Groundwater Crisis in Terai Region of Nepal

The Terai Region which lies in the southern part of Nepal which covers approximately 34,019 square kilometers, which is about 17% of Nepal's total land area and 48% of Nepal's population, making it the most densely populated region. Terai region lies just below Chure range which consist of 36 districts nearly covering the area of 800 Km from Ilam in the east to Kanchanpur in the west. This region covers nearly 12.78% of the total land area of Nepal. This region is always known as the “granary” or “Breadbasket” of the country. Majority of the population in this region mainly depended on groundwater as a primary source of drinking water and irrigation. However, over the past few years from 2022 to till now, this region has been experiencing a significant decline in groundwater levels due to over-extraction for irrigation and drinking water, weakened aquifer recharge linked to land degradation, deforestation in the Chure hills, erratic monsoons, and unregulated use of tube wells. This paper investigates the present scenario of groundwater predicament in the Terai part, examining its major root causes, socio-economic and environmental impacts, regional disparities, and potential solutions. Through the field observations and with a government report doing a comparative analysis and highlights the interplay between over-extraction, inadequate infrastructure, policy gaps, and climate variability. Moreover, this research provides practical recommendations for sustainable groundwater management through community engagement, policy reform, and technology-driven solutions.