Taplejung ताप्लेजुङ जिल्ला
District
Dudh Kunda at Yamtari Glacier, Lelep village, view from Pathibhara temple, Gunsa village (clockwise from top)
Location of Taplejing (dark yellow) in Koshi Province
Coordinates: 27°21′0″N 87°40′0″E / 27.35000°N 87.66667°E / 27.35000; 87.66667
Country	Nepal
Province	Koshi Province
Established	1962
Admin HQ.	Phungling Municipality
Government
• Type	Coordination committee
• Body	DCC, Taplejung
• Head	Mr. Ghanendra Maden
• Deputy-Head	Mrs. Debimaya Nepali
Area
• Total	3,646 km2 (1,408 sq mi)
• Rank	3rd
Highest elevation	8,586 m (28,169 ft)
Lowest elevation	670 m (2,200 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	127,461
• Density	35/km2 (91/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+05:45 (NPT)
Website	ddctaplejung.gov.np

Taplejung District (Nepali: ताप्लेजुङ जिल्ला Listen^ⓘ) is one^[2] of 77 districts of Nepal and one of the 14 districts of Koshi Province. It is located deep in the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal with Tibet to the north across the Himalayas. Taplejung is the third largest district (by area) of Nepal.

The district covers an area of 3,646 square kilometres (1,408 sq mi) and has a total population (2011 Nepal census) 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 (India) 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.^[3]

Etymology

In Limbu language, Taplejung means "a fort of King Taple". In medieval times, a fort built by King Taple stood in the area.^[4]

History

Map of Eastern Nepal in 1942 showing Taplejung, a part of large Dhankuta District

Before the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung and its surrounds were called Pallo Kirat Limbuwan which means "far region" and was ruled by the Limbu kings of Limbuwan.^[5]

After the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung became a part of the large Dhankuta District.

In 1962 when the traditional old 32 districts divided into 75, the three thums (counties) of the large Dhankuta district separately established a new district named "Taplejung".

Geography and climate

Geographically Taplejung is a mountainous district where the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga (8586 m) is located.^[6] It is situated at elevation ranging from 670 metres (2,200 ft) to 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) from sea level.^[7]

The Tamor 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 the many tributaries of Tamur are important sources of freshwater. There are more than 60 rivers and streams in the district. Some glacial lakes are: Sinjenma Pokhari, Samdo Pokhari, Tin Pokhari, Kali Pokhari etc.^[8][9]

The district includes many highest peaks e.g. Gimmigela (7350 m), talung (7349 m), Kabru (7276 m), Nepal peak (7177 m), Kumbhkarna (7025 m) etc.^[10] Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a protected area in the district which covers an area of 2,035 square kilometres (786 sq mi).

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Taplejung District had a population of 127,461.

^[13]

As their first language, 38.0% spoke Limbu, 37.2% Nepali, 10.7% Sherpa, 4.0% Tamang, 3.1% Gurung, 2.0% Rai, 0.9% Walung, 0.7% Magar, 0.7% Newar, 0.7% Sunuwar, 0.4% Bantawa, 0.2% Yakkha, 0.1% Chamling, 0.1% Maithili, 0.1% Sampang, 0.1% Sign language and 0.5% other languages.^[14]

Ethnicity/caste: 41.6% were Limbu, 11.9% Chhetri, 9.5% Sherpa, 7.8% Hill Brahmin, 5.1% Rai, 4.7% Kami, 4.6% Gurung, 4.4% Tamang, 1.6% Newar, 1.5% Damai/Dholi, 1.1% Sunuwar, 1.1% Topkegola, 1.0% Magar, 0.9% Sarki, 0.9% Walung, 0.7% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.4% Bhote, 0.4% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.2% other Dalit, 0.2% Yakkha, 0.1% Khawas, 0.1% Teli, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% others.^[15]

Religion: 41.4% were Kirati, 35.9% Hindu, 20.5% Buddhist, 1.5% Christian, 0.5% Bon and 0.2% others.^[17]

Literacy: 71.0% could read and write, 2.8% could only read and 26.1% could neither read nor write.^[18]

Administration

Taplejung District is administered by Taplejung District Coordination Committee (Taplejung DCC). 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.

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.

Constituencies

Taplejung District consists 1 Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies^[19]

Taplejung constituency

Transportation

Taplejung (headquarters) is connected to the rest of Nepal by the Mechi Highway which meets the east–west or Mahendra Highway at Charali (Mechinagar). The distance from Mechinagar to Taplejung is 227 kilometres (141 mi).^[20] 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.^[21] 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. A 16th century Diki Chhyoling monastery lies in Olangchung-gola.

See also

• Sankhuwasabha District
• Solukhumbu District
• Koshi Province
• Kanchenjunga
• Jannu

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taplejung District.