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Karnali Zone is one of the poorest and most remote regions of Nepal, not very accessible by road yet. There are airfields in all districts except Kalikot which is connected by seasonal roadways to Jumla Airport.
Karnali Zone is the largest zone of Nepal, with two National Parks. Shey Phoksundo National Park Shey Phoksundo (with Phoksundo Lake), famous for the Snow Leopard is Nepal's largest Park with area of 3,555km². Rara National Park surrounds Rara Lake -- Nepal's largest lake 10.2km² -- known as the Pearl of Nepal.

SUB--ALPINE FOREST OF NEPAL

1. Abies spectabilies Forest: In western Nepal, Abies spectabilies is associated with Quercus semecarpifolia and extends to the tree line at more than 4000m. In central Nepal, it forms almost pure overstorey with an understorey in which Rhododendron species and Acer species are common. Larix grifithiana and L. himalaica are common in the Abies forest, but rarely form pure stands.
2. Betula utilis Forest: It is found between 3300m and the tree line. It is almost pure, with Rhododendron and Acer species in the understorey. In western Nepal and the Humla-Jumla area, it is frequently mixed with Abies spectabilies and Quercus semecarpifolia.
3. Rhododendron Forest: Rhododendron Forest often replaces other types of forest in western Nepal on very wet sites. There are a large number of species.
4. Juniperus indica steppe: It is found north of the Himalaya in region having 350 mm and 500 mm rainfall. It is the only tree in such areas but has an open shrubby understorey.
5. Caragana steppe: Caragana species are low spiny shrubs rarely exceeding 1.5m high. They are dominant having less than about 250mm rainfall, such as Mustang area. In this type of vegetation, no trees are found.