Terai: Difference between revisions
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{{redirect|Tarai|the tarai() function|Tak (function)#tak() vs. tarai()}} |
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The '''Terai''' ({{lang-hi|तराई}}, {{lang-ne|तराई}}, {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|ترائی}}}}, [[Indian English|translation]]: "moist land" or "foothill" [originally from [[Persian language|Persian]]]), is a belt of marshy [[grassland]]s, [[savanna]]s, and [[forest]]s |
The '''Terai''' ({{lang-hi|तराई}}, {{lang-ne|तराई}}, {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|ترائی}}}}, [[Indian English|translation]]: "moist land" or "foothill" [originally from [[Persian language|Persian]]]), is a belt of marshy [[grassland]]s, [[savanna]]s, and [[forest]]s between the [[Himalaya]]n foothills and the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain]] of the [[Yamuna]], [[Ganges]], [[Brahmaputra]] and their tributaries. The region is part of the [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]] [[ecoregion]] stretching from the [[Yamuna River]] in [[India]]'s state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] through southern [[Nepal]], northern [[Bangladesh]] and southwestern [[Bhutan]] to the [[Brahmaputra River]]. |
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Elevation of the Terai is {{convert|67|–|300|m|ft|abbr=on}}. North of the Terai rises the [[Bhabhar]], a narrow but continuous belt of forest formed by the accumulation of gravel, boulders, stone and sand washed down from the foothills.<ref name="nbrb07>Bhuju, U.R., Shakya, P.R., Basnet, T.B., Shrestha, S. (2007) ''Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites.'' International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Kathmandu, ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5 [http://books.icimod.org/demo/uploads/ftp/Nepal%20Biodiversity%20Resource%20Book.pdf pdf]</ref> |
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In the ranges to the north, the water table lies from {{convert|5|–|37|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep. The Terai zone south of the Bhabhar is composed of less permeable layers of clay and sand that bring groundwater near the surface so there are many springs and [[wetland]]s. The Terai zone is inundated yearly by the [[monsoon]]-swollen rivers of the Himalaya. In Bhutan and Darjeeling, the Terai ecoregion is also called the [[Dooars]]. |
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== Terai in Nepal == |
== Terai in Nepal == |
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In Nepal, Terai is differentiated into "outer" and "inner" Terai. |
In Nepal, Terai is differentiated into "outer" and "inner" Terai. |
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'''Outer Terai''' begins at the southern edge of the Siwalik Hills. In Nepalese usage it extends to the border with India and includes drier, mostly cleared agricultural land below the marshes. Indian usage is more tied to hydrology and ecology. In some places the wetter ecoregion extends kilometers south of the Nepal border into India. |
'''Outer Terai''' begins at the southern edge of the [[Siwalik Hills]]. In Nepalese usage it extends to the border with India and includes drier, mostly cleared agricultural land below the marshes. Indian usage is more tied to hydrology and ecology. In some places the wetter ecoregion extends kilometers south of the Nepal border into India. |
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Most of the local population is ethnically [[Bihari people|Bihari]], natively speaking [[Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri]] and [[Maithili language|Maithili]]. They were largely disenfranchised during the [[List of monarchs of Nepal|Shah]] and [[Rana dynasty|Rana]] regimes that were largely administered by and for [[Pahari]]s. This discrimination gave rise to [[Madhesh|political movements]] seeking greater representation. |
Most of the local population is ethnically [[Bihari people|Bihari]], natively speaking [[Awadhi]], [[Bhojpuri]] and [[Maithili language|Maithili]]. They were largely disenfranchised during the [[List of monarchs of Nepal|Shah]] and [[Rana dynasty|Rana]] regimes that were largely administered by and for [[Pahari]]s. This discrimination gave rise to [[Madhesh|political movements]] seeking greater representation. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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Revision as of 23:37, 15 January 2011
The Terai (
Elevation of the Terai is 67–300 m (220–984 ft). North of the Terai rises the Bhabhar, a narrow but continuous belt of forest formed by the accumulation of gravel, boulders, stone and sand washed down from the foothills.[1]
In the ranges to the north, the water table lies from 5–37 m (16–121 ft) deep. The Terai zone south of the Bhabhar is composed of less permeable layers of clay and sand that bring groundwater near the surface so there are many springs and wetlands. The Terai zone is inundated yearly by the monsoon-swollen rivers of the Himalaya. In Bhutan and Darjeeling, the Terai ecoregion is also called the Dooars.
Terai in Nepal
In Nepal, Terai is differentiated into "outer" and "inner" Terai.
Outer Terai begins at the southern edge of the
Most of the local population is ethnically
Major towns of Nepal's Outer Terai (east to west):
- Mechinagar in Mechi Zone
- Koshi Zone
- Lahan and Rajbiraj in Sagarmatha Zone
- Janakpur in Janakpur Zone
- Birgunj in Narayani Zone
- Butwal and Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa) in Lumbini Zone
- Nepalganj in Bheri Zone
- Dhangadhi in Seti Zone
- Mahendranagar in Mahakali Zone
. Most of these valleys extend east-west or SSE-WNW parallel to enclosing ranges. They are five to ten kilometers wide and up to a hundred kilometers long.
Inner Terai valleys historically were agriculturally productive but extremely malarial. Indigenous Tharu people had a degree of inherited resistance and populated these areas. A malaria eradication campaign opened the Inner Terai to settlers from the "hills" to the north and from neighbouring India, often to the detriment of indigenous peoples.
Important towns in the Inner Terai are:
- Triyuga in Kamala
- Kamalamai in Marin Khola
- Bharatpur (Narayangadh), Hetauda, and Tandi in Chitwan
- Tribhuvannagar (Ghorahi) in Dang
- Birendranagar in Surkhet.
Wetter, more malarial parts of the Terai were left forested by official decree during the Rana dynasty as a defensive perimeter called Char Kose Jhadi (four kos forest, one kos equalling about three km or two miles).
Economy
The Terai is the most productive region in Nepal with the majority of industries located here. Agriculture is the main economic stake of the region.. Many agro-based industries like jute factories, sugar mills, rice mills and tobacco factories are established throughout the region.
Tourism
Major cities like Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Bhairawa, Birgunj are well connected with airports. The most interesting places to visit are
- Buddha;
- Bardia National Park,
- Chitwan National Park
- Janakpur - the birthplace of Sita, where she married Rama, described in the epic Ramayana.
See also
References
- ^ Bhuju, U.R., Shakya, P.R., Basnet, T.B., Shrestha, S. (2007) Nepal Biodiversity Resource Book. Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and World Heritage Sites. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, in cooperation with United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Kathmandu, ISBN 978-92-9115-033-5 pdf
- ^ Sharma, R. P. (1974) Nepal: A Detailed Geographical Account Kathmandu : Pustak-Sansar