Salient Features of SSNP
The salient features of SNNP include:
- a major source of fresh water for Kathmandu valley,
- a sink for air pollution,
- an important watershed of Holy rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati,
- a region of rich biodiversity of the mid–hill region,
- an important biological corridor that links north-south,
- an important bird area (IBA),
- one of the major tourist destination nearby capital city,
- a potential area for research and exploration,
- a site for conservation education for students and researchers.
Types of forests in SSNP
The salient features of SNNP include:
- lower mixed hardwood forest (Schima-Castanopsis) (1,000m - 1,500m)
- chirpine forest (1,000m – 1600m)
- upper mixed hardwood forest (1,500m - 2,300m)
- oak forest (2,300m – 2,700m)
These forests harbor 1402 species of plants, of which 1114 species of flowering plants, 282 species of non-flowering plants gymnosperm, pteridophytes, and fungi. SNNP is home to one third species of orchids of Nepal (123 species). Similarly, 131 species of pteridophytes, 129 species of mushrooms, have been documented from SNNP. It comprises 124 species of butterflies, 122 species of insects, 348 species of birds, and 65 species of mammals.