Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is located in the flood plains of Saptakoshi river. It covers about 175 Sq. km. of wetland and extended in Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur district of Nepal. The elevation ranges from 65m. to 81 m. above mean sea level. It was established in 1976 to protect species of wild water buffalo, locally called “Arna”. The reserve together with the Koshi Barrage is one of the famous bird area of Nepal.
The vegetation mainly consists of mixed deciduous riverine forest, grassland and marshy vegetation. As the grassland constitute more than 65% of the area is very good habitat for wild water buffalo.In the north western part the patches of Khair called catechu is common. Other trees frequently observed there are kapok, reed, cattail and Indian rosewood. The wide ranges of animals inhabit the protected area. 31species of mammals including Asian elephant, spotted deer, hug deer, wild boar and golden jackal are observed here. The Ganges river dolphin is also sighted in the Koshiriver.More than 400 different bird species including water cock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagle owl, black headed cuckoo shrike, white tailed stonechat, striated grass bird, large adjutant stork, and common golden eagle are observed here. In spring Bengal floricans are also sighted in different area.
