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The Highlands or Mountains

The Highlands or Mountains The highlands or the mountains area in Nepal fall in the northernmost part of the country on the border with Tibet. The area normally starts with an altitude of 2,300 m with a population density of 33 people per square km as compared with the national average of 157 people per square km36. This area covers about 15 percent of the total area of Nepal. Though the population density is low, the resources are scarce and climatic conditions are unfavourable. Mountains are much more disadvantaged than other regions as they are much more remote and isolated, and lack physical and social infrastructure. Within the Hills and Mountains, the Mid- and far-Western regions are relatively more disadvantaged as these are characterised by relatively low rainfall, rugged terrain, remoteness and lack of access by road.

Four different types of forests occur in the high hills: montane/Himalayan moist temperate forest, Himalayan dry temperate forest, sub-alpine forest and alpine scrub37. Besides providing fuelwood, small timber and fodder, these forests form an important source of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), including medicinal plants and lokta (Daphne spp.) (a plant used for Nepali papermaking). There has been some news report suggesting that timber smuggling has recently become rampant in the mountains and mid-hills taking advantage of weak security in the region thus supplying illegal timber for house-building in Tibet. Forest destruction has reached crisis proportions in Larke Bhanjyang, parts of Mugu and eastern Nepal along the Northern border with Tibet. Nepali logs are taken across the border to a roadhead in China by destitute villagers to barter for food38. The lack of customs posts and a security presence has increased this illicit trade.