ABSTRACT
The Kingdom of Nepal extends for about 800 kilometres along the Himalayas and has a population of 19 million. Thirty-seven per cent of Nepal is covered by natural forests. The major tree species in Nepal's forests are sal (Shorea robusta) in the tropics and sub-tropics, fir in the high Himal, chirpine and oak in the mid-mountains, and blue pine in the high mountains and mid-mountains. Forests provide 75 per cent of domestic energy and 40 per cent of livestock nutrition, and contribute about 15 per cent to the national gross domestic product (HMG et al, 1988).
