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Saptari-Sunsari-Udayapur:
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve |
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Nepal Tourist Destinations |
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Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve
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Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve is one of the finest birding sites in Asia.
It was established as a wildlife reserve in 1976 with an aim to protect
the last remaining population of Asiatic Wild Buffaloes in Nepal. The reserve
has a total area of 175 sq. km. The principal habitats in the reserve include:
wetlands, grasslands and small patches of riverine forest. |
The
wetland of Koshi Tappu is the major international staging point for migratory
wader, waterfowls and the birds of prey in Nepal.
Koshi
Tappu is the largest expanse of wetland in Nepal and holds rich variety
of marsh birds. |
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It
is also of interest for some birds typical of dry grassland and shrubs.
The Koshi River is the biggest river of Nepal and is harnessed by embankments
in the east and west of the river and a kilometer long barrage is built
on the southern end.
Many
small marshlands, pools and grasslands are formed which provide a haven
for birds and birdwatchers alike. The vegetation near these banks holds
many passerines. In addition, large agricultural fields that lie adjacent
to the reserve make fine habitat for many birds. The finest birding sites
in and outside the reserves are located between Koshi Camp and down south
all the way to the barrage. Within this stretch many birds and mammals
are found that offer the experience of a lifetime.
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Saptari,
Sunsari and Udayapur: Koshi Tappu declared buffer zone
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August
2004
The
government has declared an area around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, as
buffer zone, giving fresh impetus to the nearly three-decade-old conservation
efforts. The new decision will entitle around 78,000 residents of a 173
sq. km. area to use between 30 to 50 per cent of the reserve's income for
community development activities. Earlier, the Department of National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) had sent a proposal for creation of the
buffer zone to the Ministry of Forests last Friday, which was approved
by a ministerial level decision yesterday.
A
senior officer at the DNPWC said an action plan for the development of
the zone has also been prepared, which encoMapsses areas around Saptari,
Sunsari and Udayapur districts. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve sprawls
over an area of 175 sq km. The latest decision takes the total number of
buffer zones around protected areas to eight. Apart from Koshi Tappu, other
buffer zones in the Terai are around Chitwan and Bardiya national parks,
and the Shukla Phanta wildlife reserve.
In
the mountains, buffer zones have been declared in Makalu Barun, Sagarmatha,
Langtang and Shey Phoksundo national parks.
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