Madhes agitation affects flow of bird watchers to Koshi Tapu

Blockade affected tourism industry more than earthquake

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SUNSARI, Jan 18: Sunsari district has earned reputation as paradise for birds and has remained a popular destination among bird watchers. Most of the migrating birds have already started landing here but unlike erstwhile years, this year the flow of bird watchers to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) has declined drastically. This has highly affected the local tourism industry.

Entrepreneurs had hoped that the arrival of migratory birds would finally revive their business, which has been paralyzed for over last five months due to the prolonged Tarai-Madhes agitation.

“It is now the peak season for bird-watching. But the ongoing banda and protests by the agitating Madhes-based parties has severely affected our business,” said Prem Thulung Rai, operator of Prakashpur-9 based Koshi Bird Village. “The quake did not have much impact here. We had expected large numbers of tourists; however, the prolonged banda and protests dashed our hopes.”

According to KTWR officials, about 8,000 tourists visited the reserve during the last fiscal year. Around 300 among them were foreigners. “At present, only a handful of tourists are here. Mostly school and college students from the neighboring districts visit here. Presence of foreign tourists this year is almost null,” informed chief conservation officer Shyam Kumar Shah.

Tourism entrepreneurs informed that British, Chinese, Swedish and American tourists have been mostly visiting the reserve, where 502 different species of birds could be found. Of these the Bar-headed goose crosses Mt Everest to reach the reserve, bird experts claim.

Foreigners have to pay Rs 1,000 per person as entrance fee, Rs 2,000 for vehicle and Rs 2,000 for boating. Domestic tourists have to pay Rs 50 for entrance, Rs 150 for vehicle and Rs 50 for boating. Tourism entrepreneurs suggested for creating better and affordable tour packages for tourists and restricting access for fishing to locals in bird feeding areas.

Chief conservation officer Shah informed that they were in discussion with the locals for removing all kinds of disturbances in bird feeding areas.