The Himalayan hotspot stretches from Pakistan through northern India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim into the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet. It includes all the world's mountains higher than 8000 metres including the tallest, Mount Everest. Due to the abruptness of the rise from 500 metres to 8000 metres, this hotspot contains exceptionally diverse habitats from alluvial grasslands and subtropical forests to alipine pastures and conifer forests. The Himalayan region supports a great diversity of large mammal species, including tigers, snow leopards, elephants, rhinos and the world's last wild water buffalos. It is also home to several rare pheasant species and the endangered Bengal florican.

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