Groundwater Crisis in Terai Region of Nepal

Abstract

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.

Introduction

Nepal, often referred to as a Himalayan nation, holds the 2nd largest inland water resources globally, yet ranks 43rd in renewable water resources. Despite its rich water table, especially in the Terai region, the area is now facing a drinking water crisis due to environmental degradation, over-extraction, mismanagement, and climate change.

???? Key Findings

I. Current Status (2022–2025)

• Groundwater levels have drastically declined.

• 90% of tube wells are dry in some Terai areas.

• 60% of farmers rely on groundwater for irrigation.

• Case: Birgunj (2022) – Over 47,000 houses, 30,000+ hand pumps, yet the water table is dropping.

?? Major Causes of the Crisis

A. Groundwater Contamination

• Unsafe drinking water contaminated with arsenic, iron, and bacteria.

• DWSSM 2023: Over 50% of tube wells had arsenic close to or above safe limits.

B. Over-extraction

• Rapid urbanization and agriculture led to unsustainable groundwater pumping.

C. Climate Change

• Irregular rainfall: Monsoon reduced by 1.8 mm/year.

• Rising temperatures: Increased evaporation and reduced aquifer recharge.

D. Poor Infrastructure & Governance

• Outdated systems, poor budgeting, corruption, lack of planning.

E. Lack of Awareness

• Limited public knowledge on safe water practices and purification.

F. Deforestation

• Over 2.8 million trees cut for infrastructure projects without environmental planning.

G. Loss of Natural Water Bodies

• Government actions like filling ponds/lakes for land have worsened the situation.

H. Unregulated Deep Boring

• Extensive boring without expert input is depleting deep aquifers.

???? Case Studies Overview

? Proposed Solutions

A. Rainwater Harvesting

• Rooftop systems for government, residential, and commercial buildings.

• Surface recharge ponds in Bhabar regions.

B. Municipal Piped Water

• Expand piped networks using arsenic-free sources.

• Prioritize funding and international support.

C. Groundwater Regulation

• Restrict private boring; promote recharge methods.

• Implement strict policies on tube well usage.

D. Public Awareness

• Campaigns on water conservation and arsenic risks.

• Education in schools and via local NGOs.

E. Chure Region Conservation

• Stop illegal stone/sand mining.

• Build zai pits and restore forest cover.

F. Industrial Waste Treatment

• Mandatory Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs).

• Ban dumping waste in rivers/agricultural lands.

G. Water-Efficient Agriculture

• Encourage drip irrigation, sprinklers, SRI methods.

• Promote crop rotation and low-water-demand crops.

H. Data-Driven Water Governance

• Real-time monitoring systems.

• GIS mapping of water-stressed zones.

???? Chure Exploitation: A Growing Threat

The Chure-Bhabar region is vital for groundwater recharge in the Terai. But:

• Sand, stone, and gravel mining is disrupting aquifer recharge.

• Forests and wetlands are being destroyed.

• 74% of Nepal's water sources are drying up; 58% have shifted.

• In Chure alone, 79% of water sources are drying—threatening local settlements.

???? Why Deep Boring Is Not the Answer

• Boreholes are now being dug 400+ feet deep, but this is unsustainable.

• Deeper boring depletes ancient aquifers that cannot easily recharge.

Conclusion

The Terai region of Nepal is facing a drinking water crisis day these, which has rose from 38% in 2022 to 46% in 2025. Despite its natural water resource potential, it is suffering critical situation. The crisis is not just from environmental but also major role played by politics, which cause a serious threat to public health, agriculture, and socio-economic stability. Addressing this challenge, there must be involvement government bodies, NGOs, and local communities to come out from such crisis. Solutions must include modern technologies, nature-based recharge methods, infrastructure development, community engagement, and strong regulatory frameworks

References

[1] Water: The Next Biggest Problem of Nepal by Project kura [2] Bhaduri, T., & Chakraborty, S. (2024). Opinion: Nepal needs a comprehensive groundwater policy. Dialogue Earth. [3] The Annapurna Express. (2025). Madhes declared a disaster crisis zone. [4] International Water Management Institute (IWMI). (2024). Stakeholders in Nepal work together to enhance collective action for municipal groundwater management. [5] Bhaduri, T., & Chakraborty, S. (2024). Opinion: Nepal needs a comprehensive groundwater policy. Dialogue Earth. [6] International Water Management Institute (IWMI). (2024). Stakeholders in Nepal work together to enhance collective action for municipal groundwater management [7] Shrestha, S.?R. et al. Groundwater recharge ~8,800?MCM/year [8] HimalPress (2024). Data on groundwater irrigation growth. [9] CGIAR NEXUS Gains (2024). Deep tubewell research across Siraha and Saptari [10] Risal et?al., 2022 (SWAT RegCM modeling) [11] Kathmandu Post (March?2023). Western Terai depletion case studies [12] Pathak & Rao (1998). Confined aquifer recharge via rivers [13] Policy review on community governance and groundwater by Calliera & Capri (2022) ( [14] Arsenic contamination data in Terai shallow wells [15] Dhunge dharas and ponds revival for recharge

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Er. Aryan Dipak Raut, Er. Aryan Suraj Raut, Er. Sushil Mahato, Er. Akhlaq Ur Rahman, Er. Md. Samsudin Ansari, Er. Sujeet Kumar Sah. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.