The Terai

The Terai is the belt of lowland grasslands and forests at the base of the Himalayas, rich in culture and wildlife. This region contains Nepal's best wildlife parks, including Chitwan Bardia and Koshi Tapu. Originally inhabited by the Tharu people, since the eradication of malaria in the 1950s there has been a growing population of immigrants from other parts of Nepal.

The East-West Highway runs the length of the Terai, connecting the national parks and the many towns of the region. Biratnagar, Nepal's second largest city, can be found in the eastern Terai. This is the most fertile area of Nepal, and much of the country’s agriculture and industry is located here.

The Bengal Tiger and One-Horned Rhino are the most famous animals found in the Terai, and this region is also home to elephants, leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles and the Gangetic River Dolphin. The grasslands here are the tallest in the world - the elephant grass really can grow taller than an elephant - and are traditionally cut down in January or February to be used as a building material.

Although the population of the Terai is predominantly Hindu with a growing Muslim and Christian minority, the region is home to Lumbini, revered as the birthplace of Buddha.