|
| |
More than 60
percent of the endemic plant species of the eastern Himalayas can be found
within Bhutan. Of the 5500 known species of vascular plants, 50 or more are
endemic to Bhutan itself. Although a comprehensive description of Bhutanese
flora is yet to be formulated, it is accepted that several species are
highly valuable for their conservation properties. These include some for
Alkaloids and gene pools for crop research, and those that are potential
horticultural crops. Some 26.23% of the country’s area is protected through
National Parks. In addition, a further 9% has been declared as Biological
Corridor, connecting protected areas, and there are a series of Conservation
Areas intended to protect important conservation sites outside the formal
Protected Areas system. As a result, more than 35% of the country’s area is
under the protection of some form of conservation management.
This system
serves as a globally unique system for in situ conservation of biodiversity.
Fauna Regarding diversity at the species level, inventories have indicated
that there are more than 5,500 species of vascular plants, more than 770
species of avifauna and more than 165 species of mammals, with many species
being endemic to Bhutan. Along its southern border, the narrow tropical and
subtropical belt supports the Asiatic elephant, greater one-horned
rhinoceros, gaur, wild water buffalo, hog deer, tiger, clouded leopard,
hornbill, trogon and other mammals and birds characteristic of indo-malayan
species. Only 150 kilometers to the north, high Himalayan fauna include the
blue sheep, takin, musk deer, snow leopard, wolf and other species
characteristic of the Palearctic realm.
So far as 770 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan which reflects the
Kingdom’s wide range of agro-ecological environments – from subtropical to
alpine and its location at the northern edge of the Zoogeographical oriental
region and the permeable and fluid border with China. Also country is famous for
its over wintering populations (about 350 birds) of the vulnerable black-necked
crane in the valleys of Phobjikha, Bomdeling and Gyetsa.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
