Syangja District
स्याङ्जा | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of a village | |
Division of Syangja | |
 Interactive map of Syangja District | |
| Country |  Nepal |
| Province | Gandaki |
| Capital | Putalibazar |
| Largest City | Waling |
| Government | |
| • Type | Coordination committee |
| • Body | DCC, Syangja |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,164 km2 (449 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 254,965 |
| • Density | 219.0/km2 (567.3/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:45 (NPT) |
| Postal Codes | 33800 |
| Telephone Code | 063 |
| Main Language(s) | Nepali, Magar, Gurung |
Syangja District (Nepali: स्याङ्जा जिल्ला; ) is a part of Gandaki Province, and is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. Its headquarter is Putalibazar with a diverse population including Brahmin, Magars, Chhetri, Sunar, Biswakarma, Pariyar, Nepali, Sarki and Gurung communities. Syangja is home to attractions like the ancient temples of Garaunsur and Akala, scenic viewpoints such as Panchase, and the historical town of Waling, making it a growing eco-tourism destination. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice, maize, millet, and fruits like oranges being widely cultivated. Syangja is the leading orange producer in Nepal with 22,000 tons in 2023.[2] The district has several educational institutions, and many residents pursue higher education in cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu. Connected by highways to major cities like Pokhara and Butwal, the district covers an area of 1,164 km2 (449 sq mi) and has a population of 254,965.[1]
Etymology
The name "Syangja" is derived from the surname of the Sinjali people, an ethnic group belonging to the Magar community who live in this area. There are various folklore surrounding the name.
History
Prehistoric Times
The area that is now Syangja District has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human settlement dating back thousands of years.
Medieval Period
During the medieval period, the region was part of various small principalities and kingdoms. It was ruled by local chieftains and feudal lords, often referred to as the Barha Magarat. These small kingdoms were primarily inhabited by the Magar ethnic group, one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal. The petty kingdoms of Bhirkot, Nuwakot and Satahun of Chaubisi Rajya existed in present day territory of Syangja.
Unification of Nepal
In the 18th century, the Shah Dynasty, led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, began the unification of Nepal. Syangja, like many other regions, came under the rule of the expanding Gorkha Kingdom. The unification campaign led to the consolidation of various small principalities into a single kingdom, which eventually became modern Nepal.
Historical Places
The headquarters of Syangja District lies in Syangja Bazaar. Some places of historical interest in this district include Satahun Chandi, Manakamana, Bhirkot Durbar, Alamdevi, Akala Devi, Gahraukalika, Nuwakot Durbar, Chhangchhangdi, and Ridi Ruru Kshetra, located along the banks of the Kaligandaki River. Chhangchhangdi (Chaya-kshetra) is mentioned in the Swasthani Vrata-Katha, which is considered part of the Skanda Purana, as the place where the last organ of the deceased Satidevi fell while she was being carried by Lord Shiva.
Among the three municipalities, Putalibazar municipality is situated on the eastern side, while Waling municipality is located in western Syangja. The newly formed Chapakot municipality is in the east-south. Waling is a longitudinal valley along the banks of the Aandhikhola River. According to one folk legend, the Aandhikhola River is believed to have originated from the tears of Shravan from the Ramayana. The largest valley in Syangja is Ramkosh. There are hiking opportunities, including Chandithaan, which is a Devi temple, and Hunikot, a viewpoint overlooking Putalibazar.
Geography
Syangja District lies in the hilly region, with altitudes ranging from approximately 300 meters along the banks of the Kaligandaki River to about 3520 metersPanchase above sea level. It is situated at a latitude of 28°4'60" North and a longitude of 83°52'0" East.
| Climate Zone[3] | Elevation range | % of Area |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters 1,000 to 3,300 ft. |
53.6% |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. |
45.3% |
Government and politics
Syangja District has 11 local units, among which five are municipalities (Nagarpalika) and six are rural municipalities (Gaunpalika) established with the formulation of the new constitution and the provincial division of the country.[4]
| Type | Name | Headquarters | Population (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipality | Waling Municipality | Waling | 51,437 |
| Municipality | Putalibazar Municipality | Putalibazar | 45,510 |
| Municipality | Galyang Municipality | Galyang | 37,821 |
| Municipality | Bhirkot Municipality | Bhirkot | 25,584 |
| Municipality | Chapakot Municipality | Chapakot | 22,969 |
| Rural Municipality | Kaligandaki Rural Municipality | Kaligandaki | 17,955 |
| Rural Municipality | Biruwa Rural Municipality | Biruwa | 14,001 |
| Rural Municipality | Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality | Arjun Chaupari | 14,045 |
| Rural Municipality | Harinas Rural Municipality | Harinas | 16,300 |
| Rural Municipality | Phedikhola Rural Municipality | Phedikhola | 10,899 |
| Rural Municipality | Aandhikhola Rural Municipality | Aandhikhola | 13,094 |
| Syangja District | 253,024 |
Former Village Development Committees and Municipalities
Before the reorganization of administrative divisions, Syangja District was divided into several Village Development Committees (VDCs) and municipalities. The following table lists these VDCs and municipalities as they were prior to the restructuring. In total, there were 44 VDCs and 4 municipalities in Syangja District before the reorganization.[5]
Economy
Putalibazar is the headquarters of the district, but Waling is the financial capital of Syangja. Syangja district is known for orange cultivation, and it is the largest producer of oranges in Nepal. Orange cultivation is an important part of the local economy, serving as the main cash crop of the district and contributing significantly to the livelihood of its residents. Syangja is one of Nepal’s emerging districts for coffee production, with locally grown coffee being supplied to national and export markets. Remittances play a vital role in the district’s economy, as a substantial portion of the working-age population is employed abroad or in urban centers of Nepal. Small-scale trade, local markets, and cottage industries such as agro-processing, handicrafts, and traditional weaving support the non-agricultural sector.
Hydropower projects and improved road connectivity have gradually expanded economic opportunities, while tourism related to religious sites, trekking routes, and rural homestays is developing at a modest pace.
Transportation
Syangja is connected to Pokhara and Bhairahawa, two of the most prominent cities in Western Nepal, via the Siddhartha Highway. The highway enters this district from Kubhinde in the north and exits to Ramdi in Palpa District in the south.
Hydroelectricity
The Kaligandaki A Hydroelectric Power Station built on the Kali Gandaki River is the largest hydroelectric project in Nepal, with an installed capacity of 144 MW. Besides the Kaligandaki A, Aadhikhola hydroelectric and some other, smaller, hydroelectric projects have been started in this district.
Of all the districts in Nepal, Syangja was one of the fewest districts in the country that does not suffer from the problem of loadshedding, or scheduled electric outages, while the nation suffered hours of loadshedding each day during peak of loadshedding era in Nepal.[6]
Demographics
| Census year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 271,824 | — |
| 1991 | 293,526 | +0.77% |
| 2001 | 317,320 | +0.78% |
| 2011 | 289,148 | −0.93% |
| 2021 | 254,965 | −1.25% |
 | ||
| Source: Citypopulation[7] | ||
At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Syangja District had a population of 253,024. 6.58% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 81.67% and a sex ratio of 1169 females per 1000 males. 168,879 (66.74%) lived in municipalities.[8]
Khas people make up 60% of the population, of which Bahun and Chhetri are the largest groups. Khas Dalits are 17% of the population. Hill Janjatis are the second largest group, making up 35% of the population.[9]
- Nepali (74.7%)
- Magar (15.4%)
- Gurung (7.66%)
- Nepal Bhasha (1.07%)
- Others (1.16%)
At the time of the 2021 census, 74.72% of the population spoke Nepali, 15.39% Magar, 7.66% Gurung and 1.07% Nepal Bhasha as their first language.[10] In 2011, 74.4% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.[11]
Culture and society
References
- "National Population and Housing Census 2011(National Report)" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. Government of Nepal. November 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- "Orange production declines in Syangja". GorakhaPatra. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- The Map of Potential Vegetation of Nepal - a forestry/agroecological/biodiversity classification system (PDF). Forest & Landscape Development and Environment Series 2-2005 and CFC-TIS Document Series No.110. 2005. ISBN 87-7903-210-9. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
- "Government of Nepal". Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- Cities, Towns and Villages in Syangja District. General Books LLC. May 2010. ISBN 978-1-155-84252-3. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- "Syangja village freed of load shedding". Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- "NEPAL: Administrative Division". www.citypopulation.de.
- "Provincial/District/Local reports: Gandaki Province" (PDF). Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics.
- "Table 1: Caste/Ethnicity and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- "Table 5: Mother tongue and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics.
- NepalMap Language
- "Table 5: Religion and sex". Census Nepal 2021. Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
External links
28°05′49″N 83°49′19″E / 28.09694°N 83.82194°E / 28.09694; 83.82194