Socio-Economic Environment of the Eastern Development Region of Nepal

This post is dedicated to the Socio-Economic Environment of the Eastern Development Region of Nepal. We all knew that Eastern Development Region (पूर्वाञ्चल, Purbanchal in Nepali) is a developed region of Nepal. Dhankutta is the headquarters of this region. The Eastern Development Region consists of about 28,456 square kilometer area. There are 3 zones, 16 districts, 893 Village Development Committees (VDCs), one sub-metropolitan, and 14 municipalities in the eastern development region of Nepal.

The population density in the central development region is very high. The density of the population in the Terai is very high but in the mountains, the region density of the population is thin and the valleys while the hills have moderate.

The Mountain region is inhabited by Sherpas, Lama, Rai, Bhutias, etc. Hill region is inhabited by Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Newar, Brahmin, Chettri, etc, and Tharu, Marwaris, Muslims, Danuwar, Danuwar, different castes of Madheshi Yadav, Kushawah, Sah, Rajbansi, etc. are living in the Terai region. Each caste and ethnic group has its own culture, language, and living style.

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Most of the people are engaged in agriculture and animal rearing in this region. So we can say, that the main occupation and profession of this region’s people are farming. Paddy, maize, millet, sugarcane, wheat, barley, potato, tobacco, oil seed, vegetables, tea, cardamom, and ginger are the major agro-products of this region.

Agriculture is the main occupation: of the people of this region. Monsoon wind gives sufficient rain. There are irrigation facilities as well. The land is fertile. The -main food crops that are grown here are paddy, maize, wheat, and potato. Jute, tea, sugarcane, tobacco, and cardamom are the main cash crops. Since people can make sacks, carpets, etc. from jute it has been one of the very important cash crops. Most of the tea produced here is exported to foreign countries. This is the only region in the country where tea and jute are cultivated. Fruits and vegetables are also grown in large quantities. Mango. pineapple and jack fruit are grown in terai and citrus fruits in the hills. The fruits are sold in markets and the farmers earn money.

The people living in Biratnagar, Itahari, Rajbiraj, Lahan, and other commercial cities are engaged in trade and business. There are ordinary houses in the hills and villages of the Terai region with thatched roofs but in the cities, there are modern cemented houses.

This region is advanced in the industry too. The first big industry in the country, i.e. Biratnagar Jute Mills was established in 1936. Similarly, the first Sugar Industry and Textile industries of the country were set up in Biratnagar in 1946. Biratnagar, Dhabi, and Dharan are the main industrial towns of the country. A network of roadways has connected all parts of this region. Other important roads run north or/and south of this highway. The East-West Highway runs through the central part of the Terai region. Katari, Gaighat, Inaruwa. Dhankuta, Ilam, etc. are the main trade centres. The major trade centers for export and import are Kakarbhitta, Bhadrapur, Kechana, and Sukhchaina.

One of the most famous commercial and business trade centers of Nepal, Biratnagar is located in the eastern development region. There are many industries and factories in this region. Morang district is famous for its factories. There are various types of factories in the Morang district located in this region. There are more than 500 large and medium companies operating related to the following industries: agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, mining, quarrying, electrical, vegetable, oil, garments, IT, etc. Other important industrial and commercial areas of the eastern development region are Mirchaiya, Itahari, Rajbiraj, Dharan, Ilam, Damak, etc. Eastern Development Region has some important highways like Mahendra (some part), Jogbani, Madan highway, etc.

People of theis region speak Nepali, Maithali, Tharu, tamang, Magar, Limbu, Gurung, Sherpa, Ranjbansi etc. there is major religion is Hinduism. And other major religions of this region are Buddhism, Islam, Kirat, and Christianity. There are many sacred places for pilgrims for the Hindu, and Buddhism religions in this region. Baraha Chhetri, Budha Subba, Fulbari Mela, Sakhar Bhagwati Temple, etc are major religious places in this region.

There is a university, i.e. Purbanchal University in Biratnagar, and medical colleges in Dharan and Biratnagar. Places like Ilam, Maipokhari, Antudanda, Pathibhara, and Arun valley. Bijayapur, Dhankuta, Basantapur, Okhaldhunga, Halesi, Namche, Sagarmatha, etc., are developed into tourist resorts. Many people, mainly from the Rai and Limbu tribes are employed in the British and Indian armies. The Sherpas are famous for mountaineering, Similarly, Kanchanjungha was first scaled by the British and Sherpa mountaineer in 1955.