NATIONAL FLOWER OF NEPAL

 RHODODENDRONS IN NEPAL

The beauty of the flowering rhododendrons draws thousands of trekkers to Nepal every year. The name rhododendron is derived from the Greek words rhodos (meaning rose) and dendron (meaning tree). There are over 1000 natural species of rhododendron including many bushy species and a number of trees that grow to heights of up to 30 meters. The highest species diversity is found in the Himalaya. Of the over 30 species of rhododendron in Nepal the most renowned is Rhododendron arboretum known as Gurans in Nepali. Starting at elevations of around 1400m the flowers are a vibrant red. However as altitude increases the colour begins shifting to pink, gradually becoming pure white at elevations of 3600m. For Nepalis the most beloved of the tree rhododendron is the Lali Gurans or red one. It is the national flower of Nepal.

Lali Gurans finds a place in the Nepali food menu. Villagers can directly eat the flower petals or add salt and chilies to eat with rice and curry dishes. A very sweet drink is also made from the flowers. Rhododendron flowers are also a source of honey but some species produce a highly toxic honey. Essential oils from some species are used in perfumes and incense. The flower is often seen as an offering in hill temples.

Rhododendron is also a source of traditional medicine. Powdered flowers mixed with rice help to cure dysentery; paste from the leaves applied to the forehead is treatment of headaches; an extract of the bark is used to cure coughs, diarrhea and dysentery. According to common folklore in Nepal a sip of the juice of the Lali Gurans flower dissolves fish bones stuck in the throat. Some rhododendrons are used to make herbal teas. Such teas improve digestion, help with lung and stress disorders, and reduce fever.

Trees begin flowering at lower elevations in early March and continue till May at the higher elevations. The major areas for seeing rhododendron while trekking are Langtang National Park, the Upper Tamur River Valley and the Annapurna Conservation Area.

This flowers are also used as various kind of medicines in Nepal.

                             "YAK" IN HIMALAYA NEPAL

Most of the people doesn't recognize this animal Yak. This animal has thick and long fur, it has four legs, two horns and all its organs are similar to a cow. We can find this animal in the Himalaya region where most of the months passes through cold weather. Naturally, this mammal has thick hair and thick nails on foot to survive in the cold climate of Himalaya.

People living in Himalayas drinks milk of Yak because it it healthy and has biggest amount of protein and energy. Milk of yak warms the human body and secures it from cold. People  living in Himalayas of Nepal  says that they drink yak's milk instead of tea early in the morning so they can work whole day with full of energy. Even people in Himalaya use Yak as a means of transportation where scientific means of transportation has not reached yet.

We can get milk from yak, turn it into Laban, ghee, butter and even into many other sweets.This animals in not too arrogant and harmful to human beings. These are domestic animals.  People cuts their fur usually after the time period of three months and they make mattresses from it. This mattresses can be used on beds and on the floor which keeps people very warm.  Not only this, people make jackets from the yak leather after their death.

We can gain many benefit from yak, but the numbers of yak are very rear than the populations of other animals in this world. So we need to preserve this kind of animal which are really important in human life.