What is Terai, Pahad & Himal?
तराई, पहाड, हिमाल
Terai, Pahad and Himal are Nepal's three ecological belts running east-west. Terai is the flat southern plains (about 17% of the land but 54% of people), Pahad the central hills, and Himal the high Himalayan mountains in the north.
The three belts shape Nepal's climate, agriculture and settlement. The Terai is the breadbasket; the hills hold Kathmandu and most towns; the Himal contains the 8,000 m peaks.
Census 2021: Terai 53.7% of population, Hill 40.3%, Mountain 6.1%.
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Definitions explain standard Nepali terms in everyday and official use. Land-unit conversions follow the standard Nepali measurement system; tax and contribution rates reflect current law (Income Tax Act 2058, VAT Act 2052, Social Security Act 2074) and are revised each fiscal year by the Finance Act — always confirm current-year figures with the relevant authority.