Food · Koshi Tappu
Koshi Barrage and a riverside fish lunch
Visit the Koshi Barrage, built between 1958 and 1962 with 56 gates, watch birds on the water above it, then eat fresh Koshi fish at one of the riverside eateries that draw families from across the region.
The Koshi Barrage spans the river near the India border, carrying road traffic between Madhesh and Koshi provinces. It was built under an agreement between Nepal and India signed in 1954 to control floods and supply irrigation. Its 56 gates hold back the water into a wide, calm stretch above. Trucks, buses and bicycles cross it all day.
That calm water is a magnet for birds in winter: ducks, gulls, terns, cormorants and herons gather in large numbers, and birders scan from the barrage itself. The Ganges river dolphin has been seen in the river here too. Bring binoculars and scan the open water and sandbars; gulls and terns are easiest to see in winter.
Then comes lunch. Simple riverside eateries near the barrage are known across eastern Nepal for fresh fish, fried crisp or cooked in a mustard-oil curry and served with rice. Ask your guide for a busy place, choose fish cooked fresh and enjoy it looking over the river. Afterwards, the reserve is a short drive north for an afternoon walk or boat trip.
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Questions
What is the Koshi Barrage?
The Koshi Barrage is a sluice across the Koshi River near the Nepal–India border, built between 1958 and 1962 under an agreement signed in 1954. It has 56 gates and carries road traffic between Madhesh and Koshi provinces. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies a few kilometres upstream.
Can I visit the Koshi Barrage as a tourist?
Yes, the barrage is on a public road and many Nepali families visit it for the views and fish restaurants. Photography rules near the structure may apply, so follow signs and ask your guide. Carry your passport, as you are close to the India border.
What kind of fish is served at the Koshi Barrage?
Local river fish caught in the Koshi and nearby ponds, cooked fried or in a mustard-oil curry with rice. Species vary by season and catch. Choose freshly cooked fish from busy places, and ask about bones before you start if you are eating with children.
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