Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protective area in the Terai covering the area of about 175 square kilometers and considered as first Ramsar site in Nepal designated in 1987. It covers the wetlands in Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur districts of eastern Nepal. It comprises extensive mudflats, reed beds, and freshwater marshes in the floodplain of the Sapta Koshi River, and ranges in altitude from 75 to 81 m (246 to 266 ft).

The vegetation of the reverse is categorized by grasslands covering 68% of its area and only 6% of forest which is predominated by Indian rosewood. In this reverse about 514 plant species are found including sugarcane, reed, kapok, eel grass, cattail, Imperata cylindrica and also the species of Hydrilla, Azolla, Eichhornia and Lotus. Wide ranges of animal are inhabited in the protected area. 200 species of fish have been recorded in its water courses and ponds, most of which are resident. Two toad species, nine frog species, six lizard species and eleven turtle recorded and Gharial and mugger crocodile also occur in this reserve.

This reverse is also the habitat for mammals as well. 31 species of mammals are recorded including Asian elephant, spotted deer, hog deer, smooth boar, smooth-coated otter and golden jackal. Many species of birds appear in this area. Among them, notable 485 bird species includes watercock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagleowl, black-headed cuckoo shrike, white tailed stonechat, striated grass bird, large adjutant stork, Pallas’s fish eagle, common golden-eye, and gullbilled tern.

This reserve is considered to be very important place to be visited for watching the various flora and fauna that can be rarely seen at once in certain area. As there includes many species which are only protected in this reserve, many people visit this protected area to watch different species and experience adventure by watching/being with them for little bit time of their life.