Voices of the Terai: Life Along the River

Most visitors see the Terai through the window of a safari jeep. This film slows down and spends time in the villages around the forest, where Tharu families have lived alongside rivers, grasslands and wildlife for generations.

Living next to the wild

Living beside a national park brings both pride and problems. Farmers talk about crops lost to wild animals, guides talk about the jobs tourism brings, and elders talk about how the forest used to be part of daily life in a very different way. The film lets all of these voices speak.

Culture worth knowing

Tharu houses are painted with bright murals, food is built around rice, fish and fresh greens, and dances like the stick dance are performed at celebrations. If you visit, stay in a community homestay and ask your hosts about their traditions — they’re far more interesting than any checklist of animals.