July 28, 2025
Nepal is one of the world’s most ecologically diverse countries, home to ecosystems ranging from the lowland Terai jungles to the high Himalayan tundras. But this ecological richness is under mounting pressure due to climate change. Shifting temperature zones, changing precipitation patterns, glacial melt, and extreme weather events are already impacting Nepal’s delicate balance of life.
This blog explores the visible and hidden ways in which climate change is affecting wildlife and habitats across Nepal’s mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands.
Rising Temperatures and Shifting Ecosystems
Nepal is warming at a rate faster than the global average. As a result:
- Treelines are shifting upward, pushing alpine species into smaller and more fragmented habitats.
- Snow Leopards, already limited to narrow altitudinal ranges, may lose vital habitat to expanding forests and competition from other predators.
- Red Pandas in eastern Nepal are facing loss of bamboo cover and increased susceptibility to heat stress.
- Lowland species, such as leopards and bears, are moving into mid-hill regions, increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Glacial Melt and Habitat Loss
The Himalayas are sometimes referred to as the “Third Pole” because of their extensive glacial reserves. But many of these glaciers are receding rapidly:
- Wetland-dependent species, such as migratory birds at high-altitude lakes (e.g., Gokyo, Rara, Phoksundo), face shrinking habitats.
- Riverine systems dependent on glacial meltwater are becoming erratic, impacting aquatic life such as snow trout and gharials.
- Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are an increasing threat to downstream forests and communities.
Altered Rainfall and Vegetation Patterns
- Erratic monsoon cycles are reducing food availability for herbivores like swamp deer and wild water buffalo.
- Longer dry seasons are increasing forest fires, particularly in the Terai, which threaten Bengal tiger and rhino habitats.
- Changes in flowering and fruiting seasons disrupt the food chain for species ranging from insects to sloth bears.
New Diseases and Invasive Species
Warmer and wetter conditions are favoring the spread of non-native plants and pests:
- Lantana, an invasive shrub, is spreading in buffer zones, reducing forage for deer and antelope.
- Mosquito-borne diseases are expanding into higher elevations, affecting both wildlife and livestock.
- Wildlife health is compromised due to new disease vectors, putting endangered species like the red panda and musk deer at further risk.
Community Conservation Under Stress
Many of Nepal’s protected areas depend on local communities for stewardship. But climate change introduces new socio-economic pressures:
- Water scarcity is driving agricultural expansion into forest edges, increasing fragmentation.
- Pastoralists and farmers are forced to adjust grazing and planting cycles, sometimes conflicting with conservation zones.
- Youth outmigration reduces local capacity for community-based conservation.
Examples from the Field
- In Bardia National Park, hotter summers and lower water levels are forcing tigers and elephants into farmland, increasing conflict.
- In the Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas, trekking trails face more landslides, which affect not just tourism but also access for researchers and forest patrols.
- In Koshi Tappu, changing flood patterns have impacted bird nesting grounds and fish populations.
Adaptive Conservation Strategies
Nepal is responding with climate-smart conservation approaches:
- Assisted migration and reforestation with climate-resilient species
- Early-warning systems for floods and fires in key protected areas
- Community forest user groups integrating climate data into forest management
- Wildlife corridors and habitat connectivity efforts to allow species movement
Conclusion
Climate change is not a distant threat in Nepal—it is already altering habitats, disrupting wildlife behavior, and challenging traditional conservation models. A forward-looking, flexible approach that combines science, traditional knowledge, and grassroots involvement is essential to help Nepal’s wildlife survive the century.