Taplejung District


Taplejung District is one of 77 districts of Nepal and one of the 14 districts of Province No. 1. It is remotely located in the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal with Tibet to the north across the Himalayas.
The district covers an area of and has a total population of 127,461. The district is surrounded by Tibet in the north, Sankhuwasabha District in the west, Tehrathum District and Panchthar District in the south and Sikkim in the east. Geographically, the district is located at a latitude of 27º 06’ to 27º 55’N and a longitude of 87º57’ to 87º40’ E.

Etymology

Literally meaning of Taplejung is "a fort of King Taple" in Limbu language. There was a fort situated at that area in medieval times which was built by King Taple.

History

Before unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung and surround were used to call Limbuwan which means "Far region" used to be ruled by Limbu kings of Limbuwan before unification.
After unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung became a part of large Dhankuta District.
In 1962 when the traditional old 32 districts divided into 75, then three thums of large Dhankuta district separately established a new district named "Taplejung".

Geography and climate

Geographically Taplejung is a mountainous district located near to the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga. It is situated at elevation ranging from to from sea level. Tamur River is a main river in the district, which flows through the middle in the district dividing district in east and west Taplejung. Gunsa river, Simbuwa river and there are many tributaries of tamor are important source of freshwater. There are over than 60 rivers and streams in the district. Some glacial lakes are: Sinjenma Pokhari, Samdo Pokhari, Tin Pokhari, Kali Pokhari etc. The district includes many highest peaks eg. Gimmigela, talung, Kabru, Nepal peak, Kumbhkarna etc. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a protected area in the district which covers an area of.
Climate ZoneElevation Range% of Area
Upper Tropical300 to 1,000 meters
1,000 to 3,300 ft.		 2.4%
Subtropical1,000 to 2,000 meters
3,300 to 6,600 ft.		14.8%
Temperate2,000 to 3,000 meters
6,400 to 9,800 ft.		19.5%
Subalpine3,000 to 4,000 meters
9,800 to 13,100 ft.		16.8%
Alpine4,000 to 5,000 meters
13,100 to 16,400 ft.		38.8%
Nivalabove 5,000 meters 7.7%

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Taplejung District had a population of 127,461. Of these, 37.8% spoke Limbu, 37.4% Nepali, 10.7% Sherpa, 4.0% Tamang, 3.1% Gurung, 2.0% Rai, 0.8% Waling/Walung, 0.7% Sunuwar, 0.7% Magar and 0.7% Newari as their first language.
58.6% of the population in the district spoke Nepali and 1.9% Limbu as their second language.

Administration

Taplejung District is administered by Taplejung District Coordination Committee. The Taplejung DCC is elected by Taplejung District Assembly. The head of Taplejung DCC is Mr. Ghanendra Maden and Mrs. Devimaya Nepali is deputy head of Taplejung DCC.
Taplejung District Administration Office under Ministry of Home Affairs co-operate with Taplejung DCC to maintain peace, order and security in the district. The officer of District Administration office called CDO and current CDO of Taplejung DAO is Dorendra Niraula.
Taplejung District Court is a Judicial court to see the cases of people on district level.
AdministrationNameHeadWebsite
LegislativeDistrict Coordination CommitteeMr. Ghanendra Maden
ExecutiveDistrict Administration OfficeMr. Dorendra Niraula
JudicialDistrict CourtMr. Prakash Raut

Division

Taplejung is divided in total 9 local level bodies, in which only Phungling is an urban municipality otherwise all other local level bodies are rural municipality.
SNLocal level unitTypePopulationAreaNo. of wardsWebsite
1Phunglingurban26406125.5711
2Aathrai Tribenirural1378488.835
3Sidingwarural120992067
4Phaktanglungrural120171858.517
5Mikkwakholarural9160442.965
6Meringdenrural12548210.336
7Maiwakholarural110371386
8Pathibhara Yangwarakrural1359193.766
9Sirijangharural15806481.098

Former administrative divisions

Formerly, Taplejung had one municipality and many VDCs. VDCs were the local level administrative units for villages.
Fulfilling the requirement of the new constitution of Nepal 2015, on 10 March 2017 all VDCs were nullified and formed new units after grouping VDCs.

Constituencies

Taplejung District consists 1 Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies
ConstituenciesTypeAreaMP/MLAParty
Taplejung 1Parliamentarywhole Taplejung districtYogesh BhattaraiNCP
Taplejung 1ProvincialPhungling, Yangwarak, Sidingba, Sirijangha and the ward no. 3 of PhaktanglungBal Bahadur SamsohangNCP
Taplejung 1ProvincialAathrai Tribeni, Maiwakhola, Meringden, Mikwakhola and Phaktanglung Tanka Angbuhang LimbuNCP

Transportation

Taplejung is connected to the rest of Nepal by the Mechi Highway which meets the East-West or Mahendra Highway at Charali. The distance from Mechinagar to Taplejung is. A person can travel from Kathmandu to Taplejung by public bus, jeep or by flight. Taplejung Airport is a nearest airport.

Tourism

Taplejung is a best destination for trekkers. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area comprises cultivated lands, forests, pastures, rivers, high altitude lakes and glaciers. snow leopard, Asian black bear, red panda, golden-breasted fulvetta, snow cock, blood pheasant and red-billed chough can be seen in the area. Pathibhara Devi Temple or Mukkumlung Manghim at Taplejung hill is considered as the home to Yuma Sammang, the deity of Limbu people and thus worshipped.