Surkhet District ( ne, सुर्खेत जिल्ला, ) is a district in
Karnali Province
Karnali Province ( ne, कर्णाली प्रदेश) is one of the seven federal provinces of Nepal formed by the new constitution which was adopted on 20 September 2015. The total area of the province is covering 18.97% of the cou ...
of mid-western
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
. Surkhet is the one of the ten
districts
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...
of Karnali located about west of the national capital
Kathmandu
, pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia
, coordinates =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name =
, subdivision_type1 = Province
, subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
. The district's area is . It had 288,527 population in 2001 and 350,804 in 2011 which male comprised 169,461 and female 181,381. Its district headquarters,
Birendranagar
Birendranagar ( ne, वीरेन्द्रनगर) officially Birendranagar Municipality is a city in Surkhet District in Karnali Province of Nepal.
It is the district headquarter of Surkhet District and also the capital city of Karnali ...
, is the capital of Karnali Province. It is serving as a business hub and document center for Karnali province. According to population, development, road links, landforms, climate, many peoples are migrating here. after becoming province capital developmental activities are boosted and are in peak level. all the governmental works are carried here. Birendranagar is beautiful valley surrounded by hills having moderate climate.
Geography and Climate
Surkhet Valley is one of the
Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal The Inner Terai Valleys of Nepal comprise several elongated river valleys in the southern lowland Terai part of the country. These tropical valleys are enclosed by the Himalayan foothills, viz the Mahabharat Range and the Sivalik Hills farther south ...
. It borders,
Achham
Achham ( ne, :ne:अछाम जिल्ला, अछाम जिल्ला ) is a district located in Sudurpashchim province of Nepal. It is one of the nine Districts of Nepal, districts of the Sudurpashchim, province. The district, with M ...
district of
Sudurpashchim
Sudurpashchim Province ( ne, सुदूरपश्चिम प्रदेश, ''Sudurpashchim Province'') (''Far-West Province'') is one of the seven Provinces of Nepal, provinces established by the Constitution of Nepal, new constitution o ...
,
Dailekh
Dailekh ( ne, दैलेख), locally known as Dailekh Bazar. Narayan is a town and the headquarters of Dailekh District located in Karnali Province of Nepal. It was Incorporated to Narayan Municipality
Narayan ( ne, नारायण) is a m ...
and
Jajarkot
Jajarkot District ( ne, जाजरकोट जिल्ला) a part of Karnali Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Khalanga as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has a population of ...
districts to the north,
Salyan district Salyan may refer to:
Places Azerbaijan
*Salyan District (Azerbaijan), a district of Azerbaijan
*Salyan, Azerbaijan
Salyan ( az, Salyan), is a city and the capital of the Salyan District of Azerbaijan. The city of Salyan is industrialized and kn ...
to the east,
Banke and
Bardiya
Bardiya or Smerdis ( peo, 𐎲𐎼𐎮𐎡𐎹 ; grc, Σμέρδις ; possibly died 522 BC), also named as Tanyoxarces ( grc, Τανυοξάρκης ) by Ctesias, was a son of Cyrus the Great and the younger brother of Cambyses II, both ...
districts of
Lumbini
Lumbinī ( ne, लुम्बिनी, IPA=ˈlumbini , "the lovely") is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi District of Lumbini Province in Nepal. It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth ...
and
Kailali of Sudurpaschim to the south, and
Doti district
Doti District ( ne, डोटी जिल्ला ), part of Sudurpashchim Province, is one of the 77 districts of Nepal. This district, with Silgadhi as its headquarters, covers an area of with a population of 207,066 in 2001 and increasi ...
of Sudurpaschim to the west.
Unlike the cold weather of the
Karnali mountain region and hot weather of the
Outer Terai region, Surkhet has a more moderate climate. Winter temperatures drop to about 5 °C and in summer it goes up to 38 °C. Monsoon brings sufficient rainfall during the rainy season. Surkhet ranks low in overall change in climatic condition. 42% covers with plain fertile land and 43% of Mahabharat Range. Rest in Siwalik range rich in forest resource.
Education
Adult literacy of 73.1%.
Some government educational institutions
* Mid-Western University (MU)
* Multiple Campus Surkhet (TU)
* Shree Krishna Sanskritchetana vidhya niketan and General H.S.S
* Amar Jyoti HS School
* Shiva HS school
* Bhairab Secondary School Awalching,
* Malika Secondary School Matela
* Janta Secondary School Ranibas
* Sarswati Secondary School Pamka
* Indreni Secondary School Gogne
* Ne Ra Secondary School Kadaghuwani
* Ne ra Secondary School Dhaulachakhachaur
* Jana model secondary School
* Tripureshwor Secondary School Dhodekhali
Some Notable private institutions
* Valley Meridian Academy HS School
* Surkhet Horizon Academy
* Sahara Campus
* Model College (TU)
* Siddhapaila Campus
* Kopila Valley School
* Jana Priya Secondary School
* Bulbule Bheri Academy
* Eager Bridge HS School
* Usha Balvatika HS School
* Mount Everest HS School
* SOS Hermann Gmeiner Higher secondary School
*Harvestmoon Secondary Boarding School
* Nav Jyoti School
Demographics
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Surkhet District had a population of 350,804. Of these, Khas Arya were the largest grouping. 31.62% were
Chhetri
Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), ( ne, क्षेत्री ; IAST: ''Kṣetrī'') historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speakers of Khas community, some of whom trace their origin to migration fro ...
, 11.53%
Hill Brahmin, 4.74%
Thakuri
Thakuri ( ne, ठकुरी) is a sub-caste of Khasas tribes in Nepal. It consists of the historical ruling class, and is made up of the descendants of the Great Khasa Malla kingdom rulers of the Baisi and Chaubisi principalities. The former ...
, and 1.71%
Sanyasi
''Sannyasa'' (Sanskrit: संन्यास; IAST: ), sometimes spelled Sanyasa (सन्न्यास) or Sanyasi (for the person), is life of renunciation and the fourth stage within the Hindu system of four life stages known as '' As ...
. Of Khas Dalit, 18.29% were
Kami
are the deities, divinities, spirits, phenomena or "holy powers", that are venerated in the Shinto religion. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, or beings and the qualities that these beings express; they can also be the sp ...
, 4.50%
Damai
Damai ( ne, दमाइँ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people. They comprise 45 subgroups. Their surnames take after the subgroup they belong to. People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors and musicians. They are ade ...
and 2.33%
Sarki. Janajatis were the third-largest group:
Magars
The Magar, also spelled as Mangar, and Mongar, are the third largest ethnolinguistic groups of Nepal, indigenous to Western Nepal and representing 7.1% of Nepal's total population according to the 2011 Nepal census.
The original home of the Magar ...
were 18.88% of the population, while
Tharu were 1.96% and
Gurung
Gurung (exonym; ) or Tamu (endonym; Gurung: ) are an ethnic group indigenous to the hills and mountains of Gandaki Province of Nepal. Gurung people predominantly live around the Annapurna region in Manang, Mustang, Dolpo, Kaski, Lamjung, Gorkha, ...
1.32% of the population.
At the time of the 2011 census, 89.64% of the population spoke
Nepali, 6.97%
Magar and 1.79%
Tharu as their first language.
[2011 Nepal Census, Social Characteristics Tables](_blank)
/ref>
Before its own identity as an independent district, it used to be in the district of Dailekh
Dailekh ( ne, दैलेख), locally known as Dailekh Bazar. Narayan is a town and the headquarters of Dailekh District located in Karnali Province of Nepal. It was Incorporated to Narayan Municipality
Narayan ( ne, नारायण) is a m ...
. Surkhet is hub to remoter districts like Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu, Jajarkot
Jajarkot District ( ne, जाजरकोट जिल्ला) a part of Karnali Province, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Khalanga as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has a population of ...
, and Salyan. Recently because of the Maoist insurgency which ended in 2008, many people have migrated to Surkhet from these districts. for various purposes population are attracted towards this valley.
Infrastructure
Surkhet is accessible by air service and roads from various parts of the country. districts not having road links uses airservices for travelling.Ratna highway links it to the rest of Nepal. Karnali Highway
Karnali Highway ( ne, कर्णाली राजमार्ग, also referred to as H13) is a highway, and is a vital transport link between two regions in Nepal. This highway links the towns of Jumla with the Karnali capital Birendranaga ...
, recently constructed and being black topped, it will link Surkhet to the remote Western Karnali region. Surkhet Airport
Surkhet Airport , also known as Birendranagar Airport is a domestic airport located in Birendranagar serving Surkhet District, a district in Karnali Province in Nepal. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal considers it an important hub for cargo ...
in Birendranagar has regular and scheduled flights to Kathmandu
, pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia
, coordinates =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name =
, subdivision_type1 = Province
, subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...
, Nepalgunj
Nepalgunj (), also spelled Nepalganj, is a Sub-Metropolitan City in Banke District, Nepal. It lies on the Terai plains near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, India. Nepalgunj is 153 kilometers south-west of Ghorahi a ...
, Jumla and other districts. The Karnali districts are connected through regular domestic flights. Thousands of hotels, inns and lodges are available during a stay at Birendranagar, the capital of Karnali Province.
Mid-western University started 2010 in Birendranagar and offers 18 variable master's degree courses as well as 24 bachelor courses. It is one of the newest educational institute upgrading in recent years. Three colleges offer education up to Master's level. There are many 10+2 schools teaching science, management, humanities, rural development, education etc. Other institutions offer technical education such as veterinary, overseer, computer assistant, assistant health worker and ANM.
There is a regional hospital in Kalagaun. Nepal Red Cross Society, Surkhet Eye Hospital is main eye care service provider which is located at Budhapath in Birendranagar Municipality in Surkhet. There are many NGOs and INGOs working in this area for development. The INF Surkhet Programme is one of the oldest organizations working in the health and development sector. There are other INGOs like GTZ, DFID, DANIDA, USAID, Oxfam, and the BlinkNow Foundation
BlinkNow Foundation (BlinkNow) is a nonprofit organization that operates a globally recognized school and children's home in Surkhet, Nepal. Founded by Maggie Doyne when she was 19 years old, BlinkNow has been recognized as an example of "DIY ph ...
.
Tourism
Tourist attractions are places like Kakrebihar
Kakrebihar () is a ''Shikhara'' Hindu and Buddhist temple in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Karnali Province
Karnali Province ( ne, कर्णाली प्रदेश) is one of the seven federal provinces of Nepal formed by the new consti ...
temple, Bulbule Lake, Deutibajai temple, Mangalgadhi, Gothikanda, Ghantaghar, Bheri river and others with religious as well as historic value. Kakrebihar is the remains of an old Buddhist Monastery (palace), which is in the list of national heritage sites in Nepal. Bheri river is a common destination for rafting and paragliding has been recently started in Surkhet. Birendranagar is one of Nepal's few cities built under a master plan. It is popularly known as "Gateway to karnali". Rara (biggest lake of Nepal), Shey phoksundo lake, five religious sites inside Dailekh, Kubinde lake ( Salyan) and several terrains can be taken into account through roadway Ratna Highway (named after Queen Ratna Rajya laxmi devi Shah) and Jumla Highway. Surkhet is open to Tourist connecting way to Kailash Mansarowar Tibet through Flights and helicopter charter from Nepalgunj or roadway Surkhet. Shortest fasttrack of Nepal that connects Chinese and Indian border is under construction. Unlikely, tourists can find the hottest place Nepalgunj to colder area in Nepal.
Kakrebihar
Kankrebihar is a stone temple on the top of the hillock built in the 12th century. This temple is located in southeast of the Surkhet valley. It is about 6 km far from Birendranagar. It is one of the most famous historical and religious place of Karnali province. The temple is constructed in sikhar style. The temple is surrounded by forest. From Mangalgadi you have to take south for about 3 and a half kilometer up to Shiva mandir on Latakoili Danda top and turn left towards east about 2 to 2.5 Km.
Thousands of tourists came here for religious purpose and to experience the atmosphere and views of nature. This place continuously ranks as one of the most important tourist destinations in surgery. The carved stones and bronze statues reflect the images of Buddha, and many Hindu gods and goddesses including Saraswati and Ganesh. There are statues of different gods and goddesses made up of stones. It is believed that pandas used to came there and play. It is also said that they made a cave there. The bihar is likely to have been Collapsed due to strom. The plan of government of re-erecting the temple into its original structure had been completed by the end of 2075 BS. There is ticket system to enter at the gate of the temple. It is far away from the city. So, facility of hotels and other staying are not available there. We cannot found any human settlement near the temple as it is surrounded by forest. Nearby it there is a picnic spot.
Kankre Bihar was built during the regime of King Ashok Challa of Sinja Kingdom (''now jumla'') approximately in 1268 AD, who has ruled between 1255 and 1278 AD, he was the son of Kra challa whose son king Jitari challa adopted the "Malla" since then the "challa" Dynasty was known as Malla in the history of Nepal. King Ashok was the follower of the Mahayana Buddhism and the Kankrebihar is symbol of devotion to Buddha. His kingdom Extended up to Trisuli River in the East, Sutlej River-Garwal-Laddhakh in the West, khari region of Tibet in the North and the Terai in the South.
Division
On 10 March 2017 Government of Nepal
The Government of Nepal ( ne, नेपाल सरकार) is the federal executive authority of Nepal. Prior to the abolition of the Nepali monarchy in 2006 (became republic in 2008), it was officially known as His Majesty's Government.
T ...
restricted old administrative structures and announced 744 new local level units as per the new constitution of Nepal 2015
Constitution of Nepal 2015 ( ne, नेपालको संविधान २०७२) is the present governing Constitution of Nepal.
Nepal is governed according to the Constitution which came into effect on 20 September 2015, replacing the ...
, thus cancelled all Village development committees and introduce Gaupalika
A gaunpalika ( ne, गाउँपालिका, lit=rural municipality, translit=Gāum̐pālikā ) is an administrative division in Nepal. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (Nepal), Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Devel ...
(Rural municipality) and some new urban municipalities with the old urban municipalities (made some changes in area of old municipalities).
According to new structure Surkhet district divided into five municipality (urban) and four rural municipalities:
References
::
{{Coord, 28, 36, N, 81, 38, E, type:adm2nd_region:NP_source:enwiki, display=title
Districts of Nepal established in 1962
Districts of Karnali Province