Mechi Zone
Mechi (Nepali: मेची अञ्चल
Mechi Zone | |
---|---|
Zone | |
Country | |
Area | |
• Total | 8,196 km2 (3,164 sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+5:45 (Nepal Time) |
Mechi is divided into four districts:
District | Type | Headquarters | Since 2015 part of Province |
---|---|---|---|
Ilam | Hill | Ilam | Province No. 1 |
Jhapa | Outer Terai | Bhadrapur | |
Panchthar | Hill | Phidim | |
Taplejung | Mountain | Taplejung |
Among the four districts, Jhapa is in the Terai and it is more developed than the other three districts. Ilam and Panchthar are in the hilly region. Ilam is also in a developing stage, with many tourists visiting annually. Kanyam is popular for its tea garden. At Antu the rising sun can be viewed. Taplejung is the least developed of the four districts. Taplejung is in the mountainous zone.
There are two airports within Mechi: one in Bhadrapur and one in Taplejung.
Agriculture and industry
Mechi is famous for microcredit development. The Small Farmer Development Programme (SFDP) was the first rural and micro-financing program in Mechi. The Agricultural Development Bank started this SFDP in 1988. It started in a few VDCs and spread. After lifting many people out of poverty, the SFDP was handed over to the local people and the new institution was named Small Farmer Cooperative Ltd (SFCL). There are 13 SFCLs in Mechi, each of which covers a single VDC.
It is one of the major districts for the production of tea and rice. Budhabare is on the northern side of the Mahendra Highway and is one of the most fertile lands of Nepal. Mechi as a district is popular for the bittle nuts (Supari). Several large tea estate are in Mechi. Giri Bandhu Tea Estate, Burne Tea State, Tokla Tea Estate, Himalaya Tea State, Damak, Sattighatta Tea Estate are the major ones.
Mechi has different sorts of communication medium.
See also
- Development Regions of Nepal (Former)
- List of zones of Nepal (Former)
- List of districts of Nepal