The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Nepal

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

NEPAL

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Nepal on 17 April 1988. Nepal presently has 8 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 34,365 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Beeshazar and Associated Lakes. 13/08/03; Chitawan; 3,200 ha; 27°37'N, 084°26'E. National Park buffer zone. An extensive, typical oxbow lake system of the tropical Inner Terai area in Central Nepal, lying inside buffer zone of the Royal Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage site. Situated between the Mahabharat mountain range to the north and the Siwalik range to the south, this forested wetland provides excellent habitat as a water hole and corridor for endangered wildlife species, including the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), endangered tiger (Panthera tigris), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perpiscillata), Sloth Bear (Melaurus ursinus), Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptotilos javanicus), Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), and Band-tailed fish eagle (Haileetus leucoryphus). The surrounding forest area is populated by nearly 100,000 people who practice farming and fishing in the lake, which is managed through a fishing contract, awarded once a year. Thanks to heightened awareness of the site's importance the protection of its resources has been improved, e.g. invasive species posing threats to the wetlands are manually removed by local communities and authorities of the Royal Chitwan National Park. Due to the recent designation as the buffer zone, the Buffer Zone Management Committee has been constituted for its participatory management. There is a training centre for Armed Forest Guards/Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation which was formerly known as the Rhino Patrol, and a visitor center established at Royal Chitwan National Park. Ramsar site no. 1313. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Ghodaghodi Lake Area. 13/08/03; Kailali District; 2,563 ha; 28°41'N, 080°57'E. A large and shallow oxbow lake with associated marshes and meadows surrounded by tropical deciduous forest on the lower slopes of Siwalik, the youngest mountain range of the Himalaya in Western Nepal. There are around 13 associated lakes and ponds, and some streams separated by hillocks situated on the site's periphery. The forest and wetlands serve as the wildlife corridor between the lowland and the Siwalik. They support critically endangered Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Kachuga kachuga), endangered Tiger (Panthera tigris), Three-striped Roof Turtle (Kachuga dhongka); vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perpiscillata), Common Otter (Lutra lutra), Swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli), Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptotilos javanicus) and Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), endangered Orchid (Aerides odorata), religiously important and threatened Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), and rare wild rice (Hygrohiza aristata). The lake is an important religious place with a shrine dedicated to Ghodaghodi deity where indigenous Tharu people celebrate a traditional festival, Agan Panchami, in December and take a holy bath in the lake. Due to dense population within the site (around 6,700 people of whom 50% are illegal immigrants from adjoining hilly areas), it is intensively used for traditional fishing and agriculture. The factors putting pressure on the site's ecology include highway traffic at the southern edge, construction of unplanned new temples, over grazing, poaching and hunting as well as illegal tree felling and smuggling of Sal (Shorea robusta) and Khair (Acacia catechu) timber, natural eutrophication accelerated by human religious and agricultural activities. Nevertheless with the help of IUCN Nepal, the users' groups of local communities and NGOs are involved in the conservation process which has helped to reduce poaching, initiate fencing towards the highway to control grazing and encroachment, and develop a participatory community-centered management plan. Ramsar site no. 1314. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Gokyo and Associated Lakes. 23/09/07; Sagarmatha; 7,770 ha; 27°52'N 080°42'E. Within Sagarmatha National Park, UNESCO World Heritage site. A system of glacial lakes at 4,710m-4,950m altitude in the high Himalayan region at the base of Cho Oyo (the world's 6th highest mountain), not far from Mt Everest, at the headwaters of the Dudh Koshi River which is part of the Ganges river system. The alpine pasture meadow and sloping mountain terrain support a number of IUCN Redlisted rare and vulnerable species, such as the kutki plant (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariifolia), the Himalayan tahr or goat (Hemitragus jemlahicus), the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Wood snipe (Gallinago nemoricola), endemic species like the flowering plant Kobresia fissiglumis, and many important birds like Aythya nyroca and Grus vigor. The system is a vital source of water for downstream communities. There is a small amount of seasonal grazing, by traditional right, and eight hotels with campgrounds serve ecotourists and religious visitors. Garbage and sewage left by visitors is difficult to dispose of and such pollution pressures represent a potential threat, as does overgrazing and deforestation caused by mountaineering expeditions seeking firewood. The site is two days' walk from Namche, the nearest town. Ramsar site no. 1692. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Gosaikunda and Associated Lakes. 23/09/07; Bagamti; 1,030 ha; 28°05'N 085°25'E. Within Langtang National Park. A treeless region with shrub land interspersed by rocky slopes and alpine pasture, with a complex of at least 15 lakes and ponds at 4,054m-4,620m altitude that provide water for the Trishuli tributary of the Narayani River system. A considerable number of IUCN Redlisted endangered and vulnerable species of fauna and flora are present. The site has religious associations for Hindus and Buddhists and is the locus of the important Gangadashahara and Janaipurnima festivals. Human uses include grazing during summers, and there are four hotels with campgrounds for trekking groups and pilgrims. Threats to the site include pollution from the huge gathering during the festivals. There is a religious ban on the killing of animals within much of the site. Ramsar site no. 1693. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Jagadishpur Reservoir. 13/08/03; Kapilvastu; 225 ha; 27°35'N 083°05'E. A reservoir constructed in the early 1970s over the Jakhira lake and agricultural lands for irrigation purposes. The water is fed from the Banganga lake in the Churia hills catchment. The reservoir is surrounded by cultivated land and a few smaller lakes serving as a buffer zone for bird movements. The site provides shelter for an assemblage of some rare, endangered species of conservation importance species, which include plants such as endangered Serpentine (Rauvolfia serpentine), rare Pondweed (Potamogeton lucens), threatened Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), and endangered and the tallest flying bird species Indian Sarus Crane (Grus antigone antigone). The current use of the reservoir by local population includes fishing, grazing, fuel wood and fodder collection, domestic use and supply of water for irrigation in 6,200 ha of surrounding cultivated land. Ramsar site no. 1315. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Koshi Tappu. 17/12/87; Kosi; 17,500 ha; 26º39’N 086º59’E. Nature Reserve. A section of the Sapta Kosi River and its floodplain of extensive mudflats, reedbeds, and freshwater marshes. An important staging area for waterbirds, the site supports several species of notable birds (including the Bengal Falcon, Oriental White Ibis, and White-tailed Eagle), and notable mammals, such as the panther. Located in a densely populated area, the site is subject to livestock grazing and attempts by local people to re-establish themselves in the reserve. Land use in surrounding areas includes subsistence fishing and rice cultivation. Ramsar site no. 380. Most recent RIS information: 1995.

Phoksundo Lake. 23/09/07; Karnali; 494 ha; 29°12'N 082°57'E. Within Shey-Phoksundo National Park. A glacial lake near Ringmo in the Dolpo region, the deepest lake in the country, that is the centre of endemism in the eastern Himalayan region and a vital source of freshwater for downstream, with the highest waterfall (167m) in Nepal 500m from the lake. The lake, alpine meadows, and bogs provide habitat for a number of rare and vulnerable plants and animals, including the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) and Grey or Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus). The site has great cultural and religious importance, with traditional Tibetan culture of the upper Dolpo and both Buddhism and the ancient Tibetan Bon-Po religion of the lower Dolpo both observed in Ringmo village. There is some grazing and cultivation, but tourism, dependent upon the wetland, is the base of the economy. Overgrazing and pollution from the 42 households of Ringmo village are seen as potential threats to the site. Ramsar site no. 1694. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Rara Lake. 23/09/07; Karnali; 1,583 ha; 29°30'N 082°05'E. National Park. The largest lake in Nepal, lying at about 2,900m altitude and providing water to the important Kamali River. The area has developed unique floral and faunal assemblages with a number of rare and vulnerable fauna and flora species, and the wet alpine pasture, moraines, and damp stream banks along the lake area are the natural habitats for endemic species of plants. The endemic frog Rara paha (Paa rarica) is found at only one other location in the Central region, and three endemic species of snow trout, Asala macha (Schizothorax macropthalus, S. nepalensis, and S. raraensis), are found only here. Two temples in the area are the venue for a number of religious festivals. The people of the area speak a dialect that is considered the former or original form of the Nepali language. Principal threats come from pollution caused by army personnel and tourists and unregulated fuelwood collection, especially during festivals. Ramsar site no. 1695. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 30 January 2000, updated 21 December 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.