Darchula District

Darchula
दार्चुला
District

Location of Darchula
Country Nepal
Region Far-Western (Sudur Pashchimanchal)
Zone Mahakali
Headquarters Darchula
Area
 • Total 2,322 km2 (897 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 133,274[1]
Time zone NPT (UTC+5:45)
Main language(s) Dotiyali, Kumauni, Rung/Shauka, Nepali and others
Website www.ddcdarchula.gov.np

Darchula District (Nepali: दार्चुला जिल्ला Listen , a part of Province No. 7, is one of the seventy-five districts of Nepal. The district, with Darchula as its district headquarters, covers an area of 2,322 km² and has a population (2011) of 133,274.[1] The number of male 63,609 and female 69,855. Decadal Change(%) 9.40, Annual Growth Rate(%) 0.90, Sex Ratio(males per 100 females) 91, Absent (abroad) Population Total 6,867, where number of male 5,880 and female 987. Total Number of House 22,948. Total Number of Household 25,802. Average Household Size 5.17. Population Density 57 km2. The town has an indian counterpart to its northwest, named Dharchula. The split between the two towns is just virtual as the traditions, culture, and lifestyle of the people living across both the regions are quite similar.

Geography

Climate Zone[2] Elevation Range % of Area
Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters
1,000 to 3,300 ft.		  4.7%
Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters
3,300 to 6,600 ft.		 19.8%
Temperate 2,000 to 3,000 meters
6,400 to 9,800 ft.		 22.2%
Subalpine 3,000 to 4,000 meters
9,800 to 13,100 ft.		 20.5%
Alpine 4,000 to 5,000 meters
13,100 to 16,400 ft.		 15.3%
Nival above 5,000 meters 17.5%

Towns and villages

Map of the VDC/s in Darchula District

Demographics

More than 56,000 people live in 8,989 households. About 58.4 percent of the population falls below the poverty line. Population composition is made up of different castes, such as Kshatriya 63.55%, Brahmin 17.15%, Thakuri 4.01%, Dalit and others contribute 15.39 percent. Hindu followers are high in numbers. Hindu, Buddhists, as well as others, regard nature as a gift from God and they worship nature their own way.[1]

Ethnic Composition

The majority ethnic group is Pahari Arya. Castes of Darchula District are Brahmin, Chhetries, Dalit, Thakuri, Lohar, Kaine, Newar, Byansi, Bandhe, Sanyasi etc. Among them 85.19% HHs are Brahmin/Chheties/Thakuri, 10% Dalits, 0.12% Sauka and others are occupational caste groups. Sauka are indigenous inhabitant’s caste group. The indigenous caste groups are dominated by migrants from other villages. The Dalits (7.35%) and Thakuri (7.43%) share equal proportions and occupy the second largest group in the total population. Indigenous groups Byansi represent 1.32%, Lohar 1.38% and other minorities’ correspondent to 1.48 percent. Dalits are also defined as the Special Target Groups (STGs).[1]

Economic Development

Darchula is one of the least developed districts of the country. The major socioeconomic indicator of Darchula District is still very poor. Life expectancy of these people was about 52 in 1996. About 89.90% of the total population depends upon agriculture. Substance agriculture, lack of basic infrastructure, difficult geophysical condition, traditional agricultural practice, low literacy rate and population growth are the root causes for deeply rooted poverty.[1]

Trade and Business

Trade is one of the most important means of livelihood. Every year, people from the hills come with NTFP, ghee, and herbs to sell. Agriculture related commodities are sold in local bazaars (markets). People of Byans, Rapla go to Tibet to fill their needs for clothes and other commodities. Local carpets and wool products, handmade clothes, and NTFP bring in huge amounts of money to the VDCs. However, each and every respondent indicated that their income is invested in domestic use.

Tourism

Api Nampa Conservation Area is a famous gateway to Kailash Mansarobar's holy region located in Tibet. Many pilgrims pass through this Conservation Area to get to Kailash Pravat. Not only Nepalese but also foreigners visit Api Nampa Conservation Area to acquire satisfaction, spirituality and the boons of nature. The first European, A. H. Savage Landor entered Nampa valley in 1899 and explored the glacier system. He travelled across the Tinkar valley and entered Tibet via the Lipu pass. In 1905, Dr. Longstaff visited this region. Then Swiss geologists A. Heim and A. Gansser visited the Api Himal area in 1936. The elevation of Api Himal at the top is calculated to be 23,399 ft. John Tyson and W. H. Murray explored this region in 1953. An Api group has been created to lure tourists wanting to see the geological features blending with nature and other natural assets. Sauka culture is also an attraction for tourist. You can visit Api Himal by going via Darchula Bazar, Huti, Sunsera, Rapla to Base Camp. It takes five days to reach there or you may go via Bitule, Makari Gad, Ghusa Village, Domilla, to Lolu at the Base Camp. Panoramic views of Himalayas are created by several peaks like Nampa, Jethi Bahurani and others. The beauty of this landscape is unforgettable.

Climate

The climate of the area is generally characterized by high rainfall and humidity. The climatic condition varies along with the elevation gradient. The climate of Darchula District varies widely from subtropical to alpine. In the north, most of the parts, having an alpine climate, remain under snow. In the southern part and valleys the climate is subtropical. Mid- hills have a temperate climate. The average maximum temperature is 18.6 °C and the minimum temperature is 7.7 °C. The average rainfall is 2129mm. Most precipitation falls between May and September. About eighty percent of the total annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season (June to September). All areas experience very high rainfall intensities, ranging between estimates of 125–350 mm for a 24-hour period. Within its elevation range of 1800m to 6500m, there are limited subtropical valleys in the southern margin although most of the area is ecologically temperate or highland. A cold, generally dry climate exists in the high alpine valleys just north of the southern arm of the Himalayan mountain range which cuts across the bottom of Darchula.

Telecommunications/Internet

Nepal Telecom, Ncell, WiMAX, ADSL, 3G, Smart Telecom

Media/Radio Partners

To Promote local culture there are few FM radio stations: Radio Kalapani 102.2 MHz,[3] Radio Naya Nepal FM 104.5 MHz,[4] Darchula FM, which are Community radio Stations.

Colleges and Schools

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report)" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. Government of Nepal. November 2012. Retrieved November 2012. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  2. ↑ The Map of Potential Vegetation of Nepal - a forestry/agroecological/biodiversity classification system (PDF), Forest & Landscape Development and Environment Series 2-2005 and CFC-TIS Document Series No.110., 2005, ISBN 87-7903-210-9, retrieved Nov 22, 2013
  3. ↑ "Radio Kalapani 102.2 MHz".
  4. ↑ "Radio Naya Nepal FM 104.5 MHz".

External links

See also

Coordinates: 29°50′54″N 80°32′36″E / 29.848464°N 80.543391°E / 29.848464; 80.543391

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