| Jhapa झापा |
|
|---|---|
| — District — | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Region | Eastern (Purwanchal) |
| Zone | Mechi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,606 km2 (620.1 sq mi) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 688,109 |
| • Density | 428.5/km2 (1,109.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | NPT (UTC+5:45) |
Jhapa District(Nepali: झापा जिल्ला), 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.
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Jhapa is the easternmost district of Nepal and lies in the fertile Terai plains. It borders Ilam district 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.
The district is divided into 46 Village Development Committees (VDCs) and three municipalities, namely Bhadrapur 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.
Jhapa is home to many indigenous ethnic nationalities such as the Limbu, 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.
Jhapa receives 250 to 300 cm of rainfall a year, and mostly during the monsoon 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.
Jhapa also has several religious and historical sites of great importance like Kankai Mai, Kichakbadh, Satasidham, 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.
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.
Jhapa has a good literacy rate of 66.93[1] 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 Academy, 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.
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.
Jhapa is also famous for microcredit 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.
Jhapa has been equipped with different sorts of communication medium. The internet provided by different ISP link Jhapa with the rest of the world. Jhapa Web portals like http://www.jhapatoday.com are pioneer meduim of online information about this district.
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