Bhabar

Bhabar (Hindi and Nepali: भाबर, bhābar) is the region south of the Lower Himalayas and the Shiwalik Hills It is the alluvial apron of sediments washed down from the Siwaliks along the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Etymology

The name Bhabhar is derived from a local tall growing grass, Eulaliopsis binata used for manufacture of paper, and rope.

Overview

Bhabhar is the gently-sloping coarse alluvial zone below the Siwalik Hills (outermost foothills of Himalaya) where streams disappear into permeable sediments. The underground water level is deep in this region, then rises to the surface in the Terai below where coarse alluvium gives way to less permeable silt and clay.

Being at the junction of Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Bhabhar contains almost all the important trade and commerce hubs of Uttarakhand state. Due to the top-soil replenishment every monsoon,it is also a fertile area with large yields per unit area.

History

In 1901, Bhabhar, was also one of four division of Nainital district. It included 4 towns and 511 villages with a combined population of 93,445 (1901), spread over 1,279 square miles (3,310 km²). It corresponded to the current sub-division of Haldwani.