The
Madhesh (also known as Terai), the southern plain
region of Nepal running parallel to the lower
Himalayan ranges and India, is enormously rich
in its socio-cultural diversity and natural resources.
Being the birth place of Sita (the illustrious
wife of Lord Ram) and Lord Buddha (the light of
Asia), it has been the center of spiritual values
and intellectual pursuits since the prehistoric
times.
The Madhesh has long been an
integral part of the Kingdom of Nepal. However,
it has been acutely lagging behind in development
activities and information in comparison with
most of the regions in hills and mountains. The
main factors that have given rise to this situation
include the regime’s indifference to the
development of the Madhesh as well as dearth of
the systematic information about the existing
human and physical resources in this region and
any planning for their adequate mobilization.
There remain several aspects of the Madhesh life
which are still unexplored, inadequately studied
or even misinterpreted. There is a need to make
concerted efforts to address these issues, apprise
the Madheshis and others of them in order to create
awareness and sentiment among them for their regional
peace and progress.
The Madhesh Foundation
for Peace and Development (MFPD) has been established
as a forum for the purposes of processing and
disseminating information associated with the
various aspects of the Madhesh region vis-à-vis
Nepal, undertaking initiatives for conflict management
and strengthening national integration, and carrying
out developmental activities to improve quality
of life in the region.
The MFPD is a non-profit and non-political, social
organization registered with His Majesty's Government
of Nepal, and also affiliated to Social Welfare
Council. Its affiliation has also been sought
with other related government and non-government
agencies
