Taplejung District is one of 77 districts of Nepal and one of the 14 districts of Koshi Province. It is located deep in the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal with བོད to the north across the Himalayas. Taplejung is the third largest district (by area) of Nepal. The district covers an area of 3646 km2 and has a total population (2011 Nepal census) of 127,461. The district is surrounded by Tibet in the north, Sankhuwasabha District in the west, Tehrathum District and Panchthar District in the south and Sikkim (India) in the east. Geographically, the district is located at a latitude of 27º 06' to 27º 55'N and a longitude of 87º57' to 87º40' E.

Etymology

In Sherpa/Tibetan and limbu language, Taplejong means "a fort of King Taple".Here "Taple" is said to be the name of the Sherpa/Bhote king and "jong" Fort word derived from the Taplejung medieval times, a fort built by King Taple stood in the area.

History

Before the 17th century, the vast Sikkim kingdom lay east of the Arun River And after the 18th century vast sikkim merged in Nepal.Befire to merge in Nepal ruled by three tribes vast Sikkim ... According to which in the Treaty of "lhomenchong" Lho= bhutiya/tibetan /sherpa men = lepcha Chong= limbu /yakthung Limbus were given more rights and given kipat (किपट) and Limbuwan is found in 9 districts. 290px|thumb|Map of Eastern Nepal in 1942 showing Taplejung, a part of large Dhankuta District|left]] Before the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung and its surrounds were called after 19th century pallo Kirat Limbuwan which means "far region" and was ruled by the Limbu kings of Limbuwan. After the unification of Nepal, the area of Taplejung became a part of the large Dhankuta District. In 1962 when the traditional old 32 districts divided into 75, the three thums (counties) of the large Dhankuta district separately established a new district named "Taplejung".

Geography and climate

Geographically Taplejung is a mountainous district where the world's third highest peak Kanchenjunga (8586 m) is located. It is situated at elevation ranging from 670 m to 8586 m from sea level. The Tamor 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 the many tributaries of Tamur are important sources of freshwater. There are more than 60 rivers and streams in the district. Some glacial lakes are: Sinjenma Pokhari, Samdo Pokhari, Tin Pokhari, Kali Pokhari etc. The district includes many highest peaks e.g. Gimmigela (7350 m), talung (7349 m), Kabru (7276 m), Nepal peak (7177 m), Kumbhkarna (7025 m) etc. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area is a protected area in the district which covers an area of 2035 km2.

Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Taplejung district had a population of 120,590. Taplejung has a sex ratio of 984 females per 1000 males. 28,449 (23.59%) lived in urban areas. As their first language, 35.40% of the population spoke Limbu, 24.59% Nepali, 24.30% Sherpa, 4.25% Tamang, 2.78% Gurung, 2.19% Rai and 0.92% Magar as their first language. Ethnicity/caste wise, in 2021 38.60% were Limbu, 24.98% Sherpa, 5.67% Chhetri, 2.70% Hill Brahmin, 4.06% Rai, 4.73% Gurung, 4.66% Tamang, 4.55% Kami, 1.45% Damai, 1.39% Newar, 1.10% Magar, 1.05% Sunuwar and 0.95% Mijar. Religion: 40.55% were Kirati, 17.45% Hindu, 38.44% Buddhist, 2.60% Christian, 0.66% Bon and 0.34% others. Literacy: 71.0% could read and write, 2.8% could only read and 26.1% could neither read nor write.

Administration

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.

Division

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.

Former administrative divisions

Formerly, Taplejung had one municipality and many VDCs. VDCs were the local level administrative units for villages. Fulfilling the requirement of the new constitution of Nepal 2015, on 10 March 2017 all VDCs were nullified and formed new units after grouping VDCs.

Constituencies

Taplejung District consists 1 Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies

Transportation

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

Tourism

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. 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.

Notable People