Kosi Bird Observatory

KBO
Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO)- A field centre to study bird and biodiversity in the floodplains of Koshi River

In 2010, Himalayan Nature has established Nepal’s first bird observatory – Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO) and field education center (26º46’57.85”N, 087º08’21.81”E) north of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, a Ramsar Site and well-known migration flyway for Palearctic migrant birds. It lies at the base of the Churia foothills in the plains as the Koshi River erupts through the narrow gorges.

For the first time in the country, Himalayan Nature now manages Nepal’s own rings and is geared up towards making a national ringing scheme for the country. In addition to being a valuable way of finding out about the populations, life cycles and migration strategies of birds, ringing has added great value for raising public awareness for bird conservation.

Several MSc and BSc students have used the facility to conduct their research. KBO has also supported PhD scholars like Bhagawan Raj Dahal of Queensland University, Ashok Kumar Ram of Wildlife Institute of India and Janak Raj Khatiwada of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Several programs on conservation education and awareness have been conducted from here by Bird Conservation Nepal, Biodiversity Conservation Society Nepal, Koshi Bird Society, Resources Himalaya, CSIRO (Australia) as well as Himalayan Nature itself. Currently, the centre has three resident staff.

There is a plan to have an information and community support centre in the future. KBO intends to involve local and national politicians and officials to visit the center to provide awareness and education on the importance of ecosystems and the environment.

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White-tailed Rubythroat (Luscinia pectoralis) captured for migration study

Places to visit around KBO

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, 17 km south

Dharan Forests Important Bird Area, 2 km northeast

Ramdhuni Forests, 6 km

Chatara Dham, 3 km north

Baraha Kshetra, the ancient Haridwar, 6 km north

Koshi river eastern bank, 1 km

Koshi river eastern dyke, 0 km

Dharan city, 10 km

Please send us your institutional support and logo for displaying in our brochure and web page. For any query related to Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO) or the work of Himalayan Nature please write to: info@himalayannature.org or hem.baral@gmail.com.

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