A forest wetland on the old Terai trail
Before the East-West Highway reached this part of the Terai in the late 20th century, the forest of Kailali was a thinly settled land of Tharu villages, malaria and wildlife. The lakes of Ghodaghodi were fishing grounds and places of worship for the Tharu, who still keep shrines in the forest and on the shore. When the road came it brought settlers from the hills, timber traffic and new pressure on the forest and water, and the bazaar of Sukhad grew up beside the lakes.
In August 2003 Ghodaghodi Tal was listed under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. The listing recognised its value for rare reptiles and waterbirds, and as a stepping stone in the forest corridor that links the Siwalik hills to the plains, used by wildlife moving across the far western Terai. It was a significant step for a wetland outside any national park, managed largely with local communities. For local people the listing brought new attention and, with it, new responsibilities for the forest and water.
In March 2022 the area was declared a bird sanctuary, and local community forest groups now share in its care. Pressures remain: fishing, grazing, invasive plants and the highway itself. But the lakes are a good example of how a small, community-managed wetland can still hold crocodiles, otters and rare turtles within sight of a busy road. A quiet walk along the shore shows both sides: the beauty of the lakes and the marks of human use around them. Visiting with a local guide and paying any community fee helps keep that balance in favour of the wetland.
