Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plain of the Sapta-Koshi
in Saptri and  Sunsari
Districts of eastern Nepal. The area is defined by the eastern
and western embankments of the river.
Koshi
Tappu Reserve, gazetted in 1976, was established mainly to preserve
habitat for the remaining population of wild buffalo in Nepal.
How
to Get There :
Buses
leave daily from Kathmandu for Kaakar-Bhitta and Biratnagar.
Visitors need to get off just before Laukhi and walk 3 km to
the Reserve Headquarters at Kusaha. The road to Kusaha is marked
by a signboard on the main road.
Royal
Nepal Airline Corporation also operates a daily air service
between Kathmandu and Biratnagar. Visitors flying to Biratnagar
will need to travel by bus to the reserve entrance shortly after
Lauki.
Seasons
:
The
region of Nepal experiences three distinct seasons. Summer lasting
from February through May is intensely hot with minimal precipitation.
Shade temperatures can reach 40o c. The monsoon commences late
May or early June with frequent and violent thunderstorms. Rainfall
is greatest during July but high humidity and temperatures are
experienced throughout the season. Winter lasts from October
through January with unclouded skies and moderate temperatures.
Details
About the Reserve :
Koshi
Tappu is a rectangular shaped reserve, approximately 10 km wide
and 10km long, stretching northward form the Nepal/India border
along the Sapta-Koshi River. The Sapta Koshi is one of the three
main tributaries of the Ganges.
Because
of its destructiveness during monsoon floods and attempt has
been made to control the waters by constructing 7-10 m high
embankments parallel to the river. These prevent lateral spread
of the enormous monsoon flow. Control gates at the Koshi Barrage
on the border with India act as a dam and also contain the river.
Rapid
and complete inundation of the reserve to depths ranging from
10 to 300 cm. occurs during the monsoon. The river also changes
its main course from one season to another.
The
vegetation is mainly tall khar-pater grassland with a few pater
grassland with a few patches of khair-sissoo (Acacia catechu-Dalbergia
sissoo) scrub forest and deciduous mixed riverine forest.
The
reserve offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife.
The last surviving population, (about 100 individuals) of wild
buffalo or arna (Bubalus arnee arnee) are found here. They are
distinguished from domestic animals by their much bigger horns.
Other mammals occurring here are hog deer, wild boar, spotted
deer, and blue bull.
The
reserve also assists the local economy be providing fishing
permits and allowing the collection of edible fruits and ferns
in season.
A
total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded in
the reserve. These include twenty species of ducks, two species
of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons and the endangered swamp
partridge and Bengal florican. The Koshi Barrage is extremely
important as a resting place for migratory birds and many species
recorded there are not seen elsewhere in Nepal.
The
endangered Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin have been
recorded in the Koshi river.
Local
villagers are permitted to collect grasses from within the reserve
in January each year. These are used for thatching roofs and
building house walls. Because of intensive agriculture the grasses
can no longer be found outside the reserve. An estimated us
$ 250.00 worth thatch grass was removed during January 1987.
Places
of Interest :
The
best time to visit Koshi Tappu is between October and March
when many migratory and resident birds can be seen at the barrage
and on the main river channel. Several Himalayan peaks, including
Makalu (8475 m) the worlds fifth highest mountain, can be seen
during this period of cooler clear weather.
The
trail along the eastern embankment of a the reserve provides
places to observe birds, and at dusk and dawn some of the resident
animals.
The
government Hattisar (elephant stable) at Koshi Tappu has the
distinction of biding one of the few facilities in Asia where
elephants breed regularly. His Majesty's Government maintains
eight female elephants. A semi-wild male, named Ganesh Maharaj
by locals, frequently visit and mates with the females, producing
a total of nine youngsters so far. Ganesh Maharaj, named after
the Hindu God, is considered sacred by local people. Visitors
can arrange elephant rides into the reserve from the Reserve
Headquarters.
Baraha
Chhetra, located 5 km north of Chatara, is the site of an annual
religious festival and is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
Facilities
and Fees :
The
Reserve Headquarters and entrance building are at Kusaha. All
visitors must stop here to pay an entrance fee.
- (PARK
FEES ), ( FOREIGNER ), ( NEPALI )
- (
Park entrance), ( NRs..650.00 ), ( NRs..10.00 )
- (
Elephant ride per hour.), (NRs..650.00 ), (NRs..100.00 )
- (
Fishing permit ), ( NRs...300.00 ), ( NRs...20.00 )
- (
Camping per night per person) , (NRs...300.00 ), ( NRs...20.00
)
- (
Motor vehicle drive ), (NRs.100.00 ), (NRs. 100.00 )
- (
Children under 5 years )---.free
- Entry
permits should be kept in case they need to be checked by
the Reserve Guards.
- A
small lodge at Kusaha is available for use by tourists and
there is a small canteen where snacks and cold drinks can
be purchased.
|
