Dolpa District

Dolpa District, is a district, located in Karnali Province of Nepal, It is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal and one of ten district of Karnali. The district, with Dunai as its district headquarters, covers an area of and has a population (2023) of 43000. Dolpa is the largest district (by area) of Nepal.
Geography and climate
Dolpa is the largest district of Nepal covering 5.36% of the total landmass of the country. It is located at 28°43’N to 29°43’N latitude and 82°23’E to 83°41’E longitude. Elevation ranges from . The district borders Tibet on the north and northeast, Jumla and Mugu districts on the west, Myagdi, Jajarkot, Western and Eastern Rukum on the south, and Mustang on the east.
A large portion of the district is protected by Shey Phoksundo National Park. The name is derived from the 12th-century Shey Monastery and the deepest lake in Nepal, the Phoksundo Lake, both of which lie in the district. The park protects endangered animals like the snow leopard, musk deer and Tibetan wolf. Shey Phoksundo is the largest and only trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal.
The district has an altitudinal range of over from a little over at Tribeni in Kalika VDC to at the peak of Churen Himal. Kanjiroba, Mukot and Putha Hiunchuli are other renowned peaks.
Physiographically, the smaller ranges of the Great Himalayas comprise the southern border of the district. Between these and the border mountain ranges of Gautam Himal and Kanti Himal to the north, Dolpa district is a labyrinth of often wide glacial valleys and ridges. Kanjiroba Himal and Kagmara Lekh, running northwest to southeast, separate the valleys of the Jagdula in the west from the rest of the district.
Demographics
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Dolpa District had a population of 36,700.
As first language, 70.1% spoke Nepali, 6.7% Gurung, 6.0% Sherpa, 5.2% Magar, 4.5% Tibetan/Dolpali, 3.9% Bote, 2.7% Kham, 0.3% Tamang, 0.1% Sign language and 0.3% other languages.
Ethnicity/caste: 45.0% were Chhetri, 12.6% Magar, 11.2% Dolpo, 9.1% Kami, 7.1% Gurung, 6.4% Thakuri, 2.8% Sarki, 1.6% Damai/Dholi, 1.5% Hill Brahmin, 1.2% Tamang, 0.7% Bhote, 0.2% Newar, 0.2% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.1% Tharu and 0.3% others.
Religion: 70.1% were Hindu, 29.4% Buddhist and 0.4% Christian.
Literacy: 53.3% could read and write, 3.6% could only read and 43.0% could neither read nor write.
Dolpa's major occupations are agriculture (79.5%) and service (2%).
Tourism
The Dolpa region is a distant region of Nepal and the central point of this area is Shey Phoksundo National Park. The east and south of Dolpa are surrounded by the Dhaulagiri and Churen Himal ranges and to the west is the Jumla district. Trekking to Lower Dolpa offers you the remarkable and breathtaking experience of a lifetime. The notable features seen here are snowy peaks, ancient and remote villages, rich wildlife, lovely Buddhist monasteries, and wonderful lakes. The people of this area are simple and warm-hearted with an enthralling culture and traditions. The cultural traditions of this area are basically linked with Tibetan culture.
Trekking into Dolpa presents an exposure to the high and remote Himalayan valleys, resembling the Tibetan highlands. The main highlight of Dolpa trekking includes Shey Phoksundo National Park, one of the major national parks of Nepal. Shey Phoksundo Lake is another famous feature of this region. The lake is totally free of aquatic life, which the crystal waters clearly demonstrate. Surrounded by rocks, forests, and snow-capped peaks, the area has been described as one of the world's natural hidden wonders.
Transport
This district, despite being the largest in area in the nation, had only 1 vehicle as of November 2012, and no road links to other districts. The government was constructing a roadway to link Dunai in the district to Rukum, Jajarkot districts. The road is long and had been completed in 2018, which connected the district with the national road network.
Administration
The district consists of 8 Municipalities, out of which two are urban municipalities and six are rural municipalities. These are as follows:
Thuli Bheri Municipality
Tripurasundari Municipality
Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality
She Phoksundo Rural Municipality
Jagadulla Rural Municipality
Mudkechula Rural Municipality
Kaike Rural Municipality
Chharka Tangsong Rural Municipality
Former village development committees
Prior to the restructuring of the district, Dolpa District consisted of the following municipalities and village development committees:
Bhijer
Chharka
Dho
Jufal
Kaigaun
Kalika
Lhan
Lawan
Likhu
Majhphal
Mukot
Narku
Pahada
Phoksundo
Raha
Rimi
Sahartara
Saldang
Sarmie
Shun
Tinje
Tripurakot
See also
Dolpo
List of highest towns by country
Photo of Dolpa at http://www.bibekshresth.com.np/2020/08/dazzling-dolpa.html
References
External links
Dolpa trekking maps
Districts of Nepal established in 1962
Districts of Karnali Province