28 August 2023, NIICE Commentary 8793
Keshav Verma & Sheetal Arya
The Terai region is a pivotal part of Nepal in many ways, since it is essential to the country’s economy, politics, and culture. Nearly half of Nepal’s population calls this fertile belt home; as a result, it’s a thriving demographic centre where many different peoples and cultures live peacefully. Nepal’s legacy has been enhanced by this cultural tapestry, which also fosters mutual appreciation and unity among people of different backgrounds. The region situated in the southern portion of the nation, characterised by its flat and fertile terrain, is now undergoing the effects of climate change
Challenges in the Terai Region
The Terai area of Nepal, noted for its lush farmland and dynamic people, is facing a multidimensional challenge posed by climate change. This environmental hazard manifests itself in a variety of ways, each posing a distinct set of problems to the region’s social, economic, and biological landscape.
Changes in precipitation patterns have brought about a serious trend in the Terai region – the depletion of groundwater supplies. As irregular rainfall causes tube wells to dry up, communities are being forced to draw from deeper reservoirs. Unfortunately, arsenic is often found in deeper groundwater. This pollution has caused a health problem for individuals who rely on these water sources. Furthermore, increased river volumes caused by shifting precipitation patterns have had serious repercussions. Shifting river channels damage not just the natural environment, but also human settlements, roads, bridges, and agricultural fields, putting the Terai’s infrastructure at risk.
Droughts have emerged as a dangerous foe, causing crop failures and decreasing output. Farmers in certain places have been forced to quit their properties, which have become barren due to a lack of irrigation infrastructure. As safe drinking water becomes more limited, the cascading impacts of drought affect daily life. Droughts cause populations to travel considerable distances to meet their daily water demands, worsening the battle for life.
The Terai’s flood plains, which are famous for their production, are subject to catastrophic monsoon floods and river bank erosion. These extended floods harm crops and dump sand in fields, making them less productive. Aside from agricultural losses, such circumstances foster the spread of waterborne illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, dysentery, and cholera. This twin danger to livelihoods and public health puts enormous strain on Terai communities. Once-predictable seasonal cycles in the area are now a thing of the past, as climate-induced temperature and rainfall variations disturb historical rhythms. The unpredictability and uncertainty of these developments has a direct influence on the lives of Terai inhabitants. Agriculture, a key component of the region’s economy, is severely impacted, making planning and resource management more difficult. This unpredictability, along with the threat of climate change, throws a pall over the Terai people’s quality of life and capacity to continue their livelihoods.
Climate change is intensifying societal conflicts and disputes over natural resource access in Nepal’s Terai area, according to a research published by the Overseas Development Institute (2017). Communities are at conflict over irrigation infrastructure, land access, and forest management, further straining already strained relationships. The rising insecurity of the young male population has resulted in out-migration, leaving women with more obligations and, in some circumstances, leading to domestic violence. These issues have far-reaching consequences for the Terai’s social fabric and community dynamics.
Mitigating the impacts of Climate Change
Nepal’s Terai region faces formidable climate change challenges, and international support as well as domestic measures are essential in building resilience and mitigating the impact of these challenges.
International Community
Nepal’s efforts to confront the formidable challenges posed by climate change in its Terai region rely heavily on international assistance. Investments and contributions from international organisations and donor nations are indispensable for financing climate resilience initiatives, such as the development of renewable energy infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practises. In addition, the transfer of advanced technology, the augmentation of capacity, and collaborative research projects equip Nepal with the necessary knowledge and capabilities to effectively combat the effects of climate change. Together with advocacy campaigns, the participation of international climate finance mechanisms effectively allocates resources and heightens awareness. Concurrently, cross-border collaboration ensures synchronised administration of trans-boundary water resources, addressing a significant concern in Nepal’s strategy for adapting to climate change. Community involvement is of the utmost importance, especially the empowerment of local constituents and women, given their pivotal positions in agricultural activities and domestic administration. In conclusion, international collaboration fosters resilience, facilitates policy formulation, and supports sustainable development initiatives, thereby bolstering the prospects for a climate-resilient future in Nepal’s Terai region.
Domestic Measures
The development of the Terai region’s capability for managing natural resources should be Nepal’s top priority. Enhancing the equitable and sustainable use of natural resources including land, water, and forests is part of this. It will be essential to establish responsible and transparent procedures for managing resources that include marginalised groups and local communities. While it’s a good start to make sure that the area of cultivated land determines a landowner’s access to water resources, fair distribution should also be taken into account to prevent disputes over resource distribution.
Secondly, Nepal has to put climate change adaption strategies that support social cohesiveness and peace into practise. This entails creating initiatives and regulations that promote collaboration and trust among various community members in addition to increasing resistance to the effects of climate change. Promoting resource-efficient, sustainable farming methods, for example, may lessen rivalry and diffuse tensions amongst farmers. Protecting indigenous people’s rights and involving local populations and in the decision-making process is also crucial to ensuring that adaptation efforts take into account their particular vulnerabilities and needs, particularly those of women, youth, and ethnic minorities.
Thirdly, it is critical to assist sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods in conflict-affected regions. Targeted investments in industries like small businesses, renewable energy, and agriculture may help accomplish this. These programmes ought to minimise environmental damage while offering prospects for revenue. In order to ensure that marginalised people have a voice in creating these livelihood programmes and achieve more fair results, a participatory approach is also essential. Subsequently, Nepal has to evaluate the social and gender aspects of its attempts to mitigate climate change. Promoting gender equality and empowerment should be the main goal of initiatives rather than just include women and other marginalised groups. This entails locating and removing obstacles to social inclusion, such as restricted access to positions in decision-making, education, and resources. Using a gender-responsive strategy will help the Terai region’s climate security programmes become more sustainable and successful.
Conclusion
The Terai region of Nepal is at a crossroads due to the escalating effects of climate change. To ensure a resilient future, a comprehensive strategy that incorporates community empowerment, sustainable land management, and robust collaborations is required. Preserving and restoring natural habitats will simultaneously mitigate environmental degradation. Importantly, partnerships between government, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector can provide the necessary resources and expertise to execute infrastructure initiatives that are climate-resilient. The Terai region can not only adapt to the challenges of climate change, but also thrive, assuring a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come through collective efforts.
Keshav Verma is a PhD Scholar at Department of International Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), India and Sheetal Arya is a PhD Scholar at School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
