Kathmandu. According to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve Office, a total of 11,603 tourists visited the reserve in the fiscal year 2081/82.

Chief of the Reserve, Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, said that 11,214 domestic tourists and 87 foreign tourists including 42 women and 45 men from SAARC countries and 151 women and 151 men from other countries visited the Reserve.

Biodiversity, rare wildlife and serene environment make the reserve a preferred choice for domestic and foreign tourists. This reserve is spread over the island area formed by the Saptakoshi River in Sunsari and Saptari districts and is famous for wild buffaloes. Koshi Tappu is considered to be the only protected area in Nepal where the indigenous Arna is found.

This area has been enlisted in the Ramsar list since 1987. Gharials, crocodiles, dolphins and various species of fish are also found here. Due to its high diversity of birds, Koshi Tappu is also known as the ‘Bird Capital’.

This area, rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, has been an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists for bird watching, study and research. The reserve is also considered as an organic route to eastern India.

Yadav said although the number of large carnivores other than leopards is very low, the reserve represents the forest, vegetation, climate and biodiversity of the eastern Tarai and Madhes region.