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Sindhupalchok District (Nepali: सिन्धुपाल्चोक) lies in the eastern Himalaya of Nepal’s Bagmati Province. The district stretches from high mountain ridges to deep river valleys and connects Kathmandu Valley with the Nepal–China frontier at Kodari via the historic Araniko Highway. Its administrative center is Chautara Sangachokgadhi.
Geography & Location
The district sits between the Bhotekoshi and Sunkoshi basins, with the Indrawati system draining the south. Northern elevations approach the Jugal Himal range, while market towns like Bahrabise occupy river terraces and hillsides near the highway corridor.
People & Language
Sindhupalchok is home to diverse communities including Tamang, Sherpa, Newar, Chhetri, and Brahmin, among others. Nepali serves as a lingua franca alongside local languages such as Tamang and Sherpa. According to the most recent national census, the district’s population is in the hundreds of thousands with settlements clustered along river valleys and road-linked ridgelines.
Economy
- Agriculture: Maize, paddy, millet, potatoes and vegetables are widely cultivated on hillside terraces.
- Trade & Transport: The Kathmandu–Kodari route supports cross-border commerce and logistics.
- Labor Mobility: Out-migration to Kathmandu and overseas labor markets contributes significant remittances.
- Tourism: Whitewater rafting on the Bhotekoshi, trekking near the Jugal Himal, hot springs at Tatopani, and adventure sports including the famed bungy site attract visitors.
Infrastructure & Projects
The Araniko Highway is the district’s backbone, linking towns to Kathmandu and the northern border. The Melamchi Water Supply Project diverts snow-fed waters toward Kathmandu Valley, representing one of Nepal’s most consequential urban water schemes.
Education
Sindhupalchok hosts a network of community and private schools and colleges. Notable institutions include Shree Bachchhala Devi Higher Secondary School (Bahrabise) and campuses in Chautara, alongside technical and vocational centers serving rural municipalities.
Culture & Festivals
Festivals reflect the district’s cultural mosaic — Lhosar in Tamang communities, Dashain and Tihar among Hindus, and local jatras in Newar settlements. Handicrafts, communal feasts, and monastic traditions shape the social calendar.
Disaster & Resilience
Sindhupalchok was among the hardest-hit districts during the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, suffering extensive loss and damage. Reconstruction has focused on resilient housing, school retrofits, bridges, and slope stabilization, coordinated with national and provincial agencies.
Places of Interest
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Bahrabise: Highway-side market hub on the Bhotekoshi corridor. - Tatopani / Kodari: Border gateway and historic trade point with hot springs.
- Melamchi Valley: Scenic river valley tied to the national water-supply project.
- Jugal Himal Trails: Alpine trekking routes with village homestays.
See also
References
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