Life in the Terai Region

The terai region lies in the southern part of the kingdom of Nepal. It spreads from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west. The terai in the east is wider than in the west. The southern part of the terai has fertile soil, while the northern part is full of stones, boulders and sands. The terai is situated at about 60 to 300 meters from the sea level. It has a hot climate. During summer, its temperature goes up to 40 degree Celsius. It receives rainfall during June to September. The eastern part of terai receives more rainfall than the western part. It is affected by floods during the rainy season.

SOCIAL LIFE

1. Food: Rice and bread are the main food of the people of this region. The people also rear cattle which provide them with milk, cheese, ghee, eggs, and meat. Among the fruits, mango is quite popular. It is grown in most parts of the terai.

2. Costume: Terai has a hot climate. So, the people wear light cotton dresses. Most of the male members are seen in lungis in villages. In the town area, men wear pants and shirts and women wear saris and blouses.

3. Housing: In the villages, the houses are small huts. The Tharus, Satars, Rajbansis, etc. have peculiar houses. They are made of clay, thatch roofs, and very small in size. One has to bow down to enter these houses. Several paintings of pictures of birds, animals and flowers are seen on the wall. The terai towns have big modern buildings.

4. Health: Terai people suffered from malaria, small-pox and other dangerous diseases in the past. But now many such diseases have already been eradicated. So the terai has become one of the most pleasant places to live in. There are hospitals, health centres and health posts in every part of this region.

5. Education: Many primary and secondary schools have been established in every part of terai region. There are higher secondary schools and campuses in town areas. The main centres of learning are Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Rajbiraj, Janakpur, Narayangarh, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Taulihawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, etc. There is a rapid increase in the literacy percentage in the terai.

ECONOMIC LIFE

1. Agriculture: Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of the terai. The terai is the main agricultural centre of the country. It produces sufficient food-stuff to feed the people of the country. Rice, wheat, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, etc. are the main agricultural products of the terai. Fruits and vegetables are also cultivated in large areas.

2. Industry: The terai is the centre of industries of Nepal. The first industry was established in the terai. Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Hetauda, Butwal, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj are the famous industrial towns of the country. Industries like jute, sugar, soap, cigarette, cotton, cement, leather and shoe, textile, etc. are located in these industrial town.

3. Trade: There are some big business centres in the terai region. They are: Bhadrapur, Dhulabari, Birtamod, Biratnagar, Itahari, Janakpur, Birgunj, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, etc. Many of these towns are located at the border of the country with India. So, Nepalese goods are exported and Indian goods are imported through these towns. The people of the terai are progressive in trade and business.

SOME IMPORTANT PLACES IN THE TERAI

1. Biratnagar: Biratnagar is the headquarters of the Morang district and Koshi zone. It is one of the largest towns of the country. There are many industries located in Nepal. The first industry of the country was established in Biratnagar. It is also the biggest industrial town of the country. There are industries manufacturing soap, matches, jute, steel and various other things needed in daily life. It is the centre of trade and business of eastern Nepal. The Nepalese goods are exported to India from this town and Indian goods are imported through it. That is why, it has rightly been called the ‘Eastern Gateway of Nepal’.

2. Janakpurdham: Janakpurdham is the headquarters of Dhanusha district and Janakpur zone. It is also situated in the eastern terai. The famous temple of Ram-Janaki is located here. Every year on the fifth day of the full moon in the month of Magh, Ram Nawami, a big festival is held here. People from all over the country and also from India attend these festivals. The oldest cigarette factory of the country is established in Janakpurdham. The only railway of Nepal, Janakpur-Jayanagar railway is also here.

3. Birgunj: The headquaters of Parsha district is Birgunj. It is one of the most important industrial towns of the country. The main industries located here manufacturer Matches, Sugar cigarettes and Agricultural tools. It is the centre for trade and business in the central terai. Birgunj is at the Nepal-India border. Trade takes place through this border between the two countries.

4. Lumbini: Lumbini is situated in Rupandehi district of Lumbini zone. It is an important historical and religious place. Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and preacher of people in the world was born in Lumbini. The monument of Ashoka the great and the temple of Mayadevi (mother of Gautama Buddha) are also located here. Foreign tourists and Buddhist pilgrims visit it all the time. The year 1981 A.D. was declared a “Lumbini Year” by the Government. Now Lumbini Development Project is in progress. Some of the foreign countries and international organizations have given aid for its development. In addition, many countries like Japan and Myanmar have built Buddhist monuments here.

5. Nepalgunj: It is the headquarters of Bheri zone and Banke district. It is situated in the western terai. It is the important commercial centre of western terai. It is the main centre of business for people living in Humla and Jumla districts. An Industial Estate which has been manufacturing different goods for everyday needs of the people, is also set up at Nepalgunj.