Jhapa District
Encyclopedia
Jhapa District a district of Mechi Zone
, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal
. The district, with Chandragadhi
as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,606 km² and has a population (2001) of 688,109.
in the north, Morang district
in the west, the Indian state of Bihar
in the south and east, and the Indian state of West Bengal
in the east.
in the south, Mechinagar
in the east and Damak
in the west. Though Birtamod was recommended for muncipality by GoN, People opposed and is back to VDC again i.e., Anarmani VDC.Its major centers are Chandragadhi
, Bhadrapur
, Birtamod
, Kankarbhitta, Damak
, Dhulabari
, Budhabare, Surunga
, Charali, Baniyani
, Kechana
, Patharia
, Balubadi, Gherabari
, Pathamari, Prithvinagar, Halddibari, Maharanijhora, Lakhanpur
, Gauradaha
, Topgachhi.
, Rai
, and Dhimal
. Other ethnic groups such as Dhangad, Koche, Rajbanshi
, Satar, Meche, Tamang
, Uraon, Magar, Gurung
, Gangain and many others came to Jhapa in the late 19th century, so did the Hill/mountain castes Bahun, Chhettri
, and Newar
.
Jhapa is diverse and rich in culture and traditions due to the influences of its different tribes. All the tribes/ethnic groups have their own languages, customs and traditions, and they celebrate their festivals every year.
season in the summer, and its hilly northern area receives more rainfall than the south. Its major rivers, like the Mechi River
, Kankai Mai
, Ratuwa, Biring, Deuniya,(Aduwa), (Bhuteni)(Dhangri
), Hadiya, and Ninda,Krishne Khola, Gauriya, Ramchandre etc. provide water for irrigation
. Due to its alluvial soil best suited for agriculture, Jhapa has been the largest producer of rice
and is therefore known as the Grain Grocery of Nepal . Besides cereal crops like rice and wheat
, it is also one of the largest producers of jute
, tea
, betel nut
, rubber
and other cash crops.
Jhapa also has vast areas of forests, such as Deonia, Charali, Charkose Jhaadi, Hadiya
, Sukhani, Jalthal
, and others. Its name itself is derived from the Rajbanshi word "jhapa" meaning "canopy", which suggests that the area was a dense forest in the past. It was once such a dense and dangerous forest that it was called Kaalapaani and prisoners were sent here to die of malaria
and other diseases in the jungle.
, Arjundhara
, Chillagadh, Biratpokhar, and Krishnathumki among others. It is believed that Pandu
's son Bhim had killed Kichak
in Kichakbadh (near Kechana in the south border) in the time of the Mahabharata
and a great festival is observed on that day every year. There is also the historical fort of Chandragadh which gave its name to Chandragadhi. Other sites too have their own religious and historical values. It is also the gateway to Darjeeling and Sikkim
and the rest of north-east India from Nepal
.
Recently, Jhapa is gaining popularity in the medical field especially in eye treatment. Each day hundreds of patient from adjoining distract of Nepal and India visits Mechi Eye Hospital for eye treatment.
Airport is domestic and you can get regular flights from Kathmandu to Chadragadi to Kathmandu. It takes one hour flight.
There is a hundred bedded Zonal hospital. It has different departments as Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology & obstetrics, Paediatrics, and the 24 hours emergency facilities. There are some private hospitals in Jhapa.
The government hospital also provides the plastic surgery services occasionally.
, etc. have been providing quality education in Jhapa. Mechi Multiple Campus under the affiliation of Tribhuwan University is the oldest government college in Jhapa. Students from neighbouring districts also come here for higher education.
development. The Small Farmer Development Programme (SFDP) was the first rural and micro-financing program in Jhapa. The Agricultural Development Bank started this Small Farmer Development Programm in 1988. It started in a few VDCs and spread. After lifted many people out of poverty, the SFDP was handed over to the local people and the new institution was named Small Farmer Cooperative Ltd (SFCL). There are currently 13 SFCLs in Jhapa, each of which covers a single VDC.
It is one of the major areas for the Production of Tea and Rice. Budhabare situated on the northern side of the Mahendra Highway is the most fertile land of Nepal. It is one of the best market places for rice. It is also popular for the bittle nuts (Supari). Several large Tea Estate are also located in Jhapa. Giri Bandhu Tea Estate
, Burne tea state, Tokla Tea Estate, Sattighatta Tea Estate are the Major ones.
Mechi Zone
Mechi and other ethnic groups like Koche and Meche, and hill castes like Bahun and Chhetris.Mechi is divided into four districts:*Ilam District*Jhapa District*Panchthar District*Taplejung District...
, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal
Districts of Nepal
Nepal's 14 administrative zones are subdivided into 75 districts . These districts are listed below, by zone...
. The district, with Chandragadhi
Chandragadhi
Chandragadhi is a town and municipality and district headquarters of Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,259 people living in 2345 individual households....
as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,606 km² and has a population (2001) of 688,109.
Location
Jhapa is the easternmost district of Nepal and lies in the fertile Terai plains. It borders Ilam districtIlam District
Ilam district of 282,806. It is about 600 km from Kathmandu. The highest point is Sandakpur with an elevation of 3000m. Ilam attracts many researchers who come to study rare birds and the Red Panda...
in the north, Morang district
Morang District
Morang District , a part of Kosi Zone, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Biratnagar as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,855 km² and has a population of 843,220....
in the west, the Indian state of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
in the south and east, and the Indian state of West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
in the east.
Administration
The district is divided into 46 Village Development Committees (VDCs) and three municipalities, namely BhadrapurBhadrapur, Mechi
Bhadrapur is a town and municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. It is known As a one of oldest municipalities of Nepal. At the time of the 2001 Nepal census it had a population of 18,145 people....
in the south, Mechinagar
Mechinagar
Mechinagar is a municipality in Jhapa District, Mechi Zone, Nepal and is the main entry point from India on Nepal's eastern border. Nepal's custom office is in Kankarbhitta , a section of the municipality....
in the east and Damak
Damak
Damak is a town and municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. It is situated between the Ratuwa River in the east and the Mawa River in the west. As of 2001 census total population of city is 35,009...
in the west. Though Birtamod was recommended for muncipality by GoN, People opposed and is back to VDC again i.e., Anarmani VDC.Its major centers are Chandragadhi
Chandragadhi
Chandragadhi is a town and municipality and district headquarters of Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,259 people living in 2345 individual households....
, Bhadrapur
Bhadrapur, Mechi
Bhadrapur is a town and municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. It is known As a one of oldest municipalities of Nepal. At the time of the 2001 Nepal census it had a population of 18,145 people....
, Birtamod
Birtamod
Birtamod is the commercial, educational and transport hub of Jhapa District. Ssrnamati Bazar, Kamatoli Bazar, Chakchaki Bazar and Surunga Bazar are some of the nearest local towns /settlements connected to Birtamod...
, Kankarbhitta, Damak
Damak
Damak is a town and municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. It is situated between the Ratuwa River in the east and the Mawa River in the west. As of 2001 census total population of city is 35,009...
, Dhulabari
Dhulabari
Dhulabari is a town in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. It is an integral part of Mechinagar municipality. Mechinagar मेचीनगर is a major entry point of eastern Nepal. The main custom office of eastern Nepal is in Kakadvitta another major area of Mechinagar...
, Budhabare, Surunga
Surunga
Surunga is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 16,747 people living in 2996 individual households. Surunga is one of the rapidly developing towns of Jhapa district...
, Charali, Baniyani
Baniyani
'Baniyani' is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 5043 people living in 985 individual households. Baniyani Bazzar is located middle of Baniyani V.D.C...
, Kechana
Kechana
Kechana is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4420 people living in 948 individual households....
, Patharia
Patharia
Patharia is a town and a nagar panchayat in Damoh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. During World War II, the town served as the training camp for what would become Wingate's Chindits.-Geography:...
, Balubadi, Gherabari
Gherabari
Gherabari is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6049 people living in 1174 individual households....
, Pathamari, Prithvinagar, Halddibari, Maharanijhora, Lakhanpur
Lakhanpur, Mechi
Lakhanpur is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 17,081 people living in 2987 individual households....
, Gauradaha
Gauradaha
Gauradaha is a Village Development Committee in Jhapa District and Mechi Zone of south-eastern part of Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,376 people living in 2299 individual households....
, Topgachhi.
Village Development Committees (VDCs)
- AnarmaniAnarmaniAnarmani is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 15,259 people living in 3020 individual households....
- ArjundharaArjundharaArjundhara is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,815 people living in 2408 individual households....
- BahundangiBahundangiBahundangi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 21,395 people living in 3908 individual households....
- Baigundhura
- Balubadi
- BaniyaniBaniyani'Baniyani' is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 5043 people living in 985 individual households. Baniyani Bazzar is located middle of Baniyani V.D.C...
- Budhabare
- ChakchakiChakchakiChakchaki is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 8410 people living in 1592 individual households....
- ChandragadhiChandragadhiChandragadhi is a town and municipality and district headquarters of Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,259 people living in 2345 individual households....
- Charpane
- DangibariDangibariDangibari is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 7472.It boarders with Ghaliadubba, Charpane, Garamani, Chakchaki, Saranamati and Surunga VDCs...
- DhaijanDhaijanDhaijan is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6741 people living in 1267 individual households....
- Dharmpur
- Dudhe
- DuhagadhiDuhagadhiDuhagadhi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6499 people living in 1339 individual households....
- GaramaniGaramaniGaramani is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 15,612 people living in 2755 individual households....
- GauradahaGauradahaGauradaha is a Village Development Committee in Jhapa District and Mechi Zone of south-eastern part of Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,376 people living in 2299 individual households....
- GauriganjGauriganjGauriganj is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 8,013 people living in 1618 individual households....
- GhailadubbaGhailadubbaGhailadubba is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 11,185....
- GherabariGherabariGherabari is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6049 people living in 1174 individual households....
- Goldhap
- Garamuni 2
- HaldibariHaldibari, NepalHaldibari is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of southeastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6,407 people living in 1,167 individual households....
- JalthalJalthalJalthal is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 13,132....
- Jhiljhile
- JuropaniJuropaniJuropani is a village development committee of the Jhapa district of Nepal.It lies in the southeastern border of Nepal with India. It is located in the southwestern part of the Jhapa District and bordered by Maharanijhoda VDC in the west, Khajurgachi and Gauruganj VDC in the South, Gauradaha VDC...
- JyamirgadhiJyamirgadhiJyamirgadhi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 8210 people living in 1510 individual households....
- KechanaKechanaKechana is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 4420 people living in 948 individual households....
- KhajurgachhiKhajurgachhiKhajurgachhi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 7471 people living in 1544 individual households....
- KhudnabariKhudnabariKhudnabari is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 10,674 people living in 1867 individual households....
- KohabaraKohabaraKohabara is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 10,619 people living in 1917 individual households....
- Korobari
- KumarkhodKumarkhodKumarkhod is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6,415 people living in 1304 individual households....
- LakhanpurLakhanpur, MechiLakhanpur is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 17,081 people living in 2987 individual households....
- MahabharaMahabharaMahabhara is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 6657 people living in 1272 individual households....
- MaharanijhodaMaharanijhodaMaharanijhoda is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 10,743 people living in 1811 individual households.There are mainly Brahman,Chetris living in this VDC....
- MaheshpurMaheshpur, MechiMaheshpur is a town and municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 49,060....
- MechinagarMechinagarMechinagar is a municipality in Jhapa District, Mechi Zone, Nepal and is the main entry point from India on Nepal's eastern border. Nepal's custom office is in Kankarbhitta , a section of the municipality....
- PanchganchiPanchganchiPanchganchi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 9,906 people living in 1857 individual households....
- Pathamari
- PathariyaPathariyaPathariya is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 8163 people living in 1576 individual households....
- PrithivinagarPrithivinagarPrithivinagar is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 15,612 people living in 2799 individual households....
- RajghadhRajghadhRajghadh is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 13,302 people living in 2562 individual households....
- SanischareSanischare, MechiSanischare is a Village Development Committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 5169 people residing in 2926 individual households....
- SatasidhamSatasidhamSatasidham is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 20,809 people living in 3842 individual households....
- ShantinagarShantinagar, MechiShantinagar is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 14,105 people living in 2837 individual households....
- SharanamatiSharanamatiSharanamati is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 9919 people living in 1835 individual households....
- ShivaganjShivaganjShivaganj is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 13,619 people living in 2490 individual households....
- SurungaSurungaSurunga is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 16,747 people living in 2996 individual households. Surunga is one of the rapidly developing towns of Jhapa district...
- TagandubaTagandubaTaganduba is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2627 people living in 1513 individual households....
- TopgachchiTopgachchiTopgachchi is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 23,290 people living in 4199 individual households.This is mamaghar of Mr.Keshav Dahal....
Demography
Jhapa is home to many indigenous ethnic nationalities such as the LimbuLimbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
, Rai
Rai (ethnic group)
The Rai are one of Nepal's most ancient indigenous ethnolinguistic groups. They were Raya meaning king. Once someone was recognized as a ruler then Hindus awarded the title Raja, Rai, Raya, Malla etc. When the king Pritivi Narayan Shah couldn't defeat Kirant king , he somehow took them in...
, and Dhimal
Dhimal
Dhimal or Dhemal is a little known indigenous community of the Terai. They mainly reside in Morang and Jhapa districts of Nepal and Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India...
. Other ethnic groups such as Dhangad, Koche, Rajbanshi
Rajbanshi
Rajbanshi . According to the local myths, their ancestor Koch king Hajo established the kingdom of Kampur by the end of 15th century. There is also another legend concerning the ancestry of the Rajbanshis. When Parshuram had started destroying the Chhetria dynasty in India as his father's revenge,...
, Satar, Meche, Tamang
Tamang
The Tamangs are the ancient and original inhabitants of the mountains and plains of the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. Their ancient capital being Yambu - modern day Kathmandu. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion. Their ancestral domain is popularly known as...
, Uraon, Magar, Gurung
Gurung
The Gurung people, also called Tamu, are an ethnic group that migrated from Mongolia in the 6th century to the central region of Nepal. Gurungs, like other east Asian featured peoples of Nepal such as Sherpa, Tamang, Thakali, Magar, Manaaggi, Mustaaggi, and Walunggi, are the indigenous people of...
, Gangain and many others came to Jhapa in the late 19th century, so did the Hill/mountain castes Bahun, Chhettri
Chhettri
Chhetri or Chhettri , synonymous with Kshetri and Khatri are all derivatives of Kshatriya , the warrior and ruler caste group or varna of Hinduism. Chhetris speak Khasa Nepali, the national language, and are part of the dominant Khasa culture and the wider Pahari Indo-Nepali population...
, and Newar
Newar
The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...
.
Jhapa is diverse and rich in culture and traditions due to the influences of its different tribes. All the tribes/ethnic groups have their own languages, customs and traditions, and they celebrate their festivals every year.
Climate and geography
Jhapa receives 250 to 300 cm of rainfall a year, and mostly during the monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season in the summer, and its hilly northern area receives more rainfall than the south. Its major rivers, like the Mechi River
Mechi River
The Mechi River is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. It is a tributary of the Mahananda River.-Course:The Mechi originates in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal...
, Kankai Mai
Kankai River
The Kankai River is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. It is a tributary of the Mahananda River.-Course:The Kankai originates in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal...
, Ratuwa, Biring, Deuniya,(Aduwa), (Bhuteni)(Dhangri
Dhangri
Dhangri is a small village situated near Chakswari in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. The closest airport is ISB - Islamabad Chaklala, located 87.7 km north of Dhangri. It is just further from the village of Brutiyan and about 15–20 minutes away from Dudial. Dhangri has a relatively...
), Hadiya, and Ninda,Krishne Khola, Gauriya, Ramchandre etc. provide water for irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
. Due to its alluvial soil best suited for agriculture, Jhapa has been the largest producer of rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and is therefore known as the Grain Grocery of Nepal . Besides cereal crops like rice and wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, it is also one of the largest producers of jute
Jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is produced from plants in the genus Corchorus, which has been classified in the family Tiliaceae, or more recently in Malvaceae....
, tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
, betel nut
Betel nut
The Areca nut is the seed of the Areca palm , which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as "betel nut" as it is often chewed wrapped in betel leaves.-Description:...
, rubber
Rubber
Natural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
and other cash crops.
Jhapa also has vast areas of forests, such as Deonia, Charali, Charkose Jhaadi, Hadiya
Hadiya, Nepal
Hadiya, Nepal is a village development committee in Udayapur District in the Sagarmatha Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 8564 people living in 1579 individual households.-External links:*...
, Sukhani, Jalthal
Jalthal
Jalthal is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 13,132....
, and others. Its name itself is derived from the Rajbanshi word "jhapa" meaning "canopy", which suggests that the area was a dense forest in the past. It was once such a dense and dangerous forest that it was called Kaalapaani and prisoners were sent here to die of malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and other diseases in the jungle.
Attractions and sites
Jhapa also has several religious and historical sites of great importance like Kankai Mai, Kichakbadh, SatasidhamSatasidham
Satasidham is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 20,809 people living in 3842 individual households....
, Arjundhara
Arjundhara
Arjundhara is a village development committee in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 12,815 people living in 2408 individual households....
, Chillagadh, Biratpokhar, and Krishnathumki among others. It is believed that Pandu
Pandu
In the Mahābhārata epic, King Pandu is the son of Ambalika and Rishi Ved Vyasa. He is more popularly known as the father of the Pandavas and ruled Hastinapur.-Birth:...
's son Bhim had killed Kichak
Kichak
In Mahabharata , Kichaka or Keechaka was the army commander of 'Matsya', the country ruled by King Virata. He is also the brother of Sudeshna, the queen. Malini is the name of Droupadi , the wife of pandavas when she was disguised as 'sairandhri' in King Virata's Palace for one year. Keechaka once...
in Kichakbadh (near Kechana in the south border) in the time of the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
and a great festival is observed on that day every year. There is also the historical fort of Chandragadh which gave its name to Chandragadhi. Other sites too have their own religious and historical values. It is also the gateway to Darjeeling and Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
and the rest of north-east India from Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
Recently, Jhapa is gaining popularity in the medical field especially in eye treatment. Each day hundreds of patient from adjoining distract of Nepal and India visits Mechi Eye Hospital for eye treatment.
Development
Jhapa is one of the most developed districts of the country. Almost all the villages and towns are linked by roads. There are schools and colleges in many parts of the district. There is also an airport and a hospital in Chandragadhi. It has the highest literacy rate in the country after Kathmandu, Kaski and Chitwan districts.Airport is domestic and you can get regular flights from Kathmandu to Chadragadi to Kathmandu. It takes one hour flight.
There is a hundred bedded Zonal hospital. It has different departments as Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology & obstetrics, Paediatrics, and the 24 hours emergency facilities. There are some private hospitals in Jhapa.
The government hospital also provides the plastic surgery services occasionally.
Education
Jhapa has a good literacy rate of 66.93 percent which is highest in Nepal after the capital city Kathmandu. Lots of school like [(Sagarmatha Higher Sec. School)] suryodaya English School,Damak, Deep Jyoti Vidya Mandir-Arjundhara,[Gyanodaya Shiksha Niketan-Dhulabari], Laxmi Higher Secondary School-Baniyani, Little Flower's English School, Kanchanjunga English High School, Bal Kalyan School-Charpane, Harikul Model Higher Secondary School,Surunga, Kankai Boarding School,Karnali International Boarding School Budhabare, Amity College, Emerald AcademyEmerald Academy
Emerald Academy, situated in Sagarmatha Chowk, Bhadrapur, Jhapa, Nepal is one of the leading higher secondary schools in the Jhapa district. The school is known for its academic excellence among schools in the Jhapa district...
, etc. have been providing quality education in Jhapa. Mechi Multiple Campus under the affiliation of Tribhuwan University is the oldest government college in Jhapa. Students from neighbouring districts also come here for higher education.
Role in national politics
It plays the main role in national politics. The Communist revolution was started from the Jhapa, which led to formation of one the most prominent party of nation CPN-UML. Many national political figures are from Jhapa such as R.K Mainali,K.P Oli, K.P Sitaula, Chakra Bastola, C.P Mainali. Recently during JanaAndolan 2063 (April Revolution) Jhapa played a significant role in the agitation against Royal takeover. Around 5 peoples were killed by the Royal Army in Bhadrapur and many more deaths weren't disclosed.Agriculture and industry
Jhapa is also famous for microcreditMicrocredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
development. The Small Farmer Development Programme (SFDP) was the first rural and micro-financing program in Jhapa. The Agricultural Development Bank started this Small Farmer Development Programm in 1988. It started in a few VDCs and spread. After lifted many people out of poverty, the SFDP was handed over to the local people and the new institution was named Small Farmer Cooperative Ltd (SFCL). There are currently 13 SFCLs in Jhapa, each of which covers a single VDC.
It is one of the major areas for the Production of Tea and Rice. Budhabare situated on the northern side of the Mahendra Highway is the most fertile land of Nepal. It is one of the best market places for rice. It is also popular for the bittle nuts (Supari). Several large Tea Estate are also located in Jhapa. Giri Bandhu Tea Estate
Giri Bandhu Tea Estate
Giri Bandhu Tea Estate is a large sized tea company based in Jhapa, Nepal. Founded in the early 1960’s by late Padam Padam Bahadur Giri, it is one of the biggest players in the Nepalese Tea industry. The company is located just off Birtamod, and is visible on both sides of the Mahendra HWY. The...
, Burne tea state, Tokla Tea Estate, Sattighatta Tea Estate are the Major ones.