Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve records 11,603 visitors in FY 2024/25

DHARAN, SUNSARI: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) has received 11,603 visitors so far in fiscal year 2024/25, Reserve Chief and Senior Conservation Officer Bhupendra Prasad Yadav said on Monday.

Of the total visitors, 11,214 were domestic tourists. Visitors from SAARC countries numbered 87, including 42 women and 45 men, while a further 302 visitors were from other countries, comprising 151 women and 151 men, Yadav added.

Spanning an island formed by the Saptakoshi River across Sunsari and Saptari districts, the reserve covers 348 square kilometres, including a 173 square kilometre buffer zone. The area is especially known for its population of wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), locally known as Arna.

KTWR is Nepal’s only wildlife reserve and provides habitat for indigenous wild water buffalo, gharial and mugger crocodiles, dolphins and various fish species. The site has been listed as a Ramsar site since 1987.

The reserve is regarded as a biological corridor connected to eastern India. While it has relatively few large carnivores apart from leopards, it represents the distinctive forest characteristics, biodiversity and natural environment of the eastern Tarai and Madhesh region.

(With inputs from RSS)