Kathmandu, July 15 -- Years of unchecked degradation of the fragile Chure range is one of the major causes of massive annual monsoon flooding in the Tarai districts of the country, according to environmentalists and conservationists.

Heavy rainfall which has continued for the last few days has wreaked havoc in districts like Dhanusha, Mahottari, Rautahat and Saptari, among others, which are situated down the Chure range. According to Nepal Police figures, floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains since Thursday have claimed at least 60 lives across the country, mostly in these districts.

Excessive exploitation of the Chure range for natural resources-riverbed materials, forest products and timber-have weakened the significant ...