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Dharan (Nepali: धरान) is a sub-metropolitan city in Sunsari District of Koshi Province, in eastern Nepal, which was established as a fourth municipality in the Kingdom in 1958. It is the third most populous city in eastern Nepal after Biratnagar and Itahari. The Nepali word "dharan" means a saw pit.[1]

Key Information

In 1960, a British Gurkha camp was also established near the city.[2] The use of the camp by British Gurkhas finished in the mid-1990s. Dharan has an estimated city population of 173,096 living in 34,834 households as per the 2021 Nepal census. It is one of the cities of the Greater Birat Development Area which incorporates the cities of Biratnagar-Itahari-Gothgau-Biratchowk-Dharan[3] primarily located on Koshi Highway in eastern Nepal, with an estimated total urban agglomerated population of 804,300 people living in 159,332 households.[4] It is the largest city in the Koshi Province by area, at 192.61 square kilometres, and Biratnagar and Itahari are the second- and third-largest cities by area respectively.[5][6]

Geography

[edit]
Dharan top view

Dharan is situated on the foothills of the Mahabharat Range in the north with its southern tip touching the edge of the Terai plains. The city sits at an altitude of 1148 ft (349 m). Dharan Bazaar grew up near Phusre, where the old walking route to Dhankuta and a large part of the Eastern hills left the plains with the ascent of Sanghuri Danra. Historically, hill villagers made annual treks to the plains for trade, making this a natural location for a marketplace at the junction of the hills and the Terai. In 1952, the construction of the Kosi barrage began and a narrow gauge railway was built to take stone from Phusre, loaded at a locality now known as "Railway", to the site of the barrage near the Indian Border.[7]

Koshi Highway runs through the city, connecting Dharan to Biratnagar and Itahari, where it links to the east–west Mahendra Highway. The highway also extends north to Kimathanka at the Nepal-China border. The road from Dharan to Dhankuta was funded by the United Kingdom under the Overseas Development Administration aid scheme. The construction began in 1976 and was substantially completed by mid-1982. The road, which measures 51 km in length, was largely built by hand using local labor, with as many as 15,000 workers employed at the height of the project.[8]

History

[edit]

Dharan served as the capital of the Morang Kingdom, a Limbu-ruled state in the lowlands of Limbuwan. It was ruled by Limbu King Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang Limbu. From 1584 to 1774 AD, Dharan-Bijaypur was the capital of the Morang Kingdom of Limbuwan. In August 1774, the Gorkha King Prithivi Narayan Shah's representatives Abhiman Singh Basnet, Parath Bhandari, Kirti Singh Khawas and Bali Baniya met the ministers of Morang. They agreed to accept the Gorkha monarch as Maharaja and retained self‑government rights for the Limbu rulers under a treaty, which also pledged the land's autonomy.[9]

Demographics

[edit]
Religion in Dharan (2021)
Religion Percent
Hindusim
 
 45%
kirat
 
 35%
Buddhism
 
 9.5%
Christianity
 
 8.6%
Others
 
 1.9%

Languages

[edit]
Language in Dharan census (2021)
  1. Nepali (42.5%)
  2. Limbu (10.1%)
  3. Maithili (8.00%)
  4. Newar (7.40%)
  5. Rai (5.90%)
  6. Tamang (5.90%)
  7. Bantawa (5.80%)
  8. Others (14.4%)

At the time of the 2021 Census of Nepal, 42.5% of the population in the city spoke Nepali, 10.1% Limbu, 8.0% Maithili ,7.4% Newar, 5.9% Rai, 5.9% Tamang, 5.8% Bantawa, and 14.4% spoke other smaller languages as their first language.

Caste and ethnic groups

[edit]

The largest single caste/ethnic in Dharan is Rai, who make (19.4%) of the population, Limbu comes to second with (13.01%), Newar makes (11.1%) of population Chhetri (10.7%), Tamang (7.3%), Hill Brahmin (7.1%), Kami (6.2%) and other various ethnic groups makes (25.2%) Of the population.[10]

Caste And Ethnic groups in Dharan cencus (2021)
  1. Rai 19.4 (18.4%)
  2. Limbu 13.01 (12.4%)
  3. Newar 11.1 (10.6%)
  4. Chhetri 10.7 (10.2%)
  5. Tamang 7.3 (6.94%)
  6. Hill Brahmin 7.1 (6.75%)
  7. Kami 6.2 (5.90%)
  8. Marwadi 3.1 (2.95%)
  9. Kushwaha 1.1 (1.05%)
  10. yadav 0.96 (0.91%)
  11. Others 25.2 (24.0%)
Broad Caste and Ethnicity category (2021 Census)
Broad Ethnic Category Sub Category[11] Linguistic Family Population Percentage
Janajati (Hill Ethnic Groups) Magar, Tamang, Gurung, Sherpa, Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, Sunuwar etc 37.74
Khas (Hill/Pahari Caste Groups) Khas Brahmin, Chhetri, Kami, Damai Sarki, Sanyasi/Dasnami Indo-Aryan 24.8
Newar (Kathmandu Valley Caste Groups) Newari Brahmin, Shrestha, Tamrakar, Newar Buddhist, Maharjan, Rajkarnikar etc Indo-Aryan And Indigenous people of nepal 11.1%
Madeshi (Terai Caste Groups) Yadav, Maithil Brahmins, Chamar, Kushwaha, Musahar, Kurmi, Dhanuk etc Indo-Aryan 11.0%
Marwadi, Bengalis - Indo-Aryan 3.4%
Adibasi (Terai Indigenous Groups) Tharu, Rajbanshi, etc Indo-Aryan And Indigenous people of Nepal 2.3%
Muslim - Indo-Aryan 1.3%
Others - - 3.1%

Environment

[edit]

A study conducted in 2016 to analyze the bacteriological quality of bottled drinking water and that of municipal tap water in Dharan found that one hundred percent of the tap water samples and 87.5% of the bottled water samples were contaminated with heterotrophic bacteria. Of the tap water samples, 55.3% were positive for total coliforms, compared with 25% of the bottled water, but no bottled water samples were positive for fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci, in contrast to 21.1% and 14.5% of the tap water samples being contaminated with fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci, respectively. One hundred percent of the tap water samples and 54.2% of the bottled water samples had pH in the acceptable range.[12]

Media and communication

[edit]
  • Newspapers: The people of Dharan are served by several daily local newspapers and national newspapers. There are 11 local newspapers in total. These include The Blast Times and The Morning Times. National newspapers are also provided to the people of Dharan on a daily basis. National newspapers include The Kathmandu Post, Kantipur, Annapurna Post, and Himalayan Times. Several monthly neighborhood papers serve the town.
  • Radio: The state-owned Radio Nepal is broadcast on the medium wave on 648 kHz in the city. Five private local FM stations are available. They are Star FM - 95.6 MHz, Vijayapur FM - 98.8 MHz, Dantakali FM - 88.5 MHz, and Radio Dharan FM - 88.8 MHz. Radio Ganatantra FM 95.1 MHz is a community radio station. Likewise, Dharan has a BFBS Radio Relay station. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.
  • Television: Nepal's state-owned television broadcaster, Nepal Television's relay station is present near its border, which provides two free-to-air terrestrial channels. A mix of Nepali, Hindi, English, and other international channels are accessible via cable subscription and direct-broadcast satellite services. Dharan Cable Network broadcasts Kriti Television Channel as a local television channel that covers events in the city.

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Dharan, elevation 310 m (1,020 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–2017)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 29.5
(85.1) 		32.7
(90.9) 		36.7
(98.1) 		38.8
(101.8) 		37.5
(99.5) 		37.9
(100.2) 		38.7
(101.7) 		37.4
(99.3) 		35.9
(96.6) 		35.8
(96.4) 		33.0
(91.4) 		29.9
(85.8) 		38.8
(101.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 22.8
(73.0) 		26.0
(78.8) 		30.4
(86.7) 		32.8
(91.0) 		32.7
(90.9) 		32.4
(90.3) 		31.9
(89.4) 		32.3
(90.1) 		31.9
(89.4) 		31.0
(87.8) 		28.4
(83.1) 		25.0
(77.0) 		29.8
(85.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6) 		20.2
(68.4) 		24.2
(75.6) 		27.1
(80.8) 		27.7
(81.9) 		28.3
(82.9) 		28.2
(82.8) 		28.5
(83.3) 		27.8
(82.0) 		26.0
(78.8) 		22.7
(72.9) 		19.2
(66.6) 		24.7
(76.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 11.2
(52.2) 		14.3
(57.7) 		17.9
(64.2) 		21.3
(70.3) 		22.7
(72.9) 		24.1
(75.4) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.6
(76.3) 		23.7
(74.7) 		20.9
(69.6) 		16.9
(62.4) 		13.3
(55.9) 		19.6
(67.3)
Record low °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3) 		6.6
(43.9) 		7.6
(45.7) 		11.6
(52.9) 		15.2
(59.4) 		18.3
(64.9) 		19.5
(67.1) 		20.2
(68.4) 		19.6
(67.3) 		15.0
(59.0) 		11.2
(52.2) 		5.2
(41.4) 		3.5
(38.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 10.4
(0.41) 		14.2
(0.56) 		29.9
(1.18) 		71.5
(2.81) 		162.3
(6.39) 		317.8
(12.51) 		547.6
(21.56) 		461.0
(18.15) 		344.5
(13.56) 		121.2
(4.77) 		12.7
(0.50) 		3.9
(0.15) 		2,097
(82.6)
Source: Department of Hydrology and Meteorology[13][14]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dharan

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Dharan is a sub-metropolitan city in Sunsari District, Koshi Province, eastern Nepal. As per the 2021 National Population and Housing Census conducted by Nepal's Central Bureau of Statistics, Dharan has a population of 166,531, comprising 78,410 males and 88,121 females, distributed across 20 wards. Covering an area of 192.6 square kilometers with a population density of approximately 865 persons per square kilometer, the city functions as a vital commercial and transportation nexus linking the Terai plains to the Himalayan foothills. It hosts a British Gurkha recruitment center operated by the British Army, underscoring its historical ties to military recruitment from Nepal's hill communities. Dharan's economy centers on trade, services, and remittances, with emerging contributions from tourism and light industries, though it faces challenges typical of rapidly urbanizing areas in developing economies.

Geography and Climate

Location and Topography

Dharan is situated in Sunsari District of Koshi Province, eastern Nepal, serving as a transitional urban center between the Terai lowlands and the Himalayan foothills. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 26.82°N latitude and 87.28°E longitude. The city's topography reflects its position at the base of the Mahabharat Range, with northern areas featuring rising hills and southern portions extending to the flat Terai plains. Elevations vary from about 350 meters (1,148 feet) at the southern Terai edge to higher points exceeding 500 meters in the northern foothills, with an average elevation of roughly 480 meters (1,575 feet). This terrain creates a gateway landscape, facilitating connectivity between the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains and the mid-mountain regions.

Climate Patterns

Dharan exhibits a (Köppen Cwa), marked by distinct seasonal variations driven by its location in the foothills near the Himalayan front, which channels moisture from the . Average annual temperatures range from 11°C (52°F) in winter lows to peaks exceeding 35°C (95°F) in summer, with a mean around 22°C (72°F). The region receives substantial , predominantly during the , contributing to high and occasional flooding risks. The hot pre-monsoon season extends from late to late , featuring average daily high temperatures above 33°C (92°F), with as the warmest month at highs of 34°C (94°F) and lows of 26°C (78°F). This period transitions into oppressive as southerly winds intensify, often leading to thunderstorms. In contrast, the mild dry winter from late to early sees average highs below 26°C (78°F), with recording the lowest temperatures: highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 11°C (52°F), rarely dipping below 9°C (48°F). The monsoon wet season dominates from late May to late September, characterized by overcast skies, muggy conditions (with August peaking at 31 muggy days), and heavy rainfall, especially in July (approximately 231 mm or 9.1 inches). More than 70% of annual precipitation—estimated at 1,500–2,000 mm based on regional Terai patterns—occurs here, with frequent wet days (over 36% probability). Post-monsoon October brings clearer skies and reduced rain (around 115 mm), easing into winter dryness with minimal precipitation (e.g., 0.7 wet days in December). These patterns align with Nepal's broader hydro-meteorological records, where monsoon advances are tracked by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

History

Ancient and Medieval Periods

The region of present-day Dharan, located in eastern Nepal's Himalayan foothills, was inhabited by indigenous Kirati peoples during ancient times, who established early settlements as part of broader Tibeto-Burman communities extending from the eastward. These groups, including proto-Limbu and Rai ethnicities, engaged in , , and localized governance, with cultural practices rooted in animist traditions and oral histories predating written records. The Kirati presence in the area aligns with the ancient Kirat dynasty's influence over , traditionally dated from approximately 800 BCE to 300 CE, though direct archaeological ties to Dharan remain sparse and primarily inferred from regional ethnolinguistic continuity rather than site-specific excavations. In the medieval period, the Dharan area gained political prominence within the confederacy, a network of ten semi-autonomous Limbu kingdoms spanning the eastern and hills between the Arun and Teesta rivers. Limbu oral traditions recount the formal proclamation of "Yakthung Laaje" by ten Limbu kings, establishing these principalities as a collective entity with shared cultural and defensive alliances against external incursions. Specifically, from 1584 AD to 1774 AD, the nearby settlement of Bijaypur—integral to the modern Dharan locale—served as the capital of the Morang Kingdom, one of Limbuwan's most influential polities, facilitating trade routes and exerting control over surrounding territories until its conquest by the expanding Gorkha forces under . This era marked a shift toward more structured monarchies, with Morang rulers maintaining sovereignty amid rivalries with neighboring hill states and occasional Mughal frontier influences, though primary sources for administrative details are limited to local chronicles and later historical reconstructions. Ancient Hindu texts, such as the , mythologically associate the Dharan vicinity with the origin of seeds, described as tears shed by Lord Shiva, underscoring early religious significance in the landscape, though this lacks empirical corroboration beyond scriptural tradition. Surviving heritage includes scattered temples reflecting Kirati-Limbu with incoming Hindu elements, contributing to the area's multi-cultural fabric prior to 18th-century unification.

British Colonial Influence and Early Modern Development

Although Nepal evaded direct British colonization following the of 1814–1816 and the subsequent , which ceded territories but preserved Nepalese sovereignty, the British maintained substantial military influence through the recruitment of soldiers from the region's hill communities starting in 1815. This arrangement, formalized under Rana rulers who aligned closely with British India for strategic and economic benefits, funneled remittances and administrative practices into eastern Nepal, indirectly shaping local economies reliant on labor migration and timber extraction. Dharan itself originated as a modest settlement in the late , with initial inhabitants arriving around 1894 to clear forests for and sustain small-scale amid the of the Mahabharat Range. Under the autocratic Rana regime, which governed from 1846 to 1951 and emulated British bureaucratic models while fostering Gurkha enlistment, prime ministers like Chandra Shumsher (r. 1901–1929) promoted expansion through land allocation and rudimentary infrastructure, transforming the area from Bijaypur's southern fringes into a nascent outpost by the early . These efforts capitalized on Dharan's strategic position near routes, though development remained limited to forestry and subsistence, with no formal until post-Rana shifts. The of British ties manifested in Dharan's designation as a key node for operations after India's partition, when the British retained four regiments and restructured recruitment. A and Eastern Gurkha Recruiting Depot were established in 1953, drawing candidates from eastern Nepal and introducing British administrative oversight, basic facilities, and influxes of personnel that laid groundwork for modernization. This prefigured rapid growth, as returning Gurkhas invested pensions in local enterprises, though the center's operations emphasized rigorous physical and loyalty tests over broader colonial governance. By 1960, an auxiliary British camp reinforced this presence, handling logistics until the , underscoring how Nepal's non-colonial status still permitted enclave-like British influence tied to mutual defense pacts rather than territorial control.

Post-1950 Industrialization and Urban Growth

Following Nepal's in 1951, which ended the isolationist Rana regime, Dharan experienced accelerated urban development as part of the country's broader push toward modernization and infrastructure expansion in eastern regions. The city's strategic location at the foothills of the , facilitating trade routes between the plains and hill districts, attracted migrants seeking economic opportunities amid national efforts to eradicate in the lowlands and construct the East-West Highway after 1950. These factors spurred settlement and rudimentary commercial activity, transforming Dharan from a modest outpost into a burgeoning hub by the late . The establishment of a British and in 1960 near Dharan further catalyzed local growth, injecting economic activity through military-related services, housing, and ancillary businesses catering to British forces and Nepali recruits. in the early connected Dharan to inner valleys and major trade corridors, enabling its recognition as an urban center by 1961 and boosting in timber, processing, and small-scale . This development drew laborers from surrounding rural areas, contributing to influx and the expansion of residential and market zones. Industrialization intensified with the 1972 bilateral agreement between and to develop industrial estates, leading to the creation of the Dharan Industrial Area in that year, spanning approximately 202 hectares and hosting factories for textiles, food processing, and light . Government incentives under the Industrial Enterprises Act of 1970 supported factory setups, attracting investment and workers, which in turn drove —built-up areas expanded over fivefold between the 1970s and early 2000s, encroaching on agricultural and forested lands. By the 1980s, Dharan had evolved into a key eastern industrial node, though challenges like inadequate and power shortages limited sustained growth.

Contemporary Events and Developments

In June 2023, Dharan Harka Raj Sampang Rai oversaw the completion of a major infrastructure project delivering direct to the city from a stream located 42 kilometers away, addressing longstanding issues. This initiative marked a significant advancement in urban service provision, reflecting efforts by independent local leadership to prioritize practical governance over partisan politics. By early 2025, the city experienced visible improvements in urban cleanliness and aesthetics, attributed to targeted municipal actions under Sampang's administration, transforming key areas like the Chatara Line into more maintained public spaces. These developments positioned Dharan as an emerging model municipality in eastern , blending traditional elements with modern . Concurrently, the Dharan-Leuti Road Tunnel project advanced to enhance connectivity along the Koshi , aiming to link Indian and Chinese border routes while reducing travel distances. In September 2025, Mayor Sampang publicly joined nationwide youth-led protests against government corruption and restrictions, signaling local alignment with broader demands for accountability amid Nepal's political upheaval. However, the sub-metropolitan faced administrative hurdles, including delays in passing the fiscal year budget by August 2025, which hampered planning for ongoing developments. Efforts to promote Dharan as a tourist destination also gained traction, with provincial leaders advocating for investments in attractions to boost the local economy.

Demographics

As of Nepal's 2021 National Population and Housing Census, conducted by the , Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City recorded a total of 166,531. This figure comprised 78,410 males, representing 47.1% of the , and 88,121 females at 52.9%, resulting in a of 88.98 males per 100 females. The city's was 866 persons per square kilometer, calculated over an area of 192.6 square kilometers. From the 2011 to 2021 censuses, Dharan's population expanded at an average annual growth rate of 1.6%, surpassing the national average of 0.92% for the same period. This rate aligns with broader trends in Sunsari District, where annual growth reached approximately 1.86% to 1.94%, driven by net in-migration from rural hill areas to eastern Nepal's Terai plains. The city's position within the rapidly urbanizing Biratnagar-Dharan-Itahari corridor has amplified this influx, with industrial hubs and transportation links attracting workers and families. Projections based on census trends suggest continued moderate growth, though out-migration for foreign employment—a national pattern affecting 10-15% of working-age —may temper urban expansion in Dharan. data from the 2021 indicate 42,396 households, reflecting an average household size of about 3.9 persons, consistent with urban norms. These dynamics underscore Dharan's transition from a mid-20th-century industrial outpost to a key sub-metropolitan hub, with pressures on and services.

Ethnic and Caste Composition

Dharan's ethnic and composition reflects its strategic location at the foothills of the , fostering a mix of indigenous hill tribes (janajati), Indo-Aryan hill s, and Terai-origin groups, shaped by historical migration, Gurkha recruitment, and post-industrial urbanization. The 2021 National Population and Housing Census recorded 142 /ethnic groups nationally, with Dharan exhibiting high diversity due to inflows from surrounding hill and plain districts. Indigenous Kirati groups such as Rai and Limbu predominate, comprising significant portions of the population alongside Newar traders and hill s like and . s, including , and minority Muslim communities from the also feature prominently, though exact proportions vary by ward. The following table lists the top five caste/ethnic groups by population in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City per 2021 census data, out of a total population of 166,531:
Caste/Ethnic GroupPopulationPercentage
Rai28,53617.1%
Limbu16,0619.6%
Newar15,2379.2%
Chhetri14,6928.8%
Tamang10,0036.0%
These figures underscore the janajati dominance (e.g., Rai and Limbu as Kirati peoples native to the region), with hill castes (Chhetri, often Kshatriya) and urban Newars following. Remaining groups include Hill Brahmin (Bahun), Magar, Gurung, Kami (Dalit), and Muslim (Madhesi-origin), collectively accounting for over 40% of residents. Census methodology relies on self-reported identity, potentially influenced by cultural assimilation or affirmative action incentives, though data from Nepal's Central Bureau of Statistics maintains consistency with prior enumerations.

Languages and Religious Practices

Dharan exhibits linguistic diversity stemming from its multi-ethnic population, particularly influenced by indigenous Kirati groups such as the Rai and Limbu. Nepali serves as the primary and , spoken as a mother tongue by approximately 52.3% of residents according to the 2021 National Population and Housing Census. Other prominent mother tongues include various Rai dialects (e.g., Bantawa, Chamling) and Limbu, reflecting the significant presence of these Tibeto-Burman language-speaking communities. Religious practices in Dharan are varied, with and Kiratism (the indigenous faith of Kirati ethnic groups) dominating due to the city's demographic makeup. The 2021 census reports Hindus comprising 56% of the population (93,328 individuals), Kiratists 26% (43,559), Buddhists 11% (18,058), 5.6% (9,340), and 1.2% (2,057), alongside negligible others. Hindu practices follow mainstream Nepali traditions, including temple worship at sites like the Pindeshwor Mahadev Temple and festivals such as , while Kirat Mundhum involves rituals honoring nature spirits, ancestors, and shamanic akeli dances performed during and Ubhauli harvest cycles. Buddhist observances, often syncretic with among hill ethnicities, feature monasteries and celebrations like , and communities, largely converts from indigenous and backgrounds, conduct services in churches established post-1990 . Muslim practices center on mosques and Eid observances among the small Madhesi and migrant populations. This pluralism fosters interfaith harmony but occasional tensions, as noted in local reports of proselytization disputes.

Economy

Key Industries and Commercial Activities

Dharan functions as a significant industrial hub in eastern , anchored by the established in 1972, which hosts a variety of small- and medium-scale units focused on consumer goods and basic processing. As of , the registered 51 industries, contributing to local and economic diversification beyond . More recent assessments indicate 24 medium-scale and 104 small-scale industries, reflecting modest growth amid challenges like constraints and limitations. Prominent sectors include and production, with Eastern Sugar Mills Ltd. operating a key facility in Amahibelwa, processing into refined and supporting regional agricultural supply chains. Textile manufacturing features operations like Jayshree Textile, producing fabrics for domestic markets. and related goods form another staple, exemplified by Nepal Plastic Pvt. Ltd. and Isha Plastic Pvt. Ltd., which manufacture household and industrial items from local and imported resins. Emerging activities, such as the bakery sector, have gained traction since the early 2020s, capitalizing on urban demand for processed baked goods despite high input costs and competition. Commercial activities center on retail trade and services, positioning Dharan as a regional distribution node linking to broader and via proximity to the Mechi Highway. The city supports over 1,950 shops, 78 hotels or lodges, and 45 restaurants, fostering wholesale distribution of consumer products, agricultural inputs, and imported goods. These enterprises drive daily but face pressures from informal vending and disruptions, limiting scalability without improved .

Employment and Economic Challenges

Dharan's economy has faced significant employment challenges stemming from the stagnation and partial decline of its industrial base, particularly in the nearby , where production in over 350 factories has been halved by persistent power outages as of May 2025, leading to heightened job insecurity and reduced hiring. The Dharan Industrial Estate, established to foster , has struggled with operational inefficiencies, including unreliable electricity and high input costs, resulting in underutilization and layoffs in sectors like textiles and . Youth unemployment in Dharan mirrors national trends, with rates exceeding 19% among those aged 15-24 as reported by the , exacerbated by a mismatch between local outputs—primarily from institutions like BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences—and available skilled jobs, driving many graduates toward informal work or migration. Economic downturns, including post-COVID recovery lags, have further strained sectors like , where reduced tourist and has led to accommodation demand drops and staff cuts. Labor migration remains a dominant response, with thousands from Dharan and Sunsari seeking opportunities abroad in Gulf countries or , contributing to family disruptions and a local skills drain while remittances provide short-term relief but fail to address structural estimated at over 30% in informal sectors like street vending and small trade. Increasing slums signal rising and joblessness, linked to factory slowdowns and agricultural limitations in the foothills. Political instability and weak enforcement of labor laws compound these issues, favoring outsourced and gig work over stable contracts, as seen in a national 10.67% drop in in 2024.

Government and Politics

Administrative Structure

Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City operates as a local government entity under Nepal's federal system, with authority over , public services, and local taxation within its jurisdiction in , . It encompasses an area of 192.61 square kilometers and is subdivided into 20 wards, the smallest administrative units, each governed by an elected ward committee comprising a chairperson and four ward members (including at least two women). The municipal executive is headed by a directly elected , supported by a elected from the municipal assembly, along with the 20 ward chairpersons and five additional women members nominated by represented in the . This structure ensures representation across wards while centralizing executive decision-making. The municipal , functioning as the legislative body, includes all ward members and convenes to approve budgets, bylaws, and policies. Local elections, held every five years, determine these positions; the most recent occurred on May 13, 2022, filling 102 roles including the , deputy mayor, and ward-level officials. Independent candidate Harka Raj Sampang secured the mayoral position in that election, reflecting voter preference for non-partisan leadership amid local governance debates. The municipal headquarters is situated in Dharan Bazaar, facilitating coordination with provincial and district authorities on matters like and .

Ethnic Tensions and Political Controversies

In August 2023, a depicting youths consuming beef in Dharan sparked widespread fears of ethnic and , leading local authorities to enforce a prohibitory order starting to prevent unrest. The incident exacerbated divisions between the Hindu majority, which holds cows sacred, and minority communities including and , amid broader influences from Hindu nationalist groups protesting cow slaughter. Similar communal strains have been linked to demographic shifts from large-scale of from , , which has intensified resource competition and cultural frictions in the city's diverse population of indigenous Kirant groups, , and recent migrants. Indigenous Limbu and Rai communities, predominant among Dharan's ethnic Kirant population, have pursued political demands through the Limbuwan movement, seeking autonomy and the renaming of to Limbuwan to reflect historical territorial claims spanning ten former Limbu kingdoms. These efforts culminated in protests on March 24, 2023, when demonstrators clashed with police in Dharan, resulting in the fatal shooting of activist Padam Limbu during demands for provincial redesignation under the "No Koshi" campaign. The movement highlights ongoing grievances over marginalization of and identity in federal restructuring, though it has faced resistance from central authorities prioritizing unified provincial boundaries. Local political controversies have intertwined with ethnic dynamics, particularly under independent Mayor Harka Sampang, a Limbu elected in 2022 on promises of indigenous representation. In June 2025, Sampang's dispute with Aindra Bikram Begha over the disbursement of Rs 9 lakh (approximately $6,700 USD) for school fencing in Ward 16 escalated into broader accusations of budget misuse and favoritism toward labor campaigners from municipal funds. By August 2025, Sampang faced allegations of intimidating journalists critical of his administration, prompting one reporter to flee Dharan after reported threats, which drew condemnations from press federations and opposition parties. These incidents have fueled debates on transparency in a multi-ethnic , where ethnic loyalties often influence electoral and administrative alignments.

Infrastructure and Services

Transportation Networks

Dharan is primarily served by road transportation, with the city situated along the (also known as the East-West Highway or National Highway 01), a 1,028-kilometer arterial route traversing Nepal's plains from in the east to Mahendranagar in the west. This highway facilitates connectivity to nearby urban centers such as (approximately 20 minutes by bus) and (about 40 kilometers south), enabling efficient overland travel for passengers and freight. Regular bus services operate along the highway, with fares from to Dharan ranging from 120 Nepalese rupees and from (via multi-hour journeys) costing around 1,000-1,500 rupees depending on the operator and class. Air access relies on Biratnagar Airport, the closest operational facility located roughly 40 kilometers from Dharan, which handles domestic flights from and limited international connections. Plans for a dedicated Dharan Airport, first proposed around 2003, remain unrealized as of 2025, with ongoing discussions hampered by its proximity to Biratnagar and concerns over redundancy, low projected demand, and fiscal viability; critics have highlighted potential mismanagement in the project's prolonged delays. Railway infrastructure does not directly serve Dharan, as Nepal's limited network—primarily the Janakpur-Jainagar and Raxaul-Sirsiya lines—focuses on southwestern and central regions without extensions to the eastern Koshi Zone. Local mobility within Dharan depends on buses, , and microbuses, supporting daily commutes and integration with the broader system for regional and .

Education and Healthcare Facilities

Dharan hosts the B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), established in 1993 through Nepal-India collaboration, which serves as a leading institution for medical education and healthcare delivery. BPKIHS provides undergraduate programs such as MBBS, BDS, Bachelor of Nursing, and in various health fields, alongside postgraduate training and in health sciences. The institute's teaching hospital offers comprehensive services including outpatient departments, inpatient care, specialized clinics for (DOTS) and drug-resistant TB management, and advanced treatments across departments like , , and . In general education, Dharan features multiple campuses affiliated with , including Mahendra Multiple Campus, located centrally in the city and offering bachelor's and master's degrees in , , , and since its establishment as a key higher education provider. The Central Campus of Technology, the primary technical education facility in the region, delivers programs in and applied sciences, emphasizing practical training. Other notable colleges include Birendra Memorial College, which runs BSc in and , , , and , and Sunsari Technical College, focused on vocational and technical diplomas since 1995. Secondary education is supported by institutions like Shree Public Higher Secondary School, founded in 1947 as the oldest in Sunsari District and affiliated with the National Examinations Board for grades up to 12 in science, management, and humanities. Bishnu Memorial Higher Secondary School provides equipped facilities including science and computer labs, libraries, and classrooms for similar curricula. Dharan has emerged as a regional education hub with over a dozen colleges and high schools catering to diverse streams, though access remains challenged by resource disparities in public versus private institutions. Beyond BPKIHS, healthcare facilities include , which operates outpatient services, specialist consultations, and testing for blood work and diagnostics in areas like . Polyclinics such as Manjushree Poly Clinic & Diagnostic Center offer integrated services including orthopedics, , and routine check-ups with on-site . Additional providers like Navodit Health Clinic provide physiotherapy, X-rays, ECGs, and specialist OPD for bone-joint and ear-nose-throat conditions, supplementing the primary reliance on BPKIHS for tertiary care. These facilities primarily serve local and eastern populations, with public options facing occasional overloads during peak demands.

Utilities and Water Management

Dharan experiences persistent challenges in , with residents facing acute shortages during dry seasons, often waiting up to three days for due to years of mismanagement and inadequate . The city's water system relies on from upstream catchments and extraction, but rising demand from and has outpaced supply, exacerbating scarcity. A 2023 analysis found that piped water covers 69.43% of the sub-metropolitan area, delivering an average of 50.44 liters per capita per day, far below recommended standards for urban needs. Management of the water system involves local user committees and state entities like the Nepal Corporation's Dharan branch, though coordination issues persist. In 2023, the Gravity Water Trust implemented a project to enhance supply, addressing decades-long shortages through improved distribution in targeted areas. Recent local initiatives, including prototype micro-hydropower for pumping, aim to bolster reliability, but disruptions from political interventions, such as ad-hoc tanker supplies, have occasionally hindered operations as of early 2025. Electricity distribution in Dharan is handled by the Nepal Electricity Authority's Dharan Distribution Center, serving the city and surrounding areas in . Despite national improvements in generation, the region has reported intermittent load-shedding in 2025, with outages disrupting water pumping and other utilities; the incurred costs of 4.1 million for in May 2025 alone amid these issues. Wastewater and sanitation management remain underdeveloped, with industrial and commercial effluents required to meet national treatment standards under Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management regulations, though enforcement in Dharan is inconsistent. Broader national projects, such as the Integrated Water Supply and Sewerage Management initiative, support urban upgrades but have limited specific implementation details for Dharan as of 2023. Solid waste generation averages 0.36 kg per person per day, contributing to localized environmental pressures that indirectly affect water quality.

Culture and Society

Local Traditions and Festivals

Dharan's cultural landscape reflects its ethnic diversity, particularly among Kirat groups such as Rai and Limbu, who maintain indigenous rituals alongside national Hindu and Buddhist observances. Traditional practices emphasize nature worship, ancestral veneration, and seasonal cycles, often featuring communal dances and offerings to deities like Sumnima and Paruhang in cosmology. The Sakela festival, central to Rai and Limbu identity, manifests in Ubhauli and celebrations marking agricultural transitions. Ubhauli, observed in late or early May (Baisakh month), honors the uphill migration of communities to higher pastures with rituals including the Sakela dance—a vigorous performance with bamboo sticks (jhyamta) and symbolizing harmony with nature and warding off evil spirits; large gatherings occur in Dharan, drawing participants from surrounding areas like Khotang and . , held in (Mangsir), commemorates the downhill return during harvest, featuring similar dances and feasts with (tongba) and pork offerings, reinforcing social bonds and ecological awareness. These events, rooted in pre-Hindu Kirat , persist despite , with Dharan serving as a key venue for over 10,000 attendees in recent years. National festivals like (Vijaya Dashami) and Tihar (Deepawali) adapt to local customs, with Rai and Limbu incorporating ethnic dances into family rituals. , spanning 15 days in September-October (Ashwin-Kartik), involves animal sacrifices and tika blessings at home altars, while Tihar's five-day sequence honors crows, dogs, cows, siblings, and with oil lamps and sweets; in Dharan, these draw diverse crowds to public grounds for concerts and fairs blending traditional and modern elements. Limbu-specific rites, such as Mundhum recitations during life-cycle events, further embed festivals in daily life, preserving oral histories amid Nepal's multicultural fabric.

Media and Communication Landscape

Local print media in Dharan primarily consists of regional newspapers published in Nepali, serving the and surrounding areas. There are approximately 11 local dailies, including Blast Times, Morning Times, Bijayapur, Karkamal, Naya Paribartan, Purba Times, Samachar Jagat, Sansar, and Saptakoshi. National publications such as Kantipur and The Himalayan Times are also widely circulated and available daily. Radio broadcasting dominates local media consumption due to Nepal's terrain and rural-urban mix, with Dharan hosting key facilities. Radio Dharan, a community-oriented FM station, operates from Dharan-13 with coverage extending to Sunsari, Morang (including ), Jhapa, Udaypur, Siraha, Saptari, and districts, focusing on local news, culture, and public service programming. The state-owned maintains a transmission complex in Dharan-8, established in 1990 on 18 bighas of land near the industrial zone, broadcasting on 99.9 MHz FM with national and regional content. Television access in Dharan relies on cable and satellite networks distributing national channels, with limited local production. Proximity to in enables reception of NTV Itahari, a government-operated HD channel launched in 2020 covering eastern news and events. Digital terrestrial and satellite TV penetration is supported by national providers, though local content remains sparse compared to radio. Communication infrastructure supports growing digital media engagement, with providing fixed-line, mobile, and broadband services as the dominant operator in Sunsari. in urban Dharan includes fiber-optic and / mobile data, though speeds and reliability vary; satellite options like VSAT are available for remote extensions. platforms and online news portals, such as those affiliated with local newspapers, supplement traditional outlets, reflecting 's broader shift toward digital consumption amid improving telecom infrastructure.

Environment

Natural Features and Biodiversity

Dharan is situated at the of the Mahabharat Range in eastern Nepal's , spanning elevations from approximately 100 meters to 1,300 meters above sea level, which positions it in a transitional zone between the plains and the Himalayan . This topography features rolling hills, river valleys, and extensive forest cover, with the Dharan forests extending across and adjacent Morang districts, encompassing about 50,000 hectares of remaining woodland. The area's moist tropical climate supports dense vegetation, though human encroachment has degraded portions, particularly in lower valleys like the Mai River basin. The dominant vegetation consists of tropical evergreen species intermixed with (sal) forests, characteristic of moist tropical ecosystems in the Chure region. These forests include mixed stands and support ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with sal trees, contributing to nutrient cycling in both undisturbed and disturbed habitats. The Dharan forests qualify as a Key Biodiversity Area due to their role in preserving endemic and within Nepal's eastern lowland . Land cover includes forests, grasslands, shrubs, and crops, with forests predominating in upland areas. Biodiversity in Dharan features a range of adapted to forested and human-modified landscapes, including the critically endangered Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), which occupies habitats amid forests and agricultural patches. Avian diversity is notable, with large breeding colonies of the Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) documented in eastern Nepal's lowlands, utilizing trees in proximity to wetlands and rivers. The area's forests also harbor other wildlife typical of Nepal's subtropical zones, though specific inventories highlight pressures from rather than exceptional unique to Dharan itself.

Environmental Issues and Conservation Efforts

Dharan faces significant water scarcity, particularly during dry seasons, with residents in some areas experiencing up to three-day intervals without tap water supply since at least 2003, exacerbated by mismanagement of the city's water system and factors such as population growth and inadequate infrastructure. Bacteriological contamination persists in drinking water sources and reservoirs supplying the municipality, with studies indicating widespread microbial risks in sampled sites. Solid waste generation reaches approximately 50.92 tons per day, managed through temporary open dumping that leads to environmental pollution, disease outbreaks, and negative ecological impacts due to the lack of a formal landfill. Air quality in Dharan frequently registers as moderate to unhealthy, with PM2.5 concentrations often exceeding 50 µg/m³ and AQI values around 150, posing respiratory risks particularly during periods of high particulate matter from urban and industrial sources. The city is also vulnerable to multi-hazard risks including floods and landslides, intensified by , unmanaged land use, and effects that contribute to river flooding in local waterways. Conservation initiatives in Dharan emphasize protection in surrounding forests, designated as a Key Biodiversity Area supporting globally threatened and near-threatened bird species, including the recently recorded Wedge-billed Wren Babbler. The Nature Conservation and Study Center (NCSC) leads community-based efforts, such as raptor research training programs and projects for small carnivores, bears, and pollinators in eastern , including Dharan. In March 2025, local communities in Dharan-14 collaborated on protecting the critically endangered through and habitat monitoring in Panchakanya Forest, aligning with 's national Conservation . Dharan Municipality has allocated funds for watershed conservation in the Sardu area to address erosion and water resource degradation. programs promote and to safeguard Important Bird Areas in Dharan forests, which host restricted-range species.

Notable Individuals

Harka Sampang Rai, known as Harka Sampang, born around 1983 in Khartamchha village, Khotang District, served as mayor of Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City from 2022 until his resignation on January 18, 2026, to contest the House of Representatives election in Sunsari-1. He relocated to Dharan in 1998 for higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Mahendra Multiple Campus. Prior to politics, he worked as a tutor and abroad, engaging in social activism against corruption, notably protesting irregularities in water projects. Transitioning to electoral politics, Sampang ran as an independent candidate and won the mayoral position in the 2022 local elections, defeating party-affiliated contenders. As mayor, he prioritized urban infrastructure improvements, including addressing the water supply crisis through advocacy for the Koshi River water supply project—such as carrying an empty vessel to Kathmandu to symbolize scarcity—and cleanliness drives; the Federal Budget 2025 allocated NPR 40 million for the project. Sampang is associated with social activism movements and founded the Shram Sanskriti Party, focusing on labor issues. His tenure faced controversies, including 2025 allegations of budget misuse in a dispute with the deputy mayor over municipal fund disbursements to labor campaigners, and criticisms of publicity stunts and administrative tensions. Sampang focused on local governance reforms and community initiatives in Dharan. Sabin Rai, born February 5, 1974, in Dharan, is a Nepalese singer, , and recognized for blending pop, rock, and folk elements in his work, with his debut Sataha released in 2003. Often dubbed the "Bryan Adams of Nepal" for his vocal style and songwriting, Rai has performed internationally and contributed to the Nepali music scene through bands like Sabin Rai & The Pharaoh. Malina Joshi, born January 27, 1989, in Dharan, is an actress and model who won the Miss Nepal World title in 2011, representing at the Miss World pageant. She pursued higher education locally before entering the entertainment industry, appearing in Nepali films such as .

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