Bhutan, in the midst of the Himalayas, prides in its biological diversity and the richness of flora and fauna. This has been possible because of its intact forest cover and the great attitudinal and climatic ranges of its location. Today, Bhutan boasts of ten protected areas covering 16,396.43 square kilometers, that is more than a quarter of the country’s total area.
Within its biodiversity realm, Bhutan contains more than 60 percent of the common plant species found in the Eastern Himalayas. It also has about 46 species of Rhododendrons and over 300 types of medicinal plants. Junipers, magnolias, orchids, blue poppy (the national flower), edelweiss, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, pine and oak are common sights that fill up the vegetation.
One can also come across a wide range of animals. Snow leopard, blue sheep, red panda, tiger, takin, marmot and musk deer are some of the species found in the high altitude while the Tiger, leopard, goral, gray langur, Himalayan black beer, red panda, sambar, wild pig, and barking deer are found in the temperate zones. The tropical forests in the south is a haven for tigers, clouded leopards, elephants, one horned Rhinoceros, water buffalo, golden languor, gaur, swamp deer, hog deer, horn bills, amongst others.
You can experience the magnificent natural environment of Bhutan through sightseeing tours or by going further on trekking or hiking where trekking trails and routes lead through beautiful forests to high mountains and across clean rivers. Roads in Bhutan are carved through the rich forests so anyone travelling through these roads can experience the intact nature of Bhutan.
