Save Koshi Tappu

It is with great sadness that I have to write these lines. For the last ten years I am bringing birdwatching tours to Nepal to experience first hand the magic birds and spectacular scenery of your country. Among the most important sites for birds in Nepal is Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, one of Asia’s finest wetlands. It is home for many rare and unique species like Swamp Francolin, and is a major wintering and passage area for huge numbers of migrating birds.

In the past ten years 1 witnessed a gradual and steady decline in the levels of protection and increased destruction of this unique area, but this year’s visit was the worst. Local people cut grass inside the reserve, fish where it is forbidden, even accompanied by park rangers. Being a small reserve, Koshi Tappu cannot sustain such destruction. Between December 2000 and February 2001 huge number of trees were cut in the reserve. It is impossible to understand how the Army fails to notice such destruction which is happening right in front of their eyes. Now even elephants are feeding inside the reserve which meant that the days of the unique birds are numbered. The Army is responsible for protection of this important reserve. What we are seeing now is soldiers playing various games and busily checking permits of foreigners to enter the reserve, in which local people do what they like.

It is obvious that Koshi Tappu is off the beaten tourist track and does not attract as many visitors as Royal Chitwan National Park and does not generate that much revenue. But this place is a wetland of International importance, and it is Nepal’s obligation to save it. Otherwise groups of birdwatchers from abroad will stop visiting this reserve as we indeed are considering. However small, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Camp is well known in many countries and provide jobs to many local people. A nice school was built there, using income brought in by tourists.

I fully understand the difficulties faced by Koshi Tappu, and that solutions are not easy. Yet it is highly essential to preserve this reserve, creating better awareness of how important it is to birds and people in many countries.

Dr. Algirdas J. Knystautas
Bisbill Tours, London

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