KATHMANDU, MAY 25
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has recorded 11,603 visitors so far in the current fiscal year 2081/82 BS.
According to Reserve Chief and Senior Conservation Officer Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, the reserve received 11,214 domestic visitors, 87 visitors from SAARC countries and 302 tourists from other foreign nations.
The reserve, spread across Sunsari and Saptari districts along an island formed by the Saptakoshi River, is particularly known for its population of wild buffaloes.
Covering 348 square kilometres, including a 173-square-kilometre buffer zone, the reserve is the only wildlife reserve in Nepal and serves as a habitat for endangered wild buffaloes, gharial and mugger crocodiles, dolphins and various fish species.
The wetland area has been listed under the Ramsar Convention since 1987 and is also regarded as an important biological corridor linked to eastern India.
Officials said the reserve represents the unique biodiversity and forest ecosystem of the eastern Tarai and Madhesh regions.
(With inputs from RSS)