Forests and their destruction in the Himalayas of Nepal

The floras of the 4 vertical zones of the Nepalese forests are described. The forests are being destroyed by uncontrolled clearing actions, the extraction of firewood and construction timber, the lopping of branches to provide animal fodder, forest grazing of livestock, and fires. The effects of these activities will increase with the increasing population pressure. Deforested slopes suffer soil erosion which makes the land incapable of supporting agriculture, and the unchecked runoff causes flooding in the lowlands and alters the courses of rivers. Only the Sherpas and the Thakkhali practise any form of forest protection or conservation, and their example should be used in the education of the population about the problems involved.