Nepal is a land of diverse topography, climate, ethnicity and biodiversity. Within an average breadth of about 150 KTM the altitude varies from 60 meter above sea level to the worlds highest peak Mount Sagarmatha scaling 8848 m it has three large river basins namely Koshi in the east, Narayani in the central and Karnali in the west.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and covers an area of 175 sq.km. The reserve is named after the biggest river of Nepal, the Koshi. It is a major residing, staging and wintering site for waterfowls and waders in the subcontinent. Due to its international importance for the conservation of waders and waterfowl, it has been accorded the Ramsar Site by the Wetlands Convention in 1987.

The waterbody supports more than 100 species of fish including the human size catfish known as Gonch, famous sporting fish the Mahasheer and delicious species the Jalkapoor. The large reptiles inhabiting this reserve includes the longest snake species of the sub continent the rare Indian Rock Python, globally threatened fish eating Gharial Crocodile and number of lizards and turtle species. The reserve and the adjacent area supports more than 450 bird species. During October to April one could be able to spot more than 100 species in a single day birding. Massive flocks of ducks numbering more than

50,000 chiefly of Northern Pintails, Mallard and Northern Shoveler is a common sight during fall and winter. Globally threatened species occurring in this area includes Black-necked Stork, Greater Adujtant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Bengal Florican, Great Stone Plover, Black-bellied Ten-4 Dusky Eagle Owl, Swamp Francolin, Marsh Warbler etc. Koshi Tappu supports large ungulates such as Wild Water Buffalo, Blue Bull Antelope, Hog Deer etc.

It is the last refuge for the globally threatened Wild Water Buffalo (Arna in Nepali) in Nepal. Currently their population is about one hundred only. These bovine possesses the longest hom (about two meters in length) among any surviving mammals in the world and are aggressive in nature. The small wetland carnivore includes the rare Fishing Cat and Smooth-coated Otters. There are few rare Gangetic Dolphins found in the Koshi River.Bengal and Lesser Florican, Indian Courser, Hodgson's Bushchat can be found north of the Pink Tower. In the barrage Little Pratincole, Indian Skimmer, waders, gulls, terns etc can be seen.

One of the best times to visit this site is in February and early March when the main wildfowl passage takes place. In mid February a peak of over 50,000 ducks, mainly Northern Pintail have been estimated. A total of 25 wildfowl species have been recorded including regular sightings of Bar- headed Goose, Comb Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Falcated Duck, Red-

crested Pochard. Wader passage also takes place during this period although it also extends into mid May. Pacific Golden Plover, Temmincks Stint, Pintail Snipe, and Marsh Sandpiper occur annually. In additions small numbers of gull and terns can be seen both wintering and on passage. These include Great Black- headed and Brown-headed Gulls, Gull-billed, Caspian and Whiskered Terms.It is also a best site to watch for birds of prey includes Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fish Eagle, White- tailed Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Pallid and Pied Harriers, Greater-spotted, Steppe and Imperial Eagles, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcon.

:Rufous-bellied Eagle (rare), Red-thighed Falconet, Red Jungle Fowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Mustached Parakeet, Green-billed Malkoha, Crested Tree Swift Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Blue-eared Barbet, Rufous and Himalayan Golden-backed Woodpecker Common and Large Woodshrikes, Golden-fronted Leafbird, White-rumped Shama, Pale-chinned Flycatcher, Black-napped Monarch, Abbott's Babbler, Thick-billed and Pale-billed, Scarlet-backed Flowepeckers, Black-hooded Oriole, White-bellied and Bronzed and Greater-racquet Drongos, Ashy Woodswallow and Hill Mynah.

:Black Baza, Red-winged Crested Cuckoo, Blue-tailed Bee-eater, Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike and Orange-headed Ground Thrush.

:Little Cormorants, Black Stork, Baillon's Crake, Spotted Bush Warbler, Paddyfield, Clamorous Reed, Dusky and Smoky Warblers and Black faced Buntings.

:Fulvous Whistling Duck, Baer's Pochard, Grey-headed Lapwing, Chinese Bush Warbler, and Pall's Grasshopper and Black-browed Reed Warbler.

:Hoopoe, Rosy Pipit, Yellow, Citrine, and White Wagtails and Blue Throat

:Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Sand Plover, and Whiite-winged Black Tern, Oriental Pratincole, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Skimmer and Jerdon's Bushchat.

:Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Watereock, Pheasant-tailed Jacana.

:Cattle, Little, Intermediate and Large Egret, Black-crowned Night, Purple and Pond Heron, Asian Open-bifl, Wooly-necked, Black-necked (regular breeding species), Greater Adjutant and Lesser Adjutant Storks, Lesser Whistling Duck Spothill, Swamp Francolin Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Purple Gallinule, Bronze-winged Jacana, Great Stone Plover, River and Black-bellied Terns, Lesser Coucal, Whit,,-Wod Stonechat, Graceful and Yellow- bellied Prinia, Striated Marsh Warbler, Black-breasted and Streaked Weavers and Red Avadavat Yellow legged button-quail, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Brown Hawk Owl, Indian Nightjar, Indian Grey Hombill, Great Grey Shrike, Indian Silverbill, Chestnut Munia and Black-faced Buntings.