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Newsletter
July 2004
(2007-02-27)

 
 
November 2004
   
Koshi Camp
 
News from the camp

Three months have gone by since our last Garuda was sent to you. Koshi Camp now looks greener and fresher after the monsoon. We have opened our camp from since October 1st and have already hosted several visitors.

The sight of male Pied Harriers flying over the Koshi Camp every evening reminds the onset of winter in the lowlands of Nepal. Flocks of wintering buntings are seen in the camp and elsewhere. These often fly around, mixed with resident Baya and varieties of munia. Several Indian Flying Foxes (one of the largest fruit bats of the world) come every night to feed on fruiting trees of the camp. Grasslands across the mighty Koshi River are in white flowers and the distant views of Mount Makalu (world's fifth highest mountain peak in the world) on a clear morning is just awesome. We would like to invite you all to share this feeling and sight with us here at Koshi Tappu !

The most exciting news from the camp include continuous presence of globally threatened Swamp Francolin. One family with up to 5 individuals was seen in front of the dining hall resting on a grass tunnel. Dr Seb Buckton, Senior Research Scientist at Wildfowl and Wetland Trust was our opening guest for this season who witnessed the Swamp Francolin family and several other birds at our camp premises. Dr Buckton was on a wetland conservation mission supported by a grant from the Darwin Initiative, UK government. As an expert on wetland ecology, Dr Buckton has praised our effort to conserve the habitats.

Jungle Cat and a flock of medium sizedfruit bats are resident at Koshi Camp. Although rich in bat fauna, not much is known about their identity, status and distribution in Nepal. Koshi Camp could be an exciting centre also for those who would like to study bats. Similarly, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies are found in plenty at Koshi but again not much is know especially about the latter two.

A visit to the Barrage in October revealed at least 3 Fresh Water Dolphins. Koshi Barrage continues to be an exciting bird watching destination with scores of birds.

Conservation and research

The problem of Mikania micrantha at Koshi Tappu first brought to attention via Koshi Camp newsletter is getting international attention. Dr Carol Ellison and Dr Sean Murphy from CABI Bioscience are attending a one-day workshop on this alien invasive weed in Kathmandu, which will be hosted by Dr Hem Sagar Baral on 25 November 2004. We hope some positive outcome from this workshop. Koshi Camp is committed to contribute financially and technically towards solving this problem.
On the research front, Koshi Camp staffs seem to be carrying out some practical initiatives. A short paper is expected on the biological control of introduced snail species at Koshi and Chitwan. This paper will indicate how a natural biological agent could be used for control of the introduced snails.

As you know 5 years ago when we started the camp, we pledged every genuinely interested birdwatchers, ornithologists, naturalists, interested layman to seriousscientists to use and promote our camp. We, who own and run Koshi Camp are continuously giving our free time to nature conservation andpublic awareness activities. Koshi Camp because of its contribution to Bird Conservation Nepal was awarded a Corporate Sponsor Award early this year during an Annual General Meeting. Similarly Koshi Camp has provided space for an Education Centre adjacent to the camp where researchers as well as local students gain knowledge on wildlife and environment. Koshi Camp is also supporting Himalayan Nature by providing finance and logistical support. In this way, we are contributing significant portion of our time and financial resources towards nature conservation. For us to sustain in these activities we will need your support. Without your support all our initiatives will cease to function. By visiting us and using our facilities, you are contributing to support conservation in Nepal as well as people who are working for conservation.

Photo courtesy:
Swamp Francolins by Nick Bray
Purple Swamphen by Paul Sterry
Others Koshi Camp Photo archive

Line drawing:
Black-necked Stork by Ren Hathway

For further information, please contact:

Koshi Camp Pvt. Ltd.

At the edge of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
P. O. Box 21016, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel 00977-1-4429609 Fax 00977-1-4439331
www.kosicamp.com

 
 
2004

   

 
 © Photos by Dr. Paul Sterry (www.naturephotographers.co.uk), Tim Loseby & Nick Bray
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