Okhaldhunga District
District in Koshi Province, Nepal
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Okhaldhunga District (Nepali: ओखलढुङ्गा जिल्लाⓘ) is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province in eastern Nepal. The district, with the municipality of Okhaldhunga as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,074.5 km2 (414.9 sq mi) and had a population of 156,702 in 2001 and 147,984 in 2011.[2]
NepalRai, Sunuwar language
Okhaldhunga District
ओखलढुङ्गा जिल्ला | |
|---|---|
Kosh Bhanjyang, Okhaldhunga | |
 Location of Okhaldhunga in dark yellow | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Province | Koshi Province |
| Admin HQ. | Siddhicharan Municipality |
| Government | |
| • Type | Coordination committee |
| • Body | DCC, Okhaldhunga |
| • Chief District Officer | Dil Kumar Tamang [1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,074 km2 (415 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 147,984 |
| • Density | 137.8/km2 (356.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:45 (NPT) |
| Main Language(s) | Nepali language (official) Rai, Sunuwar language |
| Website | ddcokhaldhunga |
Okhaldhunga is the birthplace of Siddhicharan Shrestha. Shrestha, known as the Yug Kawi of Nepal (poet of the era), is a famous Nepali poet and is primarily known for his poem and song Mero Pyāro Okhalḍhungā (My dear Okhaldhunga).
Geography and climate
| Climate Zone[3] | Elevation Range | % of Area |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters
1,000 to 3,300 ft. |
22.2% |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. |
51.1% |
| Temperate | 2,000 to 3,000 meters 6,400 to 9,800 ft. |
24.2% |
| Subalpine | 3,000 to 4,000 meters 9,800 to 13,100 ft. |
2.1% |
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 137,640 | — |
| 1991 | 139,457 | +0.13% |
| 2001 | 156,702 | +1.17% |
| 2011 | 147,984 | −0.57% |
| 2021 | 140,914 | −0.49% |
| Sources:[4] | ||
At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Okhaldhunga District had a population of 140,914. It has a literacy rate of 73.9% and a sex ratio of 1050 females per 1000 males. 27,351 (19.41%) lived in municipalities.[5]
Ethnicity/caste: 21.04% were Rai, 11.50% Chhetri, 10.48% Magar, 9.94% Tamang, 9.19% Hill Brahmin, 8.47% Sherpa, 6.26% Newar, 4.26% Kami, 3.68% Sunuwar, 3.39% Damai and 3.17% Sarki.[6]
Religion: 64.95% were Hindu, 20.01% Buddhist, 13.46% Kirat, 1.52% Christian and 0.06% others.[8]
Mother tongue: Nepali was the majority language, spoken by 52.62% as their first language. Other languages were Tamang (10.23%), Magar Dhut (9.70%), Sherpa (8.36%), Wambule (4.91%), Bahing (4.74%), Sunuwar (2.92%), Newar (2.09%) and Jerung (1.74%).[9] In 2011, 58.1% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.[10]
Village Development Committees
The district contains the following VDCs from 2017:
Andheri Narayansthan, Baksa, Balakhu, Barnalu, Baruneshwor, Betinee, Bhadaure, Bhussinga, Bigutar, Bilandu, Chyanam, Diyale, Fediguth, Fulbari, Gamnangtar, Harkapur, Jantarkhani, Jyamire, Kalikadevi, Khijikati, Katunje, Ketuke, Khiji Chandeshwori, Khijifalate, Kuibhir, Kuntadevi, Madhavpur, Mamkha, Manebhanjyang, Moli, Mulkharka, Narmedeshwor, Okhaldhunga, Palapu, Patle, Pokali, Pokhare, Prapcha, Ragadip, Ragani, Raniban, Ratmate, Rawadolu, Rumjatar, Salleri, Serna, Shreechaur, Singhadevi, Sisneri, Taluwa, Tarkerabari, Thakle, Thoksela, Thulachhap, Ubu, Yasam
Municipalites
Tourist area
Tourists are attracted to the beauty of Khiji Okhaldhunga and Betinee Thuldhunga Okhaldhunga.
