Betana Wetland

Most of the eastern Tarai has been cleared for fields and towns, which makes patches like Betana precious. The wetland is a small lake surrounded by sal and mixed forest, just off the highway at Belbari.

What to do

Hire a paddle boat, walk the path around the water, and look for kingfishers, herons, egrets and, in winter, visiting ducks. Rhesus monkeys and deer are often seen at the forest edge. There are picnic spots and small eateries.

Why it matters

The lake is managed by the community, which uses fees to protect the forest and water. Small wetlands like this act as stepping stones for birds moving between the Koshi floodplain and the Chure hills.

A good stop

Betana works best as a break on the long drive between Itahari and Kakarbhitta, or as a family outing from Biratnagar.