List of districts of Nepal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Districts in Nepal are second level of administrative divisions after provinces. Districts are subdivided into municipalities and rural municipalities. There are seven provinces and 77 districts in Nepal.
There were total of 75 districts in Nepal until 2015, grouped into 14 Zones and 5 Development Regions. After the adoption of federalism in 2015, the existing Zones and Development Regions were dissolved. Nawalparasi District and Rukum District were respectively divided into Parasi District and Nawalpur District, and Eastern Rukum District and Western Rukum District, making total number of districts 77.[a] These 77 districts were regrouped into 7 provinces.
District officials
District official include:
- Chief District Officer, an official under Ministry of Home Affairs is appointed by the government as the highest administrative officer in a district. The C.D.O is responsible for proper inspection of all the departments in a district such as health, education, security and all other government offices.
- District Coordination Committee acts as an executive to the District Assembly. The DCC coordinates with the Provincial Assembly to establish coordination between the Provincial Assembly and rural municipalities and municipalities and to settle disputes, if any, of political nature. It also maintains coordination between the provincial and Federal government and the local bodies in the district.
History
During the time of king Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah and prime minister Bhimsen Thapa, Nepal was divided into 10 districts.[3] All areas east of Dudhkoshi River were one district, Dhankuta.
Rana regime (1885–1951)
During the time of prime minister Bir Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana (1885–1901), Nepal was divided into 32 districts and Doti, Palpa and Dhankuta were 3 gaunda (Nepali: गौंडा, "cantonment"). Hilly region had 20 districts and Terai had 12 districts.[3]
The districts were categorized into Gaundas, Goswaras and Gadhis. Each had a headquarters and Badahakim (District Administrator) as its head. Kathmandu Valley was administered directly by Rana Prime Minister through Hajuriya General with additional Brigadier Generals for Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The list of districts until 1951 are given below:[4][5][6]
| S.N. | District | Headquarters | Category | District Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East No. 1 | Dhulikhel (initially Chautara) | Militia Goswara | Badahakim |
| 2 | East No. 2 | Ramechhap | ||
| 3 | East No. 3 | Okhaldhunga | ||
| 4 | East No. 4 | Bhojpur | ||
| 5 | Dhankuta | Dhankuta | Gaunda | Governer (General rank) |
| 6 | Ilam | Ilam | ||
| 7 | Udayapur | Udayapur Gadhi | Gadhi | Badahakim |
| 8 | Sindhuli | Sindhuli Gadhi | ||
| 9 | Jhapa | Jhapa | Chhoti Goswara | |
| 10 | Morang (Biratnagar) | Biratnagar (initially Rangeli) | Goswara | |
| 11 | Saptari | Rajbiraj (initially Hanumannagar) | ||
| 12 | Mahottari-Sarlahi | Jaleshwar | ||
| 13 | Birgunj | Birgunj | ||
| 14 | Kathmandu Valley | Kathmandu | Valley administration | Hajuriya General (with additional Brigadier Generals for Lalitpur and Bhaktapur) |
| 15 | Chisapani | Chisapani Gadhi | Gadhi | Badahakim |
| 16 | West No. 1 | Nuwakot | Militia Goswara | |
| 17 | West No. 2 | Gorkha | ||
| 18 | West No. 3 | Pokhara (initially Bandipur) | ||
| 19 | West No. 4 | Syangja | ||
| 20 | Palpa | Tansen | Gaunda | Governer (General rank) |
| 21 | Pyuthan | Pyuthan | Chhoti Gaunda | Badahakim (Captain rank) |
| 22 | Salyan | Salyan | Gaunda | Badahakim (Colonel rank) |
| 23 | Dailekh | Dailekh | ||
| 24 | Jumla | Jumla | Chhoti Gaunda | Badahakim |
| 25 | Doti | Silgadhi | Gaunda | Badahakim (Colonel rank) |
| 26 | Baitadi | Baitadi | Chhoti Gaunda | Badahakim |
| 27 | Dadeldhura | Dadeldhura | ||
| 28 | Pali-Majhkhanda | Bhairahawa | Goswara | |
| 29 | Khajahani-Shivaraj | Taulihawa | ||
| 30 | Dang-Deukhuri | Bijauri | ||
| 31 | Banke-Bardiya | Nepalgunj | ||
| 32 | Kailali-Kanchanpur | Dhangadhi |
Districts from 1951 to 1962
Several changes were brought to district administration after the fall of Rana regime in 1951. Gulmi (Headquarters: Gulmi Tamghas) and Baglung (Headquarters: Baglung) were separated from Palpa and made into new districts of Gaunda category.[7] Sindhuli was merged with East No. 2 (Ramechhap).[8]
In 1953, districts were classified into three classes of A, B and C according to population, revenue and importance.[9] In 1954, the positions of Hajuriya General and Brigadier Generals, who governed Kathmandu Valley were abolished and the three subdivisions of Kathmandu Valley were brought under the governance of three magistrates.[4]
In 1956, an Administrative Reorganization Planning Commission (ARPC) was setup for administrative reorganization. It recommended a fresh reorganization of the old districts whose boundaries were "the result of historical factors" and not "efficiency of administration or uniformity of size." It recommended 32 new districts, grouped into seven regions.[7][4] However, these recommendations were overlooked and the traditional districts (Gaundas, Goswaras and Gadhis) were continued till 1962.[b][10][11]
| Class | Districts | No. of districts |
|---|---|---|
| A | Dhankuta • Birgunj • Mahottari-Sarlahi • Saptari • Biratnagar • Palpa • Palhi-Majhkhanda | 7 |
| B | East No. 1 • Ilam • Jhapa • West No. 1 • West No. 3 • Doti • Khajahani-Shivaraj • Banke-Bardiya • Kailali-Kanchanpur | 9 |
| C | East No. 2 • East No.3 • East No. 4 • Chisapani • Udayapur • West No. 2 • West No. 4 • Baglung • Salyan • Pyuthan • Gulmi • Dailekh • Dadeldhura • Jumla • Baitadi • Dang-Deukhuri | 16 |
| Valley magistrates (since 1954) | Kathmandu • Lalitpur • Bhaktapur | 3 |
| Total districts | 35 | |
Panchayat era (1960–1990)
In 1961 (2018 B.S), King Mahendra declared that the country would be divided into 14 zones and 75 development districts. A Zone and Development District Division Committee (Nepali: अञ्चल एवं विकास जिल्ला विभाजन समिति) was setup to draw zonal/district boundaries and fix their headquarters.[12] As per the report submitted by the committee, on 20 November 1962 (5 Mangsir 2019 B.S), the Government of Nepal took the decision to divide Nepal into 14 zones and 75 development districts, and it came into effect upon the publication in the Nepal Gazette on 17 December 1962 (2 Poush 2019 B.S).[13][14]
In 1975, most districts underwent major boundary changes that shaped Nepal’s present-day districts. Large number of Village Panchayats were shifted across 58 districts. The most significant change was the merger of the former Tibrikot District into Jumla District and the creation of new district Kalikot, carved out of western Jumla. Bhojpur District was moved from Sagarmatha Zone to Koshi Zone, Parbat District from Gandaki Zone to Dhaulagiri Zone, and Dolpa District from Dhaulagiri Zone to Karnali Zone. Despite these changes, the total number of districts remained at 75.[15][16]
District Panchayat was the district level governing body during the Panchayat System (1962–1990).
| S.N. | Zone | Districts | No. of Districts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mechi | Taplejung • Panchthar • Ilam • Jhapa | 4 |
| 2 | Koshi | Sankhuwasabha • Tehrathum • Bhojpur • Dhankuta • Morang • Sunsari | 6 |
| 3 | Sagarmatha | Solukhumbu • Khotang • Okhaldhunga • Udayapur • Saptari • Siraha | 6 |
| 4 | Janakpur | Dolakha • Ramechhap • Sindhuli • Dhanusha • Mahottari • Sarlahi | 6 |
| 5 | Bagmati | Rasuwa • Nuwakot • Dhading • Sindhupalchok • Kavrepalanchok • Bhaktapur • Lalitpur • Kathmandu | 8 |
| 6 | Narayani | Makwanpur • Rautahat • Bara • Parsa • Chitwan | 5 |
| 7 | Gandaki | Gorkha • Manang • Lamjung • Kaski • Tanahun • Syangja | 6 |
| 8 | Lumbini | Gulmi • Palpa • Arghakhanchi • Nawalparasi • Rupandehi • Kapilvastu | 6 |
| 9 | Dhaulagiri | Mustang • Myagdi • Baglung • Parbat | 4 |
| 10 | Rapti | Rukum • Rolpa • Pyuthan • Salyan • Dang | 5 |
| 11 | Bheri | Jajarkot • Dailekh • Surkhet • Banke • Bardiya | 5 |
| 12 | Karnali | Dolpa • Mugu • Humla • Jumla • Kalikot | 5 |
| 13 | Seti | Bajura • Bajhang • Achham • Doti • Kailali | 5 |
| 14 | Mahakali | Darchula • Baitadi • Dadeldhura • Kanchanpur | 4 |
| Nepal | 75 | ||
District Development Committee (1990–2017)
District Development Committee (DDC) was established in 1990, following the end of the Panchayat system. It replaced the previous District Panchayat. It was composed of elected members at the district level. It was responsible for formulating district-level development policies. It was replaced with District Coordination Committee (DCC) in 2017.[17]
Districts of Nepal in 1942
Districts of Nepal in 1952
Districts of Nepal in 1971
Districts of Nepal until 2015
Districts of Nepal after 2015
Districts of Nepal in 2020
Districts under new administration
Since 20 September 2015, Nepal is divided into 7 provinces and 77 districts. They are defined by schedule 4 of the new constitution, by grouping together the existing districts. Two districts, Nawalparasi and Rukum, were split in two parts: Parasi District and Nawalpur District, and Eastern Rukum District and Western Rukum District respectively ending up in two different provinces.[a][18] The old District Development Committee (DDC) was replaced with District Coordination Committee (DCC) in 2017.[17]
| Provinces | Capital | Districts | Area (KM2) |
Population (2021) CBS |
Density (people/KM2) |
Major Languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | Kathmandu | 77 | 147,641.28 km2 | 29,164,578 | 198.15 | Nepali |
| Koshi Province | Biratnagar | 14 | 25,905 km2 | 4,961,412 | 191.52 | Nepali/Rai/Limbu/ Rajbanshi |
| Madhesh Province | Janakpur | 8 | 9,661 km2 | 6,114,600 | 632.92 | Nepali/Maithili/Bhojpuri |
| Bagmati Province | Hetauda | 13 | 20,300 km2 | 6,116,866 | 301.32 | Nepali/Tamang/Nepal Bhasha |
| Gandaki Province | Pokhara | 11 | 21,504 km2 | 2,466,427 | 113.18 | Nepali/Gurung/Magar |
| Lumbini Province | Deukhuri | 12 | 22,288km2 | 5,122,078 | 265.79 | Nepali/Tharu/Awadhi |
| Karnali Province | Birendranagar | 10 | 27,984km2 | 1,688,412 | 54.97 | Nepali/Magar/Tamang |
| Sudurpashchim Province | Godawari | 9 | 19,999.28 km2 [19] | 2,694,783 | 137.92 | Nepali/Doteli/Tharu |
List of districts
Koshi Province
China
India| Name | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021)[20] | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhojpur District | भोजपुर जिल्ला | Bhojpur | 1,507 | 157,923 | |
| Dhankuta District | धनकुटा जिल्ला | Dhankuta | 891 | 150,599 | |
| Ilam District | इलाम जिल्ला | Ilam | 1,703 | 279,534 | |
| Jhapa District | झापा जिल्ला | Chandragadhi (Bhadrapur) | 1,606 | 998,054 | |
| Khotang District | खोटाङ जिल्ला | Diktel | 1,591 | 175,298 | |
| Morang District | मोरङ जिल्ला | Biratnagar | 1,855 | 1,148,156 | |
| Okhaldhunga District | ओखलढुङ्गा जिल्ला | Okhaldhunga (Siddhicharan) | 1,074 | 139,552 | |
| Panchthar District | पाँचथर जिल्ला | Phidim | 1,241 | 172,400 | |
| Sankhuwasabha District | सङ्खुवासभा जिल्ला | Khandbari | 3,480 | 158,041 | |
| Solukhumbu District | सोलुखुम्बु जिल्ला | Salleri (Solududhkunda) | 3,312 | 104,851 | |
| Sunsari District | सुनसरी जिल्ला | Inaruwa | 1,257 | 926,962 | |
| Taplejung District | ताप्लेजुङ जिल्ला | Phungling | 3,646 | 120,590 | |
| Tehrathum District | तेह्रथुम जिल्ला | Myanglung | 679 | 88,731 | |
| Udayapur District | उदयपुर जिल्ला | Gaighat (Triyuga) | 2,063 | 340,721 | |
| Koshi Pradesh | कोशी प्रदेश | Biratnagar | 25,905 km2 | 4,961,412 |
Madhesh Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parsa District | पर्सा जिल्ला | Birgunj | 1,353 | 654,471 | |
| Bara District | बारा जिल्ला | Kalaiya | 1,190 | 763,137 | |
| Rautahat District | रौतहट जिल्ला | Gaur | 1,126 | 813,573 | |
| Sarlahi District | सर्लाही जिल्ला | Malangwa | 1,259 | 862,470 | |
| Dhanusha District | धनुषा जिल्ला | Janakpur | 1,180 | 867,747 | |
| Siraha District | सिराहा जिल्ला | Siraha | 1,188 | 739,953 | |
| Mahottari District | महोत्तरी जिल्ला | Jaleshwar | 1,002 | 706,994 | |
| Saptari District | सप्तरी जिल्ला | Rajbiraj | 1,363 | 706,255 | |
| Madhesh Province | मधेश प्रदेश | Janakpur | 9,661 km2 | 6,114,600 |
Bagmati Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sindhuli District | सिन्धुली जिल्ला | Sindhulimadhi (Kamalamai) | 2,491 | 300,026 | |
| Ramechhap District | रामेछाप जिल्ला | Manthali | 1,546 | 170,302 | |
| Dolakha District | दोलखा जिल्ला | Charikot (Bhimeshwar) | 2,191 | 172,767 | |
| Bhaktapur District | भक्तपुर जिल्ला | Bhaktapur | 119 | 432,132 | |
| Dhading District | धादिङ जिल्ला | Dhading Besi (Nilkantha) | 1,926 | 325,710 | |
| Kathmandu District | काठमाडौँ जिल्ला | Kathmandu | 395 | 2,041,587 | |
| Kavrepalanchok District | काभ्रेपलाञ्चोक जिल्ला | Dhulikhel | 1,396 | 364,039 | |
| Lalitpur District | ललितपुर जिल्ला | Lalitpur | 385 | 551,667 | |
| Nuwakot District | नुवाकोट जिल्ला | Bidur | 1,121 | 263,391 | |
| Rasuwa District | रसुवा जिल्ला | Dhunche | 1,544 | 46,689 | |
| Sindhupalchok District | सिन्धुपाल्चोक जिल्ला | Chautara | 2,542 | 262,624 | |
| Chitwan District | चितवन जिल्ला | Bharatpur | 2,218 | 719,859 | |
| Makwanpur District | मकवानपुर जिल्ला | Hetauda | 2,426 | 466,073 | |
| Bagmati Province | बागमती प्रदेश | Hetauda | 20,300 km2 | 6,116,866 |
Gandaki Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2.) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baglung District | बागलुङ जिल्ला | Baglung | 1,784 | 249,211 | |
| Gorkha District | गोरखा जिल्ला | Gorkha | 3,610 | 251,027 | |
| Kaski District | कास्की जिल्ला | Pokhara | 2,017 | 600,051 | |
| Lamjung District | लमजुङ जिल्ला | Besisahar | 1,692 | 155,852 | |
| Manang District | मनाङ जिल्ला | Chame | 2,246 | 5,658 | |
| Mustang District | मुस्ताङ जिल्ला | Jomsom | 3,573 | 14,452 | |
| Myagdi District | म्याग्दी जिल्ला | Beni | 2,297 | 107,033 | |
| Nawalpur District | नवलपरासी (बर्दघाट सुस्ता पूर्व) जिल्ला | Kawasoti | 1,370 | 378,079 | |
| Parbat District | पर्वत जिल्ला | Kusma | 494 | 130,887 | |
| Syangja District | स्याङग्जा जिल्ला | Putalibazar | 1,164 | 253,024 | |
| Tanahun District | तनहुँ जिल्ला | Damauli (Vyas) | 1,546 | 321,153 | |
| Gandaki Province | गण्डकी प्रदेश | Pokhara | 21,793 km2 | 2,466,427 |
Lumbini Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2.) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapilvastu District | कपिलवस्तु जिल्ला | Taulihawa | 1,738 | 682,961 | |
| Nawalparasi (West of Bardaghat Susta) District | नवलपरासी (बर्दघाट सुस्ता पश्चिम) जिल्ला | Parasi (Ramgram) | 792 | 386,868 | |
| Rupandehi District | रुपन्देही जिल्ला | Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar) | 1,360 | 1,121,957 | |
| Arghakhanchi District | अर्घाखाँची जिल्ला | Sandhikharka | 1,193 | 177,086 | |
| Gulmi District | गुल्मी जिल्ला | Tamghas (Resunga) | 1,149 | 246,494 | |
| Palpa District | पाल्पा जिल्ला | Tansen | 1,373 | 245,027 | |
| Dang District | दाङ जिल्ला | Ghorahi | 2,955 | 674,993 | |
| Pyuthan District | प्युठान जिल्ला | Pyuthan | 1,309 | 232,019 | |
| Rolpa District | रोल्पा जिल्ला | Liwang (Rolpa) | 1,879 | 224,506 | |
| Eastern Rukum District | पूर्वी रूकुम जिल्ला | Rukumkot | 1,161 | 56,786 | |
| Banke District | बाँके जिल्ला | Nepalganj | 2,337 | 603,194 | |
| Bardiya District | बर्दिया जिल्ला | Gulariya | 2,025 | 459,900 | |
| Lumbini Province | लुम्बिनी प्रदेश | Deukhuri | 19,271 km2 | 5,122,078 |
Karnali Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Rukum District | पश्चिमी रूकुम जिल्ला | Musikot | 1,716 | 166,740 | |
| Salyan District | सल्यान जिल्ला | Salyan (Sharada) | 1,462 | 238,515 | |
| Dolpa District | डोल्पा जिल्ला | Dunai (Thuli Bheri) | 7,889 | 42,774 | |
| Humla District | हुम्ला जिल्ला | Simikot | 5,655 | 55,394 | |
| Jumla District | जुम्ला जिल्ला | Jumla (Chandannath) | 2,531 | 118,349 | |
| Kalikot District | कालिकोट जिल्ला | Manma (Khandachakra) | 1,741 | 145,292 | |
| Mugu District | मुगु जिल्ला | Gamgadhi (Chhyanath Rara) | 3,535 | 64,549 | |
| Surkhet District | सुर्खेत जिल्ला | Birendranagar | 2,451 | 415,126 | |
| Dailekh District | दैलेख जिल्ला | Dailekh (Narayan) | 1,502 | 252,313 | |
| Jajarkot District | जाजरकोट जिल्ला | Jajarkot Khalanga (Bheri) | 2,230 | 189,360 | |
| Karnali Province | कर्णाली प्रदेश | Birendranagar | 30,712 km2 | 1,688,412 |
Sudurpashchim Province
| Districts | Nepali | Headquarters | Area (km2) | Population (2021)[20] | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kailali District | कैलाली जिल्ला | Dhangadhi | 3,235 | 904,666 | |
| Achham District | अछाम जिल्ला | Mangalsen | 1,680 | 228,852 | |
| Doti District | डोटी जिल्ला | Dipayal Silgadhi | 2,025 | 204,831 | |
| Bajhang District | बझाङ जिल्ला | Chainpur (Jayaprithvi) | 3,422 | 189,085 | |
| Bajura District | बाजुरा जिल्ला | Martadi (Badimalika) | 2,188 | 138,523 | |
| Kanchanpur District | कंचनपुर जिल्ला | Mahendranagar (Bheemdatta) | 1,610 | 513,757 | |
| Dadeldhura District | डडेलधुरा जिल्ला | Dadeldhura (Amargadhi) | 1,538 | 139,602 | |
| Baitadi District | बैतडी जिल्ला | Baitadi Khalanga (Dasharathchand) | 1,519 | 242,157 | |
| Darchula District | दार्चुला जिल्ला | Darchula Khalanga (Mahakali) | 2,322 | 133,310 | |
| Sudurpashchim Province | सुदूर-पश्चिम प्रदेश | Dhangadhi | 19,539 km2 | 2,694,783 |
Geographical classification of districts
Following table shows the geographical classification of districts as per the Local Government Operation Act, 2074 B.S (2017 A.D).[21]
| Mountain Districts | Hill Districts | Inner Terai Districts | Terai Districts | Kathmandu Valley Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
For many purposes like census, districts are classified into only three geographical regions: Mountain, Hill and Terai. In such case, Udayapur, Sindhuli, Makwanpur and Surkhet from Inner Terai, and all districts of Kathmandu Valley are classified as hill districts. The remaining Inner Terai districts of Chitwan, Nawalpur and Dang are classified as Terai districts. The census still counts Ramechhap, Dhading, Gorkha and Eastern Rukum as hill districts.
See also
Notes
- The districts of Nawalparasi and Rukum were formally divided following the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2015. However, the division was implemented administratively only in 2017, following the restructuring of local governance and the local level elections, when the former 75 District Development Committees were replaced by 77 District Coordination Committees.[1][2]
- The traditional districts (Gaundas, Goswaras, and Gadhis) were administratively abolished only in 1965 (2022 B.S), when Badahakims were replaced by Chief District Officers (CDOs).
