Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas between two giants China in the north and India in the South. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity and pristine environment. The country’s varied topography from subtropical plains to alpine mountains, supports a diverse range of flora and fauna.
It’s important to note that Bhutan has listed in the constitution to implement strict environmental conservation policies, including maintaining at least 60% forest cover and maintaining carbon neutrality. These measures are still contributing to diverse flora and the overall ecological balance of the country. Bhutan was the first country to have carbon negative worldwide.
Flora of Bhutan ranges from altitudes as low as 200m to as high as 4000m. Got rich flora and fauna in Bhutan. Over 5500 species of vascular plants have been recorded to date including 46 species of Rhododendrons and 369 species of Orchids and over 300 types of medicinal plants.
Bhutan falls towards the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity hotspot. Currently, the total land under forest cover is 72.5 percent and more than 26 percent of the land is under the protected areas, comprising four national parks, and about 9 percent of the landfall under biological corridors.
The land area is covered with different species of medical herbs covering over 6,000 vascular plants (flowering plants) including 369 orchids, 46 rhododendrons, and 111 ferns. The country also has over 100 endemic plants.
Bhutan’s name was given by Tibetan as “Menjong Yul” which literally means the land of Medicinal Herbs. The Bhutan Himalayas is also an important source of valuable medicinal plants. So Bhutan with help from European Union established the National Institute of Traditional Medicine which produces medicines and exports them to many countries worldwide. It is based in Thimphu.
In Bhutan, you find Fir Forests, Chirpine Forests, Mixed Conifer Forests, Blue Pine Forest, Lowland Hardwood Forest, Broadleaf mixed with Conifer, Upland Hardwood Forests, and Tropical Lowland Forests. Almost 60% of the plant species that are found in the eastern Himalayas region can be found in Bhutan.
Bhutan got about 300 species of medicinal plants and about 46 species of rhododendrons. Some common sights for travelers traveling to Bhutan can spot magnolias, gentian, medicinal plants, daphne, giant rhubarb, junipers, orchids of varied hues, the blue poppy which is the national flower, and tropical trees such as pine and oaks.
Bhutan’s national flower is the Blue Poppy that grows in Bhutan. The national tree is the Cypress, which grows in abundance throughout the country. Like the rhododendron, the cypress is considered highly medicinal and is also used to make incense.
Here are some noted plants and ecosystems found in Bhutan.
Bhutan is predominantly covered by forests, which cover 72.5% of the country’s land area. These forests consist of various types of broadleaf forests, conifer forests, and mixed forests. Some common tree species include oak, rhododendron, spruce, hemlock, juniper, maple, pine, and fir.
Bhutan’s mountains are covered with different species and colorful rhododendron blooms. There are around 46 species of rhododendrons in Bhutan. Out of the 46 rhododendron species found in Bhutan, 6 are endemic. The plant is a highly medicinal content and is used to manufacture incense.
Bhutan’s forests are also covered with so many medicinal-value plants. Traditional herbal medicine plays a vital role in Bhutan’s healthcare system. Bhutan practices and uses herbal medical plants to cure diseases. Many plants, such as Cordyceps the Himalayan fungus are exported and manufacture pills to improve the immunity of the human body. Every district of Bhutan is assigned a traditional herbal doctor from the Institute of Traditional Medicine who are are trained in Thimphu.
As you go up into the higher elevations of Bhutan, alpine ecosystems dominate the region. Alpine meadows are so many ranges of high-altitude plants like gentians, edelweiss, primulas, saxifrages, and various alpine grasses. These plants have adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of Bhutan.
Bhutan is also home to numerous wetlands Plants. These wetland ecosystems are providing a distinct variety of plants such as water lilies, reeds, lotus, and sedges. The Phobjikha Valley the only glacial valley of Bhutan is famous for its marshy wetland, where the critically endangered Black-necked Cranes migrate from Tibet and Siberia during the winter.
Bamboo is important for Bhutanese people for various purposes, including construction, handicrafts, and food. Different species of bamboo ate found in Bhutan.
Bhutan’s national flower is the Blue Poppy(Meconopsis grandis) which grows in the high altitude of the Bhutan alpine region. These vibrant flowers create a stunning spectacle during the spring season. The national tree of Bhutan “Cypress” grows in abundance. It gives incense and medical benefit. Trees were used for the construction of Dzongs/fortress in Bhutan.
Nowhere in the Himalayas, Bhutan is rich and diverse in flora and fauna. Even today due to the policy of Bhutan and enshrined in the constitution of the Ecosystem is in pristine form. The ecosystem in Bhutan is diverse, because of its location, and great geographical and climatic variations. Bhutan wishes to continue living in harmony with nature and to pass on this rich heritage to its future generations.
In 1998, Bhutan was identified by Norman Myers as one of the ten bio-diversity hot spots in the world.
Traveling to Bhutan to know more about the flora of Bhutan during the flowering season. Bhutan boasts of receiving prestigious awards. Bhutan received the “Champion of the Earth Award.” Bhutan Tour will find you more about Flora and fauna. Traveling to Bhutan needs a series of processes for a Bhutan Visa. Bhutan tourism strictly monitors the minimum daily package.
Bhutan Tour Agency from Bhutan will issue Bhutan Visa to get into Bhutan. The travel plan to Bhutan needs to be worked out. Many tourists visit Bhutan to explore the flora of Bhutan. Jomulhari Trek will right to explore Bhutan Flora.