Taplejung District

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.[4]

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

Before unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung and surround were used to call (Pallo Kirat) Limbuwan which means "Far region" used to be ruled by Limbu kings of Limbuwan before unification.[5]

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 (counties) of large Dhankuta district separately established a new district named "Taplejung".

Geographically Taplejung is a mountainous district located near to the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga (8586 m).[6] It is situated at elevation ranging from 670 metres (2,200 ft) to 8,586 metres (28,169 ft) from sea level.[7] 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.[8][9] The district includes many highest peaks eg. 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).

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,0.8% Waling/Walung, 0.7% Sunuwar, 0.7% Magar and 0.7% Newari as their first language.

[12]

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.

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.

Taplejung District consists 1 Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies[13]

Taplejung constituency

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).[14] A person can travel from Kathmandu to Taplejung by public bus, jeep or by flight. Taplejung Airport is a nearest airport.

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.[15] 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.

• Sankhuwasabha District
• Solukhumbu District
• Province No. 1
• Kanchenjunga
• Jannu