Sindhupalchok District

Sindhupalchok District (Nepali: सिन्धुपाल्चोक जिल्ला [sindʱupalt͡sok] (listen)) is a part of Bagmati Province and one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal, with an area of 2,542 km2 (981 sq mi). The district's headquarters is in Chautara. In 2006, 336,478 people resided in 79 village development committees, in 2011 there were 287,798.[1]

Sindhupalchok District

सिन्धुपाल्चोक जिल्ला
District
Location of district in province
Coordinates: 27°46′N 85°42′E
Country   Nepal
ProvinceBagmati Province
Admin HQ.Chautara
Government
 • TypeCoordination committee
 • BodyDCC, Sindhupalchok
Area
 • Total2,542 km2 (981 sq mi)
Highest elevation
7,080 m (23,230 ft)
Lowest elevation
300 m (1,000 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total287,818
 • Density110/km2 (290/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+05:45 (NPT)

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1981 232,326—    
1991 261,025+12.4%
2001 305,857+17.2%
2011 287,798−5.9%
2020 265,000−7.9%
sources: Citypopulation[2]

The climatic zones found in the district comprise:[3]

Climate Zone Elevation Range % of Area
Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters
1,000 to 3,300 ft.		  6.0%
Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters
3,300 to 6,600 ft.		 37.2%
Temperate 2,000 to 3,000 meters
6,400 to 9,800 ft.		 24.5%
Subalpine 3,000 to 4,000 meters
9,800 to 13,100 ft.		 15.1%
Alpine 4,000 to 5,000 meters
13,100 to 16,400 ft.		  7.8%
Nival above 5,000 meters  9.1%

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Sindhupalchok District had a population of 287,798. Of these, 53.4% spoke Nepali, 32.6% Tamang, 5.9% Newari, 2.7% Sherpa, 1.7% Hyolmo/Yolmo, 1.2% Danuwar and 1.1% Thami as their first language.

41.0% of the population in the district spoke Nepali and 0.9% Tamang as their second language.[4]

The region continues to experience severe hardships following the 2015 earthquake, resulting in population outflow or death.

Administration

The district consists of 12 Municipalities, out of which three are urban municipalities and nine are rural municipalities. These are as follows:[5]

Former towns and villages

Prior to the restructuring of the district, the major towns were Chautara, Bahrabise, Melamchi, Jalbire and Tatopani.

Infrastructure

Although this district is close to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, it is one of the least developed districts in Nepal. The Arniko Highway, also called Kathmandu–Kodari Highway, extending 114 km (71 mi) from Kathmandu to Kodari links this district with Tibet. The district is mountainous and rich in natural resources.

The district is easily accessible from Kathmandu. People depend entirely on agriculture for their survival. Since the district is hilly, the land is not very fertile, and the yield is very low. Almost every VDC has access to electricity, and roads connecting to the highway. Many NGOs and INGOs are working in the district in order to improve the living standards.

The Bhote Koshi, Indrawati, Sun Kosi and Bramhayani rivers flow through this district. Sunkoshi Hydropower station and Upper Bhotekoshi Hydropower station are hydropower stations connected to the national grid. Many small and large hydroelectricity plants are being constructed in different places.

Seven FM radio stations also operate from Melchaur, melamchi and Bahrabise.

Education

There are more than half a dozen colleges offering bachelor's degrees in Sindhupalchok. More than 25 schools are running +2 level programs. Chautara campus has just started science course at +2 level. There are generally one or more high schools in each VDC within Sindhupalchok. Chautara Campus, Thokarpa Community Campus, Sunkoshi Campus, and Jalbire Valley Campus are some leading educational institutions. Higher-level education is only available in chautara,bahrabise,kavre and Kathmandu.

There are more than 25 private schools in the district. These include Sadabahar Academy (established in 2063 BS), Ekta Boarding High School (established in 2050 BS),[6] Jugal Boarding High School (established in 2047 BS), Ketu English School, Nirvana Academy, Chandeswari English School and Private Paradise Secondary School.

Newspaper and Magazines

There are more than 10 newspapers that publish news from the district and several monthly magazines. The newspapers have played a vital role in providing immediate news and information to the people in printed format. Sindhusandesh (सिन्धुसन्देश) is one of the oldest local newspaper. Sindhu Sandesh Weekly (सिन्धुसन्देश साप्ताहिक) Editor: Suresh kasaju, Bihanee Times Weekly (विहानी टाईम्स साप्ताहिक) Editor: Sundar Shireesh, Sindhu Jagaran Weekly (सिन्धु जागरण साप्ताहिक) Editor: Bidur Giri, Okhereni Weekly (ओखरेनी साप्ताहिक) Editor: Sitaram Ghimire, Sindhu Prabaha Weekly (सिन्धुप्रवाह साप्ताहिक) Editor: Dinesh Thapa, Nayapani Sandesh Weekly (नयाँपानी सन्देश साप्ताहिक) Editor: Kedar Majhi, Sindhu Jwala Weekly (सिन्धुज्वाला साप्ताहिक) Editor: Dinesh Dulal, Janata Patra Weekly (जनतापत्र साप्ताहिक) Editor: Tika Subedhi, Sindhu Post Weekly (सिन्धु पोष्ट साप्ताहिक) Editor: Ramchandra Nepal, Sindhu Bulanda Weekly (सिन्धुबुलन्द साप्ताहिक) Editor: Chitra Mijar, Sindhu Yatra Monthly (सिन्धु यात्रा) Editor: Gyanendra Timalsina, Spandan Gunjan Literature Magazine (स्पन्दन गुञ्जन साहित्यिक त्रैमासिक) Editor: Sundar Shireesh . There are Three Online Media. www.jugalkhabar.com (जुगल खबर) Editor: Sundar Shireesh, www.sindhukhabar.com (सिन्धु खबर) Editor: Bhupendra Bhandari, www.newsaraniko.com (न्यूज अरनिको) Editor: Naniram Nepal. Five Radio also broadcast. Radio Sindhu, Radio Helambu, Radio Melamchi, Radio Sunkoshi and Radio Jugal.

Health care

Following is the data obtained from the PHASE Nepal website:

  • Central/regional/zonal hospitals: 0
  • District hospitals: 1
  • Primary healthcare centres: 2 Bahrabise Primary Health Care Centre
  • Health posts: 11
  • Sub-health posts: 65
  • Number of doctors: 6
  • Number of nurses: 95

Although there is a district hospital as well as primary healthcare centers, these are not enough for providing health services. The small health centers in many VDCs are without Auxiliary Health Workers (AHWs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs). So, people seeking emergency health assistance have to travel long distance to major centres or Kathmandu, or end up dying because of lack of treatment. Many people still believe in Dhami and Jhakri and are against taking medicine or going to hospital for treatment.

An NGO, PHASE Nepal,[7] provides many healthcare facilities and training programs in two VDCs: Phulpingkot and Hagam. Many people residing in these VDCs have benefited from the program.

Tourism

Cultural heritage sites in the district include Gaurati Bhimeshwor Temple, Tauthali Mai Temple, Sunkoshi Kafeshwar Mahadev Temple, Kshemadevi Temple, and Larke Ghyang, which are popular for pilgrims. Tatopani (Hot Water Spring), near the China–Nepal border, is popular as a pilgrimage place. Bhairav Kunda and Panch-Pokhari are popular trekking destinations with religious and cultural significance.

Sun Koshi and Bhote Koshi rivers are famous for rafting. Bungy jumping over the Bhote Koshi river is another attraction.

Although one of the least developed, this district can be one of the finest tourist destinations, attracting both national and international tourists. The tourist attractions of this district include Langtang National Park, Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal, Panch Pokhari, Tato Pani, and Gaurati Bhimeswar.

Politics

Political parties in Sindhupalchok:

Arts and culture

Famous pop and folk singers come from the district: Raju Lama, Jaynanda Lama, Abhinash Ghishing, Resham Thapa, Ghamesh Dulal, Navaraj Ghorasaini, Sunita Dulal, and others. Actors like the late Shree Krishna Shrestha, the late Shrisha Karki, Jeetu Nepal, Gopal Nepal (Fiste), Deviram Parajuli (Bhok Lagyo) are also from here. Apart from them, it is also the home of poets like Chandra Prashad Neupane, as well as politicians like Amrit Kumar Bohora, Bishnu Bikram Thapa, and Agni Prasad Sapkota.

Earthquake in 2015

On 25 April, an earthquake occurred between Kathmandu and Pokhara with a magnitude of 7.9M and 15 km (9.3 mi) below the surface. Several aftershocks were reported in the region.[8] There were also fears that the earthquake, or aftershocks, could trigger further flooding or landslides such as in 2014.

Steep mountains and narrow roads in the Sindhupalchok District drastically slowed rescue efforts. It took vehicles three hours to arrive from Kathmandu. Electricity and communication were cut off across in the district, so residents were isolated. Of the 66,688 houses in the district, 64,565 (96.8%) were destroyed.[9] As of 23 August 2015, more than 3,550 people were recorded to have died in the district as a result, and thousands of people were injured, of which 614 were sent to Kathmandu for treatment. Over 40 people were rescued from debris, and more than 3,000 people were still missing.[10][11]

A UH-1Y Huey helicopter delivering relief supplies crashed in Sindhupalchowk District about eight miles north of Charikot, with six US Marines and two Nepalese soldiers aboard.[12]

See also

References
  1. Household and population by districts, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) Nepal Archived 2013-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Nepal Administrative Division citing Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal (web)". Retrieved Aug 1, 2020.
  3. Lillesø, J. P. B., Shrestha, T. B., Dhakal, L. P., Nayaju, R. P., Tamaraka, P. R., & Shrestha, R. (2005). 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. ISBN 87-7903-210-9.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. 2011 Nepal Census, Social Characteristics Tables
  5. "स्थानिय तह" (in Nepali). Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  6. Ekta Boarding High School
  7. "Project Area: Sindhupalchowk". PHASE Nepal.
  8. Copernicus (2015). EMSR125: Earthquake in Nepal. European Commission Emergency Management Service
  9. Lee, B. (29 April 2015). "Nepal Earthquake: Wait For Relief Swells Into Anger In Villages Outside Kathmandu". International Business Times. International Business Times. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  10. Sriram, Jayant (1 May 2015). "Army finds it tough to reach aid to Nepal villages". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  11. "Death toll in quake-hit Sindhupalchok stands at 1‚820". The Himalayan Times. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  12. Keshab Poudel. US MARINES: Great Sacrifice. NewSpotLight Nepal News Magazine. Vol. 28, No. 22. May 22, 2015. Accessed May 29, 2015.
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