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© Sanjib Acharya

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

26.64795 , 87.01920

Nepal

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) lies partly in the 1st and partly in the 2nd proviences of Nepal. Formerly, Koshi Tappu was announced as a hunting reserve in 1969, covering an area of 12 sq. km. Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee as it is considered as the last remnant population, is still existing in the reserve. To provide more suitable habitat to this critically endangered buffalo, reserve's area was again enlarged to 65 sq. km in 1976. By covering some area of Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur districts the existing area is further extended in 1980. At presenent the total area of KTWR is 175 sq. km.

Exceptionalities of KTWR

  • KTWR is a single wildlife reserve among its category in Nepal.
  • It is the first wetland listed in RAMSAR Sites for Nepal.
  • It is the prime habitat for Wild Water Buffalo.
  • It plays vital role as a biological storage of gene pool of Wild Water Buffalo
  • It is heavenly place for birdwatching, studying and monitoring.
  • It is a hotspot for tourism promotion in eastern Nepal.
  • It is eastern distribution limit to Ganges River Dolphin.
  • It harbors no big carnivores except Common Leopard.
  • It creats wildlife corridor connectivity across eastern Indian cross-border. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were changed by Sanjib Acharya : 26.6480/87.0192 (2021-07-09 04:45:04 )

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 26.6785/87.0674 (2019-07-08 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve" (2019-07-08 00:00:00 )

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-07-12 20:22:59
Introduction:  Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) lies partly in the 1st and partly in the 2nd proviences of Nepal. Formerly, Koshi Tappu was announced as a hunting reserve in 1969, covering an area of 12 sq. km. Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee as it is considered as the last remnant population, is still existing in the reserve. To provide more suitable habitat to this critically endangered buffalo, reserve's area was again enlarged to 65 sq. km in 1976. By covering some area of Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur districts the existing area is further extended in 1980. At presenent the total area of KTWR is 175 sq. km. Exceptionalities of KTWR KTWR is a single wildlife reserve among its category in Nepal. It is the first wetland listed in RAMSAR Sites for Nepal. It is the prime habitat for Wild Water Buffalo. It plays vital role as a biological storage of gene pool of Wild Water Buffalo It is heavenly place for birdwatching, studying and monitoring. It is a hotspot for tourism promotion in eastern Nepal. It is eastern distribution limit to Ganges River Dolphin. It harbors no big carnivores except Common Leopard. It creats wildlife corridor connectivity across eastern Indian cross-border. 
Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 07:46:23
Introduction:  Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) lies partly in the 1st and partly in the 2nd proviences of Nepal. Formerly, Koshi Tappu was announced as a hunting reserve in 1969, covering an area of 12 sq. km. Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee as it is considered as the last remnant population, is still existing in the reserve. To provide more suitable habitat to this critically endangered buffalo, reserve's area was again enlarged to 65 sq. km in 1976. By covering some area of Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur districts the existing area is further extended in 1980. At presenent the total area of KTWR is 175 sq. km. Exceptionalities of KTWR  KTWR KTWR is a single wildlife reserve among its category in Nepal. It is the first wetland listed in RAMSAR Sites for Nepal. It is the prime habitat for Wild Water Buffalo. It plays vital role as a biological storage of gene pool of Wild Water Buffalo It is heavenly place for birdwatching, studying and monitoring. It is a hotspot for tourism promotion in eastern Nepal. It is eastern distribution limit to Ganges River Dolphin. It harbors no big carnivores except Common Leopard. It creats wildlife corridor connectivity across eastern Indian cross-border. 
Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 05:04:39
Introduction:  Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) lies partly in the 1st and partly in the 2nd proviences of Nepal. Formerly, Koshi Tappu was announced as a hunting reserve in 1969, covering an area of 12 sq. km. Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee as it is considered as the last remnant population, is still existing in the reserve. To provide more suitable habitat to this critically endangered buffalo, reserve's area was again enlarged to 65 sq. km in 1976. By covering some area of Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur districts the existing area is further extended in 1980. At presenent the total area of KTWR is 175 sq. km. Exceptionalities of KTWR  

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Falcated Duck (Mareca falcata)
Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri)
Swamp Francolin (Ortygornis gularis)
Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis)
Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea)
Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus)
Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus)
Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda)
Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis)
Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata)
Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos)
Indian Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena)
Brown Fish-Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis)
Brown Boobook (Ninox scutulata)
Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Rufous-vented Grass Babbler (Laticilla burnesii)
Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)
Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala)

Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:04:12)

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:02:33)

Brown Fish-Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:01:53)

Indian Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:01:34)

Brown Boobook (Ninox scutulata) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:01:16)

Yellow-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus malabaricus) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 08:00:04)

Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:59:36)

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:59:01)

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:58:45)

Yellow-breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:57:45)

White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:57:19)

Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:57:01)

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) was deleted by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:56:44)

Falcated Duck (Mareca falcata) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:56:27)

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:55:56)

Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:55:37)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:55:13)

Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:54:47)

Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:54:30)

Yellow Bittern (Ixobrychus sinensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:54:07)

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:53:47)

Baer's Pochard (Aythya baeri) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:52:54)

Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:51:14)

Rufous-vented Grass Babbler (Laticilla burnesii) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:50:55)

Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:50:34)

Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:50:20)

Swamp Francolin (Ortygornis gularis) was added by Sanjib Acharya (2021-07-09 07:49:14)

  • Timing and strategy

Beast season: 

KTWR represents eastern tropical flora and fauna of lowland Nepal. It ranges from 80-90 m. Rainfall occures nearly 2019 mm annually. Maximum temperature goes up to 38 degree celsius during summer (May-Sep) and minimum temperature falls down up to 8 degree celsius during winter (Nov-Feb). Good seasons to visit Koshi Tappu are autumn, winter and spring (from November to March) when skies are clear and temperatures are moderate. 

Best time of the day: Morning and late afternoon are the best time to visit the reserve.

Time to spend: Atleast 3 full birding days is required for the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

Best location to stay: Prakashpur (10 km North from HQ ) and Madhuban (5 km North from HQ) are the best places to stay for birding clients. 

Recommended routes/areas within the sites: 

  1. Prakashpur-Madhuban-Kusaha (10 km)
  2. Kusaha to Haripur (7 km)
  3. Haripur to Koshi Barrage (9 km)
  4. Koshi Barrage to Bhardaha
  5. Prakashpur to Koshi Bird Observatory
  6. Patnali Forest (IBA)
  7. Pathari Grassland
  8. Bhagalpur Grassland
  9. Barju Lake (Wetland)
  10. Dharan Forest (IBA)

Guiding: Two types of Guide available

  1. Birding Guide: Highly experiance guide with collective knowledge of all wildlife especially birds and all important birding locations. Fluent in english. You need to contact in advance for this type of guide.
  2. Normal Guide: Not very much knowledge of wildlife and birds but they can take you to the birding locations and other important places around KTWR

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 07:41
Beast season:  KTWR represents eastern tropical flora and fauna of lowland Nepal. It ranges from 80-90 m. Rainfall occures nearly 2019 mm annually. Maximum temperature goes up to 38 degree celsius during summer (May-Sep) and minimum temperature falls down up to 8 degree celsius during winter (Nov-Feb). Good seasons to visit Koshi Tappu are autumn, winter and spring (from November to March) when skies are clear and temperatures are moderate.  Best time of the day: Morning and late afternoon are the best time to visit the reserve. Time to spend: Atleast 3 full birding days is required for the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Best location to stay: Prakashpur (10 km North from HQ ) and Madhuban (5 km North from HQ) are the best places to stay for birding clients.  Recommended routes/areas within the sites:  Prakashpur-Madhuban-Kusaha (10 km) Kusaha to Haripur (7 km) Haripur to Koshi Barrage (9 km) Koshi Barrage to Bhardaha Prakashpur to Koshi Bird Observatory Patnali Forest (IBA) Pathari Grassland Bhagalpur Grassland Barju Lake (Wetland) Dharan Forest (IBA) Guiding: Two types of Guide available Birding Guide: Highly experiance guide with collective knowledge of all wildlife especially birds and all important birding locations. Fluent in english. You need to contact in advance for this type of guide. Normal Guide: Not very much knowledge of wildlife and birds but they can take you to the birding locations and other important places around KTWR
  • How to get there

From Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal, there are both domestic air services and land transport facilities to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.

Air Service: Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (35 min.) and take a jeep/taxi from Birtanagar airport to Koshi Tappu (1 hrs.)

Surface: Hiring jeep or vehicle from kathmandu to Koshi Tappu will takes 9-10 hrs. There are also night and day public bus, microbus and jeep facilities from Kathmandu. Once can easily reach Koshi Tappu by these facilities of land transportation. Visitor can enjoy travelling nearly 12-15 hours from Kathmandu to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 08:13
From Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal, there are both domestic air services and land transport facilities to visit Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Air Service: Flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar (35 min.) and take a jeep/taxi from Birtanagar airport to Koshi Tappu (1 hrs.) Surface: Hiring jeep or vehicle from kathmandu to Koshi Tappu will takes 9-10 hrs. There are also night and day public bus, microbus and jeep facilities from Kathmandu. Once can easily reach Koshi Tappu by these facilities of land transportation. Visitor can enjoy travelling nearly 12-15 hours from Kathmandu to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. 

Entry Points:

  1.  Prakashpur Post: This is North-east gate of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the place is called Dharahara Tapan . The entry gate situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 10 km. north form the reserve's HQ Kusaha.  
  2. Madhuwan Post: This is also situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 5 km north from the HQ Kusaha.
  3. Kusaha Gate: This is entry gate from KTWR head-quater.
  4. Haripur Post: This is South-east gate of KTWR. The entry gare situated on the eastern dam of the the Koshi river and 9 km North from Koshi Barrage.
  5. Pathari Post: This is South-west entry point to visit KTWR.
  6. Bhagalpur Post: This is North-west entry point of KTWR.

Entry Permits:

  1. Reserve's Entrance Fee ( Children below 10 years free): $15 /person/day
  2. Camping Fee:  $ 15 /person/night
  3. Fishing Fee (Only by one fish hook): $ 30 /person/day
  4. Jungle Drive vehicle fee: $30

Opening Hours: 6 am to 5 pm

Opening Season: Always Open. The reserve administration may at any time prohibit entry to the reserve in the event of a wildlife accident or  danger.

Other restrictions: 

Without having prior written permission from reserve authority, nobody is allowed to do the following activites here in the reserve and buffer zone.

  • Carry arrow, spear, snare, trap, catapult, dicker, poison, gun, explosive materials or any other means
  • Carry animal parts (trophy), dried or fresh meat or derivatives thereof.
  • Cut down or damage or destroy any types of vegetation or forest products.
  • Remove any kinds of forest product e.g., soil, sand, stone, pebble, gravel, flower, fruit, seed, bark, germ plasma, honey, gum and so on.
  • Build hut or tent or camp or stay by night or lit the fire.
  • Bring in exotic wildlife (plants or animals)

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-07-12 20:24
Entry Points:  Prakashpur Post: This is North-east gate of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the place is called Dharahara Tapan . The entry gate situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 10 km. north form the reserve's HQ Kusaha.   Madhuwan Post: This is also situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 5 km north from the HQ Kusaha. Kusaha Gate: This is entry gate from KTWR head-quater. Haripur Post: This is South-east gate of KTWR. The entry gare situated on the eastern dam of the the Koshi river and 9 km North from Koshi Barrage. Pathari Post: This is South-west entry point to visit KTWR. Bhagalpur Post: This is North-west entry point of KTWR. Entry Permits: Reserve's Entrance Fee ( Children below 10 years free): $15 /person/day Camping Fee:  $ 15 /person/night Fishing Fee (Only by one fish hook): $ 30 /person/day Jungle Drive vehicle fee: $30 Opening Hours: 6 am to 5 pm Openinf Opening Season: Always Open. The reserve administration may at any time prohibit entry to the reserve in the event of a wildlife accident or  danger. Other restrictions:  without Without having prior written permission from reserve authority, nobody allow is allowed to do the following activites here in the reserve and buffer zone. Carry arrow, spear, snare, trap, catapult, dicker, poison, gun, explosive materials or any other means Carry animal parts (trophy), dried or fresh meat or derivatives thereof. Cut down or damage or destroy any types of vegetation or forest products. Remove any kinds of forest product e.g., soil, sand, stone, pebble, gravel, flower, fruit, seed, bark, germ plasma, honey, gum and so on. Build hut or tent or camp or stay by night or lit the fire. Bring in exotic wildlife (plants or animals)
Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 07:03
Entry Points:  Prakashpur Post: This is North-east gate of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the place is called Dharahara Tapan . The entry gate situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 10 km. north form the reserve's HQ Kusaha.   Madhuwan Post: This is also situated on the eastern dam of the Koshi river and 5 km north from the HQ Kusaha. Kusaha Gate: This is entry gate from KTWR head-quater. Haripur Post: This is South-east gate of KTWR. The entry gare situated on the eastern dam of the the Koshi river and 9 km North from Koshi Barrage. Pathari Post: This is South-west entry point to visit KTWR. Bhagalpur Post: This is North-west entry point of KTWR. Entry Permits: Reserve's Entrance Fee ( Children below 10 years free): $15 /person/day Camping Fee:  $ 15 /person/night Fishing Fee (Only by one fish hook): $ 30 /person/day Jungle Drive vehicle fee: $30 Opening Hours: 6 am to 5 pm Openinf Season: Always Open. The reserve administration may at any time prohibit entry to the reserve in the event of a wildlife accident or  danger. Other restrictions:  without having prior written permission from reserve authority, nobody allow to do the following activites here in the reserve and buffer zone. Carry arrow, spear, snare, trap, catapult, dicker, poison, gun, explosive materials or any other means Carry animal parts (trophy), dried or fresh meat or derivatives thereof. Cut down or damage or destroy any types of vegetation or forest products. Remove any kinds of forest product e.g., soil, sand, stone, pebble, gravel, flower, fruit, seed, bark, germ plasma, honey, gum and so on. Build hut or tent or camp or stay by night or lit the fire. Bring in exotic wildlife (plants or animals)
  • Other attractions

Wildlife: Apart from birds the major attractions of the reserve are Asian Wild Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog Deer, Ganges River Dolphin, Golden Jackle and Nilgai (Blue Bull).

Sights: For the cultural sightseen Barahkshetra Temple, Ramdhuni Temple and Kankali Temple are major attractions for the tourists.

Activites: Non-birding companions can enjoy village walk, wildlife rafting and jeep safari.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) on 2021-07-12 20:24
Wildlife: Apart from birds the major attractions of the reserve are Asian Wild Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog Deer, Ganges River Dolphin, Golden Jackle and Nilgai (Blue Bull). Sights: For the cultural sightseen Barahkshetra Temple, Ramdhuni Temple and Kankali Temple are major attractions for the tourists. Activites:  Non-birding Activites: Non-birding companions can enjoy village walk, wildlife rafting and jeep safari.  
Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 08:27
Wildlife: Apart from birds the major attractions of the reserve are Asian Wild Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog Deer, Ganges River Dolphin, Golden Jackle and Nilgai (Blue Bull). Sights: For the cultural sightseen Barahkshetra Temple, Ramdhuni Temple and Kankali Temple are major attractions for the tourists. Activites:  Non-birding companions can enjoy village walk, wildlife rafting and jeep safari.  
  • Information center is in the reserve's head-quater Kusaha.
  • There are small Tea shops and basic hotels available around HQ
  • Accomodation: Best accomodation facility available in Madhuban and Prakashpur  and also the homestay facility around prakashpur.
  • Few hotels made their own hide inside the hotel and some watchtowers made inside the reserve for visitors.
  • No restrooms/toilets available inside the reserve.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 09:07
Information center is in the reserve's head-quater Kusaha. There are small Tea shops and basic hotels available around HQ Accomodation: Best accomodation facility available in Madhuban and Prakashpur  and also the homestay facility around prakashpur. Few hotels made their own hide inside the hotel and some watchtowers made inside the reserve for visitors. No restrooms/toilets available inside the reserve.
  • No any robbery or theft recorded inside the reserve but do not visit without guide
  • Flood
  • Wild Elephants, Wild Water Buffalo are two big mammals seen throughout the year. Mosquitoes and leaches can be found only in Monsoon.
  • Noise pollution during festival time and religious day. 

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Sanjib Acharya on 2021-07-09 09:20
No any robbery or theft recorded inside the reserve but do not visit without guide Flood Wild Elephants, Wild Water Buffalo are two big mammals seen throughout the year. Mosquitoes and leaches can be found only in Monsoon. Noise pollution during festival time and religious day. 
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Gallery

Reports

Season:
to
Species:
2020-03-23 to 2020-03-31 Birding at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Sanjib Acharya
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve - Orniverse