Flora

Despite its small size, Nepal has a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Where KSP operates lies within the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (sidebar), within which there are approximately 2000 species of flowering plants.

The largest families are Compositae, Leguminosae, Orchidaceae, Rosaceae, Ericaeae, and Graminae, and the largest genera are Rhododendron, Rubus, Pedicularis and Primula.

Twenty-three species are endemic to Nepal. Thirteen species are threatened: Michelia kisopa is considered endangered; Aconitum spicatum, Bergenia ciliate, and Larix Griffithiana are threatened commercially; Choerospondias axillaris, Nardostachys grandiflora, Paris polyphylla, Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora, and Swertia chirayita are rated as vulnerable; and Tetracentron sinense and Ulmus wallichiana are rare.

The region is famous for its stands of Himalayan Larch (Larix griffithiana) and numerous medicinal and aromatic plants.

Fauna

A preliminary assessment indicates that the KCA is home to 252 species of birds, 22 species of mammals, 82 species of insects, 5 species of fish, and 6 species of amphibians.

Of these, the snow leopard (Panthera unica) and the red panda (Ailrus fulgens) are endangered; the Himalayan black bear (Selenoroctos thibetanum), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), serow (Capricornus sumatraesis), and assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) are vulnerable.

Other species include the rhesus macaque, gray langur, porcupines, yellow-throated marten, smooth otter, fox, jackal, jungle cat, leopard cat, common leopard, beach marten, pika, musk deer, goral, and barking deer.