as a tonic as well. It is protected in the Langtang National Park. It is found nearly in all the altitudes of 2300 to 3600 metres.







6. Yarsagumba (Cordyceps): It is a fungus of grey colour appeared on the body of caterpillar with length of 5 to 8 cm. It is a plant of fungus group. It has no stem, leaf, flower and fruit like other plants. It can be grown by adapting biological scientific technology. The economic earning can be made from it. It is cultivated for biological and mechanical method.

                   
                       Status Of Rare Animals
The habitat of organisms, birds and animals is called the natural environment. Deforestion affects natural habitat, food cycles, movement, migration, reproduction, etc. Some of the birds and animals have become rare due to these reasons. Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Bengal Tiger, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Musk Deer, Giant pied Hornbill, Crane ,Cobra, Gharial (Crocodile), Wild Buffalo, Gaur, Swamp Deer, Assamese monkey, Salak, Azinger(Ajgar), Leopard cat,Gold Gohoro, Gangetic Dolphin and Snow Leopard are rare animals and birds.

1. Clouded Leopard: This animal is found in the                         dense forest of mid-hill region of Nepal. It's body
 is of clouded color and there are scattered spots over   the body. This animal is very attractive. The male clouded leopard is about length of 106 cm,excluding 90 cm long tail .Its height is about 80 cm and weight is about. The female clouded leopard is smallerr than male. Scientifically, clouded leopard is called Pardofelis Nebular.It is protected in Makalu Barun National Nark and conservation area, annapurna conservation and Langtang National Park. It lives for about 8 years.







2. Red Panda: Red panda is found at the height of 3500  meters in the forest of bamboo, cane and oaks. Its scientific name is Ailurus fulguns. It is one of the rare animal found in nepal. It survives in cool teperate climate. It survives by eating grasses ,fruits, roots, and the pulp of bamboo and cane .it was found  in large number in mountain belt or earlier.It is protected in Sagarmatha National Park, Langtang National Park, Makalu Barun National Park.It lives for about 7 years.


3.One-horned Rhinoceros: It is the second largest mamal in  the world .Its scientific name is  Rhinoceros unicorns. It is 1.1 to 1.7 meters tall and weight about 200 to 400 kg.It is found in the Siwalik and terai region of nepal It has been  protected being a rare animal .the chitwan national park,Bardia national park, and parsa wild life reserve are the main shelters of rhinoceros .It lives for about forty to fifty years.





    4. Bengal Tiger: Scientificially, bengal tiger is called                    Panthera tigris. An adult Bengal tiger has got

height of 1 meters and weighs about 130 to 200 kg .It is found in chitwan national park, para wildlife reseve bardia national park Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Its usual habitat is the dense forest, grassy land and the palce of enough water.The bengal is the largest among the tigers.It can swim the water .there are black spots on its body.chital, wild boar, gaur, stag, red deer, spoted deer, are its food It lives for about fifteen years .