Country Profile: Nepal.

Map Of Nepal

Until Nepal became a republic in May 2008, it had been ruled by monarchs or a ruling family for most of its modern history in relative isolation. A brief experiment with multi-party politics in 1959 ended with King Mahendra suspending parliament and taking sole charge in 1962.

Democratic politics was introduced in 1991 after popular protests, but was marked by frequent changes of government. The last king of Nepal, Gyanendra, twice assumed executive powers - in 2002 and 2005.

Maoist rebels waged a decade-long campaign against the monarchy, leaving more than 12,000 people dead and 100,000 people displaced according to UN figures.

When King Gyanendra's direct rule ended under public pressure in April 2006, the rebels entered talks with the parliamentary government on how to end the civil war.

A peace deal was agreed in November, although the Maoists continued to press for abolition of the monarchy.

Parliament agreed to the condition in December 2007, and the Maoists emerged as the largest parliamentary party after elections in April 2008.

The monarchy was abolished a month later, and a Maoist-dominated government took office in August.

The Maoist-led coalition government disintegrated in May 2009, and was succeeded by another coalition excluding the Maoists.

Nepal has been at odds with neighboring Bhutan over the repatriation of thousands of Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese descent who fled violence in Bhutan in the early 1990s.

Nepal has a flourishing tourism industry, but faces problems of deforestation and encroachment on animal habitats.

Most of the population depends on agriculture, and the UN estimates that about 40% of Nepalis live in poverty.

Foreign aid is vital to the economy, and Nepal is also heavily dependent on trade with neighbouring India.  

• Population: 29.8 million (UN, 2010)
• Capital: Kathmandu
• Area: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq miles)
• Major language: Nepali
• Major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism
• Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 69 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 Nepalese rupee = 100 paisa
• Main exports: Carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
• GNI per capita: US $440 (World Bank, 2009)
• Internet domain: .np
• International dialing code: +977 

President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav

President: Ram Baran Yadav  

Mr Yadav became the first president of republican Nepal in July 2008, nearly two months after the country's new constituent assembly had voted to abolish the 239-year-old monarchy.

He is an ethnic Madheshi from Nepal's southern lowlands and was backed by the centrist Nepali Congress - the second largest party in parliament - as well as two smaller parties.

Mr Yadav is a trained medical doctor and has twice served as health minister. He has also held senior positions in the Nepali Congress.

The presidency is a largely ceremonial position

Prime minister: Mr Jhala Nath Khanal, chief of the Communist UML party, was elected with the support of Maoist former rebels, who dominate parliament. Nepal had been without an effective government since June 2010.

Jhala Kath Khanal

Nepal was plunged into crisis in June when Madhav Kumar Nepal quit as prime minister under pressure from the Maoists after sparring over the control of the army and the integration of the former combatants into regular forces.

A 2006 peace deal ended the war between the Maoists and the then royal government, in which more than 16,000 people were killed.

The Maoists won the most seats in parliamentary elections in 2008 and the 239-year old monarchy was later abolished.

About Bajhang

Bajhang is a district located in Far Western Region. In the east is Baajura and Humla, west is Baitadi and Darchula, north is Humla and Tibet, south is Doti and Accham.

Its total geographical area is 3422 sq. km

The Seti River flows across whole bajhang district. Surma Sarowar and Khaptad are the main lakes. Mountains include Saipal Himalaya, Arya Himal, Nampa Himal,Yoga Himal. Khaptad, one of the famous national park, named after Khaptad Swami is situated in Bajhang.

In Bajhang there are 47 VDCs., 11 Ilakas and 2 Election Constituencies.

According to the census 2058, the total population is 167026 where population of male is 80676, female is 86350. The population growth rate is 1.85%......
In Bajhang from two different election constituencies. in the constitution Assembly Election Constituencie one (1) Mr. Bhanu Bhakta Joshi Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), has been elected In the 2008 Constituent Assembly election he was elected from the Bajhang-1 constituency, winning 13955 votes and defined Mr.Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh (Nepali congress)  who was the minister of state in Foreign Affairs in 2002 AD. and has alsod efited Mr. Dev Raj Regmi (unifid Marxist). For more detail about Mr. Bhanu Bhakta Joshi Kindly follow the link http://www.can.gov.np/en/ca_members/view/324.

Bajhang District: Khaptad National Park, covering 22,500 hectares (225 sq. km) of land, is located in the Far Western Development Region, at a distance of 446 km from Kathmandu. The area lies at the crossing point of Bajahang, Doti and Achham districts under Seti zone.

Khaptad is an isolated massif with the highest point 3,300m above the sea level. It has a rolling plateau of extensive grassland interspersed with oak and coniferous forests, shrubberies and buggy areas. The slopes of the massif are thickly vegetated with broad leaved and coniferous forests and bamboo stands. The park covers unique ecosystem of the mid-hill region of far western Nepal. The core area of Khaptad is of religious significance. Khaptad is important for nature conservationists mainly because of the wide variety and rare species of plants in the forests. Khaptad area covers various climatic zones, such as sub tropical, sub alpine, upper temperate, lower temperate with different types of flora and fauna. During the field visits, about 270 types of birds, 20 shrubs, 30 different plants, 50 herbs, 20 butterflies and various types of wild animals were recorded.

A meditation area, including religious places and the Ashram (Hermitage) of the late Khaptad Swami, a renowned spiritual saint, is located in the central part of the park. The park also includes the important religious places like Trebeni, Shahashra Linga, Khaptad Daha (Lake) and Ganesh Temple. Alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, violence and killings are strictly prohibited in these religious sites.

Late Khapatad Baba’s Hermitage is about 20-minute walk from both park headquarters and the army barrack. It is surrounded by dense forest. The hermitage provides a beautiful mountain view on the north. Trebeni, confluence of three rivers, is about 20-minute walk from the park headquarters. On the day of Jestha Purnima, a fair called Ganga Dashahara is held at Trebeni. Thousands of people join the fair. There are numerous temples in the Tribeni area, of which the Shiva’s is the most important one.

Similarly, Ganesh temple is one and half hour walk from the park headquarters. Khaptad Daha (lake) lies at an altitude of 3,050m. It is an hour’s walk down the park headquarters. On the full moon day of Bhadra, a fair is held. Shahashra Linga is the highest point (3,300m) of Khaptad, 2-hour walk from the park headquarters. Suki Daha is a small lake, located at about a day’s walk from park headquarters.

An alpine grass slope without trees is called ‘Pathan’. Pathan area has only flowers and grass with medicinal values. According to local people, there are 22 Pathans within the Khapatad National Park. Nagdhunga, the stone with the serpentine shape, is another religious place. It is at the distance of one and half hour walk from the park. Likewise, Kedardhunga is located close to Trebeni. It is the religious place dedicated to Kedarnath, Hindu God.

Khapatad provides a beautiful view of snow peaks to the north. These are Saipal, Api-Nampa and Surma Sarovar. Similarly, to the east, Shankhamala peak is seen from Lokhada. You can also see Malika and Badi Malaka peaks. The park’s entry point is on the Bajhang side.

The best seasons to visit this place are April to July and October to November. Most important time to visit Khaptad area is Jestha 15 to Ashad 20 (June) if it is not raining. Khaptad Baba once kept weather records of the whole year and only 28 days saw fair weather out of 365 days.

Name of district Bajhang Headquarter Chainpur Area 3449 sq.km. Political Boundary East: Bajura, Humla and Doti West: Baitadi and Darchula North: Humla and Tibet South: Doti Major rivers Seti, Kailigad, Mormi, Sunigad, Dilgad Location Longitude: 800 46”- 810 34” Latitude: 290 29”-300 9” Climate Sub-tropical, Temperate, Alpine Temperature MaxImum: 18.60 C Minimum: 5.70 C Rainfall 1343.9 ml Predominant language, culture Nepali, Bhojpuri, Gurung, Maithili, Sherpa, Limbu Communication Post Office, Wireless, Telephone Tourist attraction centers Chainpur, Jayaprithivinagar, Surama Sarowar, Thalhawa Hmalayan Peaks Saipal Nampha, Bankialekh, Kapkot, Khyurikhola. Lakes and Ponds Shurma Sarovar, Nilkhati, Kund, Khapar, Dhaha, Hila Daha, ,Rakshyas Tal. Accommodation facilities, Local Lodges, Accessibility Road connections, Airways Medical facilities, Hospital, Health Center, Health Post, Ayurvedic Center...