Bhutan supports a great variety of plants, ranging from tropical species in the south to alpine tundra in the Himalayan regions in the north. Though the government policy is to maintain at least 60% of the land as forest, the present ratio is higher, with a remarkable 72% of the country covered in forests of fir, mixed conifers, temperate and broadleaf species. An astonishing array of plants grow in Bhutan : over 5000 species, including 300 species of medicinal plants and over 50 species of Rhododendron. Of the more than 600 species of orchid, most are commonly found up to 2100m, although some hardy species thrive even above 3700m. Bhutan's heavy rain encourages tree growth.
Forests are found up to 4500m and serve not only as a source of fuel, timber and herbs, but also as a cultural resource, as they from the basis of many folk songs and ritual offering to the gods in the form of wood, flowers and leaves. The trees of the far eastern Himalaya are very different from those of he western Himalaya of India and Nepal .
Because glaciation had no impact on the lower reaches of the Himalaya,these foothills remain repositories of plants whose origins can be traced back before the ice age. That makes this area home to some of the most ancient species of vegetation on earth.
In Bhutan the vegetation profile falls into five general classes:
- Tropical - up to 100m
- Subtropical - 900m to 1800m
- Temperate - 1800m to 3500m
- Subalpine - 3500m to 4500m
- alpine - 4500m to 5500m
Tropical & Subtropical
Tropical evergreen forests growing below 800m are repositories of unique biodiversity, but much of the rich vegetation at these lower elevations has been cleared for pasture and terraced farmland. In the next vegetation zone are the subtropical grasslands and forests, found between 900m and 1800m. The tree Rhododendron is found in this zone, along with forests of oak, walnut and sal, and numerous varieties of orchid. Forests of sal, a hardwood used for building construction and railroad ties (for export to India ), are found in the south. Sal grows at elevations as high as 1250m, and is the dominant species wherever it occurs, The evergreen Indian laburnum, which bears vivid yellow flowers between April and June, is also found here. The distinctive flame of the forest bears vivid orange flowers between February and May.
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The easily identifiable hemp, with its five-pointed leaves, grows on the perimeters of cultivated land and along road edges. even in Thimphu . Hemp has, of course, many uses other than the obvious one, and has been traditionally woven into rope and cloth. In Bhutan hemp is considered a weed and is fed to the pigs- imagine a pig with the 'munchies'!
The chir Pine is a tall, straight conifer that appears on sunny slopes in the subtropical zone. It has long, often bright green, needles and medium-sized, oval cones. You can easily distinguish it from its relative, the blue Pine, by counting the number of needles in a bundle. The needles of the chir Pine are in groups of three and those of the blue Pine are shorter and in groups of five. The wood is used for rough furniture and boxes. The chir can be harvested for its resin, which is used to make rosin and turpentine.
Temperate
The temperate zone is a region of great diversity, largely influenced by the elevation. The tropical vegetation of the lower zones gives way to dark forest of oak, birch, maple, mangolia and laurel. On most hills, the sunny south side is forested with broadleaf species such as oak, and the damp, shady north side with Rhododendron and conifers. Above 2400m is the Spruce, yew and weeping cypress, and higher still, growing up to the tree line, is the east Himalayan fir. A high-altitude variety of oak is found between 2250m to 2850m and above this are substantial forests of birch.
Throughout this zone you'll find Rhododendron, popular, willow, walnut, ash, aspen and mangolia. Conifers include blue Pine, hemlock, larch and fir. In the autumn you will see the mauve or pinkish flowers of the Himalayan wild cherry blooming in the hills between 1200m and 3000m.
Between March and May the hillsides are ablaze with the deep red flowers of the etho metho. This used to be Bhutan's national flower, and is the country's most famous Rhododendron. The Bhutanese commonly call white Rhododendron species takpa and red Rhododendrons takma.
The blue Pine is found at altitudes up to 4000m and is often mixed with Juniper and birch trees. The wood of the blue Pine is often used for roofing shingles and the bark of the tree is often cut to collect resin.
Subalpine & alpine
Between the tree line and the snow line at about 5500m are low shrubs, Rhododendrons, Himalayan grasses and flowering herbs. Junipers are found in a dwarfed from at altitudes over 4000m. Their distinctive foliage, short prickly needles and reddish-brown bark that peels of in for their fleshy, berry-like fruit as well. Also in this region are lichens, mosses and alpine flowers such as the tiny Rhododendron nivale, edelweiss, and varieties of primula. As the snows begin to melt at the end of the long winter, the high-altitude, the high-altitude grazing lands are carpeted with a multitude of wild-flowers, which remain in bloom until early summer. After the onset of the monsoon, in July, a second and even more vibrant flowering occurs, which extends until the end of the monsoon, in late August or early September. Some of the varieties found at these higher elevatins include anemones, forgeme-nots, dwarf irises, dwarf Rhododendrons, primulas, delphiniums and ranunculus, among Marathon.
Blue Poppy
The blue poppy, Bhutan's national flower, is a delicate blue or purple-tinged bloom with a white filament. In Dzongkha it is known by the name euitgel metog hoem. It grows to nearly 1m tall, on the rocky mountain terrain found above the tree line (3500-4500m elevation). The flowering season occurs during the early monsoon, from late May to July, and the seeds yield oil. It is a monocarpic plant, which means that it blooms only once. It grows for several years, then flowers, produces seeds and dies. Poppies can be found atop some high passes from he far eastern parts of the country all the way across to the west. At one time the blue poppy was considered to be myth, along with the yeti, because its existence was not confirmed. In 1933 a British Botanist, George Sherriff, who was in Bhutan studying Himalayan flora, found the plant in the remote mountain region of Sakten in eastern Bhutan. Despite this proof that the flower exists, few people have seen one; a mystique surrounds the species in the way it does the Snow Leopard.
Useful Trees & Shrubs As well as sal and the other trees just mentioned, several other forest species in Bhutan are important for commercial, medicinal and domestic purposes. The east Himalayan fir is used for roofing shingles and its leaves have medicinal properties. The wooden bowls that are used in Bhutan are made from maple. Birch is used for the carved wooden blocks used to print Buddhist texts. The national tree is the weeping cypress, which is valued as timber and for producing incense. Oak is uses extensively for firewood.
Lemongrass is harvested for essential oil production. Bhutanese handmade paper is made from the daphne plant, which grows at higher elevations, or from a lowland plant known as edgeworthia. Both of these plants are known as dhey shing or dheykap in Dzongkha.
In deciduous forests in the duars grows sissoo, used in furniture,and semal, which is used for matches, plywood and paper. The two plants that produce the ingredients in doma (betel nut) are also found here. The nut comes from the khair, a palm-like tree, and the leaf used to wrap it comes from the betel leaf vine. |
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Bhutan has 165 species mammals. The region near Royal Manas National Park is home to a large of well-known south Asian game species.
Takin
The takin, resembles a cross between a gnu and a Musk Deer. It has an immense face and a tremendously thick neck. Short, thick legs support is heavy body, which rises to more than 1m at the shoulder. They live in north-western and far north-eastern Bhutan, although the like-liest place to see one is in the mini-zoo in Thimphu. Monkey
Three species of monkey are found in Bhutan. The Rhesus monkeys, earth-coloured with short tails, travel on the ground in large, structured troops, and are unafraid of humans. The langur are arboreal, and have black faces, grey fur and long limbs and tails. The Rhesus habitat ranges from the duars up to 2400m, while the langur's goes higher, up to 3600m. Golden Langur
Bhutan is the only place in the world where the golden langur is found; the small primate's existence was not even known to the scientific community until the 20th century. Not surprisingly, its distinctive feature is its golden coat, which varies in lightness from season to season, as well as by region. Even within Bhutan, its range is only from the Puna Tsang Chhu in the west to the Manas river system in the east. The northern limit is the Black Mountains. If you are fortunate enough to see a golden langur, it will undoubtedly be in the trees, probably in open forest. The animal has a specially adapted stomach that allows it to digest leaves. Elephant
The Asian elephant roams in and around the Royal Manas National Park and in the rainy season may travel for into the hills to the north. This elephant is starkly different from its African relative, and belongs to a separate genus. Elephants are also known to maintain matriarchal societies, and females up to 60 years of age bear calves. Though able to reach 80 years of age, elephant's life spans are determined by their teeth: their molars are replaced as they wear down, but only up to six times. When the final set is worn, the elephant dies of starvation. Snow Leopard
The Snow Leopard's extraordinarily beautiful coat-soft grey with black or dark gray spots - has, unfortunately, been its downfall worldwide. It has been hunted relentlessly and is now in danger of extinction. Elusive and elegant, the big cat is almost entirely solitary, largely because a single animal's hunting territory is so vast (about 10,000 sq km) and prey is scarce throughout the very high - altitude areas in which it lives. However, when its favourite prey, the blue sheep, migrates to lower valleys in winter, the Snow Leopard follows, It is then that the sexes might meet, although the females are only receptive to mating for one week. Tiger
Of the world's large predators, the tiger is perhaps the most spectacular. Tigers are strongly territorial, like domestic cats, and basically solitary. Each male's territorial range is up to 100 sq km, and a female's range is only a little smaller. Though they are mostly concentrated in and around Royal Manas National Park, tigers may be found throughout Bhutan, even at higher altitudes, and as far north as Jigme Dorji National Park.
Several tiger conservation measures already have been implemented in Bhutan and, coupled with the strong protected areas system, has provided a favourable environment for the animal. The protected regions of Bhutan and India provide India provide sufficient habitat to sustain viable breeding populations. Other Cats Several species of cat share the tiger's habitat; these include the Asiatic golden cat, fishing cat, clouded Leopard, common Leopard and marbled cat.
Rhino
The greater one-horned rhino is the largest of the three Asian species of rhino and belongs to a totally different genus to that of the two-horned African varieties. It has poor eyesight and, though weighing up to two tonnes, is amazingly quick. Rhinos are not to be trifled with. Bear & Panda
The Himalayan Black Bear is omnivorous and a bane to farmers growing corn in the temperate forests. Bears do occasionally attack humans, probably because their poor eyesight lead them to interpret that a standing person is making a threatening gesture. If a bear approaches to attack, the best defence is not to run, but to lie face down on the ground. Black Bears are known to roam in winter instead of hibernating. The common Black Bear is found at elevations below 200m.
The sloth bear is a medium-sized bear with a shaggy black coat and a white U or V- shaped mark on its chest. It eats mostly termites.
The red panda, or cat bear, is known in Bhutan as aamchu donkha and is most commonly found near Pele la, Thrumshing La, and parts of the Gasa district. It is about 50cm tall, bright chestnut-coloured, and has a white face. It is largely herbivorous: it eats leaves, roots and grasses. The red panda is nocturnal, sleeping in trees during the day and coming to the ground to forage at night.
Wild Dogs Jackals and Wild Dogs can be found both inside and outside of the protected regions.
Deer
The sambar, with its large, imposing horns, is the largest deer in Bhutan. The barking deer, or muntjac, usually makes its presence known by its sharp, one-note alarm call. Both are found in forested areas up to 2400m. The unusual Musk Deer, with Antelope-like features, is only 50cm high at the shoulder and is taxonomically stranded between deer and Antelopes. The male is not only horn less, but also has oversized canine teeth that protrude from it mouth. The males also have a musk gland in their abdomens, and the high value of musk as an ingredient in perfume has accelerated the demise of the specie. This diminutive deer is very secretive and prefers forest cover near the tree line.
Goat & Antelope
The blue sheep, or bharal, is genetically defined somewhere between goats and sheep. It turns a bluish-grey in winter and is found in the Himalayan region from 1800m to 4300m. You will see large herds of blue sheep on many trek routes. The Himalayan tahr is difficult to classify, though its niche is that of a 'mountain goat'. Except during the winter rutting season, these animals are found in two different kinds of herds, male and female. The male are sometimes seen alone and have long flowing manes and coats and short, curved horns.
The Tibetan gazalle is found at elevations above 5000m in a few of he higher valleys opening into Tibet. The brown goral is found only in the eastern Himalaya. It has small, backward-facing horns and lives at elevations between 900m and 2400m, though it occasionally moves higher.
The Serow is a large, thick-set animal whose coat ranges in colour from almost black to red. Its preferred habitat is wooded areas between 1800m and 3000m elevation.
Other Mammals
Other large mammals include the Wolf, yak, wild water buffalo, gaur and wild pig. Fat Marmots whistle as you pass their burrows in the high alpine pastures. Birds
Each year Bhutan's extensive bird list grows longer, a consequence of both Bhutan's biodiversity and the small amount of systematic birding that has been done in the kingdom. So far, 675 species have been recorded in Bhutan. This reflects the kingdom's wide range of agro-ecological environments - from subtropical to alpine - and its location at the northern edge of the zoogeographical Indomalayan (Oriental) region and the permeable and fluid (for birds) border with China.
The variety of birds can be highly variable over a short distance and is also very seasonal. Bhutan is famous for its over wintering populations (about 350 birds) of the vulnerable black-necked crane in the valleys of Phobjikha, Bomdeling and Gyetsa (in Bumthang). Less well-known are the over wintering populations, mainly as solitary individuals, of the endangered white-bellied heron, for which there are about five records in the last five years, including one on the Mo Chhu above Punakha.
Some bird species are even more transient, migrating through Bhutan between Tibet and northern India in autumn and spring. Pailas' fish eagle, which is considered rare, is regularly seen migrating up the Punal Chhu near Wangdi in spring. It is often in the company of ospreys, a wide range of ducks, waders such as the pied avocet, and other species that breed in Tibet.
As well as the seasonal migrants, there is widespread internal migration. Winter brings numerous species down to lower altitudes. including accentors, rosefinches, grosbeaks, snow pigeons and pheasants such as the satyr tragopan, the Himalayan monal and the blood pheasant. Observant early-morning walkers can often find these on the mountains and passes around Thimphu. In the east of Bhutan, the rare Blyth's tragopan has been recorded. The Khalij pleasant is relatively common throughout the year. In summer many lowland species include the exotic-looking hoopoe, various species of minivets, cuckoos (one can commonly hear at least five different species calling), barbets, warblers, sunbirds, fulvettas and yuhinas.
Given the density of forest cover and the steep vertical descents, the road is often a best place from which to watch birds, as the traffic volume is very low. Recommended stretches include the road down from Dochu La to Wangdue Phodrang (the adventurous can take the old trail, which is even better), from Wangdue Phodrang to Nobding (on the way to Pele La), and before Trongsa, For those who go east, the 2000m descent between Sengor and Limithang is spectacular: Ward's trogon and the Rufous-necked hornbill have been recorded in this area. Trekking will provide you with a greater chance of seeing high-altitude birds, including the lammergeier, the Himalayan griffon, the raven, the unique high-altitude wader - the ibisbill - and pheasants.
Even the casual observer can be sure to see the blue whistling - thrush (usually diving into a culvert), yellow-billed blue magpies, the wallcreeper (in jerky, crimson - streaked flight), white capped water redstarts and spotted nutcrackers in Pine forest, and red-billed choughs on the roofs of dzongs.
There are no specific bird guides for Bhutan, but Salim Ali's Field Guide to the Birds of the Eastern Himalayas and Pictorial Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (both Oxford University Press, India) are recommended . However, many species names that he uses are outdated and a current listing can be found in T Inskipp, N Lindsey and W Duckworth's An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the Oriental Regional (available through the Oriental Bird Club c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL,UK). If you wish to know the calls - and this is often the only way of identifying reclusive or hidden species - then Scott Connop's tape Birds Songs of the Himalaya covers the calls of 70 species.
Endangered Species All animals in Bhutan are protected by the Buddhist ethic that prohibits killing. As further protection. the 1995 Forest & Nature Conservation Act defines several species as totally protected. These are the Asian elephant, clouded Leopard, golden langur, Musk Deer, pangolin, pygmy hog, Snow Leopard, takin, tiger, wild buffalo, black-necked crane, monal pheasant, peacock pheasant, raven, Rufous - necked hornbill, golden mahseer, spotted deer, gaur, Leopard, Leopard cat, Himalayan Black Bear, red panda and snow.
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