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Started 1 week ago · Updated 1 week ago

Betana Wetland Transforms into Eco-Tourism and Research Hub

The ecologically rich Betana Wetland in eastern Nepal is rapidly evolving into a significant destination for eco-tourism and scientific research, attracting a growing number of domestic and international visitors, including university students and wildlife researchers. According to Shambhu Bhattarai, chairperson of the Betana Wetland Community Forest Users’ Committee, the area is becoming a hotspot for academic fieldwork due to its biodiversity and unique ecological features.

• The wetland, located about 16 kilometers east of Itahari along the East–West Highway in Belbari, sees a daily flow of around 200 domestic tourists drawn by its serene environment and biodiversity.
• Betana Wetland is home to approximately 25 species of rare and migratory birds, including seasonal visitors from Siberia, as well as turtles, fish, and deer.
• A team of Austrian researchers discovered critically endangered black softshell turtles in the wetland three years ago, highlighting its global ecological significance.
• Management efforts include the introduction of pedal boat services and the ongoing construction of a water fountain project costing Rs 2 million, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of Koshi Province.