Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve (175 km2) lies on the flood
plains of the Koshi River. The rectangular - shaped
Reserve is contained within the east and west
embankments of the Koshi Barrage. Therefore, the
entire Reserve is subjected to seasonal flooding
during monsoon. This Reserve was gazetted in 1976,
and established mainly to preserve the habitats
for the last remnant population of wild water
buffalo in Nepal. In addition, there are larger
ungulates such as gaur, nilgai, hog deer and wild
pig, and medium sized predators such as fishing
cat, jungle cat, and civets. The Koshi River also
supports sparse populations of endangeded species
such as the Gangetic dolphin and gharial.
The Koshi Barrage at the boder of the east
Nepal and India, was completed by the Koshi
Project, a Government of India undertaking,
in 1964 to contain the monsoon floods as they
had become more devastating, and to irrigate
farmlands, creating abundant marsh and littoral
habitat making it Nepal's most important wetland.
At 75m elevation, the Koshi Barrage is one of
the lowest area in Nepal with 14 species of
birds found nowhere else in Nepal have been
recorded. Because of its great wetland importance,
the Government of Nepal acceded to Ramsar Convention
in 1987, and thus Koshi Tappu has been included
in the list of Wetlands in International Importance.
Because of open access to the Koshi Barrage
area from India, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
is equally threatened with wildlife-
related
damages. Also, herders from both India and Nepal
have set their bases for cross-breeding their
domestic herds with the wild buffalo for vigor
and for fodder. Today, feral cattle in the Reserve
outnumber wild buffaloes.Both feral and wild
buffaloes raid crops by wandering as far as
10 km from the reserve boundary into farmlands.
The high incidence of crop raiding, and ensuring
conflict, is a cumulative action of over 100
wild buffaloes, some 500 feral water buffaloes,
and over 7,000 cattle.
Access:
To reach Bardia, take the daily air flight or
public day or night bus from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
, from where it is five hour drive by jeep to
the camp area. This nature sanctuary is best
visit from October to April however it is hot
during the months from April - August.
What to see:
Vegetation:The Park contains
70% of shorea Robusta and the remaining 30%
is covered with the balance mixture of grasslands
and reverie woods.
Animals:The wild Boar, Hog Deer, Blue Bull,
Porcupine, sloth bear, wild dog, Mongoose, civets,
jungle cats, Rhesus Monkey, Barking Deer, Sambar
Deer Otter, Jackal, Hyena, Common Leopard. Fishing
cat, Langur Monkey etc. are commonly seen.
Birds:The Woodpecker (10 species), Heron (5
species), Bulbul (5 species), Dove (5 species),
Egret (4 species), Parakeets, King fisher, Bee
Eater, Barbet, Pigeion, Stork, Sunbird, Babbler,
Warble, flycatcher and Bar-headed Goose are
seen in this park.
When to visit:
The best seasons to visit the park are fall
(October - November) and spring (mid February
- April).
How to travel:
There is a daily domestic flight to Nepalgunj
from Kathmandu Airport. This national Park can
be reached by surface route only. So after reaching
Nepalgunj, Public bus services wait us to the
far west Terai.
Duration : 2 Nights 3 Days
Safari Package Includes :
Accommodation in lodge or tented camp, all sightseeing
and outings (as per specific itinerary provided
for different packages), park entrance fees
and all meals for the duration of the package
tour
Does not include :
transport (shown separately),
video camera fee (USD100 per camera),
tips, drinks,
anything not mentioned in the itinerary, etc.
