Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a protected area in the Terai of eastern Nepal covering 175km2 of wetlands in the Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur Districts. It comprises extensive mudflats, reed beds, and freshwater marshes in the floodplain of the Sapta Kosi River, and ranges in altitude from 75to. It was established in 1976 and designated as a Ramsar site in December 1987.It can be accessed from the Mahendra Highway.HistoryDuring 1997 to 1998, an interview survey was conducted in the Paschim Kasuha VDC adjacent to the east of the reserve to investigate the extent of park–people conflict. The findings showed that wild water buffalo and wild boar were major crop raiders between September and February. Large numbers of cattle were found grazing freely inside the reserve. Local people are responsible for illegal utilization of forest products, poaching and river fishing inside the reserve.In 2005, the reserve together with the Koshi Barrage was identified as one of 27 Important Bird Areas of Nepal.