Situated in eastern Nepal, along
the flood plains of the Koshi
River, one of the tributaries
of the mighty Ganges River, Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established
in 1976. That was a commendable
effort to protect the last remaining
herds of wild water buffalos.
The animals, however, continue
to mingle and crossbreed with
local species of buffaloes that
are released by local herders
to get "improved variety
buffalos. That's posing a serious
threat for the long-term survival
of the wild buffalo.
The are can be easily
reached from the towns of Biratnagar,
Dharan or Rajbiraj. The waterlogged
area has been described as Nepal's
only Ramsar Site. Over 450 species
of birds, including migratory summer
visitors, flock the region, adding
to the beauty of the landscape set
against the backdrop of Mr. Makalu
to the north.
The barrage spanning the Koshi
River and supporting embankments
were built in the area in the
early 1960's to protect parts
of north Bihar in India from destructive
floods.
Nepal's
best birding venue, and Asia's important
bird sanctuary, Koshi Tappu attracts
thousands of birdwatchers from around
the world every year. The area is
inhabited mainly by Yadav and other
farming communities, who have since
ages been herding buffaloes and
cows. The reserve vicinity boasts
such property for tourists as the
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp in the
village of Prakashpur and a number
of lodges in Kushah, near the nature
reserve headquarters.
Koshi Tappu
Wildlife Reserve
