WESTERN DEVELOPMENT REGION

The Western Development Region has 3 zones and 16 districts. Pokhara is its regional headquarters. The area of Western Development Region is 29,398 square kilometer.

Physical Environment: The Western Development Region is characterized by its various geographical diversity though its physical features are similar to the other development regions. Important mountain peaks are Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu and Himalchauli. They cover most of the northern part of western development region. The deepest gorge (5,500 meter deep) in the world formed by the river Kaligandaki lies between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The western part of Western Development Region is drained by river Kaligandaki and the eastern part is drained by river Marshyandi which ultimately joins river Narayani.

The highest lake of Nepal is Tilicho (4919 meter). Manang and Mustang, the two driest valleys, are located on the northern slope of the Annapurna range. However there is enough rainfall on the slopes of the Annapurna range. The Pokhara valley receives the highest rainfall in the country for which it is called the “Cherapunji” of Nepal”

There are Annapurna Conservation Area , Manaslu Conservation Area, and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

Socio-economic Environment: The distribution of population is uneven in this development region. The northern part is thinly populated whereas the valley and the terai are densely populated. The northern part is inhabited by Thakalis and the Gurungs. They are mostly engaged in trade, business and tourism. Gurung, Magar, Brahmin, Chettri, etc live in the hills and Tharu, Rajbanshi, Satar, Dura, etc live in the terai region. Agriculture is the main occupation of Western Development Region. Paddy, wheat, maize and millet are the main food crops and sugarcane is the main cash crop of Western Development Region. Potato is grown almost everywhere. There are different types of houses depending on climate and landforms. Gorkha Durbar and Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, are the important historical places of Western Development Region. The religious places for the pilgrimage are Manakamana and Muktinath.

The important industial and commercial centres are Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Gorkha, etc. Pokhara is one of the most important tourist centres of western development region. The biggest hydro-power station Kaligandaki “A”, Marshayandi and several microhydro power stations are located here. Pokhara is connected by roadways and airways and Butwal, Baglung and Tansen by roadways. Highways of Western Development Region are Prithivi Highway, Siddhartha Highway, Bhupi Sherchan and East-West Highway. Prithvi Narayan Campus and Pokhara University have contributed a lot in the field of education in the Western Development Region.