Nepal is a small, landlocked country situated between China and India, at 80° 04' E to 88° 12' E longitude and 26° 22' N to 30° 27' N latitudes. It has a total area of about 14.7 million hectares and a rectangular shape extending from east to west. Rugged terrain makes up more than 80% of Nepal. In the south there is a belt of almost level land known as the Terai, which is an extension of the Gangetic plain of India.
Within a horizontal distance of about 150 km there is a climatic range from the sub-tropics of the Terai to the upper tree limit and perennial snow. The number of ecosystems per unit area is probably greater than in any other country in the world. Due to the wide range of climatic and topographic conditions across the country, almost every known forest type (except for tropical rain forest) is found in Nepal.
Most of Nepal lies within the sub-tropical monsoon climatic region, but because of its varied topography and elevation, it experiences a wide range of climates. Precipitation varies greatly from one place to another: the average, however, ranges from 250 to 4,500 mm.
This report attempts to assess the status, trends and outlook for Nepal's forestry sector to 2010. It will serve as an input to the Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector - Towards 2010 being prepared by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. The report tries to summarize the available forestry statistics and information together with an informed judgement and assessment of trends of Nepal's forestry sector. Most of the projections given here are based on the Master Plan for the Forestry Sector Nepal (MPFS, 1988) which spells out the forestry policy and programmes of Nepal. Up to date departmental reports and records have also been rigorously consulted. Comments from forestry officials on the draft version have also been incorporated in this report.
