JHAPA DISTRICT

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'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.
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, and Budhabare. The east-west highway departures from Charali to Budhbare reaches Phungling of Taplejung. This Highway joins Charali with Saharadangi, Dhaijan, Satnomber and reaches Budhbare. It also leads to Pasupati nagar,Ilam and Fikkal. Budhbare VDC is a peaceful and silent with green gardens. There is also a small river named Hadiya and a few tributaries in this VDC. A local market called Budhbare Bazaar is open on Wednesdays.Budhbare bazar is visited not only from Budhabare VDC but from different parts of Ilam and Jhapa districts. This is often the first place that can be seen when walking down from the eastern highlands.

Jhapa is home to many indigenous ethnic nationalities such as the Rajbanshi, Satar (Santhal), Meche, Koche, Limbu, Dhimal,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 were the Brahmnins, 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, Hadiya, and Ninda 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, 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 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.Recently during JanaAndolan 2063(April Revolution)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.Budhabarey situated below the Mahabhara range is the most fertile land of Nepal.

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See also

★ Zones of Nepal

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