Chure degradation puts Madhesh at risk
Summary
Unregulated exploitation of the Chure region is drying up groundwater, burying farmland in sand and worsening drinking water shortages across Madhesh. Officials and local leaders warn that continued deforestation, river extraction and encroachment could turn large parts of the southern plains into barren land.
Key Points
- Growing extraction of stone, gravel and sand from the Chure is lowering groundwater levels and damaging fertile farmland across Madhesh Province.
- Drying streams, deforestation and illegal encroachment are worsening drinking and irrigation water shortages in districts including Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Siraha and Saptari.
- Local officials and civil society leaders say weak enforcement has allowed crusher operators, forest encroachment and other forms of exploitation to continue despite the crisis.
- The Chure conservation programme has lost momentum over time, even though the area was declared sensitive and high-risk and remains vital for Madhesh’s water supply.
