Why Chure’s preservation is a matter of emergency

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Nepal’s southern plains are slowly being desertified.

The Chure range, a string of low hills stretching from Mechi in the east to Mahakali in the west, once supplied enough groundwater to Nepal’s southern plains, which were vital for sustaining life and supporting agriculture. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The already fragile range, with a weak geological structure, is steadily losing its ability to recharge groundwater. As a result, water scarcity is taking a heavy toll on residents. Just last year, Birgunj and Janakpur, major cities in the southern belt, saw an acute drinking water shortage during the monsoon, as borewells, their primary water source, failed to recharge. In mid-2025, Madhesh Province faced a severe, prolonged drought. Climate change has worsened the situation. Erratic rainfall patterns, reduced precipitation and short bursts of rain are all too common, intensifying the vulnerability of the Tarai-Madhesh region.