Without the Terai, Nepal can’t be a viable economic entity. It is the most productive region of the country with the majority of the country’s industries. The main trade corridor of the country stretches from Biratnagar in the East to Nepalgunj. Whether tourism, Gorkha pensions and remittances of Nepalis working abroad and, of course, foreign aid will be able to sustain the hills economy is a question only Lord Pashupati may be able to answer. Without access through the Terai – the rest of Nepal would become only more ‘land-locked’ – as many areas of the hills can be accessed only by air, arduous treks or via the Terai.