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Environment
Landlocked Bhutan is roughly the size of Switzerland. It is bounded
on the north and north-west by Tibet, with India nudging its remaining
borders. Virtually the entire country is mountainous, peaking
at the 7554m (24,777ft) Kulha Gangri on the Tibetan border. North
to south it features three geographic regions; the high Himalaya
of the north, the hills and valleys of the centre, and the foothills
and plains of the south. Its great rivers helped sculpt its geography
and their enormous potential for hydropower has helped shape the
economy.
Thanks to centuries of isolationism, its small population and
topographical extremes, Bhutan's ecosystem is virtually intact,
and boasts the most varied habitats and a rich array of animal
and plant species. Under Bhutanese law, 60% of the kingdom will
remain forested for all time. There is currently a remarkable
72% forest cover and an astonishing array of plants; more than
5000 species, including over 300 medicinal strains. There are
165 species of mammals including many rare and endangered animals
such as the golden langur, snow leopard and red panda. So far,
675 species of birds have been recorded, including the rare and
endangered black-necked crane.
Just over a quarter of the kingdom is in protected areas, all
of which encompass inhabited regions. A progressive Integrated
Conservation and Development Programme reconciles the needs of
the community with environmental protection, the foundation of
Bhutan's entire economic ethos. National parks sustain important
ecosystems and have not been developed as tourist attractions.
In many cases you won't even be aware that you are entering or
leaving a protected area.
Bhutan's climate varies widely from the tropical southern border
areas to the perpetually snow-covered peaks of the high Himalaya,
just 150km (93mi) north as the crow flies. At the same latitude
as Miami and Cairo, its climate depends largely on elevation.
It bears the brunt of the monsoon, receiving more rainfall than
other Himalayan regions, sometimes up to 5.5m (18ft) a year.
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