The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, 175 sq. kms, lies on the flood plains of Koshi River. The rectangular shaped Reserve is enclosed within the east and west embankments of the Koshi Barrage and is therefore, subjected to seasonal flooding during monsoon. This Reserve, established mainly to preserve the habitats for the last remnant population of wild water buffalo in Nepal, was gazetted in 1976. In addition, the Reserve is home to larger ungulates such as Gaur, Nilgai, Hog Deer, wild Pig, and medium sized predators such as fishing Cat, jungle Cat, and Civets. The Koshi River also supports sparse population of endangered species such as the gangetic Dolphins and gharial Crocodiles.The Koshi Barrage, the border of east Nepal and India, was completed by the Koshi Project, an undertaking of the government of India, in 1964 to contain the monsoon floods as it became more devastating. The Barrage was also made to irrigate farmlands and thus it created an abundant marsh and littoral habitat making it Nepal’s most important wetland. At an elevation of 75m, the Koshi Barrage is one of the lowest areas in Nepal with 14 species of birds, not found anywhere else in Nepal, recorded here. Because of its great importance as a wetland, the Government of Nepal acceded to the Ramsar Convention in 1987 and thus, Koshi Tappu is included in the list of Wetlands in International Importance.
Because of the open access to the Koshi Barrage area from India, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is equally threatened with wildlife-related damages. Also, herders from both India and Nepal have set their base over here for cross-breeding their domestic herds with the wild buffalo for vigor and fodder. Today, feral cattle in the Reserve outnumber wild buffaloes. Both feral and wild buffaloes raid crops by wandering as far as 10 kms from the reserve boundary into the farmlands. The high incidents of crop raiding and the ensuing conflict is a cumulative action of over 100 wild buffaloes, some 500 feral water buffaloes and over 7,000 cattle.
The Bardia National Park is the largest and most undisturbed wild area of the Terai region of the Nepal Himalayas. Similar to Chitwan park, but with a drier climate and a more remote location, Bardia encompasses 1,000-sq-kms of riverine grassland and sal forests. The Terai or lowland hills and valleys of southern Nepal, nowhere over 1,000 feet in elevation, extend all along the Indian border. The Terai once supported a healthy wildlife population in a habitat of 25-foot high elephant grass and dense hardwood forests, but had very few people, due to virulent malarial mosquitos. Bardia was a hunting reserve of Nepal's Rana rulers from 1846 to 1950. In Nepal, wildlife lost whatever protection the hunting reserve conveyed when the Rana rule ended in the 1950's. A well-meaning malaria eradication program in the 1950's and 1960's opened the terai for settlement, and transformed about 75% of the native Terai to agricultural land. Wildlife populations declined with the combination of increased settlement and widespread poaching. Bardia was declared a wildlife reserve in 1976, first measuring 134 sq miles and expanded in 1985 to 374 sq miles.
Khaptad is Nepal's newest national park, receiving its designation only in 1985. It consists of 225 sq. km of forest and grassland, and lies on a plateau where the districts of Bhajhang, Bajura, Doti and Achham meet. The forest comprise a mixture of tall fir, yew, rhododendron and oak along with dense stands of bamboo and numerous shrubs, and represents one of the last remaining such areas in the lower Himalaya. The vegetation provides a natural habitat for healthy population of wildlife, including the musk and barking deer, bears various birds including the impedance pleasant. One flower. Known as Bheeg and resembling a white rose, grows in several parts of the park. It is said to be so poisonous that single sniff from close up can be lethal !
Situated between the alleviation ranging from 140m to 3,636m above the sea level, Illam is one of the untouched destinations for tourists. Famous for tea production, Illam is a small hill town with pristine landscapes of sloped tea gardens, mountain streams, dense natural forests, holy sites and a unique culture. It offers a brisk walk in the tea garden, tranquil picnic and sightseeing stops, short treks along gentle slops, or a trudge into the nearby woods. The best time to visit time Illam is between October - December or from April - February. However, the subtropical climate of Illam ensures good weather throughout the year. Illam district is bordered by Jhapa in the south, West Bengal of Indial in the east, Panchthar in the north and Morang and Dhankutta districts in the west. The district lies to the south of Mahabharat range and west of the Shangrila range. The district is ragarded as one of the richest districts in Nepal in terms of its cultural diversity, natural landscape, and flourishing cash crops sector. Besides, it is also popularly known as the place of botanical and anthropological research. Brahmins and Chhetris are the dominant ethnic groups living in the area. One can find a Lepcha museum at Antu. No doubt, Illam reflects rich cultural and social heritages of people living in harmony.
Nagarkot is the place where once Manjushree Bodhisatto stood and watched the lake in the Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is at the eastern periphery of the Kathmandu Valley. The hilltop called Nagarkot at more than 2,000 meters above the sea level is the second highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley. After an hour long exciting and winding drive you will be above to feel the cool breeze of air blowing endlessly into your face, and see the widest range of Himalayas including Mount Everest with our bare eyes from here. It is also one of the best spots to visit for unmatched sunrise and sunset views.And if awesome view is your first preference to visit Nagarkot,then, Peaceful cottage and cafe dumont ,nagarkot ought to be your first port of residence.
Ever thought of having a die hard wish that you need to get fulfilled? Well if you do have faith in Hindu gods, there are many ways where you can pray and wish for your wishes to come true. One of the Devis (goddesses) is Manakamana, where “mana” came from the word “mann” which means heart and “kamana” means wish. So it is believed that if you wish it from your heart the goddess Manakamana fulfills those wishes. I have been there thrice in my lifetime but with my family, mom and dad, who had made their wishes. I don’t know what they wished for and if it did come or true but I believe it must have as we have been their thrice.
Nepal is very rich for its culture, tradition and religious ceremony. Many religious people live in this country. Such as Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian people are the native inheritance. People know how to respect their religion as well as others. They never subdue others' belief attitudes and norms. We can see harmony and peaceful behavior among such religious people. Nepalese people follow many traditional festival as well as ceremony. Among such festival, Teej is one of the greatest festival for Nepalese Hindu women. All married or unmarried women celebrate this festival. Married women return their parents home in this festival. In this festival women take fasting by wishing their desires and wishes become fulfill. According to the Hindu mythology, goddess Pravati took fasting and worshiped to get god Mahadev. At last she could succeed to get Mahadev as a husband. So, Nepalese women believe that if they pray and take fasting for the name of god Mahadev, their wishes become fulfill and they can get Mahadev like husband who are not married. They pray with god that they can find a person as a husband like god Mahadev. Women celebrate this festival by very happily with enjoying and sharing their feelings, troubles and joyful experiences with their colleague and friends. Women meet their child friends to whom they used to spend their childhood day and life. Shopping is mostly prefered by women in this festival. They wear new cloths and gold ornaments. They dance in the parents home with their friends. They try to forget their misery and grief whatever they have bear in whole year. They just spend their life joyfully and meaningfully in this festival.
Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. It is very interesting place to visit. According to the historical record in stone inscription it was already an important destination for the Buddhist pilgrimage by the fifth century AD. According to the ancient legends, Kathmandu was full of water lake and there was a mysterious lotus in the middle of the lake. The lotus mysteriously radiated a brilliant light, and the name of the place came to be Swayambhu, meaning 'Self-Created or Self-Existent'. At that time Bodhisatva Manjushri came in Kathmandu and he thought that if the water were drained out of the lake Swayambhu would become easily accessible to pilgrims. manjushri cut a gorge in the mountains surrounding the lake with his great sword. After that the water dried out and became beautiful Kathmandu valley.
Most of the Nepalese people follow Hindu religion. They celebrate many festival according to tradition and belief. Hindu people believe in worship the idol of god and goddess. Bada Dashain or Bijaya Dashami is one of the famous festival in Hindu culture. Dashain is the longest and auspicious festival in the Nepalese people. The fifteen days celebration occurs during the bright lunar fortnight ending on the day of the full moon. In this period goddess Durga in all her manifestations are worshiped with scarification of many animals and adoration of Durga. According to Hindu mythology, a great victory of the gods over the wicked demons. In Ramayan said that lord Ram could victory over the demons Mahisasur after the worshiping to Durga Mata.
Arghakhanchhi is a district which has located in the western part of Nepal. It is very famous for its natural beauty as well as historical and cultural phenomena. Every people has their own culture, tradition and belief. There are many ethnic people such as Brahaman, Chhetri and other group. Hindu people are in great number than the other religious people. Most of the people are depending on agriculture. Some people are also in the governmental post and some other are in civil sector. There are many historical places.
Nepal is a land-lock country. It is very rich in its culture and geographical beauty. One of the most beautiful location of Nepal is Baglung district. Baglung is located at the western part of Nepal. We can get very beautiful environment in this place. It is very panoramic destination for the tourists. It is 68 km far from one of the most panoramic city Pokhara. Kalika Temple is located in the middle of the forest at Baglung Municipality. Every year enumerable devotees come to worship. They believe that whatever they think, Goddess Kalika will fulfill their desires and wishes. Many people come from out of the Baglung district by wishing their desires become fulfill. It is one of the interesting place where people can forget their trouble and burden. It is very pleasing to visit the temple and other surrounding. People can enjoy little part of their life in this place. Many people come with their family members to visit and worship in this temple.
