Bhubhar

Bhubhar (also spelled Bhabar) refers to a region south of the Lower Himalayan Range in the Indian subcontinent. It is a gently sloping, coarse, porous, and pebble-studded alluvial fan formed by sediments deposited by rivers descending from the Himalayas. This zone lies between the Shiwalik foothills and the Terai belt.

The Bhubhar tract is characterized by:

• Porosity and Permeability: Due to the large size of the pebbles and rocks, the Bhubhar region is highly porous and permeable. As a result, most of the small rivers and streams disappear underground in this zone.

• Agriculture: The Bhubhar region is generally not well-suited for intensive agriculture because of its porous soil and the subsurface flow of water. It requires significant irrigation efforts to support agriculture. Historically, it has been used for forestry and grazing.

• Location: The Bhubhar belt stretches from the Indus River in the west to the Teesta River in the east, forming a narrow belt that varies in width from approximately 8 to 16 kilometers.

• Relation to Terai: South of the Bhubhar belt lies the Terai belt, a marshy, swampy region where the rivers reappear, creating fertile land due to the accumulation of fine silt and clay. The Terai is the result of the rivers resurfacing after flowing underground through the Bhubhar.

In summary, the Bhubhar represents a distinct geomorphic and hydrological feature in the Himalayan foothills, serving as a transition zone between the mountains and the fertile plains.