The Koshi River in Nepal, one of the major tributaries of the Ganges, is the third largest Himalayan River, originating from the Tibetan plateau and peaks of the Central Himalayas. The total catchment of the Koshi River up to the Koshi barrage is estimated to be 60,400 sq. km out of which 27,553 sq km (45.6%) lies in Nepal and remaining 32.847 sq. km. (54.4%) lies in Tibet. The Koshi river has a steep gradient in the mountains and hills while on the plains it forms numerous channels. It carries a high silt load and forms sandbars and islands. Thus, it always tends to change its course and each year causes high flooding. The Koshi has an average flow of 1931 cubic m per sec.

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, designated as a Ramsar site, is located at the Koshi River basin downstream. Approximately 80 per cent of the population living in this region depends upon agriculture for their sustenance while 20 per cent is involved in business and trade sectors. This highly rich yet vulnerable ecological zone is facing threats to its natural beauty as a result of climate change. Extensive flooding, drought, landslides, and forest fires are common in this region. Climate change may also have accelerated loss of biodiversity, decreased agricultural productivity, increased health hazards from vector borne diseases like kalazar and malaria, and increased land conversion.

The CCIFEH programme is focusing its efforts on vulnerability assessment, from climate change, for the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Efforts will made to develop community-based adaptation strategies and implement these strategies in selected sites. Climate Witnesses from Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve periphery will also be identified to highlight climate change impacts in the downstream.