The REA report unveiled on Wednesday in the capital reveals that the forests were lost due to the landslides triggered by magnitude 7.8 earthquakes of April 25.
According to the report, the devastating earthquake has induced 2,780 landslides, at a rate three times higher than the frequency at which landslides occurred before the earthquake.
Out of the total forests damaged, 70 percent was sub-temperate and the remaining were pine forest, the report assessed.
"It will take many years for many sites to stabilize and vegetation to re-establish and there is a risk of invasive species establishing," the report stated.
Likewise, seven protected areas, including Sagarmatha National Park, Makalu-Barun National Park, Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Makalu Conservation Area and Annapurna Conservation Area, were severely affected by the quake.
The protected areas are habitat for red panda, musk deer, Himalayan Thar, and other rare and endangered species. The report claimed that over 50 Himalayan Thars, one snow leopard, five wild boars and a barking deer and musk deer each had died in Langtang National Park in the earthquake.
Similarly, a number of springs have dried up in the quake-hit districts, depriving locals of much needed water source.
Changes in water sources as a result of earthquake will also affect the wildlife.
The report also said that the breeding of wildlife may have been affected, as April-May is the period when several species such as snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan Thar, produce young ones.
Likewise, hazardous wastes such as medical waste, industrial waste, chemicals and electrical waste pose serious threat to the environment, said the report.
Lead, mercury, and other harmful chemicals from house paints, tube lights and other sources were released into environment, which pose long term health hazards, the report stated. The report said that some toxic chemicals will end up in groundwater and rivers.
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