THE GREEN BELT TERAI-BHABAR

For centuries Terai remained in utter neglect because it was bone
of contention between the Rohilla Moussalmans, Nawabs of
Rohilkhand and kings of Kumaon. It quickly changed hands
from time to time. Today Terai is known as the granary 01
Uttar Pradesh.
On leaving Bareilly, we reach Terai which means fresh
greenery. As the name implies, the area is full of greenery and
green fields, although once it was the heart of grassy swamp
about ten miles broad which runs parallel to the foot of the
Himalayas for several hundred miles. It owes its origin to the
marshy nature of the ground, from which sluggish streams ooze
and flow lazily or stand in stagnant pools. Tall reeds and grass
use to cover the grounds and the entire area in pestilential region,
and the Terai fever was one of the most fatal forms of malaria.
During the hot and rainy season it used to be dangerous to pass
the night but now the whole phenomenon has been changed,
Bhabar
A few miles away towards the mountain slope on the approa-
ches of Rishikesh, Kotedwar, Ramnagar, Kashipur and Haldwani
is Bhabar which presents a massive wall of forest clad slopes and