A few miles west of the bustling Nepali city of Biratnagar and just north of the Indian border is this small lake system that teems with birds and wildlife. Barju Taal, sometimes called Chimdi Taal, is comprised of just over 250 acres of wetlands but hosts more than 500 bird species, and at peak festival times hosts up to 150,000 picnickers. The lake is partially handcrafted and undergoes periodic improvements to accommodate the ever-burgeoning collection of visitors. While birding is a popular activity, there are also miles of trails worth…
