My Birth District - Jhapa Nepal

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. 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.Rajbanshi is the popular language spoken in this area. The district is divided into 47

Village Development Committees (VDCs) and three municipalities, namely Bhadrapur in the south, Mechinagar in the east and Damak in the west. Its major centers are Chandragadhi, Bhadrapur, Birtamod, Kakarbhitta, Damak, Dhulabari,Surunga, Charali.As it is one of the estern district which is connected to India it is travelled a lot.It is a district fill with peace and green tea estste,as Nepal 's dead city Bhadrapur is located here,some of the old industries from the decade of industrial development are found in south east, where in northern part of jhapa small mountains can be seen and the southern part is full of agricultural land and thick forest with aboriginals.

Jhapa is home of many indigenous ethnic nationalities such as the Rajbanshi, Satar ,Meche, Koche, Danuwar, Limbu, Dhimal, Munda and Gangain . Other ethnic groups such as Rai, Dhangad, Tamang, Uraon, Magar, Gurung and many others came to Jhapa.

in the late 19th century, so did the Hill/mountain Castes Bahuns, Chhettris, and Newars. 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, Sukhani, Jalthal, Magurmadi, Barne and others. It's 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 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 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 . 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 Bhadrapur.It has the highest literacy rate and consist of most intellectual person. 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 K.P Oli,K.P Sitaula,Chakra Bastola,C.P Mainali Devi Ojha Droda Aacharya.Narendrabikram Nengwang R.K. Mainali.Jhapa played a significant role in the agitaion 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 microfinancing program in Jhapa. The Agricultural Development Bank started this Small Farmer Development Programme 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 area for the Production of Tea and Rice.Budhubare situated below the Mahabhara range is the most fertile land of Nepal . Several other large Tea Estate are also located in Jhapa.. Giri Bandhu Tea Estate, Tokla Tea Estate, Sattighatta Tea Estate, New Giri & Sons Tea Estate, Buttabari Tea Processing are some of the major Tea estates in Jhapa Tourist Spot Arjundhara Jaleshwardham. This is one of the most important religious place of Jhapa. It is in Arjundhara VDC, 5 km north from Birtamode. It is also known as ‘Pashupatinath of the east’. In this place mela is held during Bala Chaturdashi, Shivaratri, Saune Sombar etc.
Kankai Mai:Kankai is the largest river of Jhapa district. The concrete bridge in this river is the longest bridge of the country which is 703.20 meter long. People worship this river as Kankai Mai, the goddess Kankai. The western bank of this river is known as Maidhar and the eastern one is known as Kotihom. Kotihome is a beautiful area which is fulled with various Ashrams and Gardens. Kankai Mela, probably the biggest mela of eastern region is held here every Maghe Sankranti, the first day of the tenth month Magh of Nepali calendar.


Kichchak Badh
Kichchak was a monster of Mahabharata era. He was killed by Bhimsen. That is why, this place is named Kic

Jhapa district, also known as the district of sunrise is a beautiful distict of Eastern Nepal . It consists of 3 municipalities and 47 village development committes. It lies 26020'N to 26050'N latitude and 37039'E to 88012'E longitude. The area of Jhapa District is 1606 sq. km. and it is divided into 8 constituencies.


Digits & Definitions

Population 6,88,109
Population Growth Rate 1.52 pc (Yearly)
Population Density 428 per sq. km.
Population Urban 13.3 pc
Population Rural 86.97 pc
Literacy Rate 66.93 pc
Human Development Index (HDI) 0.421
Per Capita Income US$ 239
Total Roads 601 km

Kechana Kabal

This is the lowest land of Nepal which is 58 meter high from the sea level. It is situated in Kechana VDC, the southern part of the district. Although it is an important place of Jhapa there is lack of publicity of this place.

By: Dharmandra Khadka