Human Trafficking in Indo-Nepal Terai Region: A Study of Stakeholders Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/hqd3jn54Keywords:
Cross Border Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Indo-Nepal Terai Region, Stakeholder's perspectiveAbstract
The Indo-Nepal Terai region, stretching nearly 1,700 kilometres, serves as a critical geographic and socio-economic corridor between India and Nepal. Covering Nepal’s southern plains and bordering Indian states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, the region plays a central role in cross-border mobility. According to the 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, both India and Nepal function as source, transit, and destination countries for human trafficking. As the world’s second-largest criminal activity, human trafficking represents a grave violation of human rights, encompassing sexual exploitation, bonded labour, organ trafficking, and domestic servitude. This article examines the underlying causes of trafficking between the two countries and explores stakeholder perspectives on existing laws, legal frameworks, and law enforcement effectiveness. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study draws on primary data from in-depth interviews and secondary sources. The findings reveal persistent institutional and operational gaps, highlighting the urgent need for stronger strategies, resources, and cross-border collaboration to prevent trafficking and support survivors effectively.
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