Western development region consists of Gandaki, Lumbini and Dhaulagiri zones. The headquarters of this region is Pokhara. It lies between the central development region in the east and mid-western region in the west. It covers the area from the Himalayas to the terai region.
Socio-Economic Environment of Western Development Region of Nepal
We all knew that Nepal is divided into 5 development region, 15 zones and 75 districts. There are 3 zones, 19 districts, 1,199 Village Development Committees (VDCs), one metropolitan, two sub-metropolitans and 17 municipalities in the central development region of Nepal. Western Development Region (पश्चिमाञ्चल, Paschimanchal in Nepali) is best developed region in the eye of natural environment than the other region of Nepal. Pokhara is the headquarters of western development region.
The Western Development Region consists about 29,398 square kilometer area. There are 3 zones, 16 districts, 864 Village Development Committees (VDCs), one sub-metropolitan and 12 municipalities in the western development region of Nepal.
The population density in the central development region is the lower than eastern and central development regions. Density of population in the Terai is very high but in the mountains region density of population is thin and valleys while hills have moderate.
The western development region is home of several cultural and natural and religious places. The birth place of Lord Buddha is Lumbini located in theis region. Remember it, Lumbini is listed in UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Other great holy religious place is the Muktinath temple located in Manang, Mustang.
The Cash crops of this region are sugarcane, coffee, apples, oranges, etc. This region is a major attraction for tourists who are interested in trekking, hiking, pilgrimage and rafting. There are many historical sites for the tourists to learn more about the history of our country.
People belonging to different castes and ethnic groups live in this region too. Mountain region is inhabited by Sherpas, Lama, Rai, and Limbu etc. Hill region is inhabited by Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Newar, Brahmin, Chettri, etc. and Tharu, Marwaris, Muslims, Danuwar, Yadav, Kushawaha, Sah, Danuwar, etc live in the Terai region.
Himalayan part of this region is characterized with cold climate with coniferous forest and grasslands. The Terai region of this region is narrower than mountain. This region is characterized with hot climate, sub-tropical evergreen forest, alluvial soil and low altitude. Hilly part of WDR is characterized with moderate climate, gravelly and sandy loam soil with deciduous forest.
Like other development region, most of the people are engaged in agriculture and animal rearing in this region too. The people living in the Pokhara valley and other commercial cities are engaged in trade and business. There are ordinary houses in the hills and village of Terai region with thatched roofs but in the cities there are modern cemented houses. Western Development Region has some important highways like, Mahendra (some part), Martyrs Alok Marg, Siddharth Marg, etc.
There are many industries and factories in this region too. One of the most famous commercial and business trade center of Nepal, Bhairawa is located in western development region. Other important industrial and commercial areas of western development region are Butwal, Kapilvastu, Pokhara, Tansen, Waling, Ramgram and Palpa etc. Western development region is also home of industrial four plans: Bhairahawa Export Processing Zone (BEPZ), Butwal Industrial District (BID), Chaudhary Industrial Estate and the Lumbini Development Area.
Pokhara is a major and important commercial trade centre of Nepal. It is the third largest city of Nepal. This region is also famous for different religious people. Lumbini for Buddism and Hindu, Muktinath temple for Hindus, and there are various mosque (Masjid) for Muslims.
