Two Ramsar sites of international importance have been chosen to represent two different ecological systems and geographical locations: Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and its Buffer Zone in the Eastern part of Nepal represents the lotic river flood plain type ecosystem, whereas the Ghodaghodi Lake Area in the Western part represents an interconnected mosaic lacustrine oxbow lake type that have immense ecological, biological, cultural, economical and aesthetic values. CSUWN is implementing its field activities in the two areas since 2009.

Click here to view Fact Sheet of two demonstration sites:

Synopsis of Demonstration Sites:

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR)

General Information
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) is a fresh water wetland located in the floodplains of the Saptakoshi river covering Sunsari, Saptari and Udayapur districts in the eastern Terai. The flood plain is complex mosaic of lotic and lentic ecosystem and characterized by grassy marshes, oxbow lakes, swamp lakes and many depressions which retain water throughout the year. This was gazetted as a protected area in 1976 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973. The Reserve is the first Ramsar site of Nepal enlisted on 17 December 1987.

Livelihood Value
The total population of KTWR is 93,323 from 16,280 households. It covers 16 VDCs of three districts namely Sunsari, Saptari and Udaypur. Many households use the products and services provided by the wetland. The two groups – poor and ultra-poor – are more dependent on the wetland resources than the moderately well-off and the well-off groups. Grasses and thatches are the most extracted resource, although, reed/canes, driftwood and fish are also relatively commonly obtained.

Biodiversity value
KTWR is the largest heronry in Nepal. It is a habitat for 493 species of resident birds, 658 species of plants, 114 species of waterfowls and thousands of migratory birds and endangered species i.e. Gangetic dolphin, gharial, soft shell turtle among others. The Reserve has the last remaining population of Arna (Asian Wild Water Buffalo), with a population of 219 individuals (Census 2009). The habitat within KTWR is broadly classified as forests (5.4%), grassland (17.1%), river (52.4%) and agriculture land (7%). The forest-types comprise of Dalbergia-Acacia, and Bombax ceiba associations. The grassland is primarily composed of Typha, Vetivera, Phragmites, and Saccharum species.

Socio-cultural and Religious value
About 31% of the total population comprises of Wetland Dependent Communities (WDCs). These include Mallah, Dusad, Kewat, Bantar, Satar and Jhangad. Among these WDCs, 61% are ultra-poor and poor, who earn their livelihood through wage labor, share cropping and firewood collection and other such activities. Local people depend excessively on Reserve resources for energy, fodder, grazing and building materials.

Additionally, there are some well-known temples and sites around KTWR as well; a few of them are Ram Janaki mandir for Hindus in east-Pipra and west-Kushaha, Masjid for Muslims in Sripur and Koshi Barrage, a historical site, in Haripur.

Major Issues/Challenges
While there are several issues and challenges related to the management of wetlands, majority of the main issues are related with human activities, although there are a few that are a part of natural succession.

• Over fishing
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Ever changing river course
• Over harvesting of resources
• Over grazing by feral cattle
• Poisoning and poaching

Ghodaghodi Lake Area (GLA)

General Information
Ghodaghodi Lake was designated a Ramsar site on 13 August, 2003. It is a freshwater oxbow lake and also the largest natural lowland lake of Nepal. It lies in Kailali district of far-western region. Ghodaghodi Lake Area comprises of 19 associated lakes & ponds and covers an area of 2563ha and is located at 205 meters above sea level. It lies in between Bardia National Park and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve by the side of east-west highway.

Livelihood value
GLA is spread over 3 VDCs of Kailali district namely; Darakh, Ramshikharjhala, & Sandepani. The total population is 57,064 from 8,249 Households (CSUWN Baseline Report 2009). The adjoining communities depend on the lake for traditional fishing and agriculture. The water of the lake is used for irrigating about 500ha of agricultural land. Lake area is also used for buffalo wallowing, grazing for livestock and collection of forest and wetland products.

Biodiversity value
GLA is rich in terms of biodiversity having 34 mammal, 29 fish and 9 heptero-fauna species. Also, more than 140 bird (migratory and resident) species which collectively represents about 16% of the national avifauna have been recorded in GLA. Additionally, Marsh muggers and turtles use GLA as nesting grounds.

It also harbors an estimated 1% of the South-Asian Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) population in Nepal. Similarly, this area is equally famous for other important birds species like; Grey hornbill, Eurasian eagle owl, Brown fish owl, Osprey and Kingfishers.

GLA has also been recorded as the breeding site of Common Moorhen in Nepal. It was noticed only in the year 2010.

It also supports a number of plant species including 388 vascular plants, native aquatic plant like Water primrose and Bladderwort. The area is surrounded by tropical deciduous Sal and Saj forest. Additionally, around 12.4ha of Wild Rice, the largest patch in Nepal, has been mapped in GLA. This provides a rich gene pool that could provide resistance against diseases.

Socio-cultural and Religious value
The Lake is an important religious shrine for Hindus dedicated to Ghodaghodi deity. The indigenous people – Tharu – call it Ghodighoda Taal, the divine form of Lord Laxmi and Vishnu. Large religious gathering occurs during the occasion of Agan Panchami (Lawangi Puja) in November (Mangsir) and 'Maghi' in January (Magh). Tharus celebrate these festivals by worshipping and offering pigs & other animals in the Ghodaghodi temple.

Major Issues/Challenges
While there are several issues and challenges related to the management of wetlands, majority of the main issues are related with human activities, although there are a few that are a part of natural succession.

• Encroachment
• Siltation around the sub-catchment area of Ghodaghodi lake
• Invasion by alien invasive species and vegetational succession
• Water diversion for different purposes
• Over harvest of local resources