# Khotang District

Khotang District (Nepali: खोटाङ जिल्लाListen) is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province of eastern Nepal. The district, with Diktel as its district headquarters, covers an area of 1,591 km$^2$ (614 sq mi) and has a population (2021) of 206,312. The district is bordered by Bhojpur District in the east, Udayapur District in the south, Okhaldhunga District in the west and Solukhumbu District in the North. In this district there are two municipalities and eight rural/urban municipalities.

## History

Before the unification of Nepal, Khotang District was a part of Majha Kirat or Khambuwan. The land area between two rivers from Dudh Koshi to Arun River was Majha Kirat and it was under suzerainty of Sen King of Chaudandigadhi.
During Rana rule, Nepal had 32 districts and the current Khotang District was divided between two other districts. Half of the north part of the current Khotang District was part of East No. 3 (Okhaldhunga) and half of southern part of current Khotang was part of East No. 4 (Bhojpur). In 1962 the traditional 32 districts were divided into 75 districts thus Khotang county of East No. 4 and some counties from East No. 3 were merged to become the current Khotang District.

## Geography and climate

Geographically, Khotang is a hilly district of Eastern Nepal. It lies on the coordinates of 260° 50" N to 270° 28" N latitude and 860° 26" E to 860° 58" E longitude. Coordinates of the center is 27° 11' 60.00" N and 86° 46' 59.99" E. Total area of the district is 1,591 square kilometres (614 sq mi). The elevations of the district is 152 m to 3620 m from the sea level. Sunkoshi River and Dudh Koshi river makes natural borders in the North, West and South and a series of hills and small river makes border separating it from Bhojpur District in East. Approximately 56% of the district area is covered with forest, and about 42% is under cultivation.
| Climate Zone | Elevation Range | % of Area |
| Lower Tropical | below 300 meters (1,000 ft) | 0.7% |
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters 1,000 to 3,300 ft. | 31.5% |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. | 49.1% |
| Temperate | 2,000 to 3,000 meters 6,400 to 9,800 ft. | 16.3% |
| Subalpine | 3,000 to 4,000 meters 9,800 to 13,100 ft. | 1.6% |

## Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Khotang District had a population of 175,298. Khotang had a literacy rate of 76.0% and a sex ratio of 1023 females per 1000 males. 70,086 (39.98%) lived in urban municipalities.
Ethnicity/caste of Khotang district (2021)
Ethnicity/caste: 40.98% of the population were Rai, 19.13% Chhetri, 5.62% Bahun, 5.22% Newar, 5.19% Magar, 4.96% Kami, 4.90% Tamang, 3.23% Sarki, 3.01% Damai, 1.82% Bhujel, 1.38% Sanyasi and 1.08% Gurung.
Languages of Khotang district (2021)
As their first language, 47.63% of the population spoke Nepali, 17.52% Chamling, 4.52% Magar Dhut, 3.85% Tamang, 3.82% Bantawa, 3.62% Sampang, 2.71% Dumi, 2.27% Newari, 2.13% Puma, 2.09% Thulung, 1.94% Wambule, 1.35% Nachhiring and 1.27% Koyee. In 2011, Nepali was spoken by 50.12% of the population as their first language.
Religion in Khotang District (2021) :
| Religion | Religion | Percent | Percent |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 52.20% | 52.20% |
| Kirat Mundhum | Kirat Mundhum | 36.20% | 36.20% |
| Buddhism | Buddhism | 8.34% | 8.34% |
| Christianity | Christianity | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 0.19% | 0.19% |
Religion: 52.20% were Hindu, 36.20% Kirati, 8.34% Buddhist, 3.07% Christian, 0.1% Prakriti and 0.3% others.

## Administration

Khotang District is administered by Khotang District Coordination Committee (Khotang DCC). The Khotang DCC is elected by Khotang District Assembly. The head of Khotang DCC is Mr. Kamal Bhimraj Khadka and Mrs. Indrakala Khadka is deputy head of Khotang DCC.
Khotang District Administration Office under Ministry of Home Affairs co-operate with Khotang DCC to maintain peace, order and security in the district. The officer of District Administration office called CDO and current CDO of Khotang DAO is Shaligram Sharma Paudel
Khotang District Court is a Judicial court to see the cases of people on district level.
| Administration | Name | Head | Website |
| Legislative | District Coordination Committee | Mr. Bobby Chamling | dcckhotang.gov.np |
| Executive | District Administration Office | Mr. Shaligram Sharma Paudel | daokhotang.moha.gov.np |
| Judicial | District Court | Mr. Matrika Prasad Acharya | supremecourt.gov.np/court/khotangdc |

## Division

The district consists of 10 Municipalities, out of which two are urban municipalities and eight are rural municipalities. These are as follows:
| # | Local body | Population (2011) | Area (KM$^2$) | Wards |
| 1 | Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi | 46903 | 246.51 | 15 |
| 2 | Halesi Tuwachung | 29532 | 280.17 | 11 |
| 3 | Khotehang | 22474 | 164.09 | 9 |
| 4 | Diprung | 20175 | 136.48 | 7 |
| 5 | Aiselukharka | 16097 | 125.93 | 7 |
| 6 | Jantedhunga | 15444 | 128.62 | 6 |
| 7 | Kepilasgadhi | 15288 | 191.28 | 7 |
| 8 | Barahpokhari | 14349 | 141.6 | 6 |
| 9 | Rawabesi | 13369 | 97.44 | 6 |
| 10 | Sakela | 11594 | 97.99 | 5 |

### Former divisions (1962-2015)

Prior to the restructuring of the district, Khotang District consisted of the following municipalities and Village development committees:
(Before 2014, Khotang district had 76 VDC and no municipality. Diktel municipality established in 2014 merging some VDC)

## Constituency

The whole district is a constituency of the 165 parliament constituencies of Nepal. The district is identifies as Bhojpur 1 seat. The district is divided into two segment for provincial constituency named as Bhojpur 1(A) & Bhojpur 1(B). There are 106,534 electorates in the district.
Constituency :
| Constituencies | Settlements | MP/MLA | Party |
| Bhojpur 1 | whole district | Sudan Kirati | NCP |
| Bhojpur 1(A) | Bhojpur Municipality (ward no.-1-5,10), Tyamke Maiyunm (1-5), Pauwadungma (1,2), Arun, Shadanand, Salpasilichho | Rajendra Kumar Rai | NCP |
| Bhojpur 1(B) | Bhojpur Municipality (ward no.-6-9,11,12), Tyamke Maiyunm (6-9), Pauwadungma (3-6), Ramprasad Rai, Hatuwagadhi, Aamchok | Sher Dhan Rai | NCP |

## Transportation

Khotang District (Diktel) is connected by two means of transportation (1) By road (2) By Air.

### Roadways

The headquarter of Khotang District (Diktel) is connected with Sagarmatha Highway (H09), which is 156 kilometres (97 mi) long 2 way road. The Sagarmatha Highway is connected with Mahendra Highway at Kadmaha (Saptari District) The other Important road is Pushpalal Highway which is also called Mid-Hills Highway of Nepal. This road connects Khotang to eastern and western hill destinations directly.

### Airports

* Thamkharka Airport
* Khanidanda Airport
* Lamidanda Airport

## Places of Interest

* Halesi-Maratika Caves - A pilgrimage site for Hindus also known as Pashupatinath of East, located in Halesi Tuwachung municipality.
* Barah Pokhari is a lake and a religious destination, as well as a part of trekking trail located in Barahapokhari rural municipality.
* Bhulbhule (Pond & Waterfall)
* Hill, mountains, rivers trekking and more