page_title: Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal
section_title: Surkhet Valley
hierarchical_section_title: Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal / Valleys / Western Terai / Surkhet Valley
caption_attribution_description: English: Map displaying Village Development Committees in Surkhet District, Nepal
context_page_description: The Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal comprise several elongated river valleys in the southern lowland Terai part of the country. These tropical valleys are enclosed by the Himalayan foothills, viz the Mahabharat Range and the Sivalik Hills farther south.
  The Inner Terai is called "bhitri Terai " in Nepali language.
  The Inner Terai Valleys are part of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. They are filled up with coarse to fine alluvial sediments. The Chitwan Valley and the Dang and Deukhuri Valleys are some of the largest Inner Terai Valleys. Malaria was prevalent in this region until the late 1950s. Since its eradication, the area became a viable destination for large-scale migration of people from the hills, who transformed the area from virgin forest and grassland to farmland.
context_section_description: The Surkhet Valley (Nepali: सुर्खेत उपत्यका) is situated in the Surkhet district, mid-western Nepal. The valley is about 700 m (2,300 ft) above sea level, forming an ellipse about 9 km (5.6 mi) east-west by 6 km (3.7 mi) north-south. It is drained by the Bheri River, a tributary of the Karnali.
  The district is the homeland of the Raji people. Tharu people from Dang settled in the valley since at least the 19th century.
  In recent decades there has been increased migration from surrounding mountain districts as well as other parts of the country. Birendranagar is the district's capital.
  Imagery of Surkhet (S):
  terrain 
  satellite
caption: Map of the VDCs in Surkhet District
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