Page 77 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

at an altitude of 4877 m to 8848 m. It lies in the northern part of Nepal. It has very difficult
land topography. It consists of mountains, rocky areas, steep slopes, beautiful mountain
ranges, glacier, glacial lakes, etc. Mahalangoor, Annapurna, Lantang, Ganesh, Khanjirowa,
etc. are some of the famous mountain ranges in Nepal. In those ranges, the world’s highest
peak, Mt. Everest, Kanchanjanga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Chou, Machapuchhre, Ganesh,
Annapurna, etc. lie. Among 14 mountains having more than 8000 m high in the world, 8
mountains remain in Nepal. Mountain region is sub-divided into 3 regions as Marginal
Himalaya, Main Himalaya, and Inner Himalaya. Similarly, Tilicho lake, Rara lake, Chho
Rolpa, Gosain Kunda, Imza lake, etc. have enhanced natural beauty in mountain region.
However, Chho Rolpa lake, Imza lake and others are the glacial lakes and there is always
threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) caused by them due to increase of global
warming and climate change. Mountain region has very cold climate and temperature
remains low throughout the whole year. It consists of 16 districts in Nepal. Solukhumbu,
Manang, Mustang, Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, Kalikot, Dolakha, Bajura, etc. lie in this
region.
The soil in mountain region is formed from sedimentary rocks and lacks humus,
phosphorus, calcium , iron, lime, etc. Hence, soil is not fertile there. There is presence of
only 2% cultivable land in mountain region.

Biological Aspects
Biological aspects include the living beings like plants, trees, animals, birds, insects,
reptiles, medicinal plants, food crops, cash crops, etc. The trees like pinus, cycas, fir,
larches, spruce, dhupi, rhododendron, etc. are present in mountain region. There is
presence of big trees only upto 4000 metres altitude which is called a tree line. Above
the tree line, bushes, grasses and small plants are present upto 4200 metres altitude . As
the temperature in mountain region is very cold, animals having thick hairs and that can
survive in low oxygen level can only remain in mountain region. The animals like yak,
snow leopard, jharal, ghoral, bear, panda, boar, etc. and birds like danphe, munal, kalij,
etc. are found in mountain region. It consists of many medicinal plants like yarsagumba,
paanch aunle, jatamasi, padamchal, etc. People cultivate barley, millet, buck wheat, uwa,
potato, peas etc. in this region. Fruits like apple, lemon and other citrus fruits are widely
available in this region. There is presence of wide range of living beings and biodiversity
in mountain region.

Fig: 6 Coniferous tree Snow leopard

GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 77