The people of Bhutan have always treasured their natural environment, and have lived in harmony with its elements respecting the sanctity of life and revering the mountains, forests, lakes and rivers as abodes of gods and spirits. This may be owed to the predominant Buddhist faith that has inculcated deeply in the people the value that all forms of sentient life, not just human life, are precious and sacred.
Bhutan has about 72% of its area under forest cover and with about 26 percent of its total area declared as nature parks and reserves. Over 5000 species of plants grow in Bhutan. These include 300 species of medicinal plants, over 50 species of rhododendron and 600 species of orchids.

The great variety of fauna includes: elephants, tigers, buffalo, one horned rhinoceros (rhinoceros unicornis), leopards (panthara pardus), gaur, red pandas, langur monkeys, wild boar, deer, white-collared black bears, yaks (bos gruniens), tahr (hemitragus jemlahicus) and goral (naemorhedus goral). Brown trout and local fishes are found in northern rivers and lakes, while in the south the rivers are full of masheer.

The rare and exotic species found in Bhutan are: golden languor (found only in Bhutan), pangolin, pygmy hog, snow leopard, red pandas, wild buffalo, monal peasant, peacock peasant, raven, rufous-necked hornbill, white-bellied heron, common shelduck, ruddy duck, black necked crane, golden masheer, spotted deer, leopard, leopard cat, Himalayan black bear, serow, snow leopard, takin, musk deer, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan marten, tiger, hornbills, pheasants, mountain goats and timid blue sheep.
About 675 species of birds have been recorded in Bhutan and more than 16 different species of birds are included in the lists of endangered species.