Geographic Introduction
According to the Constitution of Nepal, the country is divided into seven provinces. Among these, the Sudurpashchim Province was established, consisting of four districts from the former Mahakali Zone and five districts from the Seti Zone. Geographically, this province encompasses all three terrestrial forms: mountains, hills, and the Terai. Additionally, in terms of climate, this province experiences all types of weather found in Nepal, ranging from tropical monsoon to tundra.
The province stretches from an altitude of 109 meters to 7,132 meters, located between latitudes 28° 22” to 30° 09” north and longitudes 80° 03” to 81° 25” east. The highest point in the province is Api Himal (7,132 meters), while the lowest point is in Kailali District (109 meters).
Of Nepal’s total area of 147,181 square kilometers, Sudurpashchim Province covers 19,539 square kilometers, which is about 13.27% of the total area. Within this province, the Himalayan region accounts for 7,932.834 square kilometers (40.60%), the hilly region for 6,748.7706 square kilometers (34.54%), and the Terai region for 4,857.3954 square kilometers (24.86%). The province predominantly consists of hilly and mountainous terrain and is located in the western part of the country. The province has two districts (Kailali and Kanchanpur) in the Terai region, four districts (Doti, DadelDura, Achham, and Baitadi) in the hilly region, and three districts (Darchula, Bajhang, and Bajura) in the mountainous region.
The province is bordered by Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, and Mugu districts of Karnali Province and Bardiya district of Lumbini Province to the east. To the west and south lies India, while Karnali Province’s Humla district and the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China lie to the north.
Political and Administrative Division
According to the Constitution of Nepal, the governance structure is divided into 753 local levels, 7 provinces, and a federal government. Among these divisions, Sudurpashchim Province includes four districts from the Mahakali Zone: Darchula, Baitadi, DadelDura, and Kanchanpur, and five districts from the Seti Zone: Bajhang, Bajura, Doti, Achham, and Kailali, totaling nine districts. The province comprises one sub-metropolitan city, 33 municipalities, and 54 rural municipalities, making a total of 88 local levels.
Demographic Details
As per the 2011 census, Nepal’s total population is 26,494,504, with Sudurpashchim Province having a population of 2,552,517, accounting for 9.63% of the total population. Among this population, there are 1,217,887 males and 1,334,630 females.
Based on geographical areas, the population of Sudurpashchim Province is divided as follows: the Himalayan region has a population of 463,345 (18.16%), the hilly region has 862,215 (33.78%), and the Terai region has 1,226,957 (48.06%).
| Region | Population | Area (sq km) | Population Density (people/sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayan | 463,345 | 7,932.834 | 58 |
| Hilly | 862,215 | 6,748.7706 | 128 |
| Terai | 1,226,957 | 4,857.3954 | 253 |
| Total | 2,552,517 | 19,539 | 131 |
Major Rivers and Lakes
The prominent rivers in this province include the Seti and Mahakali rivers. Other tributaries include Chameliya, Budhi Ganga, Darganga, Surnaya, Dhikgad, Hoprigad, Rangun, Doteli Gad, Spal Gad, Khuwatya, Mohana, Shchashiya, Banra, and others. Major lakes in this area include the Hodaghodi Lake in Kailali District, which is recognized as a Ramsar site and is also known for its religious significance. Other notable lakes include Jhilmila Lake in Kanchanpur District, Bedkot Lake, DadelDura’s Alital Lake, and Chhativan Lake in Doti District. Kaptd Lake, situated between Doti, Achham, Bajhang, and Bajura districts, is a key tourist attraction in the region.
Major Religious Sites
This province is home to numerous religious sites, including Khaptad in Doti, Ramroshan in Achham, Bodimalika in Bajura, Tapoban, Rishikund, and Surmasarovar in Bajhang, Raulakedar and Sigas in Baitadi, Malikarjun, Lati Nath, Gallakedar, and Hunainath in Darchula, and Behada Baba in Kailali.
The major temples in this region include Bodimalika in Bajura, Surmadevi, Jalfadevi, Mashta, and Durga in Bajhang, Malikarjun, Lati Nath, and Gallakedar in Darchula, Tripura Sundari, Ningle Saini, Jagannath, Ishwari Gangadhama, Krishna Temple, Maharudra, Meloli Bhagwati, Gwalek Kedara, and Rata Shila in Baitadi, Ugratara, Bhageshwar, Ghanteshwar, Doti Ghatala, and Betal in DadelDura, Baijanath and Bermadevi in Achham, Shaileshwari, Kedara, Lanakedareshwar in Doti, Siddhanath, Baijanath, and Vishnu Temple in Kanchanpur, and Godavari, Bandevi, Behada Baba, and Nainadevi in Kailali.
Major Tourist Attractions
Prominent tourist sites in this area include Khaptad, Budhinanda Devi, Shuklaphanta, Surmasarovar Lake, Mahabharat Mountain, Ghanghshya Lake, Bhelchada, Patal Bhumeswar, Raula Kedar, Hodaghodi Lake, Ajaymerukot, Alital, Bedkot, Vyasa Himal, Saipal Himal, Bodimalika, Meloli Bhagwati, Ugratara Temple, Tikapur Park, Api Himal, Ramroshan area, Doodharachandani Suspension Bridge, Karnali Bridge, and others.