District Profile of Dhanusha

DISTRICT PROFILE DHANUSHA
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, JANAKPUR , DHANUSHA
FUNDED BY Asian Development Bank

TA No. 6306 (REG): Mainstreaming Managing for Development Results (MfDR) in Support of Poverty Reduction in South Asia
Acknowledgement
The local self governance system is an important aspect of democracy. In the local self governance system, the legally established bodies work for the development of particular region by seeking peoples participation in Planning, Operation, Making Decision on things that affects peoples daily needs and livelihood as well as promote leadership. It is the chief responsibility of the state to maintain conditions suitable to the enjoyment of the fruits of democracy through wider participation of people in the governance through promoting bottom up development approach and making local governance responsible to the people. The Local Self Governance Act 1999 has directed the local bodies to prepare a comprehensive periodic plan envisaging the long term development vision, directive principles, programs and project on the basis of districts current development status, resource potential, opportunities and risks. The district profile of Dhanusha, one of the central southern districts of the nation has been prepared in accordance with the national planning guideline 2000. This profile is an attempt to outline the existing situation on the basis of district and village level statistics. The data and statistics are presented and analyzed to project different development opportunities and potentials and risks. The district profile will form the basis for preparation of comprehensive long term plan through wider people participation to guide the district development. Due to several obstruction and difficulties, the participation of people in preparation of the District Profile is limited district level. The district profile is important for any future planning. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Asian Development Bank for entrusting me to prepare the District Profile of Dhanusha under TA No. 6306 (REG): Mainstreaming Managing for Development Results (MfDR) in Support of Poverty Reduction in South Asia. I would like to tender my sincere thanks to Dr Champak Pokharel, and Arun Rana, National Consultants ADB TA 6306 for their continues support and constructive advice to undertake the study successful. I am thankful to all who directly or indirectly assisted me in data collection at district level, VDC level and central level. My special note of thanks is due to Umesh Kumar Sing, LDO Dhanusha, Raj Kishore Shah, SDE, DTO, DDC Dhanusa, Ram Bhajan Yadav, Information and HRD officer, DDC Dhanusha, Rattneshwer Lal Karna, DE, Kamla Irrigation Project. Thanks also go to Om Kumar Karna, Chief DADO, Dr Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Chief DASO, Bina Shrestha, Chief DWDO, Newal Shah, Chief GJRDC, Brikhesh Chandra Lal, ex mayor Janakpur Municipality, Sivendra Lal Karna, Professor RRB Campus.
District Profile of Dhanusha
I would like to express my due thanks to Jahid Parwej, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology TU for his active support in information collection and providing insights in purposeful analysis of the data. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all other individuals and institutions who supported me by providing relevant information and advices for the successful accomplishment of the study. I will consider my effort to be successful if the Profile of Dhanusha District proves to be informative and useful to all who have interest in the development of Dhanusha.
Ajay Chandra Lal District Profile Specialist, ADB Associate Professor Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Lalitpur February 15, 2008
-ii-
Acronyms
ADB AHW BT CBR CDR CDR Cft CMR DADO DDC DFDP DLGSP DMCs DR DTMP DTO ER FCHW GDP GJDC GO GR Ha HA HH INGO JKR Km/KM LDO LQ LRMP Asian Development Bank Assistant Health Worker Black Top Crude Birth Rate Central Development Region Crude Death Rate Cubic feet Child Mortality Rate District Agriculture Development Office District Development Committee Decentralized Financial Development Program Decentralized Local Governance Support Program Developing Member Countries District Road District Transport Master Plan District Technical Officer Earthen Road Female Community Health Worker Gross Domestic Product Greater Janakpur Development Council Government Organizations Gravel Road Hactare Health Assistant Household International Non Government Organization Janakpur Killo meter Local Development Officer Location Quotient Land Revenue Mapping Project -iii-
LSGA MfDR MMD MT NDVS NGO NH NPC PL RB-CSPs RCIW RETA SEDP SISP SL SLC SSL TCN TOR UNDP UR VDC VR WHO
Local Self Governance Act managing for development results Maternal Mortality Death Metric Ton National Development Volunteer Services Non Government Organization National Highway National Planning Commission Primary Level results-based country strategy and programs Rural Community Infrastructure Works Regional Technical Assistance Small Enterprise Development Program Second Irrigation Sector Project Secondary Level School Leaving Certificate Senior Secondary Level Timber Corporation of Nepal Terms of Reference United Nations Development Project Urban Road Village Development Committee Village Road World Health Organization
-iv-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ACRONYMS TABLE OF CONTENT LIST OF TABLES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1. 1 1. 2 1. 3 1. 4 Background ..................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ....................................................................................................... 2 Methodology.................................................................................................... 2 Limitation of the Study .................................................................................... 2
CHAPTER 2 GEO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 2. 1 2. 2 2. 3 2. 4 Geographical Location .................................................................................... 4 Topography and Slope Analysis ..................................................................... 6 Soil Characteristics ......................................................................................... 6 Hydrology and Ecological Featfures ............................................................... 6
CHAPTER 3 POPULATION PROFILE AND PROJECTIONS 3. 1 3. 2 3. 3 3. 4 3. 5 3. 6 3. 7 3. 8 3. 9 3. 10 3. 11 3. 12 Population Size ............................................................................................... 8 Population Growth Rate ................................................................................. 8 Component Analysis of Population................................................................. 9 Population Composition ................................................................................ 10 Population Distribution .................................................................................. 10 Population by Religion .................................................................................. 11 Population by Ethnicity.................................................................................. 11 Population by Language ............................................................................... 13 Population Distribution as per Settlement .................................................... 14 Analysis of Population Growth...................................................................... 14 Urbanization and Urban Population.............................................................. 15 Landuse ........................................................................................................ 16
CHAPTER 4 DISTRICT ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATION 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 District Economic Structure and Sectoral Share .......................................... 17 Specialization of Sectoral Economy ............................................................. 19 Economic Linkage......................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER 5 SECTORAL PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT 5. 1 Agriculture .................................................................................................... 21 -v-
5. 2 5. 3 5. 4 5. 5 5. 6
Irrigation ....................................................................................................... 30 Mining and Industry....................................................................................... 31 Commerce..................................................................................................... 33 Tourism ......................................................................................................... 34 Forest Development and Management ........................................................ 43
CHAPTER 6 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 6. 1 6. 2 6. 3 6. 4 6. 5 Transportation............................................................................................... 46 Information and Communication................................................................... 48 Electricity and Alternate Energy.................................................................... 50 Water Supply ................................................................................................ 52 Sanitation, Sewage / Drainage and Solid Waste Management ................... 54
CHAPTER 7 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 7. 1 7. 2 7. 3 7. 4 Education ...................................................................................................... 56 Health............................................................................................................ 65 Sports and Recreation .................................................................................. 69 Women and Child Development ................................................................... 69
CHAPTER 8 INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES AND CAPABILITIES 8. 1 8. 2 8. 3 8. 4 Financial Resources and Income of District Development Committee ........ 71 Resource Mobilization................................................................................... 75 Institutional Development ............................................................................. 78 Observations ................................................................................................. 82
APPENDICES
Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix 1& 2 3 4 5 6 7 : : : : : : Population by 5 Years of Age, Sex for V.D.C.s V.D.C. wise Ethnic Population V.D.C. wise Economically Active Population Crops, Area Coverage & HH involve Services Available at V.D.C. Level Appendix 7: List of GOs, NGOs and Other Institutions in the District Name and Address of Major Accommodation Facilities in Janakpur
Appendix
-vi-
LIST OF TABLES Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 5.11-1 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 Distributions of VDCs in Constituencies Land Form of Dhanusha District Population Statistics of the District Population Growth Rate Population Projection for the next Decade Vital Statistics of the district Age Sex Composition 2001 Population Share of Dhanusha in Nepal Population Distribution as per Religion 2001 Population Distribution as per Ethnicity Dalit Population in the District Linguistic Population Population of Top Ten Settlements Urban Population Landuse 1991 Economically Active Population Economically active Pop Sectoral 2001 Economically active Population in % 2001 Economically Active Population by Profession 2001 Major Causes for Economically Inactiveness (age 10yrs and above) Location Quotient of each Sector 2001 Per Capita income 2005 Agriculture Production, Productivity and Area Coverage Agricultural Landuse of the district 2004/5 Food Adequacy Level in the district 2004/5 Distribution of Agricultural Land Livestok and Birds No of Household as per Type and Size of land Use of Improved Seeds and fertilizers Application of Pesticides Prevalent crop, area coverage and family coverage Distribution of Agricultural Loan as per crop requirement 2005/06 Flow of Loan (2003/4-2004/5) Agricultural Production Cost and Benefit 2004 Registration of Farmers Group in the District Description of Ponds in the District Livestock Population in the District 2005 Annual Dairy Production by Organized Dairy Firms 2005 Annual Meat Productions 2005 Grass/fodder Production 2005 First Irrigation Sector Program Implemented projects Number of Industries in the district Small and Cottage Industry (Production and Revenue) Archeological Sites in Dhanusha District (Gadh and Gadhi) Places of Religious Importance (Temples ) Sagar, Talaw and Pokharis in Janakpur
-vii-
Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table
5.23 5.24 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6
Forest Coverage in different Regions Demand of Forest Products Summary of the Road Network in the District Telecommunication Facilities in the district Annual Income of Nepal Telecom Annual Growth of Electricity Sector in the district HH distribution as per the use of source of energy for lightening HH distribution as per the use of source of energy for Cooking HH Distribution as per Access to Source of Water Supply No of Tube wells and Arsenic Concentration in Dhanusha On going Water Supply Project in Dhanusha District Households Using Main Source Of Drinking Water Household by Type of Toilet Facility Population 6 Years Of Age And Over By Literacy Status And Sex Literate Population 6 Years Of Age And Over By Educational Attainment (Level Passed) Literacy Rate of Dhanusha District School Going Population Distribution Age and Sex No of Schools in the District 2001 Primary School Total and Dalit Enrolment by Sex and Grade Primary Level Education Status, ECD/PPC Enrolment in the District, 2007 Enrolment in Lower Secondary Level Education 2007 Social Composition of Students at Lower Secondary Level 2007 Lower Secondary Students Appearing and Passing Exams 2006 Secondary Level Enrolment 2007 Enrolment of Students in Secondary School by Social group Appearance and Passing of Secondary Level No of teachers as per their level 2001 Ratios(T/S, St/T) A List of Mosque, Madarsa and Students Health Institution in District Use of Contraceptive and Family Planning Patient Flow in the Zonal Hospital Major Diseases and Percentage of Affected Population 2005 General Health Condition in the District Annual Incomes from Internal Resources of DDC Dhanusha Annual Incomes from External Resources (Aids and Grants) of the DDC Proposed Budgets for 2006/07 Integrated Budget of DDC in 000 Annual Budget of DDC Dhanusha in 000 Donors Assistance (Budget of NGOs) in 000
-viii-
Executive Summary
Dhanusha is one of the southern Terai districts of Janakpur Zone in the central development region on Nepal. The total area of the district is 1180 square km and population is 671364 (2001 National Census). With the existing population growth rate 2.11, the population is estimated to 822000 in 2011. Majority of the population in the district comes from Yadav Community (17.57%) followed by Muslim (8.49%) and Kewat (6.2%). Other prominent castes in the districts are Dhanuk, Teli, Koiri, sudi, Tatma and Chamar. The major pahade caste is Bramhin (3.8%) in the district. Linguistically 88 percent of population speak Maithili followed by Nepali 7 percent Politically Dhanusha district is surrounded by Mahottari District in the west, Sirha District in the east, Sindhuli District in the North and Bihar State of India in the south. Janakpur Dham, the only municipality in the district is the District Headquarter where most of the district level GOs, NGOs and other institutions are positioned. Dhanusha is developing as commercial and administrative hub in the central Terai of the nation. Besides it is one of the major religious center in the country with lots of tourism potential. Janakpur, todays district headquarter was once the capital of Mithila where goddess Sita, wife of god Ram was borne and brought up. This makes the district in general and Janakpur in particular a unique place mainly for Hindus of Indian sub continent and around the world. Dhanusha is predominantly an agriculture dependent district. 50% of economically active population are engaged in agriculture sector followed by Hotel and Restaurant (13.73) and Production and Recycling (12.87). Other major occupations are Construction, General Administration, Education etc. The local estimate suggests that less than 10 percent women are engaged in non agriculture activities. Fishery and Dairy are the most promising sector with highest profitability. Janakpur Fish and Mithai (Dairy Product) have emerged as credible brand name over the year in the country. However, livestock, dairy and even fishery are still off farm activities for the farmers. This classical capital of Rajrishi (Sage King) Janak has been enjoying the status of famous pilgrimage. This is the center of reverence of the entire Hindu world owing to its religious and historical importance for being the holy land where goddess Sita or Janaki, Lord Rams consort war born. Janakpur and area in the vicinity holds very special place among Jains as the 19th clergy (Thirthankar) Malinath and 21st clergy Naminath were born somewhere in Janakpur though exact location have not been established. Dhanush district teems with famous and attractive temples, shrines and ponds (Kunds and Sagars) with moderately developed tourism infrastructure. Janaki Temple, popularly known as Naulakha, is the most renowned pilgrimage of Janakpur Dham. Similarly Ganga Sagar and Dhanush Sagar are holiest ponds where Hindus wish to take a dip in her/his life time. Bibah Panchami, Ram Navmi, Jhula and Parikrama are major cultural celebrations and festivals which attract tens of thousands of people across the nation and India annually. Mithila Culture is famous all over the world for its rich and scholarly traditions.
-ix-
The district has very poor quality road network despite its location in plain area. More that 60 percent of settlement remain detached during monsoon due to flooding. Even the major lifeline linking the districts headquarter with national highway is in dilapidated condition. With the establishment of FM stations and induction of mobile technology, information and communication has developed tremendously in last few years though quality is still a par. About 90 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water mainly due the availability of potable ground water and initiatives of the NGOs and individual. Sanitation situation is worst with only 40 percent of population has some kind of toilet facility. Poverty and lower level of education and awareness are root cause of pathetic sanitation situation creating health hazard and economic loss. More than 60 percent of settlements are connected with electric network while only 45 percent of the population enjoys the facilities. Literacy provides access to information, while educational attainment provides scope for new opportunities. Only 59 percent of male population and 36 percent of female population are literate. The literacy rate of Dhanusha is lower than the national as well as regional averages (CDR). Per capita investment on primary education is substantially lower in Terai region than hill and mountain; however the continued government and donors negligence for years have jeopardized the education sector development in the district. The DEO estimate indicate the total student enrolled in primary school is 77%. About 23 percent of children are stilled deprived of education, the situation is even worse in case of Dalit, Janjati and female child. One of the lowest female literacy rate in the nation could be attributed to the rampant poverty and cultural barriers which discriminate alarmingly between girl and boy child. A social movement with strong political commitment is necessary to overcome this cultural barrier. The teacher school ratio though give an impression of adequate number of teachers at primary, lower secondary and secondary level, the student teacher ratio reveals the fact that each teacher in primary and lower secondary schools has to teach 50 and 40 students respectively. The number of students per female teacher is exceptionally high indicating the need of inclusive policy to hire more female teachers at least in primary and lower secondary level education. Similarly a policy has to be implemented to increase the number of Dalit and Janjati teachers which can be triggering point for improving education level among the deprived group in the district. The Muslim literacy rate is just 34.72% far below than national and district average. The Muslim claims that these public schools do not fulfill their educational as well as cultural needs, which is essential for every Muslim. They perceived education as a multifunctional agent to achieve the both objective. An integrated course for Muslim children comprising both mainstream education and cultural education in their community owned school called Madrasa is the need of the day. These Madarsas are to be formalized parallel system of formal schooling. The health service in the district is lead by the 200 bed Zonal Hospital at Janakpur with 44 medical officers (34 govt and 10 local sources). The health service at village level is provided by sub health post established in each VDCs of the district and managed by the local government. However, 20000 populations per doctor and only one hospital in entire district of 670000 populations reveal the kind of patient pressure on hospital and hospital infrastructure. The situation becomes worse during rainy season.
-x-
The analysis of general health condition in the district outlines that there is immediate need for massive awareness campaign for sanitation and safe drinking water and against Vaccination and Ammonization of children and mothers. Discussion with the health worker in the district revealed that an AHW in VDC has to attend about 60 to 70 patient in a day and if strengthened with physical and human resources and medicines, it can enhances majorities of the health indicators. The District Development Committee is the governing institution in the district headed by elected chairman and vice chairman and 17 regional members. The local self governance act and regulations 1999 has given ample authority and responsibility for planning and implementation of development projects at local level. The existing organizational structure and human resources and physical resources though looks adequate; it has not been able to deliver mainly because the organization set up has never been completed. Poor maintenance of physical resources and lack of motivation among the employees are another factors. The district development committee needs adequate resources at its disposal in order to bring visible change in quality of life of the people living in 101 VDCs and 1 Municipality of the district. The local self governance act 1999 though has given authority to DDC to explore, generate and expand its resource base and mobilize it to carry out the development work, it has not been able to do so. In order to carry out the responsibilities envisaged in the Act, the DDC has to be developed into a competent institution with capable and efficient human resources and adequate physical resources. The organizational structure is to be adopted fully to accomplish the responsibilities entrusted to the DDC and to establish it as local government in true sense. Participatory approach has to be adopted for outlining different functions and services the DDC is executing and accordingly these functions should be assigned to the corresponding sections and subsections. Revenue generation is at present a sub section of financial administration. As it is one of the most important aspects on which all other development activities and even empowerment of local governance depends, and hence resource mobilization should be given a status of section in the organization directly under the LDO which will work in close coordination with finance administration and other sections of DDC. Analyzing all the facts suggests that the Dhanusha District has been neglected by central policy makers and development agencies in the past and hence need special support in girl education, sanitation and infrastructure buildings through a complete package. Agriculture is to be perceived as lead sector supplemented with fishery and dairy development. Livestock, forest tourism sectors are to be developed through massive social mobilization. Market network, extension services and other infrastructure are to be developed to support high value agriculture, fishery, dairy and livestock development. The discriminative thinking and mindset of central level agencies and planners are to be changed and the district is to be developed to its full potential. The DDC should have more financial and administrative autonomy to response to the changing demands of services to uplift the livelihood of the population of the district.
-xi-
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Background:
The overarching objective of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as defined by its poverty reduction strategy, is to reduce poverty in the Asia and Pacific region. A recent review of the strategy underscored the need for ADB to sharpen its country focus by adopting a more results-oriented approach to operations, providing more flexible financing modalities, and improving the skills mix of its staff to better address the changing needs of its client developing member countries (DMCs). These initiatives form the core of ADBs reform agenda aimed at achieving greater development effectiveness. Since mid 2003, ADB has adopted managing for development results (MfDR) as a relevant approach to help focus on outcomes that matter to DMCs. ADB has been playing proactive role in the development of its South Asian DMCs1 with the introduction of results-based country strategy and programs (RB-CSPs) and specialized technical assistance. MFDR team of ADBs South Asia Development Partner in close consultation with stakeholders developed Regional Technical Assistance (RETA) to assess and then strengthen DMCs capacity for results orientation, which will eventually enable development partners to rely more confidently on country systems for planning, strategy development, resource allocation, and accountability of development resources, thus allowing the delivery of more flexible and relevant forms of development assistance. Accordingly ADB supported the program Mainstreaming MfDR in Support for Poverty Reduction in South Asia and Nepal is one of the recipient country. Following the conduct of Readiness Assessments in each of the RETA's pilot organizations in Nepal, proposals have been put forward to address their respective organizational performance gaps. One such need is to conduct studies immediately in priority areas identified in RETA- 6306 implementation plan, i.e., district profile preparation for Dhanusa, one of the central southern districts deprived of any major development initiative for long time. This activity is very fundamental to the MfDR process currently under implementation in the District Development Committee-Dhanusha. District profile preparation of Dhanusa will be a concrete contribution for improving district planning including internal resource projection in the district. While many other districts have already prepared their district profile, Dhanusa district has not been able to do so due to lack of resource. Under its initiative RETA is committed to prepare the District Profile which will eventually help in preparing the periodic plan of the district to guide the long term and short term development in the district. This will also fulfil the obligation of district government as per the Local Self Governance Act and Regulation. This district profile has been prepared mainly from secondary information/data available from different source at district and central level as per the TOR of the assistance. The guideline of National Planning Commission (NPC) has been followed in the process as far as practical and possible in the current situation of conflict in the district.
1 The South Asia Department (SARD) includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, with resident missions in six of these countries, excepting Bhutan and Maldives.
1.2
Objectives
The overall objective of the study is to address the organizational performance gap for mainstreaming the concept and process of MFDR at local level for poverty reduction. This study will also add to the change management framework in the pilot organizations. The specific objectives of the study are To assess, and assemble in the district profile the available district level data from various district level offices, local bodies and publications (national and district level) on the demographic, social, economic, physical and natural resources of Dhanusha District which will provide the baseline for district level strategic planning. To establish a comprehensive baseline information developed on the various resources (financial and non financial) of the district will enable the DDC to develop sound strategic periodic plans, wise and Sustainable use of district resources and contribute to the upliftment of the livelihoods of the inhabitants of Dhanusha District. Methodology
1.3
The NPC guideline for the preparation of district profile has been followed for the collection of local level data/information, however due to conflict situation and limited resources (time and fund) household data at VDC level could not be collected. VDC level data have been collected mainly from the VDCs secretary and Technical Assistant working in the VDCs. Similarly district level government/NGOs/INGOs have been consulted for relevant information and data. Following major activities have been performed in order to collect district and VDC level data/information: 1. Identification of various sources of information at central and local level 2. Preparation of checklists for the collection of sectoral data at district level as per the NPC guide line for the preparation of district profile 3. Consultation with district secretary and district level program officers at district development council 4. Hiring and orientation of enumerators: People working in DDC and VDCs were hired to collect information from VDC secretaries/technical assistants and DDC level GOs/NGOs. 5. Sectoral experts working at the district level offices and institutions were identified as key informant survey and consulted using semi structured questionnaires relevant to the sector. 6. The collected data/information were compiled and tabulated and analyzed 7. Data gaps were identified and filled with pertinent data 8. Draft Report was prepared and submitted to the client for the comments 1.4 Limitation of the study
Authentic and detailed data are the basics of any planning and programming process. All the sectoral offices are aware of the benefits of authentic and accurate statistics however, the record keeping and data building are one of the poorest sectors in the district. The resource centre in the District Development Office is poorly equipped and even the publications of DDC and other district level institutions are not available in the centre. Planning and programming in the district is done at sectoral level hence the data are very scattered. Data are collected at various time by different agencies following different methodologies and sometime even skewed for different purposes. Data from different sources some time even contradict each other. These facts reduce the authenticity of data/information.
-2-
Major limitations of the study are outlined as below: 1. Study is based on Secondary data/information 2. Reliability of data from different sources are different 3. Data collection is cumbersome and tedious due to poor data storing and management at local level. 4. Data from some sector and institution could not be collected due to absence of concerned authority (office chiefs) and scattered nature of information. 5. Contradicting data/information from different sources 6. Verification of data is very difficult due to terrorised environment in the district 7. Limited time frame and resources
Study Methodology
Award of Study
Consultation with RETA and finalization of Methodology
Preparation of Checklists for data
Selection and orientation of enumerators
Data Collection at Village and District level
Key informant survey with sectoral experts at local level
Compilation and Tabulation of Data
Analysis of Data/Information
Preparation of Reports
-3-
Chapter 2
Geo-Physical Characteristics
2.1 Geographical Location
Dhanusha is one of the southern Terai districts of Janakpur Zone in the central development region on Nepal. The total area of the district is 1180 square km and population is 671364 (2001 National Census). Politically Dhanusha district is surrounded by Mahottari District in the west, Sirha District in the east, Sindhuli District in the North and Bihar State of India in the south. Janakpur Dham, the only municipality in the district is the District Headquarter where most of the district level GOs, NGOs and other institutions are positioned. Dhanusha is developing as commercial and administrative hub in the central Terai of the nation. Besides it is one of the major religious center in the country with lots of tourism potential. Janakpur, todays district headquarter was once the capital of Mithila where goddess Sita, wife of god Ram was borne and brought up. This makes the district in general and Janakpur in particular a unique place mainly for Hindus of Indian sub continent and around the world. The history of Janakpur and settlements around it dates back to Pre Vedic period which exhibit that the region (then Mithila) was ruled by ever glorious King Sirdhwoj Janak, father of goddess Sita. The Hindu mythologies indicate that Janakpur, the capital of Mithila existed before 5000 BC as the Vedic books like Yajurveda, Satpath Bhraman and others mention the name Mithila and Janakpur. The great Hindu epic Ramayna gives detailed illustrations of Mithila and Janakpur where ever glorious marriage ceremony took place between Ram and Sita. The occasion is still celebrated as the biggest festival of the region, popularly known as Bibah Panchami in the month of December. All these illustrations indicate that Janakpur and settlements around it which is now Dhanusha District is very ancient and dates back to pre Ramayana period though dates could not be confirmed conclusively. The reign popular and glorious kingdom of Janak dynasty came to an end after having ruled for 56 generations. After that the history of Mithila and Janakpur remain in a state of oblivion till 1089 AD when Nanyadev transpire as the ruler of Mithila. In 1114AD, the Sen King of Makwanpur renovated the Ram Temple and donated enormous land and wealth for its proper Puja and maintenance. Since then, Janakpur and other places of religious importance have been the center of religious devotion and adored by millions of Hindus around the world. As per Hindu mythology, a great drought took many lives and brought misery to the people of Mithila during the reign King Sirdhwaj Janak the 22nd king of Janak dynasty. The king himself ploughed the field to end drought as per the advices of his scholars. He found a girl child when ploughing the land and named her Janaki. Later on King Sirdhwaj put forward a condition that Janki, his all wise and beautiful daughter will marry the person who can operate the mighty bow of Lord Shiva kept in his palace. Many powerful people and kings tried but could not even lift. Prince of Ayodhya, Lord Ram visited Janakpur with his brother Laxman and teacher Vishwamitra. Lord Rama lifted the mighty bow which broke when he tried to tie the string due to its massiveness. As per the mythology, one of the pieces of the
-4-
bow fell and still lying in a place popularly known as Dhanusha Dham situated about 15 km north of Janakpur. The district is named after this place Dhanusha Dham. During unification of Nepal, this region was brought under Shah Dynasty and Janakpur became one of the administrative center basically to collect the land and other taxes and govern the people in the region. Later on when nation was divided into 14 zones and 75 district administratively, Dhanusha district was created with its headquarter in the Janakpur. Janakpur due to its strategic location is dominant in central southern region of the nation and Madhesis of the region (from Koshi to Bagmati) draw their identity from it. The district Dhanusha is spread over latitude of 260 35' North 270 5' North to longitude of 850 52' east 860 20' east (Topographical map of the district). The district is extending from Terai in the South to Sivalic in the North due to its north south elongated Shape. The average North South length of the district is about 45.27km and East West width about 27.47 km. The maximum and minimum north south lengths are 58km and 39km respectively. The maximum and minimum East West widths of the district are 34km and 22km respectively.
Sindhuli North
Latitude of 260 35' 270 5' North Longitude of 850 52' 860 20' east
Mahottari
Area = 1180 square km
Sirha
-!!())) x]=_
Indian State of Bihar
Administratively, the district comprised of 101 VDCs and 1 Municipality clubbed in 17 Ilakas and 7 electoral constituencies (DDC, Dhanusha). In last general election, there were only five electoral constituencies.
-5-
The distribution of VDCs in recent and past electoral constituency is illustrated below: Table No 2.1 Distribution of VDCs in Constituencies
2007 Constituency Demarcation Con. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 No of VDCs/ Municipality 18 18 17 5 VDCs & 1 Municipality 15 15 13
Source: District election commissions office Dhanusha
Previous Constituency demarcation Con. No. 1 2 3 4 5 No of VDCs/ Municipality 24 22 23 13 VDCs& 1 Municipality 19 Ilaka Nos 1,2 &3 4,5,6&7 8,9,&10 11,12,13&14 15,16,&17
2.2
Topography and Slope Analysis
The topographical analysis of the district exhibits that the district is divided in three topographical zones namely Sivalic in the North, Bhanwar in the middle and Terai in the south. The altitude of Sivalic area ranges between 300m amsl to 600m amsl, Bhanwar ranges between 150m amsl to 300m amsl and Terai ranges between 60m amsl to 150m amsl. Table 2.2 Land Form of Dhanusha District Description Area in Ha % Area Altitude 1 Sivalic (Chure) 2548.66 21.59 300-600 2 Bhanwar 3242.01 27.46 150-300 3 Terai 6016.15 50.95 60-150 Total 11806.82 100.00 60-600
Average Slope 150 to 250 100 to 150 30 to 100
Source: District Profile of Dhanusha 2002 Topgraphical map of the district
More that 50 percent of area is under Terai, densely populated with Madhesi people while Bhanwar region thinly populated with both Madhesis and migrated Pahadias from mountain and hilly region. Sivalik is scantly populated with mainly people from Pahadi origin. 2.3 Soil Characteristics
The southern Terai of the district is characterized by Alluvial soil with very high fertility while the Bhanwar Sivalic range is characterized with sand, gravel and boulder mixed soil. Rocks are generally not found in the district making Sivalic Bhanwar zone more fragile and susceptive to soil erosion mainly because of weak and thin vegetative cover in the area. 2.4 Hydrology and Ecological Features
The district falls under arid and semi arid hydrological zone with average annual minimum temperature 10.70C and average annual maximum temperature 29.70C. The average annual rainfall is 1479.8mm which occurs within 3 to 4 months time span. Due to altitude difference, the weather varies within the district from North to South and hence the bio diversity.
-6-
The district is famous for its water resources with more than 50 religious ponds, numerous other ponds and rivers and streams. Major rivers of the district are Kamala, Jalad, Dudhmati, Jamuni, Charnath, Rato, Badhari, Jagdhar and Parsuram Khola. Among them Kamla, Rato, Jalad and Jamuni are perennial while others are rain fed rivers. Besides, the district is comprised of many small stream and Khola. The slope analysis exhibits that the northern area (Chure and Bhanwar) falls under steep slope while the Terai under mild slope. This causes high water current in the rivers during rainy season in northern belt while water pooling in the southern area resulting into massive flooding and soil erosion of the fertile land in the Terai region. The problem is further aggravated with deforestation in Bhanwar area due to internal migration from hill and mountain to the Terai following construction of National Highway. The district has experienced one of worst flood this year in last few decades. Most of the VDCs and even some wards of Janakpur Municipality of water logged for weeks. The worst affected area of the districts are Chora Kohalpur, Bisarbhora, Harine, Singyahimadan, Durbakot Hathletwa, Lakkar, Balha Saghara and Patnuka VDCs. All these VDCs are affected by changing course of Kamla River and its excessive discharge during monsoon. Land capability and water resources of the district exhibit tremendous potential for primary sector (agriculture, fishery, forestry and animal husbandry) development; however the land form compounded with deforestation has caused loss of fertile land and infrastructure due to annual and periodic floods in the district. The flood plains of the most of the river and stream in the district are environmentally sensitive as they are prone to soil erosion.
-7-
Chapter 3
Population Profile and Projections

3.1 Population Size
As per the national census 2001, the total population of the Dhanusha District is 671,364 which are 2.9 percent of the national population. The total population is comprised of 349,422 male and 321,942 female. The total number of house hold in the district is 117,417 with average size of 5.72 Table 3.1 Population Statistics of the District
Description Total Population Male Female No. Of House Hold Average Household Size Area in sq. Km. Population Density Person/Sq. Km. Annual Population Growth Rate 1971 1981 1991 330601 432,569 543,762 224,900 207,669 79,785 5.42 1,180 367 2.69 281,775 261,897 98,358 5.53 1,180 461 2.29 2001 2006 (Est) 671,364 747400 349,422 321,942 117,417 5.72 1,180 569 2.11 385980 361420 121287 5.72 1180 633 2.11
Source: National Censuses
The VDC wise male female population of the district is presented in the annex 1. The national census 2001 has not counted the population who have been outside the district for more than six months. As many of the permanent resident of the district are working in GOs/NGOs/private sector at national and international level, the actual population is considerably more than the census population. The recent population of the district could not be found out as the district level census has not been done and district level data could not be updated due to political conflict in the district. The population density of 569 is highest in central Terai and 4th highest in the nation after Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The total area of the district is 1180 square km which is 0.8 percent of national area (147,181 square km). 3.2 Population Growth Rate
The annual population growth rate of the district has fallen from 2.69 percent in 1971-81 to 2.11 in 1991-2001. This change could be attributed to the combined effect of decreased rate of migration of people from hill and mountain to the district and increased rate of temporary migration of people to other district and other countries specially India and Middle East in search of economic opportunities. The other factor could be increased awareness of family planning and use of contraceptive in the district. The population growth rate of the district has slightly fallen than the national average of 2.24 percent and is coherent with the neighbouring district of Mahottari, Sarlahi and Sirha. For future projections, the annual population growth rate of the district has been assumed to be 2.11 percent. With this population growth rate, the population will be doubled in 33 years time period. Table 3.2 Population Growth Rate
Description Nepal Dhanusha 1971 11,555,983 330,601 Population 1981 1991 15,022,339 432,569 18,491,097 543,672 2001 23,151,423 671,364 Population Growth Rate 1971-81 1981-91 1991-2001 2.62 2.69 2.1 2.24 2.64 2.11 Source: National Censuses
-8-
Table 3.3 Population Projection for the Next Decade

Age group
0-4 5-.9 10-.14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75+ Total
(Growth Rate 2.11)
2001 year Total

99,206 96,390 75,862 58,852 56,006 53,999 47,911 42,315 34,551 29,301 21,837 17,126 14,045 10,262 7,011 6,690 671,364
2006 year Female

47,985 46,458 35,401 26,202 27,401 26,983 24,860 20,330 16,557 13,304 9,842 7,770 6,764 5,244 3,626 3,216 321,943
2011 year Female

54,500 47,324 37,035 29,538 31,125 31,158 29,242 24,049 19,561 15,754 11,605 8,921 7,593 5,948 4,340 3,727 361,420
Male
51,221 49,932 40,461 32,650 28,605 27,016 23,051 21,985 17,994 15,996 11,995 9,356 7,281 5,018 3,385 3,475 349,421
Total
111,381 98,480 78,929 67,876 64,573 62,103 54,838 48,629 39,925 33,760 24,921 19,197 15,550 11,420 8,134 7,684 747,400
Male
56,881 51,156 41,894 38,338 33,447 30,945 25,596 24,580 20,364 18,006 13,316 10,276 7,957 5,473 3,795 3,956 385,980
Total
110,420 110,819 80,592 70,505 74,288 71,711 63,279 55,783 46,076 39,137 28,866 22,058 17,606 12,786 9,181 8,954 822,061
Male
55,820 56,884 42,857 39,643 39,270 36,264 29,397 27,386 22,842 20,456 15,055 11,475 8,810 6,040 4,190 4,504 420,893
Female
54,600 53,936 37,735 30,862 35,018 35,448 33,883 28,396 23,234 18,681 13,810 10,583 8,795 6,746 4,991 4,450 401,168
Considering 2.11 as the annual population growth rate for next one decade, the population of the district has been projected as depicted in Table 3.3.The population projection exhibits that the population will reach 822061 in 2011. The present male female ratio of 108 males for 100 females will decrease to 104 males for each 100 females. This population projection may not hold good if there is substantial change in migration rate mainly due to ongoing conflict. 3.3 Component Analysis of Population
Personal Events Birth CBR Death CDR Marriage Divorrce Migration 1354
Source: District Statistics Office
The population growth in the district is mainly due to natural growth, however a substantial in migration from hill and mountain to Bhanwar region is visible though a concrete data is not available at district level as it is not mandatory to register the migration. Internal migration from rural to urban is prevalent. The municipal information indicate that people from neighbouring districts like Mahottari, Sarlahi and Sirha are migrating to Janakpur contributing to high population growth rate in the urban area. Similarly other major vital statistics of population are improving though with very slow pace indicates increasing health awareness among the population. High child mortality rate and Maternal mortality rate shows the need of massive effort of NGOs and GOs to run necessary programs in the district.
Year 2004 2003 12793 1366 2046 17078 25 2507 4 3234 3 719
-9-
Table 3.4 Vital Statistics of the district

s. no 1 2 3 4 5 6 Description Fertility Rate (per women) Crude Birth Rate/000 pop Crude Death Rate/000 pop Maternal Mortality Death Rate/00000 pop Child mortality Rate/000 Pop (Below 5 year age) Infant Mortality Rate/000 pop (Below one year age) District Level 4.2 25 4 762 111.2 National Level 4.3 37 12 740 91
68 66 Source: CBS, District Profile2004 District Health office 2006
The vital statistics presented in the table is basically the registered cases in the district and village levels, however the personal events are not properly and timely registered even though it is mandatory because of low level of education and awareness among the majority of the population in the district.. However, the personal event registration culture is in rise among the villagers. 3.4 Population Composition Table 3.5 Age Sex Composition 2001 Age Group 0-4 YEARS 5-9 YEARS 10-14 YEARS 15-44 YEARS 45-59 YEARS 60-74 YEARS 75 & OVER Total Percentage Total 87943 103835 79843 288833 69665 33568 7139 670826 100 Male 44745 53778 43242 148421 38364 16744 3649 348943 52 Female 43198 50057 36601 140412 31301 16824 3490 321883 48 Total % 13.10966 15.47868 11.90219 43.05632 10.38496 5.00398 1.06421 100
Age sex composition of the population in district shows that male population is about 3 percent higher that female population. More than 40 percent of the population is under age 14 years. It indicates that the future population growth will continue to be higher as large population will be entering into productive age. More than 53 percent of population are in productive age (15 to 59). It exhibits the huge of pool of human resources in the district.
Large number of population under economically active age indicates its strength which can contribute immensely in the development of the district if utilized properly. At the same time it could be dangerous if their aspirations are not fulfilled and their energy is not properly channelized. Emergence of numerous insurgent groups and criminal institutions in the district and involvement of youth in those activities show the government inability to fulfil the aspirations and meaningful exploitation of the large human resources of the district. The detailed age sex composition of the district is presented in annex 2. 3.5 Population Distribution
Dhanusha district occupies only 0.8 percent of total land area providing shelter to 2.95 percent of total national population. The population share at national level of the district has increased from 2.88 percent in 1981 to 2.94 in 1991. During this period, massive deforestation occurred along the national highway and migration of people from hill and mountain to the district took place as per then national policy to distribute the national resources to Pahadi origin people.
-10-
The population density has Table 3.6 Population Share of Dhanusha in Nepal increased from 280 persons Population per square in 1971 to 569 Region 1971 1981 1991 2001 PPSq Km in 2001. Number of Dhanusha 432569 543672 671364 330,601 Hat Bazar (small market centers) experienced Nepal 11,555,983 15022339 18491097 22736934 population concentration due Percentage 2.86 2.88 2.94 2.95 to internal migration resulting Density 280 367 461 569 into growth of urban and semi Source: CBS Censuses urban centers in the district. Numerous new market centers emerged along the national highway where majority of migrated people from north settled. The major dense settlements of the district are Janakpur Municipality, Mahendranagar Sakhuwa, Bharatpur (Dharapani/Birendra Nagar), Yagyabhumi (Kanchi Bazar), Ragunathpur, Umaprempur, Fulgama, Bengadabar, Fulgama, Dhalkewar, Godar etc. The spatial structure of settlements shows that settlements are in different hierarchy. Janakpur, the only municipality and district headquarter functions as central place in the district while emerging towns like Mahendranagar, Dharapani, Yagyabhumi, Godar functions as 2nd order settlement in the district. Weekly Hat Bazars function as service centers and are 3rd order of settlement while other settlements are at the lowest order. Each center has well defined linkage with higher order settlement and its hinterland in the form of flow of agricultural products and services. 3.6 Population by Religion
People from different religions are have been residing in the Dhanusha district, however majority of the population (90%) are Hindus followed by Muslims(8.4) and Baudh(1.4). People from other religion like Christian, Kirat, Jain and Sikh are also living in the districts. The recent political movement has declared the country as secular state and given right to every religion to practice their teachings. It may have some impact on population distribution by religion in future as religious conversion is becoming more recurrent.
Table 3.7 Population Distribution as per Religion 2001 Religion Kirat Jain Christian 818106 3.6 25 4108 0.02 23 101976 0.45 230 0.034
Area
Description Population
Total
Hindu
Baudh
Muslim 954023 4.2 56124 8.36
Sikh 5890 0.03 17 0.003
Others 80190 0.35 486 0.072
22736934 18330121 2442520 100 671364 100 80.62 604763 90.08 10.74 9696 1.444
Nepal
Percentage Population
Dhanusha Percentage
0.004 0.003
Source: District Statistic Office Dhanusha
3.7
Population by Ethnicity
The national census 2001 shows that about 96 ethnic/castes are living in the district out of which 60 castes belongs to Terai origin comprising about 90 percent of the total population and 26 castes to Pahad Origin with 10 percent of total population. At national level, 103 castes including unidentified have been enumerated in the census.
-11-
Table 3.8 Population Distribution as per Ethnicity The VDCs level ethnicity data Ethnicity Population Percentage presented in the national census S. No 2001 has lots of discrepancies Total 671364 100 resulting on doubts over credibility of 1 Yadav 117938 17.57 data itself specially in listing the 2 Muslim 56996 8.49 Pahadi origin people. As per the 3 Kewat 41570 6.19 VDCs Secretaries, most of the VDCs 4 Dhanuk 33858 5.04 in the southern area of the district do 5 Teli 33851 5.04 not have people from Pahad origin 6 Koiri 31156 4.64 while few households are enlisted in 7 Sudi 30057 4.48 the census data. Similar cases are 8 Bahun (pahad) 25460 3.79 prevalent about the Terai Castes too.
Majority of the population in the district comes from Yadav Community (17.57%) followed by Muslim (8.49%) and Kewat (6.2%).
9 10 11
Chamar (Harijan, Ram) Tatma Others
22678 22643 255157
3.38 3.37 38.01
Source: National Census 2001
Other prominent castes in the districts are Dhanuk, Teli, Koiri, sudi, Tatma and Chamar. The major pahade caste is Bramhin (3.8%) in the district. Analysis of the prevalent ethnic population in the district shows that besides Yadav, most of the dominant castes belong to disadvantaged group (Dalit and Janjati), still they are least represented in political, economic and social arena proving that Terai Dalit and Janjati are most disadvantaged group in the nation as depicted by DFID in its study The Unequal Citizen. The detailed ethnic/caste population is presented in the annex 3. Muslim in Dhanusha Muslim constitutes most districts as well as defined minority religious group in the Hindu holy place of Dhanusha district. Beside their adherence to Islam their socio-cultural affiliation too gives Muslim a district identity in a predominant religious set-up. According to census 2001 there are 56124 population of Muslim in Dhanusha district comprising 8.36% of the total population of the district. The Muslim population of this district is quite disperses in different villages, but their major concentration is in 66 villages of this districts. The Muslims of this district have their own district socio-cultural norms and values and they are free to practice without any problem. The social criteria determined and defined by majority Hindu group discriminate in different mainstream development. In addition to political problem Muslim are facing a large number of socio-cultural problem in response to preserve their cultural identity and to achieve equal status and opportunities in decision making process and economic development practices Dalit Population The National Dalit Commission has identified various Ethnic Groups/Castes as Dalit listed as below. Viswokarma (Kami, Sunar, Lohar, Tamata, Chunara, Aabad), Darji (Damai, Pariyar, Hurkhe, Dholi) Sarki (Mijar, Charmkar), Badi, Gaine (Gandharv), Kapali, Khadgi, Deula, Kuche, Chamar, Dusadh (Paswan, Hajara), Dhobi (Rajak), Tatma, Dom, Baantar, Khatwe, Mushar, Halkhor and Patharkatta. The population census exhibits that 17 dalit castes are living in the district with total population of 17.23 percent.
-12-
Table 3.9 Dalit Population in the District The population distribution reveals that Chamar and Tatma are dominant dalit with 3.38 and 3.37 percent of total population respectively followed by Dusadh, Mushar and Khatwe (2.44, 3.55 and 2.14 percent) respectively. Other castes like Sonar, Lohar, Dhobi, Kami and sarki are also in substantial number. Others are few in numbers but important from planning and development perspective as each group has its own way of living and development dynamics. Each group has to be planned individually as they have different constraints, strengths and weaknesses and hence target program has to run to uplift lower strata of the society. 3.8 Population by Language
S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Ethnicity Total Chamar Tatma Dusadh, Mushar Khatwe Sonar Lohar Dhobi Kami Sarki Damai Dom Halkhor Baantar Koche Baadi Gaine Unidentified Population 115942 22678 22643 16381 15744 14347 6350 4082 3569 3533 3301 1061 914 617 139 46 16 5 516 Percent 17.27 3.38 3.37 2.44 2.35 2.14 0.95 0.61 0.53 0.53 0.49 0.16 0.14 0.09 0.02 0.01 0 0 0.08
People from different ethnic group are living in the district, however over the passage of time most of the ethnic community has adopted Nepali and Maithili, local language in the district as their Mother tongue. Most of Newar living in Janakpur Municipality and in Southern VDCs of the district does not know how to speak and read and write Newari. Majority of the population speak Maithili (87.4%) as their mother tongue followed by Nepali (6.96%) and Tamang (0.99%). Around 18 other languages are spoken in the district though the number is insignificant. Although Maithili language is spoken through out the district as Mother Tongue, the Muslim community claim Urdu as their mother tongue and cultural language and hence their medium of instruction in their community owned private Madarsa is Urdu.
Table 3.10 Linguistic Population Mother Tongue Nepali Maithali Bhojpuri Newari Gurung Tamang Abadhi Tharu Magar Limbu Hindi 1981 Popn 38140 372515 2848 985 40 3251 8 33 1594 17 Percent 8.82 86.12 0.66 0.23 0.01 0.75 0.00 0.01 0.37 0.00 0.00 1991 Popn 37855 475016 548 589 83 5404 3 146 4573 66 2639 Percent 6.96 87.37 0.10 0.11 0.02 0.99 0.00 0.03 0.84 0.01 0.49 Mother Tongue Rai-Kirati Bhote Sherpa Thakali Rajbansi Satar Sunuwar Danuwar Sinthal Local Languages Others English & 1981 Popn 185 236 8 3 6 70 235 12395 2.87 0.02 0.05 Percent 0.04 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 1023 2 396 14698 46 0.19 0.00 0.07 2.70 0.01 1991 Popn 322 209 38 5 11 Percent 0.06 0.04 0.01 0.00 0.00
-13-
3.9
Population Distribution as per Settlement
The district is comprised of more than 280 sizable settlements evenly distributed in mid and southern area. The average distance between adjacent settlements in this area is about 3km while in Northern region, settlements are distantly located. There are new settlements coming up adjacent to the old settlement popularly known as Navtoli to accommodate the increasing population of the VDCs/settlements.
Table 3.11 Population of Top Ten Settlements VDC / Municipality Total No. of Population Households Total Male Female Janakpur N.P. Sakhuwa Mahendranagar Bharatpur Yagyabhumi Raghunathpur Umaprempur Fulgama Begadawar Dhalkebar Khariyani Marchaijhitakaiya 13734 2337 2567 2448 2218 1888 1840 1965 1772 1609 1597 74192 13789 13769 13054 11758 11277 10820 10638 9912 9474 9162 40108 7182 6870 6618 5731 5815 5599 5513 5132 4929 4717 34084 6607 6899 6436 6027 5462 5221 5125 4780 4545 4445
The district map shows that settlements beyond National highways are generally separated by average distance of 8 to 10km. Administratively, these settlements are grouped in 101 VDCs and 1 Municipality. Besides municipality, 5 VDCs have population more than 10000. Mahendranagar Sakhuwa, Bharatpur (Dharapani/Birendra Nagar), and Yagyabhumi (Kanchi Bazar) are emerging urban centres in the districts. 55 VDCs of the districts have population more than 5000 and less than 10000. Others have population less than 5000. The VDCs wise male and female population is attached in annex 4 3.10 Analysis of Population Growth
Higher population growth of the district is mainly the cause of high fertility rate and natural growth rate beside the migration of people from hill and mountain to the district. The high fertility rate is the cause of rampant poverty and low girl education in the southern and middle area of the district. Though the migration data available in the district indicate that the rate has drastically gone down during the last decade, the local people and official thinks other way around as majority of the migration is not reported to the registrar office as it is not necessary legally. The recent migration trend indicates that the majority of the migrants are economically poor and encouraged by their relatives as they can the government land and forest for their shelter and livelihood. This section of society even does not know what migration is or whether they should register it or not. However, this section of the society have been encouraged by the government policy and district authorities in the past by providing better access to natural resources, budgetary sources and political power. The recent conflict in the district is rooted in planned discrimination against the majorities by the government and district authorities in the past and their reluctance to give up the political, administrative and financial power to the local inhabitants. This is heading towards racial conflict which may cause major population distortions in the recent future of not resolved in time.
-14-
The ever increasing population in the district is posing great pressure on resources like forests, agricultural lands, surface and ground water and prevailing services in different service centres and headquarter. Patients sharing beds or lying on floors in the hospitals are one of the examples. Similarly high population growth is resulting into decline in opportunity for employment, land fragmentation and diminished return, encroachment on environmentally sensitive zone, emergence of new settlements or extension of existing settlements and negative impact on biodiversity of the district. The increasing population has also adverse impact on disaster management. However, the high population growth can also be analysed from positive perspective as it will increase the human resources. If the human resources are trained and skilled, they can bring substantial economic resources in the form of internal and external remittance which will ultimately contribute in development of the district and nation at large. The prevailing trend of seasonal migration of labour to India and Middle East and its impact on poverty and development of the settlements in the district are eye opening examples. 3.11 Urbanization and Urban Population
Janakpur is the only designated municipality (urban area) in the district however there are few emerging centres with urban way of living and infrastructure and market centers popularly known as emerging towns or small towns or emerging municipalities. These are basically traditional market centers developed as service centers due its strategic location along the highway and its connectivity to surrounding settlements. These centers are functioning as outlet for the agricultural product on one hand and service center to provide banking services, agriculture extension services, educational and health services, animal husbandry related services etc to its hinterlands. These emerging urban centers are Sakhuwa Mahendranagar, Bharatpur (Dharapani/Birendranagar), Yagyabhumi (Kanchi Bazar), Dhalkewar and Godar.
Table 3.12 Urban Population Total No. Population of HH Total Male Female 13734 74192 13789 13769 13054 9912 7122 131838 671364 14.2% 40108 7182 6870 6618 5132 3538 69448 34084 6607 6899 6436 4780 2965 61771
VDC / Municipality Janakpur N.P.
Urban Popn % 11.05 2.05 2.05 1.94 1.48 1.06 19.64
Pop 2011 (Projected) 109804 17236 17211 16317 12390 8902 181861
Sakhuwa 2337 Mahendranagar Bharatpur Dharapani/ 2567 Birendranagar) Yagyabhumi 2448 (Kanchi Bazar) Dhalkebar 1772 Godar 1367 Total 24225 District Population National Urban Population
The table above points that total urban population of the district is 11.05% against 14.2 percent of National Urban population. Janakpur has been one of the prominent urban center
-15-
since inception of the urban concept in the country, however its development could not compete with the urbanization pace of other comparatively new towns like Bharatpur, Hetauda, Bhairahwa etc despite huge potential mainly due to lack of government initiative and weak linkages with Indian towns across the boarder. The urban growth rate of district is about 4.8 percent which is moderate in the nation. The total area of Janakpur is 24.61 square km and population density of 3014.71 person/sq km which is far ahead of national average of 985.23 persons/sq km. The urban population has changed from 14294 in 1971 to 34800 in 1981 and 55000 in 1991. Assuming the annual future population growth around 4.8 percent, the population of Janakpur Municipality will reach 109804 in 2011. If other urbanizing VDCs are also put together, the total urban population of the district will reach 182000 considering 2.25 as annual population growth rate of other VDCs However, if the urbanizing centers are considered to be urban area then the total urban population is about 19.64 of the total population. The urbanization trend and population concentration in these centers are increasing due to increased opportunities in these centers and marginal opportunities in the rural hinterland. The economic factor compounded with conflict situation in the district is going to increase the rural urban migration in recent days which will have adverse impact on dilapidated infrastructure and organic ugly land development in those centers. The present pathetic development trend of Janakpur Municipality will lead it to develop in to city of slums and other centers will face the same fate if not intervened in planned way. The present urbanization trend indicate that an urban corridor from Dhalkewar on East West highway to Janakpur will develop to cater the industrial and settlement development in the district. The ongoing development of road and rail networks across the boarder in Bihar will increase trade and commerce opportunities and hence urbanization in Janakpur in particular and in district at large. 3.12 Landuse
The LRMP 1978 mentions that landuse of Dhanusha is dominated by agricultural land (70. 11%) followed by Forest (24. 96%) however the 1991 topographical survey indicate decline in both agricultural and forest land mainly to urban and rural settlements. Different sources like district agriculture office and district forest office show variation of 3 to 4 percentage in landuse of agriculture and forest. This is mainly due to fact that that these sources has neglected the built up area (urban and rural) in the district. The landuse has changed over the year due to deforestation and conversion of agriculture land to built up area. Due to continued flooding and aggradations of rivers in the district, land under sandy and gravel has increased.
Table 3.13 Landuse 1991 Area in Landuse ha % Agriculture Forest Barron land Urban Rural Settlement Water body Grazing Land Sandy/gravel Land Total 77310.3 27487.7 18 1687.3 3030.6 2002.1 1555.6 4908.4 118000 65.52 23.29 0.02 1.43 2.57 1.70 1.32 4.16 100
Source: Topographical Survey Map 1991
-16-
Chapter 4
District Economy and Employment Situation

4.1 District Economic Structure and Sectoral Share Dhanusha is predominantly an agriculture dependent district as most of the district of the country. Around 50% of economically active population are engaged in agriculture sector followed by Hotel and Restaurant (13.73) and Production and Recycling (12.87). Other major occupations of the people Dhanusha are Construction, General Administration, Education etc. Table 3.11 clearly shows that the active population has risen from 51.04% in 1981 to 55.62% in 2001 while the national active population decreased from 65.14 in 1981 to 56.56 in 1991 and has reached 59.03 in 2001. The sharp decline both at national and district level in economically active population during 1981 and 1991 is basically change in definition by the census itself. The current trend is promising as the economically active population is increasing with high pace even though it is below the national average. Though the women share in economic activities has drastically increased from 14.2 percent in 1991 to 38.7 percent in 2001, it is far below the national average of 50.87. This is mainly attributed to the lower level of education among female in the district and Terai region. The cultural barrier is one of the cause of involvement of women in economic activities in the district.
Description Economically Active Economically inactive Total Active Pop % National Table 4.1 Economically Active Population 1981 Census 1991 Census Total 154385 148049 302434 51.04 65.14 Male 133228 24613 157841 84.40 83.15 Female 21157 123436 144593 14.63 46.21 Total 159530 213385 372915 42.78 56.56 Male 133951 58926 192877 69.45 50 Female 25579 154459 180038 14.2 59.19 Total 266738 212823 479561 55.62 59.03 above 10 Yrs of age 2001 Census Male 178223 72662 250885 71.03 67.3 Female 88515 140161 228676 38.70 50.87 % 55.6 44.4 100
The occupational structure of the district shows that the dependency of population on agriculture is decreasing and service sector is growing though with low pace. This is due to diminishing return of agriculture and growing profit in service sector compounded with increasing education level in the district. Dependency of women is still high in agriculture indicating the need for support to break the vicious circle of poverty and gender discrimination. Dhanusha is famous for ponds and its fishery, however the low level of participation in fishery despite very high returns proves the lower level of awareness among the people about the new technology and benefits of the industry.The private sector in the district is still under developed though they are major employment provider to the semi skilled and unskilled labour. Trade and commerce and construction industries are leading among the employment providers.
Table 4.2 Economically Sectoral Active Population 2001

Sectors Agriculture and Forestry Fishery Mining and Quarrying Production and Recycling Service Construction Trade and Commerce Hotel and Restaurants Transportation and Comm. Brokers Sale/hire/Purchase/ Rental General Administration and Social security Education Health Social works Personal Business Private Organizations Unknown % of Population 49.6 0.22 0.04 12.87 1.75 4.92 13.73 1.36 2.38 0.89 0.47 4.93 2.58 0.9 1.04 1.5 1.14 0.13
-17-
The recent development of mass media specially FM and news paper has also created more than 1000 jobs in last two years as 7 FM stations have started their operation in the district within span of two years Table 3.13 flashes that entrepreneurship is still under developed. People opt for doing works for others rather than creating jobs in the district. However, the high percentage of self employment points toward the petty shops, repair centers and other very small businesses.
Table 4.3 Economically active Population in % 2001
Employer 4.2
Employee 41.58
Self Employed 46.27
Unpaid Family Worker 7.95
Source; District Statistics Office
Managers /high Officials 0.66
Table : 4.4 Economically Active Population by Profession 2001 Mech Unskilled & Art Clerks Service Technical anics/ Skilled labour and and / and Busi in primary Artifac Driver ness Profession Assist Trade s ts sector Workers ants als Man 3.08 3.01 3.3 13 36.52 12.44 1.63
Other s 26.26
Un kno wn 0.1
The professional composition of labour force shows that very few people are engaged as managers and high administrative job, however a sizable number of population (3%) are involved in technical jobs. The above figures point towards very weak economy despite huge potential in agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism which can create numerous jobs in service sector to support the input and trading demand of primary sector.
Table 4.5 Major Causes for Economically Inactiveness (age 10yrs and above) Population in Percentage Total Economically Inactive Population 47.5 Study 32.8 Absence of Opportunity 44.5 Old age 7.4 Other source of Income 3.2 Disab ility 3.3 Sick ness 3.5 Oth ers 3.7 Unkn own 1.7
The key informant survey revealed that the major cause of the inactiveness of majority of the population is the unavailability of proper employment opportunity in the district. Despite diminishing returns of agriculture, the majority of population are bound to work in agriculture sector due to lack of skill and off farm activities in the district. The social activists of the district presented the fact that southern VDCs of the district experience seasonal migration of unskilled worker (about 100 to 150 person/VDCs) to Assam and Punjab of Indian state which sometime create labour shortage in monsoon season in the district. The location quotient for each contributing industry in local economy could not be calculated in absence of local and national production data of each sector, however employment has been used as proxy indicator to identify the lead sector in the district. The location quotient is defined as (Ri/R)/(Ni/N), where Ri is total employment generated by i sector in the district, R is the total employment generated by all sectors in the district, Ni is the total employment generated by i sector at national level and N is the total employment generated by all sectors in the nation.
-18-
4.2 Specialization of Sectoral Economy Using this concept the comparative advantage of the district is evident in fishery sector with LQ as 2.57. Manufacturing and recycling industry has moderate LQ as 1.46 while in most of the services, LQ of the district is higher. It shows that output or profitability of the investment is higher in fishery, services and manufacturing and recycling industry. Despite major employment provider in the district, Agriculture and Forestry promise lower return of the investment in the district. This analysis gives simple information that the district needs immediate investment in infrastructure development and in fishery sector. The least priority area for investment in the district seems to be mining and quarrying though sand and gravel quarrying is major source of income for the district government. However, due to broad base, agriculture must be the major recipient of national investment in the district. Table 4.6 Location Quotient of each Sector 2001
Sectors Agriculture and forestry Fishing Mining and quarrying Manufacturing and recycling Electricity, gas and water supply Construction Wholesale and retail trade Hotels and restaurants Transport, storage and communication Financial intermediation Real estate, renting and business activities Public administration and social security Education Health and social work Other community, social and personal service activities Private households with employed persons Extra-territorial organizations and bodies Not Reported LQ 0.76 2.57 0.25 1.46 1.17 1.70 1.57 1.11 1.46 1.88 1.56 2.43 1.12 1.44 1.42 1.41 1.94 0.57
The foreign employment information is not available though the total number of absentee by the destination abroad gives fair idea. The total number of absentee from Dhanusha is over 13000. About 48 percent have gone to India and 52 percent to other country. At national level the total number of absentee is about 76000 out of which 77 percent are in India and 23 percent in other country (Census 2001). This clearly indicates that manpower supply to third country has developed as industry in past one decade and remittance is the major contributor to the local level economy, though authentic information about remittances is not available. This points that the district should invest in human resource development through various capacity building trainings for potential foreign employment seekers and should support in building relevant infrastructure in this regard. 4.3 Economic Linkage
Internal and external import export information is not available as the custom and tax offices are not segregating the data for district level. However, the officers in those offices emphasized that the Dhanusha district has very strong economic relation with Mahottari, Sarlahi and Sirha for trading of goods and services available in those district. For imported goods and specialized services, the district has very strong economic linkage with the national capital Kathmandu and commercial capital Birgunj. Dhanusha, being the border district in Central South has robust economic link with some of the border town in Bihar state of India. The local chamber of commerce stressed more than 50 percent trade of district is with India. The local markets on either side of the border have both formal and informal
-19-
trading practices. The slow pace of development in Dhanusha is also attributed to weak and inefficient linkage and accessibility across the boarder which substantially decreases the trading capacity of the district. The recent on going development on the other side of border mainly construction of and strengthening of National Highway linking major cities of north Bihar to Nepal boarder and extension of broad-gauge rail head to Jaynagar will have major impacts on Development of the district. This will further need strengthening of the dilapidated road link between Dhalkewar and Janakpur. The total cash inflow and outflow to the district through various sources are not available, however major contributors are export, salaries of government and other sector employee and remittances along with government grant other budgetary allocations. The major cash outflows are different taxes to national government, imports of the district and salaries going out of the district. Custom officer and Tax officer emphasized that cash inflow in the form of remittances and salaries remain in circulation in the district and boosting the private sector economy of the district. Similarly, the national annual grants are used to create infrastructure in the district though at very slow pace. Per capita income of the district is 180US$ which is far below than the national average of 230US$. It indicates the poverty level in the district. Primary sector (agriculture, fishery and forestry) contribute more than 35% in GDP followed by Industry (14%), Trade (12%), and Transportation (11%). The district statistics office explicitly mentions that more than 28 percent of population is poor spending more than 50 percent of their income on food. Similarly about 15 percent population are ultra poor spending more than 70 percent of their earning on food even though the per capita food production the district is 3625 calories. Despite, the poverty and deprivation indicators suggest Dhanusha as one on the poorest district in the country, the per capita expenditure of government is one of the lowest indicating the government biasness towards the district. The continued biasness of the government policy over the time period is the root cause of economic and social backwardness of the district.
Table 4.7 Per Capita income 2005 Sector/Indicators Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry Mining and quarrying Industry Electricity, gas and Water Construction Trade, Restaurant and Hotel Transportation and Communication Finance, land purchase/sale Community and social services Total Value Addition Total GDP as per market value Total population Per Capita income(Market value) Per Capita income US$ Per Capita income PPP US$ National Per Capita income US$ National Per Capita income PPP US$ Value 3072 23 1238 138 525 1054 998 1024 588 8661 9029 671364 13448 182 994 230 1370
-20-
Chapter 5
Sectoral Profile of The District

5.1 Agriculture Agriculture is the mainstay of economy of Dhanusha district as evident from the fact that more than 50 percent of the labour force is engaged in agriculture. This is one of the rice bowls of the nation along with few other Terai district. Agriculture is contributing more than 35 percent of total GDP of the district though the location quotient of agriculture is only 0.76 indicating the lower level of commercialization of agriculture and low level of investment in irrigation and other agriculture extension services including marketing of agricultural products. District Agriculture Office was established in 1966 to guide and facilitate the agriculture development in the district in order to commercialize and enhance the agriculture productivity in the district in particular and nation at large by strengthening the local know how and introducing new technology and inventions. At present the district agriculture development office is providing services to the population in crop development and conservation, horticulture, fishery development, agriculture extension and implementation of different policies and projects for agriculture development in the district through its 6 service centers, 12 sub service centers and a technical section located at different strategical market centers through out the district. 5.1.1 Agricultural Production and Food Sufficiency
The production and productivity data furnished below shows hardly any change in productivity over the year beside marginal decrease in productivity of Fruits and Paddy and increase in wheat and vegetables. However, there is substantial increase in area coverage under wheat and vegetables and decrease in paddy. This indicates the intention of farmers to switch over to the commercial farming if the situation permits.
Table 5.1 Agriculture Production, Productivity and Area Coverage S. No Major Crop Area (Ha) 2000/2001 Product ion (MT) Produ ctivity (MT/ Ha) 2.93 1.80 2.50 10.51 13.00 1.30 1.11 35.00 1.15 1.10 2.90 Area (Ha) 2001/2002 Product Produ ion ctivity (MT) (MT/ Ha) 193335 50000 5980 54600 24200 4225 3300 111600 600 20160 1880 3.00 2.00 2.60 10.50 14.40 1.30 1.10 36.00 1.18 11.20 2.91 Area (Ha) 2002/2003 Product Produc ion tivity (MT) (MT/H a) 122850 53550 5980 52500 21840 3448 2812 110050 596 18900 1800 2.05 2.10 2.60 10.00 13.00 1.17 1.04 35.50 1.17 10.50 2.79 Area (Ha) 2003/2004 Product Produ ion ctivity (MT) (MT/H a) 188150 561600 6075 57750 2500 3808 3245 114240 560 20350 2050 2.96 22.02 2.70 10.50 1.48 1.19 1.10 35.70 1.14 11.00 Area (Ha) 2004/2005 Produc Producti tion vity (MT) (MT/Ha)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Paddy Wheat Maize Vegetabl es Fruits Legumes Lentil Sugarcan e Tobacco Potato Fish
65000 24000 2300 5150 1650 3300 3000 3000 520 1750 620
190400 43200 5750 54150 21450 4290 3333 105000 600 1925 1800
6444 5 2500 0 2300 5200 1680 3250 3000 3100 510 1800 645
6000 0 2550 0 2300 5250 1680 2950 2700 3100 510 1800 645
63500 25500 2250 5500 1690 3200 2950 3200 490 1850 600
56000 25600 2400 5500 1690 3100 2875 3200 450 1910
137050 58880 6480 60500 19500 3720 3305 112000 520 21010
2.45 2.30 2.70 11.00 11.54 1.20 1.15 35.00 1.16 11.00
3.42 665 1995 3.00 Source: District Agriculture Office
-21-
The agricultural landuse of Table 5.2 Agricultural Landuse of the district 2004/5 the district depicts that total Total River, cultivable land is about 65 Area Cultivable Land (ha) settlements percent and total cultivated (ha) Cultivated Uncultivated Total Forest and others land is 58 percent of the total 119000 69163 7629 76792 30897 11311 area leaving very little scope % 58.12 6.41 64.53 25.96 9.51 for further increase in Source: District Agriculture Office cultivated land. Table 5.1 and 5.2 merely indicate that land under cultivation has reached its threshold pointing towards the need for enhancing the agriculture technology, extension services, cropping pattern and cropping intensity to increase the productivity and production in the district. The static agricultural production over the last 5 to 7 years depicts marginal impacts of ongoing agricultural development programs in the district. The cropping pattern of The district Water Induced Disaster office categorically mentions that more that 2500ha of fertile cultivable land are left unused due to soil erosion and annual flood in the district. These lands are mainly in the southern flood plain of Kamala and other major rivers of the district.
Table 5.3 Food Adequacy Level in the district 2004/5 Descr Total HH Food Sufficiency No of HH facing food deficiency iption practicing Adequa Inadequ 1to 3 4to 6 7 to 10 10 to Agriculture te for ate for months month month 12 HH HH s s months Nos % 87,464 100 21,651 65,813 24.75 75.25 7,776 11.8 38.7 22.4 26.99 Alternate arrangements Loan/ Other Income From Other Burro income in from other foreign s wing district district 4,711 7.16 14,990 2,178 22.8 3.3 12 54.5
25,517 14,735 17,785 8,066 35,868
Source: District agriculture office
Despite being one of the rice bowl districts of the nation, Dhanusha district is pathetically placed in food sufficiency level. The statistics above suggests that more than 75 percent of HH engaged in agriculture are not able to produce adequate food for them and depends on other source of incomes. Once a food grain exporting district of the nation, Dhanusha has become one of the food grain importing districts mainly because of increased population and traditional farming system. There is no exposure to new agricultural technology in general.
Table 5.4 Distribution of Agricultural Land Livestok and Birds No of HH as per distribution of Agriculture land and livestock Total no of HH 117357 Only land 15404 Only Live Stock 9039 Only Birds 305 Land and Livestock 54801 Land and Birds 561 Livestock and Birds 990 Land, Livestock and Birds 6346 Having Nothing HH % 29911 25.49
Though the data pertaining to the demand of food grain at district level is not readily available, the per capita production of more that 3300 calorie (ICIMOD 2004) suggests adequacy of food grain in the district contradicting the food deficiency data in table 5.5. This could arise due to large land holding by limited number of population; however the land holding among big farmers is decreasing due to land fragmentation and division among family members. More than 25 percent of the family has farm size about 0.5 ha which is just sufficient to produce food grains for not more than 3 months for a family of 5 persons.
-22-
Similarly another 25% of the people do not hold any farm land and work as labour in others farm or on leased farms or in India as seasonal labour. This facts compounded with the increasing population strengthen the facts depicted in table 5.3. The people perception has been changing that Dhanusha, once a prospering district is now depending on other district and India for its food supply. The bad monsoon can bring flood or drought which decreases the production level creating food shortage in the district.
Table 5.5 No of Household as per Type and Size of land Area in Ha Sloped land (Pakho) 7,982 Parcellary Division of land Total HH HH as per Land holding Ha in Average <.1 0.1 - 0.5 0.5 -1 1 - 2 2 - 5 5-10 Total No of Agricultur Parcel Total Area Parcel e no 76,791 431,091 87,077 4.95 25919 20633 10463 9106 8562 8009
>10 4380
Field 68,810
Source: District Agriculture Office
5.1.2
Use of Improved Technology/Seed/Finance
Application of new technologies in the form of machines instead of labor, improved seed with high productivity, round the year irrigation, use of organic and chemical fertilizers and pesticides are integral part of modern agriculture practices. Agriculture practice in Dhanusha is still traditional in technology though signs of improvement can be seen in use of Fertilizers and Pesticides. The table below shows that farmers are still relying on the use local seed (83%) against improved seed (8.85%) as the government is not able to fulfill their demand and private sector is still to come in big way in agriculture. Similarly, about 85% of the farmers used some kind of chemical fertilizers while only 15% percent rely on traditional organic fertilizers. The application of fertilizer slightly varies in irrigated and unirrigated agriculture. The application of pesticides is dominant in Paddy depicting that the paddy is the main crop in the district. The district agriculture officers confirmed that the awareness among the farmers towards the use of new technology and fertilizers are on rise for last one decade but due limited capability of government sector and virtually absence of private sector to supply the needed inputs in agriculture have resulted in static productivity of agriculture. In absence of round the year irrigation and even the proper market links are discouraging farmers for further investment in farming technology.
Table 5.6 Use of Improved Seeds and fertilizers No of HH using local/Improved seed Local 65,168 4,167 45,751 12,544 5,413 8,463 49,188 83.93 Improved Both No of HH using fertilizers No of HH using fertilizers in Irrigated land in Irrigated land local Chemical Fertilizer Both 10,095 38,749 43 558 Local 1,418 1,203 1,718 516 86 988 Chemical Fertilizer Application of fertilizers
No of HH Major Crops Engaged Paddy maize wheat Potato Sugarcane Vegetables Others % 80,591 4,554 58,424 15,207 5,456 11,814 51,164 227,210
Wight in Both Area in Ha 000kg 51,991 701 27,378 4,924 3,099 2,048 1,464
4,940 10,654 3,093 430 0 344
34,195 10,568 52,276.40 1,890 13,704 5,799 3,651 3,437 3,694 172 920.7
9,494 3,222 4,210 2,062 43 2,363 644 1,847 0 988 988 945
12,974 29,856 2,792 387 1,160 1,375 12.69 4,983 859 5,284
3,823 20,059.90 816 215 601 2,363 894.8 2,441.30 1,202.50 2,337.50
773 1,203 8,935 8.85 7.35 8.96
2,792 11,169 36.57 7.53
29.21 8.17 35.27 40.32 Source: District Agriculture office
-23-
Crop No of HH %
Paddy 23,584 26.96
maize
Table 5.7 Application of Pesticides Wheat Potato Sugarcane 9,623 11.00 6,745 7.71 2,148 2.46
Vegetables 7,088 8.10
Others 3,093 3.54
945 1.08 87,464
Total No of HH
The limited supply of inputs and agricultural infrastructure has limited the cropping pattern and cropping intensity in the district. The average cropping intensity 158 depicts that most of the land remain uncultivated after paddy. The mixed cropping (10000ha only) and high intensity cropping is limited to the irrigated land under the Kamla Irrigation Project and Hardinath Irrigation Project. The cropping intensity in the irrigated area is about 250 while in unirrigated area it is restricted to 98. This shows the high potential of increasing the agricultural production in the district. The major cropping patterns indicate that the district is still not practicing the high value crop. Only 16 percent of the Farmers are growing in vegetables only in 2 percent of total cultivated land. Similarly other cash crops are grown in very few ha of lands though climate and soil conditions are highly favorable for high value crop. The details of crop production are enlisted in annex. 5.1
Major Cropping Pattern
Paddy - Wheat Vegetables (irrigated Land) Paddy Wheat - Lentil Paddy Lentil Paddy Sugarcane
Table 5.8 Prevalent crop, area coverage and family coverage Description HH coverage Total Cereal Crop Legumes Root Crop Cash Crop 87,464 82,524 66,715 19,503 22 1,578.90 6,573 8 Lentil Spices Vegetables 38,534 11,685 44 13 660.7 13,962 16 1,651.90
% 100 94 76 Area Coverage 76,791.80 86,663.80 20,447.20 Cropping Intensity 158
3,168.90 7,284.50
The low cropping intensity and prevalent cropping pattern shows the continuity of traditional irrigation practices even after decades of establishment of District Agriculture Development Office. Construction and maintenance of irrigation network supported by technology and technical advice and a network of efficient market can bring green revolution as the soil type and river system can support the sustainable agriculture in the district. The present location quotient of agriculture (0.76) does not actually represent the existing opportunities but indicates toward under development of agriculture sector in the district. The other important input factor is availability of loan at soft interest rate which encourages the farmers to invest in agriculture for higher production. Agriculture development bank has been established to facilitate and support the farmers as traditionally farmers are devoid of cash. The table 5.9 shows that only 30 percent of the farming community avail loan mainly for cereal crop and Livestock. In general the farmer take more loan for cash crop and vegetable where return is high, however in case of Dhanusha it is other way around mainly because of low level of cash farming due to lack of irrigation and other infrastructure. Even the local culture does not allow people to take loan and people prefer to leave their land uncultivated rather than taking loan due to uncertainty in production.
-24-
Table 5.9 Distribution of Agricultural Loan as per crop requirement 2005/06 No of Farming HH No of HH do not need Descripti Loan on No of HH % 60572 69.3 87464 No of HH Loan needed 26,892 30.7 Area 76792Ha Seed and Fertili zers 988 1.1
For Cereal 10,611 12.1
Cash Crop 258 0.3
Vegeta ble 1,031 1.18
Hor ticul ture 86 0.1
Livest ock 12,071 13.8
Pou ltry 86 0.1
Fish ery 129 0.1
Othe rs 601 0.69
Irrigati on 1,031 1.2
Source: District Agriculture Office Table 5.10 Flow of Loan (2003/4-2004/5) Benefited Year 2003/2004 Year 2004/2005 Farmers Disbursement Recovery Disbursement Recovery in 000 in 000 in 000 in 000 407 1861 5 1288 472 23 6 3 2 38 5 280 2107 487 6984 10956 45188 70 120755 39192 563 160 52 120 230 56 31225 48065 26870 323502 11580 46243 26 61321 36041 1145 476 55 300 39290 200 31980 1349 9844 239850 18025 50235 64295 48954 1024 240 22593 69423 10220 54263 1428 584
S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Description
Cereal Crop Cash Crop Others Agri Marketing Agri tools Irrigation Bio Gas Land Development Cold Storage Agre trading Horticulture Agrro Industry Fishery Non agri Total
21954 39054 175141 418922 11458 54063 98446 322478
Source: Agricultural Development bank, Janakpur
The trend of flow of agriculture loan disbursement is increasing at the rate of 15% for last 5 years. Recovery rate is over 95% as per the district ADB. Majority of the loan is going to cash crop, marketing and agro based industry indicating the positive initiation of agricultural development in the district. 5.1.3
Crop
Production Cost and Benefit Analysis

Table 5.11 Agricultural Production Cost and Benefit 2004 Production Cost per Ha Producti Unit Total Benefit Major crop types vity Price Price (Nrs) Labour Material Total (T/Ha) (Nrs) (Nrs) Mansuli, Sona Mansuli, Sabitri, janaki, Sugandha, Mithila and 18044 5931 23975 2.6 12800 33280 9305 Local NL297, UP262, KL1447, Bhrikuti 14448 6192 20640 2.3 12400 28520 7880 and Local 265650 619850 885500 682750 1593083 2275833 552915 1290135 1843050 422592 986047 1408639 5.8 160000 928000 42500 Aaseli, Aajad Snowball 16, 16 150000 2400000 124167 Kibojoint, Local Snow crown,
Paddy Wheat Pea Cauliflower Brinjal Onion
16 120000 1920000 76950 Nurki, Purple long, Local 15 100000 1500000 91361 Nasik red, Local
District Agriculture Office, Annual report 2004
-25-
The profitability of Agricultural products signals that vegetable farming is far profitable than cereal crops however, it needs timely supply of inputs like improved seed, irrigation facility, chemical fertilizers and pesticides beside labour and agricultural tools. At present the vegetable farming in sizable scale is done in limited area especially in command area of Kamla and Hardinath Irrigation Project. In other area, vegetable farming is done in patches using Deep/ Shallow tubewells, ponds and hand pumps. To enhance the livelihood of the people of the district, vegetable farming must be supported by enhancing quality of the supply of inputs and market linkages. The farmers in Kamla command area far from the district headquarter complain about the low price and unavailability of market for their product. Accessibility of farmers to market, agriculture extensions services, finance, irrigation facility and improved seed should be ensured for high productivity and hence the poverty reduction in the district. 5.1.4 Agriculture Development Programs and Projects
The district development office has been implementing numerous programs and projects to enhance the productivity, cropping intensity and cropping pattern by mobilizing local as well as central resources and local farmers (Local Farmer groups) to reduce poverty level in the district. Major programs implemented in the districts are Agriculture Extension Service Program, Unseasonal Vegetable Production, Food Security Program, Commercial Vegetable Production Program, Aqua Culture Development Program, Potato Farming, Woman Farmer Development Program, Integrated Pesticide Management Program etc beside technical support to farmers. The basic approach of implementation is community participation through creating local farmers group and designating pocket area and monitoring the input and outputs of individual crops. The study of last five years of program shows the coverage is increasing and skill is imparted to the local farmers which is evident from increasing coverage of commercial farming, increasing demand for irrigation facility, increasing demand for other inputs and higher productivity. Different government institutions involved in agriculture development in the district are District Agriculture Development Office, Community Ground Water Irrigation Sector Project, Agriculture Material Supply Company Limited, Agriculture Seed Company Ltd, Agriculture Development Bank, Division Cooperative Office, Division Irrigation Office, Kamla Irrigation Project and Water Induced Disaster Division Offices. Beside, numerous INGOs and NGOs are working for the development of irrigation through its capacity building and micro financing scheme. Programs of all GOs, NGOs and INGOs are implemented through community participation approach. The traditional informal system of community participation in development activities especially in irrigation and agriculture has eroded mainly due to direct government intervention at grass level over the time period and has been reinvented by western donors and international policymakers as vehicle for efficient planning and program implementation mechanism at local level of development activities. New institution namely Farmers Group has been formed at cluster level in each settlement to implement the agriculture development program and avail the agriculture development services like finance, improved seed, technical help, training for the use of fertilizers and pesticides etc. During last five years more that 1400 farmers groups have been registered out of which more than 1100 are functional. 266 groups are exclusively comprised of women while total women participation in more than 25 percent.
-26-
Table 5.13 Registration of Farmers Group in the District S. No 1 2 3 4 5 Year Male 2000/1 2001/2 2002/3 2003/4 2004/5 Total 139 171 179 190 200 879 No of Groups Female Mixed 32 43 53 63 75 266 12 39 66 79 89 285 Total 183 253 298 332 364 1430 No of Members Male Female Total 2672 3142 3951 4317 4759 18841 656 905 1608 1926 2175 7270 3328 4047 5559 6243 6934 26111 Condition of Group Active Inactive 121 200 235 272 298 1126 62 53 63 60 66 304
Source: Agriculture Development Office
5.1.5
Fishery Development
Fishery is though a part of District Agriculture Development Program, it has all merits to be treated as separate program in the district. It is evident from the fact that the location quotient of Fishery is the highest (2.45). Over the time, Janakpur Fish has emerged as credible brand name in fishery sector and probably this is the reason for establishing central/regional level fishery development center at Janakpur. More than 83 research ponds are used for hatchling, fingerling and Bhura production in the development center to supply to fishery farmers. The demand is so high that more than 20 private Hatcheries and 100 fishery ponds are operated for the purpose and still have scope for more than 50 such ponds in the district.
No of Ponds 1563 Table 5.12 Description of Ponds in the District Area in Ha Production in MT with Dil water Body 2003/4 2004/5 2005/6 1121 707 2030 2190 2356 Benefits in 3yrs in 000 706800
Source: District Agri Dev Office, Fishery dev Center Janakpur
Fishery is the major source of income for the local government at lowest level. Each VDCs in the district has few ponds in its jurisdiction which earn about Nrs500000 annually when given on contract. Due to cultural and other conflicting need of the ponds, more than 30 percent of the water body remain unused, 40 percent are partially used and remaining 30percent are intensively used for fishery. Despite high profitability, people are not taking aqua culture as profession and it is developing as off farming activities in the district. If appropriate policy is adopted by the district level government to mobilize Terai Ethnic group (Mallah and other Dalit) for aquaculture in VDC owned ponds, more than 5000 family from downtrodden population can come out of vicious circle of poverty. More than 1000 ponds are either owned by VDCs or local schools and others by individual or other institutions like Guthi and Maths. Major markets for the small fishes are Malekhu and Mungling while big fishes are sold in Kathmandu, Dharan and India beside local markets. Janakpur fish is loosing market to the fish imported from Andhra state of India besides its better quality and taste as it could not compete with later in prices mainly because mass scale of production and government subsidy provided in India mainly in Transportation. However, the private hatcheries and Bhura Nursaries are exporting hatchlings and Bhura in bulk quantity to Indian Market. Inefficient road network and unavailability of fish processing and storage facilities are another limiting factors for Aquaculture development in the district.
-27-
5.1.6
Livestock Development
Livestock is another broad base economic sector with high development potential in the district as almost every farmer has one or more livestock for its use in farming (ox ploughing), milk and meat production. It has emerged as means of cash earning for farmers, however the livestock development is still dominated by traditional know how and techniques to support the agriculture instead of independent commercial activities though livestock is a permanent asset for rural people of Dhanusha The high population of ox is attributed to its use in farming, the primary occupation of the people of the district. Despite high profitability in cow and buffalo farming, the population suggests its insufficiency to cater the increasing demand of dairy product and meat in the district. The high population of goat and its growth in recent few years is mainly due to distribution of goat among the downtrodden population by different INGOs and NGOs promulgating it as means to reduce poverty level in the district. However, the Senior Veterinary doctor revealed the fact, the mobility of goat is limited to 12 to 15 km and when brought from other places, mortality is as high as 50 percent. The distribution of goat among Dalits and Janjati without any support mechanism has limited impact on poverty reduction. The low percentage of improved breed of ox, cow, goat, sheep and pig suggests that the farmers are still unaware of cattle farming and its benefits. Poultry and Buffalo farming are being taken up by the locals though with very slow pace. Piggery is limited to Dom, poorest of the poorest community in the district.
Table 5.13 Livestock Population in the District 2005 Livestock Type Pop % L Ox I T L Cow I T L Buffalo I T L Goat I T Sheep/Lamb L I T L Pig I T L Poultry I T
72352 6444 78796 49170 3626 52796 22265 37807 60072 119859 20999 140858 958 91.82 8.18 100 93.132 I = Improved 6.87 100 37.064 62.936 T = Total 100 85.0921 14.908 100 100
0 958 4732 97 4829 62138 170850 232988 0 100 98 2 100 26.67 73.33 100
L= Local
Source: District Livestock Office
More than 130 cow farms are running in the district but more than 90 percent of the farms have only 1 or 2 cows. Only 10 farms have cows between 5 to 10 and only Lattu yadav of Godar 8 and Raktu Yadav of Bharatpur have 30 and 24 cows respectively. Similarly, about 20 numbers of registered buffalo farms are running, however each farm has minimum 5 buffalo indicating the scale of cattle farming in the district. The ethnicity and Livestock has very deep relationship. Yadavs, popularly known as milkman are dominant in Buffalo farming while cow farming is practiced across the society due to its sacredness among Hindu Society. Goat farming is done by Pahade community in the northern belt in organized way while in Terai, Mandal, Muslims and other Dalit and Janjati practices goat farming in traditional way. Sheep farming and piggery are the profession of Bhedihar (Rauts) and Dom respectively. Poultry has emerged as main commercial livestock and is dominated by pahadi community beside few Yadavs, Sahs, Mandal and Sings. Livestock development has to be analyzed with the ethnicity and their concentration if optimum result on poverty reduction is desired. The experts in the district livestock office revealed that the livestock development program has to be planned in package fodder for cattle and family support for Dalit farmers if they are target group. The cooperative movement could be another way to promote livestock and dairy production in the district.
-28-
Table 5.14 Annual Dairy Production by Organized Dairy Firms 2005 Name of Firm Ram janaki Dairy Shashi Dairy Radha Krishna Dairy Mithila Dairy Kanaiya Milk Parlour Total Annual Demand Milk(Lt) 324157 59130 36500 29121 91250 540158 1000000 yoghurt(Kg) 53577 27375 27375 11400 10000 129727 900000 Ghee(Kg) 1767 3650 2555 2025 9997 67000 Paneer(Kg) 55.5 Butter(Kg) 7047
65 120.5 300 7047 20000
Source: District Livestock Office APR 2005
The dairy production of different registered dairy firm and demand of dairy product reveal that the organized sector is catering only 5, 14, 15, 40 and 50 percent of total demand of milk, Yoghurt, Ghee, Paneer and Butter in the district. Rest of the demand is fulfilled by individual farmers. This information suggests that these dairy firms are not even able to cater the urban demands exhibiting huge opportunities for dairy firms. Market is unlimited for both raw and processed dairy product due to the open boarder. Some of the individual farmers supply milk and yoghurt to the neighboring market centers in India.
Table 5.15 Annual Meat Production 2005 Production (kg) Description Demand Mutton Chicken Buff Pork
S Table 5.16 Grass/fodder Production 2005 Name/Description Dale Grass Agriculture Bye Products (Straw of diff crops) Jai Bhech Grass Tiocenti grass Stailo Grass Production (Mt) 3235 207 50 30 20 Source: District Livestock Office
292000 456250 67100 5600

Di t i t Li t
300000 300000 800000 10000

k Offi
The meat production and low demand is basically due to the low consumption habit among the people in the district mainly because of cultural values in the society. However, the demand is increasing for chicken by 15 percent and mutton by 8 percent annually as per the District Livestock Office. At the same time there is huge potential for export to other districts, Kathmandu and across the boarder. The recent cooperative phenomena in dairy development is encouraging and needs further support and spread through out the district for inclusion of various caste and creed in the promising sector. The livestock and cattle farming in the district is guided by the district livestock office located in the district headquarter with its 5 service centers and 13 sub service centers distributed spatially to cover the whole district efficiently. Since its inception more than 40 years ago, it has been promoting livestock development by introducing new breeds of livestock, fodder and providing technical supports. There is more than 12 Agro Vet shops in Janakpur Municipality, and more than 55 agro vet shops in other market centers of the district. There is more that 10 livestock market where ox, cow, buffalo, horse are bought and sold. Some of them are seasonal and provide services to adjacent district too. The 2005 data reveal that Agro Vet shops sold medicines of more than 20 M.
-29-
The livestock and cattle farming are underdeveloped due to social cultural and traditional social system. The umbrella planning needs to be specified for different castes and cultural group. The agriculture sector including livestock and fishery, though with huge potential and virtually unlimited market, is still in primitive stage of development despite planned interventions of government for more than last 4 decades. The traditional practices and attitude of the local farmers in particular has to be changed and are to be attracted towards commercial farming through efficient supply system (Irrigation, Improved seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Soft loans and Technical supports), incentives like subsidized power supply and agro processing unit and efficient connectivity between market center and its rural hinterland. The level of community participation and inclusion of women and Dalit and Janjatis in farming practices is encouraging though not enough for their rapid economic and social development. The institutional arrangement in the district is adequate in human resources but badly need physical and capital resources to trigger the green revolution in the district, the only hope to reduce poverty drastically and achieve MDGs in the district. 5.2 Irrigation
Irrigation is one of the major inputs and pre requisite for agriculture development and commercialization in the nation at large and in the district in particular. The fact has been realized by the government and established District Irrigation Office in 1987 to develop irrigation systems and facilitate agricultural development and flood protection. Recently district offices have been abolished and different division offices namely Irrigation Division Office and Water Induced Disaster Prevention Division have been established to oversee irrigation development and flood protection soil erosion control respectively. Both surface as well as ground water has been used for irrigation purposes since long. The major rivers of the district are Kamla, Baluwa, Jamuni, Jaladh, Jagdar, Rato, Doodhmati, Aurahi and Bighi, beside other seasonal streams. These rivers have been exploited by the farmers initially and later on as government intervention for irrigation purposes. Besides, farmers have been using various Ponds, deep wells and shallow wells as source of irrigation water. The irrigation situation in the district is depicted in table below: About 95 percent of total arable land is irrigable while 62 percent land is irrigated. The irrigation is supplementary and could not provide year round irrigation mainly due to non perennial nature of the rivers. Only few thousand ha of land within the command are of Kamala, the biggest river in the district gets year round irrigation leaving more than 85 percent of farmers to depend on rain, shallow tubewell and ponds for Karif and winter crops. The existing irrigation systems supplement the monsoon rain for paddy farming basically and wheat in some area of the district.
Description Total Area Cultivable Land Irrigable Land Irrigated Land FMIS (ha) No of Farmer Canals AMIS (ha) Ground Water (ha)
Area in ha 118000 83160 79757 52076 24776 97 20520 6780
% 100 95.9 62.6 29.8 24.7 8.1
Source: Kamla Irrigation project
Farmers themselves have constructed more than 95 irrigation systems covering about 25 percent of irrigated land while the government supported irrigation systems cover about 30
-30-
percent and rest 8percent is covered under deep and shallow tubewells. The ground water survey conducted by the Tubewell Division Office reveals that in the northern belt the water table is very low making it virtually impossible for shallow tube well. Artesian Aquifer is prevalent in the middle region of the district (ie from north of Janakpur to Mahendranagar extending from East to West). Farmers have been using automatic shallow tubewells for irrigation in this region. Government has provided some subsidies to the farmers for shallow as well as deep tube wells. At present more that 4000 shallow and 100 deep tubewells providing year round irrigation in the district. In the southern area, though artesian aquifer is not prevalent, the water table is quite high and hence both shallow and deep tube wells are possible if coupled with pumping equipments. Beside Kamala irrigation project (12500 ha in Dhanusha) and Hardinath Irrigation project (1600ha), First Irrigation Sector Program (FISP) and Second Irrigation Sector Project (SISP) implemented 3 projects each covering 1450 ha and 450 ha respectively. Under IMTP, the management of hardinath irrigation project has been transferred to the farmers after strengthening the canal system and command area development. More than 10 projects are in pipe line. Similarly 10 projects have been implemented under Small irrigation project.
First Irrigation Sector Program Implemented projects Name of the Project Dumariya Irrigation Project Balganga Irrigation Project Charnath Irrigation Project Total SISP Implemented Projects Baganga Irrigation Project Doodhmati Irrigation Project JKR Doodhmati Irrigation Project Sinurjora Total 200 150 100 Area in ha 1000 150 300 1450 Proposed Project Name of the Project Old Jaladh IP Deupura Santipur IP Badraja IP, Dhabauli Kukurdhara IP, Nagrain Bimladhar IP, Baidehi Mangraha IP, Mangraha Lakkad IP,Lakkad Basikhola IP Kajipaini IP Jamuni IP Area in ha 700 300 200 200 500 300 250 200 400 2000
450 Source: Irrigation Division Office, Jaleshwer
Total 5050 Source: Irrigation Division Office, Jaleshwer
Despite all those positive attempts and investments, the irrigation system has failed to provide water to the farmers as and when required. The experts in Kamla Irrigation Project and Irrigation Division Office explicitly mentioned that these irrigation systems are designed for supplementary irrigation and can support only the paddy farming. Wheat and vegetable farming can be facilitated only in limited area of Kamla and Hardinath Irrigation Systems. The source augmentation is the only solution for increasing demand of irrigation water. Koshi Kamla Diversion Project is the pre requisite for year round irrigation system development and hence poverty reduction by commercial farming. River bank protection and embankment construction work and flood control work has to be done in comprehensive way to restrict the loss of property, life and infrastructure for sustainable development. 5.3 Mining and Industry
The studies conducted so far do not confirm any deposits so far in the district. Sand and Gravel extractions from its major rivers are only mining industry and one of the major sources of revenue for the local government in the district. The major sources of sand extraction are Kamla, Rato, Charnath and Aurahi rivers while Kamala and Rato are also major sources for gravel extraction. The industry sector in the district is dominated by small
-31-
and cottage industry followed by small and big industries. Despite the establishment of one the biggest industry in the history of industrial development of the nation, Janakpur Cigarette Factory more than 40 years ago, industry is still to contribute substantially in district GDP(14%). This is true for the nation too. The industrial establishment data reveal that industrial growth in terms of number is almost static. At present more than 1000 small and cottage industries are operating beside 60 big industries (>10 people working). The total industrial workers in the district are 3198. About 60 percent are employed in small and cottage industries while other 40 percent in big industries. The major big industries are Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Sugar Industries, and Paper Industry, cement, maida etc.
Table 5.18 Number of Industries in the district Small and Cottage Industry (No) No of People Employed New Renewal Closed Male Female Total Registration 155 224 223 203 850 796 796 782 235 140 185 202 1334 1498 1440 1475 422 432 455 415 1756 1930 1895 1890
Year
2003/4 2004/5 2005/6 2006/7
Source: District cottage and small industry development office
Table 5.19 Year New Registr ation 2003/4 155 2004/5 224 2005/6 223 2006/7
Small and Cottage Industry (Production and Revenue) Fixed Running Name Place Capital Prodn Revenue Capital Capital Transfer transfer Increment in Nrs in Nrs in 000 in 000 in 000 000 000 18879 16 7 6124 44684 20 10 4661 46987 47885 16 9 15646 157243 533 43712 16 7 22131 137758 895
203 53812
Source: Small and Cottage industry annual progress reports
Analysis of the type of industries suggests that about 40 percent of the industries are agro processing units, 30 percents are service sectors like hotel, shops, construction companies etc, 10 percents are manufacturing units like furniture, steel and metal utensils, brick etc. others industries are 20 percent comprised of Mithila Art Painting, transportation, consulting services etcs. The district office of small and cottage industry has been providing capacity building trainings to potential industrial workers and operators. Annually more than 10 trainings are conducted for 250 participants mainly in Enterprise development trainings, Mithila Art Painting training, mechanic, house wiring, wood and metal works training etc. Though more than 50 percent of these trainees are not employed in the district, they get chance to try their luck in other parts of the country or in third world. Most of the agro based processing units are located in rural as well as in urban area operated by traditionally skilled people while the big industries are coming up in Dhalkewar Janakpur Corridor mainly because of better accessibility and connectivity to other parts of the country and India. The small and cottage industry is still dominated by ethnic profession. Lohars (thakur) are operating furniture shops while Sonars (goldsmith) are in bullion market. Similarly Muslims, Hajam Thakur etc are dominating tailoring and haircutting industries respectively. The existing industrial development focus is on promotion of traditional skill and production without any innovations in production technology, aesthetics of products, packaging and marketing, reducing the demand and hence further deteriorating the
-32-
competency and production. Despite numerous trainings, entrepreneurship among the people is at lowest level due to low risk taking attitude and capacity, the prevailing rigid education system (not demand driven) and higher market competition with Chinese and Indian goods. Low industrial survival rate (<20%) is attributed to the low level of managerial capacity, higher remuneration in foreign and other sector employment, use of obsolete technology and pathetic marketing network. The government has been trying to attract FDI through its various national industrial policies. Recently, government has enacted Special Economic Zone Act and is committed establish few SEZs across the country. The recent feasibility study for the establishment of special economic zone (SEZ) in Nepal has recommended the establishment of a special economic zone in between Janakpur and Dhalkewar. This project could bring industrial revolution in the district. A comprehensive industrial potential study has to be conducted and a policy has to be developed synchronizing with agriculture sector at district level. The remittance money coming to the district is basically used in housing and land market beside vehicle and other less productive sectors. A targeted approach for investment counseling to the potential investors (remittance money) can attract a great deal of money to the industrial sectors. The FDI in the district is limited to few big industries and needs to be attracted by promoting hassles free industrial administration at both national and local levels. The district does have basic industrial infrastructure in the terms of numerous commercial and development banks, insurance companies, better connectivity with national and Indian market for raw material and finished goods, huge pool of skilled managerial and industrial labors etc. 5.4 Commerce
The settlements within the district are arranged in hierarchy. The districts headquarter, Janakpur, the only municipality in the district is the first order settlement while 5 emerging towns are 2nd order settlements. There are 20 weekly market centers as 3rd order while others are the last order settlements categorized as per size (population, area and function). Market centers are basic units where most of the internal commercial activities take place. Import and export is concentrated at district headquarter while the services are situated at emerging towns to cater the demand and supply to its hinterlands. With the higher population concentration and development of road network though earthen, almost every VDCs now have weekly market (86 market centers) where the local produce (vegetables and cereals) are sold and purchased. The annual revenue collected vary from Nrs 100000 to 1000000 in emerging towns like Dhalkewar, Sabaila, Dharapani, Dhabauli, Raghunathpur, Bateshwer etc. while other markets collect revenue from Nrs 10000 to 100000. The emerging centers have permanent shops capable to cater the general HH, construction, agro processing, medicine, stationary and other demand of its hinterland while the minor market centres have very few shops catering the daily HH demand of the market centers. Though the data pertaining to import and export is not available, the local chamber of commerce and tax offices reveal that major exports of the district are vegetables, cereals, sugar, Maida and other agro products, papers, Cigarette, wooden furniture, Mithila Paintings, Fish, Hatchlings and Bhura, dairy products (mithai, ghee etc), Gahna while major imports are garments, processed food, household appliances, electric and electronics goods etc. The regional revenue collection has decreased from Nrs 736 Million in 2003/4 to 673 Million in 2004/5 and 643 Million in 3005/6. It has been attributed to the local as well as national conflicts and numerous prolonged market and transport closure at local as well as national
-33-
level. The revenue collection indicates that about 70percent of the revenue comes from Cigarette which has gone down from Nrs 482 million in 2003/4 to 502 million in 2004/5 and 452 Million in 2005/6. The revenue data gives very mixed kind of performance of the commercial sector of the district, highly distorted due to Maoist violence and activity during this period. The better law and order situation and establishment of rule of law at the district and national level is pre requisite for the better functioning of commercial sectors. The vegetable and fruit trading are greatly affected due to its perishable nature. The local trade is a function of connectivity. Tractors, bullock carts and jeeps are used for transporting goods from production center to market centers or from one market to another market. The district have very limited blacktop road in the form of National highway (kamla to Lalgadh 45 km), feeder road (Dhalkewar, Janakpur 23km), district road (Janakpur Dhanushadham 16km and Janakpur Jatahi 13 km). All other roads are fair weather roads making trading difficult during monsoon. Trading infrastructure like cold storage, chilling centers, market information are not available to producers. Telemarketing and information centers are not available even at district head quarter and major market centers. 5.5 Tourism
Janakpur, the district head quarter of Dhanusha, famous among pious Hindus holds a significant place in the cultural geography of Nepal. This classical capital of Rajrishi (Sage King) Janak has been enjoying the status of famous pilgrimage. The city is renowned for many reasons. This is the center of reverence of the entire Hindu world owing to its religious and historical importance for being the holy land where goddess Sita or Janaki, Lord Rams consort war born. Janakpur and area in the vicinity holds very special place among Jains. According to Jain monuments, it is identified that 19th clergy (Thirthankar) Malinath and 21st clergy Naminath were born somewhere in Janakpur though exact location have not been established. By dint of their birth, education and enlightenment and promulgation of eight good deeds (Kalyanak) originated from here, Janakpur and its territory holds ultimate respects among millions of Jains. Tourism in Janakpur is not a new phenomenon. Ancient Hindu literatures suggest that scholars who wrote Vedas and Upanishads visited Mithila. Saint Yagyabalkya, Astabakra, Gargi, Matriya came to Janakpur and stayed there. The Hindu literatures suggest that Bhagwan Shree Krishna visited Janakpur at least thrice. Similarly, Baudha and Mahavir visited Janakpur many times. The famous Chinese Traveler Huen Sang mentioned in his writing about his visit to a very rich and developed city Chensuna in 643 AD. The scholars have established that the Chensuna city he has described in his writings is none other than Janakpur. Then for about two millennia, Mithila or Janakpur lost its name and fame till it was re searched and renaissance brought into by Vaishnave Saits (follower of Bishnu) towards the end of the middle age. The recent tourism triggered with the construction of Janaki Temple in 1894-1911. Hindu belief and Hindu mythologies tempt every Hindu to visit Janakpur, worship Sita and Ram and take bath in holy ponds to purify their soul and get rid the cycle of birth and death. Dhanusha Dham, where a part of the broken Dhanush (Bow) is still lying is another source of attraction
-34-
for the people. With the passage of time many religious shrines, temples, Kutis, Asharams, Ponds etc have been instituted by eminent religious scholars, Saints in and around Janakpur which is the heritage of this region. Similarly Dhanusha district has its own unique Mithila culture, tradition, feast and festivals, art, language and script making it favorable tourist destination for Hindus as well as others. Today tourism has been established as an industry and an important means to earn foreign currency. Nepal also initiated planned intervention to develop tourism in different part of the nation. The basic thrust was on adventurous and mountaineering tourism. Till 4th national five year plan, government initiative for tourism development was limited to Pokhra, Chitwan, Lumbini and Khumbu. The successive plans brought numerous policies, plans and projects to develop tourism but all efforts were limited to mountain regions and foothills except Lumbini. Janakpur remained at low priority for government investment in tourism development despite being one of the most visited destinations. However, the tourism in Janakpur keep on flourishing on its own due to its unparallel unique religious and cultural heritage. The government data shows that about 8 percent tourists coming to Nepal are pilgrims. This does not include pilgrims coming from India in thousands at various occasions to Janakpur and other parts of Terai distorting the tourism sector data for manipulating government policies in favor of mountain and hilly region of the country. Regardless of malicious attitude of policy makers towards Janakpur and inactiveness of private sector and civil society, the tourist flow has increased over the years due to its high potential for pilgrim tourism. Tourism is major foreign currency earning sector. However, Janakpur has been left out in main stream national tourism planning though it has the highest potential for domestic as well as Indian pilgrimage tourism in the nation. Major Tourism Attractions Dhanush district teems with famous and attractive temples, shrines and ponds (Kunds and Sagars). These are vividly described in Hindu and Jain scriptures Mithila Tirthakalpa, Mithila Mahatmya, and Bhoo (Parikrama) written by great Maithili Poet Kokil Vidyapati in 14th century. The major tourist attractions in the region are: Janaki Temple Janaki Temple, popularly known as Naulakha, is the most renowned pilgrimage of Janakpur Dham. The legend has it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishore Das had found the images of Goddess Sita. Saint Shurkishore Das was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about Sita Upasna philosophy. The present Mahanth (chief priest) is the 14th descendant of the Sisya (disciple tradition). The temple was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarh (central India) in AD 1911. It is an illustration of Hindu-Rajput architecture with a blend of Mogul architecture. This is the biggest temple and only model of mogul architecture in the nation. Vivahmandap A grand Ram Janaki Vivah Mandap built in the Janaki Temple campus, is an excellent example of Pagoda architecture. It has several panoramic and standard roof structures in
-35-
the form of Mandaps propped on the smooth and ornamented columns of marble, erected on square floor. It is believed that the Ideal Man God Ram and Goddess Sita got married at this place and hence people flock this place for marriage in groups. This building is major attractions for the tourists for its location amidst bewitching landscape. Laxman Temple This is another temple placed inside the Janaki Temple Campus. It houses the images of Ram Sita and Laxman along with twin sons of Sita Lav and Kush. Janak Temple This temple is centrally located in Janakpur known as Janak Chowk. Legend has it that King Hanak performed the worship of Shiva Dhanus on this very site. This temple has preserved the broke idol of King Janak and other gods. Sankat Mochan This famous temple is siof Hanuman is situated at northwest to the Rangbhumi Stadium popularly known as Barah Bigha. People flock to the temple on each Tuesday to worship lord Hanuman believing that it will provide spiritual security and purity while in need. It remains one of the major attractions during festivals and ceremonies. Dulha Dulhin Temple This temple is also called shree Ramananda Ashram and Sreee Mithila kanak Bhawan. Lord Ram is believed to have stayed here in the Kohvar Kunj (room separated for the first night) as the bridegroom as per the Mithila Culture. This temple houses the images of Ram and Sita in their traditional wedding robes. The architect has displayed through magnificent glasses the shades of the images of Ram-Sita performing wedding rite called Bhanwar, the temple has also preserved the image of Charan Paduka (wooden slippers) of Shree Sampradayacharya Shree Ramananda. Other famous temple includes Hanuman Gadhi, Shib Temple at Shive Chowk, Kapileshwor Mahadev at Kapileshwor and Kuheshwer Mahadev at Kuwa. Kutis and Herimitages Residences of Saints are known as Kutis. Today these Kutis have been turned as Temples or buildings. These Kutis attracts visitors and pilgrims and those observing monthly fasting with their tranquil and holy environment. Of them Rasik Niwas, Hanuwat Durbar, Pipra Kuti, Agni Kund Kuti, Bihar Kund Kuti, Rani Pati Kuti, Todendra Math Kuti etc are famous owing to their founding saints or Jhula (ceremonial swinging of the images of God Ram, Laxmand and Goddess Sita in the month of July August and other celebrations. Besides, there are other kutis patronized by different castes. Holy Ponds, Kunds, Wells and Rivers Janakpur is known as city of temples and ponds. It teems specially with ponds and other water structures. These are called Sar, Sagar or Kunds. There is a tradition of dipping in these holy ponds on special occasions as per lunar calendars. The famous among these are Ganga Sagar, Dhanusha Sagar, Ram Sagar, Ratna Sagar, Bihar Kund, Agni Kund, Ghyan
-36-
Kup, Argaja Talaw, Dasrath Sar, Gordhoi (Pad Praksalan Sar), Pap Mochini Sar (believed to rid the breathers of all sins). Ganga Sagar is also the holiest and greatest of them. Tens of thousands of people throngs its ghats on every Purnima (full moon day) and other festive occasions for a dip into this pond which is as holy as river Ganga. The bathers and receivers of holy water from this pond are believed to be highly blessed as mentioned in Brihad Bishnu Puran. Rangbhumi Maidan Rangbhumi is the great pavilion in the heart of the city. It is locally known as Barah Bigha. In Vedic age a grand pavilion was built in this ground to held Sita Swember as per Hindu tradition. Even today on Vivah Panchami, a great pavilion is built for the Sita Swember which is the biggest attraction for the tourist across the Hindu World. Festivals and Other Events Janakpur holds a key position among important religious and cultural centers of Nepal. The city hosts gal religious festivals and other ceremonies around the year. Melas (fairs), Paravs(festivals), Mass Brats (monthly fasting), Kirtans (Him chanting), Astayams, Parayams, Saptahs, Nauwah (religious, often round clock preaching for a day, week and nine days) and Yaghyas have become parts and parcels of life of people here. People observe Masvrat and Kalpavas in Kartik (October) in Janakpur. Vivah Panchami It is the greatest festival held in Janakpur. This is celebrated to mark the holy wedding of Ram Sita every year on Marg Sudi Panchami (5th day of waxing moon in late November or early December). Thousands of people pour into Janakpur during this festival. Neither the tourism board nor local institutions keep record of actual pilgrims, however the Janki Temple Priest and local authority believe that more than 50 000 people from India and other parts of Nepal visit Janakpur. During Vivah Panchami a procession of Saints in thousands from Ayodhya in India (birth place of Lord Ram) visit the city. All the rituals and tradition of marriage ceremony as per Mithila culture are performed. The main attraction of the event is the procession of Lord Ram and Sita from respective temple to Rangbhumi and Swambar (marriage) as per the Mithila culture. Pilgrims from India and Nepal in large number with few Europeans observe the event. If marketed properly, the event can attract thousands of European and American tourists and researchers interested in culture. Ram Nawami Ram Janma Nawami, the holy Birth Anniversary of Lord Rama falls on Chaitra Sukla Nawami (9th day of bright lunar fortnight in March). Thus it is one of the major festivals celebrated in Janakpur. Pilgrims all over India and Nepal visit the holy shrine Ram Temple to take bath in holy pond Ganga Sagar and pay their offerings to the God Ram. The conservative estimate of the local authorities indicates that more than 30000 pilgrims visit the city on the occasion. It is also called Chaitra Nawami which precedes the Chaite Dashain and marks the end of all festivals of Nepali Calendars.
-37-
Janaki Nawami Janaki Nawami, the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita falls on Baisakh Sukla Nawami (9th day of the bright lunar fortnight in April) just a month after Ram Nawami. It is celebrated with pageantry in Janakpur. It is marked with special worship and prayer in Janki Mandir after taking holy dip in Ganga Sagar and Dhanush Sagar. The Janaki temple sources indicate that about 30000 people from India and other parts of the nation visit the city on the occasion. Jhula Jhula (swinging the idol of God Ram, Laxman and Goddess Sita) is one of the major festivals on Janakpur in particular and Mithila region at large which is celebrated for 15 days Temples are godly decorated on this occasion. Mandaps are built specially for this occasion are simply bewitching. Jhula is performed every evening with great pomposity for a whole fortnight spanning the Sukla Pakcha (Lunar fortnight). In the evening, priests and pious people swing the idols of God Ram, Laxman and Goddess Sita placed in beautifully decorated cradles in every temple and hermitages in Janakpur. Varieties of cultural programs performed in each temple are major attraction for devotees coming from different places. This could be developed as major attractions for pilgrims and cultural tourists. It attracts more than 30000 devotees to the city. Parikrama Assuming Janakpur as center, 15 Days circum ambulation program (Parikrama) is conducted at the distance of 5 kosh (15km) as radius. It is popularly known as Panchkoshi Parikrama. The Parkrama starts from the Mithila Bihari (Caravan of chief Dola) situated in Kachuri VDC of Dhanusha. It visits Janakpur worshiped and the great caravan of all others temples and Maths follow Mithila Bihari Dola to Kalaneshwer about 15 km south east of Janakpur. Thousands of pilgrims from India and Nepal participate in the caravan which passes from different places (Kalaneshwer, Girijasthan, Matihani, Jaleshwer, Madai, Dhroovkund, Kanchan Ban, Chireshwer Sthan, Dhanushadham, Satoshar, Aurahi, Harusha and again Kalaneshwer) resting for a night at each place. In the night numerous programs and cultural shows are performed at each location marking major fair and events. At the end Caravan returns to Janakpur on 14th day and the caravan performs Griha Parikrama along the Parikrama Sadak lead by Mihtila Bihari Dola on full moon of Falgun. Thousands of people take part in the parikrama program. There are other prominent festivals like Purnima celebrated on full moon of every month by taking holy bath in Ganga Sagar and Dhanush Sagar and worshiping n Janaki and Ram Temple. Similarly Chaith has emerged as major celebrations for the Locals and has the potential to attract tourist especially from Europe to observe the occasions. Dashain is another major festival celebrated in Janakpur with decorations of Saktipiths and cultural shows. Mithila Arts and Culture Mithila Culture is famous all over the world for its rich and scholarly traditions. Visitors are charmed by the peoples warm and cordial hospitality, sense of humor and love for art and
-38-
artistic activities. Today, Mithila painting is universally known as Janakpur Arts. The paintings and beautiful minute arts speaks volumes of the special feet (tour de force) of the local housewives. These depict different events related to Ramayan, Purans and Folklores and Stories. The art lovers will specially like the Ramayan Art Gallary, built at the Ghat of Dhanusha Sagar. The anterior walls of the gallery has different pictures depicting the life of Ram and Sita based on Ramcharitra Manas. Art objects made of Siki (local grass) and clay (ceramic) are beautiful production by the local cottage industries and are source of souvenir and art collection for the tourists. If developed popularly, mithila art and culture can boost the tourism industry in the region and contribute in poverty reduction. At present more than 300 women from different castes even dalit are employed in this sector through numerous NGOs like women development center. Out Skirts of Janakpur Dhanusha Dham This dham (shrine) is located about 15km North West of Janakpur. The legend says that the remnant of Shiva Dhanusha (Lord Shivs Bow) that Ram broken into pieces is preserved here. This is an ideal site for pincers, forest adventurers and other pilgrims due to the location of a well preserved forest in the vicinity. Jaleshwer It is an small town situated about 15 South of Janakpur and is district head quarter of neighboring district Mahottari. It ha a famous ancient pilgrimage Jaleshwer Nath Temple with lord Shivas Ling always immersed in water fed by nearby Barunsar. The temple complex has many other ancient images of Ram Sita Hanuman etc. Girija Sthan It is located about 15 km south of Janakpur in India. It has an ancient Saktipith (Altar of Power Goddess). According to the tradition, it is dedicated to the princes Girija, daughter of Giriraj Himalya, the king of Giri. She is regarded as royal Deity of king Janak. Besides, there are numerous Math, Mandir, Kuti, Sagars, Shrines situated in different part of Janakpur. The region has also numerous archaeological sites which need further study and researches. The above descriptions depict the tourism potential of the region. The tourism should be analyzed in the concept of Greater Janakpur instead of district Dhanusha. The mindset of tourism department and Nepal Tourism Board towards pilgrimage tourists especially from India has to change by acknowledging registering them as tourists. The 2007 data of district tourism department office shows that only 25 tourists visited the area clearly depicts that they dont acknowledge pilgrims from India as tourists. Tourism Infrastructure Janakpur is well connected to other parts of the country through road network. It has well developed link with Indian towns through road networks (Janakpur Bhittamod, Sitamadhi and Janakpur Jathi, Durbhanga), and Railway (Janakpur Jaynagar Railway). This ancient type meter gauge steam engine railway service itself is an attraction for tourists. Janakpur is also
-39-
connected with capital by half an air route which could be boon for tourism in days to come. The Janakpur has inns, hotels, restaurants, cyber caf necessary for the development of tourism. Besides all these attractions, facilities and potential Janakpur region is still struggling even to have a proper tourism information center, better city infrastructure, marketing in national and international level and a comprehensive tourism development plan. Tourism sector is still very primitive, unorganized and unmanaged in Janakpur. Some prominent civil society member even mentioned that the gathering of large number of pilgrims from India and other parts of the nation at different festive occasions do no good than making the city stinky, filthy and nasty. This kind of observation reveals the malicious attitude of national tourism development institutions, policy makers and NPC toward the development Terai towns and centers along with the lower level of private sector and people participation and inability of local authorities to manage the mega events. Janakpur Tourism has never got its share of pie from national coffer for its development besides its strength. If developed properly, it can contribute immensely in employment generation and poverty reduction in the region. Peoples participation, mobilization of private sectors, planned government investments and innovative thinking can bring tremendous change in tourism development in the district. Tourists attraction beyond Janakpur like Dhanusha Dham, Chireshwer Nath, Jaleshwer Nath, Matihani, Satoshar, Dhroovkund are to be developed as religious ring around Janakpur to spread the tourist activities and retain the tourist for longer period of time.
Table 5.20 Archeological Sites in Dhanusha District (Gadh and Gadhi) S. No Name of Site Location VDC Remarks 1. Jat Jatin Gadh Nagrain 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Rupaitha Gadhi Parsahi Gadhi Jhatiyahi Gadhi Dhanusha Gadhi Supaul Gadhi Bagewa Gadhi Srawan Kumar Gadhi Bhamarpura Gadhi Akaura Gadhi Sakal Singh Gadi Rupaitha Naukhor Parsahi Jhatiyahi Tejnagar Dhanauji Laxmipur Mahdaiya Tapanpur Bhamarpura Devdiha Bahera Bela
Source: Historical and Archaeological Site Survey within the Greater Janakpur Area, Greater Janakpur Development committee
Names of Prominent Mosques in the District S.No Masjid/Idgah Location Age 1 Idgah Majhaura Bishnupur 250 2 Masjid Bramapura 3 Masjid Kharihani 100 Besides, there are 50 Masjids and Idgah in different VDCs
Source: Greater Janakpur Development committee
-40-
S. No 1
Name of Temple Laxmi Temple Narayan
Table 5.21 Places of Religious Importance (Temples ) Location VDC Age in Land in Bigha Physical Yrs Condition Tulsiyahi Jabdi 275 44 bigha Land under Matihani Math 85 bigha land 10 Bigha Land 18 bigha under Janaki Temple 102 Bigha land, Guthi Sansthan 5 bigha land 2 Bigha land 10 Land 135 Bigha Dilapidated, Needs conservation Dilapidated Dilapidated Dilapidated
Remarks
2 3 4
Ram Janaki Temple Laxmi Narayan Temple Ram Janaki Temple
Basahiyacccc Basbiti -3 Deuri Parbaha
500 225
Madhukarhi Sthan
Suga Madhukarhi
Dilapidated
6 7 8 9 10
Ram Janaki Temple Ram Janaki Temple Mithila Temple Subba Kuti Dhanush Temaple Bihari
Paudeshwer Andupatti Kachuri Thera Dhanusha Govindpur Dhanusha Dham
275 225
Dilapidated Thached Roof Kuti Dilapidated Dilapidated Dilapidated Archaeological, Religious and historical site
Leader of 15 Days parikrama
54 Bigha Land Under Janaki Temple 8 Bigha land 30 Land Bigha
11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Bichla Kutti Ram Janaki Temple Ram Janaki Temple Shiv Temple Hardinath Temple Shiv Temple Shiv
Dhanusha Govindpur Lagma Debdiha Mahuwa Hardinath Jhojhi Kataiya Mithileshwer Satoshar
175
Dilapidated Dilapidated
150 500 300
1 Bigha 35 3
Good Good Dilapidated Idol Stolen Dilapidated
Private temple
Mithileshwer Mahadev Temple Shiv Temple Udeshwer Temple Itharwa Sthan Nath
Dhanauji Itharwa
550
52
Dilapidated Dilapidated, poorly Managed Dilapidated Dilapidated Dilapidated Dilapidated Dilapidated Famous/rich under Guthi Sansthan
220 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Chakreshwer Nath Chireshwer Nath Swet Kali Temple Sonawati Than Rajdevi Mandir Devi Mandir Kali Mandir Chakkar Hariharpur Tulsiyah Jabdi Suga Nikas Tarapatti Sirsiya Laxmipur Bageba Dhanauji 150 230 3 2
525 32 Dilapidated Besides, there are numerous small kuti and shrines in different settlements of the district
Source: Greater Janakpur Development committee
-41-
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Table 5.22 Sagar, Talaw and Pokharis in Janakpur Janak Sarovar 37 Kagbati Sar Karharwa (Kalki Sar) 38 Angrag Sar Genahi Pokhari (Gunmati Sar) 39 Tel Ghrita Sar Thari Sar (Chatri Sar) 40 Laxman Sar Nathu Pokhari 41 Bhandana Sar Fulgen Sha Pokhari 42 Navki Pokhari Ram Chadra Shah Pokhari 43 Bali Pokhari Pustkalya Pokhari 44 Khatta Pokhari Dev Narayn Shah Pokhari 45 Gobraua Pokhari Bhogal Shah Pokhari 46 Jogiya Pokhari Chandra Kup 47 Pap Mochini Pokhari Diwan Pokhari 48 Gopal Pokhari Dirghika Sar 49 Chatradharini Sar Payswini Sar 50 Bighna Harani Pokhari Gang Sagar 51 Purni Pokhari Dhanusha Sagar 52 Adhikari Pokhari Ram Sagar 53 Chori Dabra Pokhari Murli Sar 54 Chitahi Pokhari Bishara Sar 55 Singrahiya Pokhari Purundar Sar 56 Gunwaji Pokhari Maharaja Sar 57 Nochiya Dabra Kapalmochan Sar 58 Juri Pokhari Gordhoi Pokhari 59 Pasra Pokhari Ratna Sagar 60 Babulal Pokhari Bihar Kund 61 Nakchedwa Pokhari Agni Kund 62 Mani Mandap Pokhari Madhyama Sar 63 Lakhanshah Pokhari Gyan Kup 64 Kurtha Pokhari Vidya Kup 65 Anurag Sar Sita Kund 66 Kamla Kund Satanand Kup 67 Prem Sarovar Surya Kund 68 Sevamantak Sar Biral Sar 69 Maknahi Pokhari Rukmini Sar 70 Ganpati Pokhari Baldev Sar 71 Bhaluwahi Pokhari Dhaut pap Sar
Besides, there are numerous ponds in the district. Each Math Mandir and Sthan has its own Ponds. Ponds Other than that of religious importance are used for aqua culture and irrigation and have emerged as major sources of income for local body and schools.
Source: Greater Janakpur Development committee, Githi sansthan and municipality
-42-
5.6
Forest Development and Management
Historically the district was pre dominantly covered with forest. The fact that the Jaynagar Janakpur Bijalpura was constructed in early 50s by the government of India to import timber strengthens the argument. After construction of East West Highway a massive deforestation was carried out as per government policy to settle migrants from hill and mountain. Todays emerging towns along the highways came after such government sponsored drive. At present, forest is limited to Chure Bhanwar and Sivalic geographic region (northern belt) of the district. A very small forest area can be seen in Mid Madhes region ie Dhanusha Dham. The landuse survey conducted in 1978 under LRMP mentions that about 24.86 percent of total land mass is covered with forest while the survey conducted in 1999 under OFMP exhibits only 20.03 percent land is under forest cover. This includes even the private horticulture farms, community forests and road side plantation. The forest in the region is covered with mainly Sal, Asna, Khayar, Siris, Kusum, Mahuwa, Jamun, Sisso, Satisal, Amaltas, Bel, Mango Tree, Palas, Karma, Pipal, Simal, Nim and Bamboo. The forest development in the district is managed by district forest office at district headquarter, 2 Ilaka forest office and 12 range posts situated in the forest. The range posts are basically involved controlling theft of timber, forest products, poaching of animals and birds etc and implementing the program activities as per the direction of District Forest Office. The LRMP survey outlines that mainly three kinds of forest are prevalent in the district 1. Sal Forest Forest in Dhanusha Dham, Maltol and Tulsi region are exclusively Sal forest. However Sal is prevalent in mixed broad leaved forests. Due to human pressure and fire wood collection, the crown density of these forests is only about 30%. The crown density of forest in Sivalik region is higher than in Terai region. About 29 percent of the total forest is covered with Sal.
Table 5.23 Forest Coverage in different Regions Area in Ha Forest Type % Remarks Sal 552.5 1.8 The OFMP Survey Mixed 52 0.2 presents Horticulture 267 0.9 Productive Forest 1.3%, Sal 8428 27.0 Community Forest 7% Mixed 20931 67.1 and Restricted forest Horticulture 54.5 0.2 91.7% New Plantation 886 2.8 Total 31171 100.0
Source: District Forest Office
Region Terai Sivalic
2. Mixed forest Most of the forest in Chure region falls under this category of the forest. Most of the plants in this forest are of non commercial type however its conservation has high importance from environmental perspective as it can control the soil erosion, flood etc. The forest is predominantly covered with small timbers, bushes with crown coverage of about 50%. More than 67% of the forest area is covered with mixed kind of forest
-43-
3. Horticulture/New Forest This kind of forest covers mango farms, horticulture farms and newly planted forest areas in the district. This is the productive forest. Horticulture covers about 1.2 % of total forest while the new forest covers about 2.8 % of total forest. Khayar, Sisso and Eucalyptus are major plants in new forest. The forest survey reveals that 48 to 100 plants are in one ha. 5.6.1 Bio Diversity
The limited forest coverage, low crown density and high human pressure are major causes of decreasing bio diversity in the region. The unsecured habitat, decreasing food and increasing poaching has limited the population of different animals and plants in the region. The major animals in the region are bear, leopard, deer, Jackal, Cat, Bangur, Monkey and dear etc. Similarly, Faul, Machagidhha, Kakoo, Saras, Banhans, Peacock and Bankukhura are major birds in the district. Python Viper and Cobra are major reptiles in these forests. Sunakhari Community Forest, Doodhpani Community Forest, Aurahi Khola Ban, Jagdhar Ban, Murgiya Ban, Charnathban, Selar Ban etc are major habitat of the fauna in the district. Most of these forests are in western northern region of the district. For conservation of forest, a Bio Diversity program for Terai and Sivalic along with forest development and monitoring have been implemented with the help of SNV/Netherland. Numerous training and capacity building programs for target groups have been conducted in the region for optimal use of forest product and its conservation. Forest Based Industry With the increased population and urbanization in the district, the demand for forest product has been increasing and hence the forest based industries. The major industries are a paper factory, 2 ply wood industries, 101 saw mills, around 200 furniture industries and few Tapari industries. The raw materials required for these industries mainly are supplied from personal/private horticulture farms. Sisau, Jackfruit, Mango etc are mainly used for furniture while teak and others are used for plywood industry. Leaves of different plants like sal are used for Tapari. NTFP are also used in various purposes. Janakpur Furniture has high demand at national level in Kathmandu and Pokhra. The district forest office revealed that the annual demand of forest products for HH used has increased as enlisted in table 5.24.
Table 5.24 Demand of Forest Products Description of Demand of various Forest Products in MT Forest Product 1991 2001 2006 Timber 106382 cft 132564 cft 137437 cft Fire Wood 1224 MT 224176 MT 246482 MT Dale Grass 182274 MT 248360 MT 274174 MT
Source: District Forest Office
-44-
Only about 60 percent of the fire wood demand is fulfilled from local personal plants while rest is imported from Sagarnath forest in Sirha and Mahottari and other forests in Sindhuli, Rauthat, Morang and Jhapa. Similarly about 30 percent of the timber demand is also supplied to the district from these districts. The community forest has helped in conservation and supply of NTFP however the policy to allow local people to get one load of fire wood free of cost has resulted in theft of timbers and contributed in deforestation. Similarly the policy to sell timbers to community forest users at the rate of Nrs 300/cft while the market rate is about Nrs 1000/cft has increased corruption and hence deforestation in the district. The timber corporation of Nepal (TCN) is sole agency to supply timber in the district while Fuel Corporation supplies fire wood through its various depots in the district. The district forest office exhibits that the timber production from private forest has decreased from 114153 cft in 2000 to 50388 cft in 2003, however the timber production has slowly increased to 65000cft in 2006.
Forest Development and Expansion
The government initiated forest development and expansion activities through Terai Community Forest Development Program. 25 nurseries were established to supply seeds and small plants to individual farmers and communities free of cost to encourage plantation in the district. It also initiated plantation programs in barren government lands and hence increased the forest coverage. However, after completion of the project, the forest office could not sustain it. At present only four nurseries are functional and are struggling to fulfill the huge demand. Some private nurseries have come up to sell sisau, mango and other similar plants. The department of forest through its various programs has planted different kind of plants in 1825 ha of land in last 25 years. These efforts cover road side plantation, river and canal bank plantation and government land plantation. The environment and soil condition in the district coupled with the high market demand for furniture and other forest based product indicate high potential for private forest development in the district. At present more that 70 registered private forests are indication for future growth if supported properly.
-45-
Chapter 6
Physical Infrastructure
6.1 Transportation Transportation System works as vain (nervous system) through which people, goods and services move from one place to other. Despite revolutionary development in Information Technology, Telecommunication, internet and email, it can not transport a kilogram of rice from one place to other. Roan network is the major means of transportation in the district though the only railway network (70km, Jaynagar- Janakpur- Bijulpura) in the country is passing through the district. The district headquarter is also linked to the capital with daily 3 flights (total 60 Passengers). In National as well as District context, the movement of people, goods and services solely depends on road transportation. Transportation facilities has emerged as key input factor to ensure faster socio economic development and accordingly the government policies are directed to ensure efficient movement, however, the economic return factors were overlooked in the past resulting in lower level of transportation network development in the district, despite lower road construction cost is lower and higher economic return.
S. No 1 Table 6.1 Summary of the Road Network in the District Name of Road Class Length C. Surface Type Present Width Condition BT GR ER Mahendra Highway (Kamla Rato Section) 2 Dhalkewar - Janakpur Bidhi Section 3 Chure Rato River Section Sub Total 4 District Road 5 Urban Road (JKR Municipality) NH Ho1 NH Ho2 NH Ho2 DR UR 29 28 10 10 29 28 Good Dilapidated, low capacity Remarks (Need)
Widening to Double lane, Reconstruction
4 61 248
10 6
Good Maintenance and Upgrading Maintenance, Side drain, Widening and Upgrading Maintenance, Culverts and Upgrading
61 38 130 80 Dilapidated 21 21 6 Dilapidated
48 18m 6m
6 Village Road
VR
403
0 113 290 Dilapidated
Total
760
120 264 376

Source: Dhanusha District Road Inventory 2007
Road Density and Access to Rural Area The district road Statistics exhibits that the district has total 760km of length comprising 120 km Blacktop, 264 gravel and 376 km of earthen road. The road density is about 64km for every 100 square km of area and 1.13km of road per 1000 population of the district. The district road density 64 is higher than the national average 15 while the road length 1.13km per thousand populations in the district is quite lower than the National Average of 3.2km. This information coined with the physical condition of the road reveals that the district road
-46-
capacity has to be increased by extending and upradation of fair-weather roads to all weather roads. All earthen road are to be upgraded to gravel road with concrete culverts and bridges while all gravel roads linking the service centers to the district head quarter to blacktop. Every VDCs in the district is connected with the fair weather road while only a few VDCs and Service centers are connected with the all weather roads (blacktop). During Monsoon, due to flooding, most of the road gets damaged due to inundation resulting in complete communication break up for 25 percent of the VDCs and limited communication to 45 percent of the VDCs. Only 30 percent of the VDCs remain connected to the district HQ and other parts of the country through out the year. Mode of Transportation Major mode of transportation for goods and people are truck, tractor and buses plying on National Highway (61km), and District road (38km black top) and on gravel district road (130km) with limited frequency. The movement of Buses on Gravel Road is unreliable and get disturbed during the monsoon. For other parts of the district tractor and Bullock carts are still means of transportation for good and people. In last one decade number of two wheelers has increased drastically and has emerged as major mode of transportation for individuals in urban as well as rural area of the district. Other important mode of transportation to cover short distance is Rickshaw in urban and rural area of the district. The dependency of rural people to transport their products to the local market on Bullock cart is seen as impediments to the commercialization of agriculture. All weather Village Roads also known as Agriculture Roads is the pre requisite for the development of primary sector including aqua culture, horticulture, floriculture and its commercialization. Similarly efficient (safe and fast) movement of people and goods along the tourist corridors (Janakpur Dhanushadham, Janakpur - Jaleshwer, Janakpur Satoshar, Janakpur Girjasthan etc) of the district can ensure the development of the tourism in the district. A detailed District Transport Master Plan has to be prepared and implemented considering agriculture and tourism as lead sector for the development of the district. Inter District Transportation The northern region of the district is directly linked with other districts and corners of the nation through East West highway, however, the majorities of the settlement along with district head quarter is linked with other districts through single lane black top feeder road (Janakpur Dhalkewar, 24km) meeting East West highway at Dhalkewar. The Janakpur Dhalkewar is developing as industrial corridor. The majorities of the agricultural and industrial and other commodities are exported and imported to and from other districts through this over crowded dilapidated road stretch. The road needs urgent widening and reconstruction to facilitate efficient movement of goods and people. Trucks are used as only means for inter district transportation of goods while buses are generally used for movement of people beside some private and institutional vehicles. The origin destination volume count survey shows that about 24 night buses and 7 day buses are plying on Janakpur Kathmandu route daily. Janakpur is linked with Biratnagar (18 bus trip daily), Birgunj (24 bus trip daily), Kakadvitta (4 night and 8 day bus trip daily) Jaleshwer Mahottari (24 bus trip daily). Similarly, Janakpur has direct bus link with other major towns of the nation like Rajbiraj, Shira, Gaighat Udaypur, Sindhuli, Hetauda, Narayanghat, Pokhra, Bhairahwa, Nepalgunja etc with low frequencies. However, the flow of goods is mainly with Birgunj, Biratnagar and Kathmandu. The imports and exports of agricultural products like vegetables, dairy products and fishes
-47-
occurs through buses plying on respective route basically due to lower scale of trading by individuals. Linkage with Indian Boarder Towns The study of boarder towns has revealed that the growth is a function of its linkage with Indian boarder towns. Perhaps this is one of the major reasons behind slow growth of Janakpur with respect to Bhairahwa, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar and Birgunj. The only railway (meter gauge) in the nation joins Janakpur with Indian Town Jayanagar however the service quality and reliability is so poor that the 34 km journey takes more than 3 hours. Due to technical difficulties frequent disruption is prevalent discouraging traders for the extension and operation of Business. However, the Indian government has extended Broad gauge railway network to Jaynagar facilitating direct fast track movement to Kalkutta and New Delhi. This has increased the trading and commercial potential immensely in the region. It can boost the industrial development and enhance the import export efficiency in the district if Janakpur Jaynagar railway is given new face with broad gauge track. Janakpur Jathi is another road connecting to Indian towns of Darbhanga and Madhubani through Umgaon. The physical condition of road and bridges on either side of the boarder is so dilapidated that the loaded trucks prefer to avoid the route. Even the bus and small vehicle journey is very uncomfortable. However, the Indian government has initiated the construction of four lanes national highway to bring Umgaon, Durbhanga and Madhwani to national grid of transportation network. The Nepal government has also planned to reconstruct and maintain the road. Janakpur Jaleshwer Bhithamod is another route linking Dhanusha to Indian boarder town of Sitamadhi, Mujjafarpur and Patna. It has been the life line for both Dhanusha and Mahottari Districts. It has been the major trade route in the past but for last one decades the heavy vehicles movement have been risky and discontinued due to damage caused by annual floods to bridges and road surface on Indian Side. For last two years the situation has improved after the construction of new bridges and road however the road on Nepal side needs widening and proper and timely maintenance. The major bridge over Aurahi River just north of Mahendranagar collapsed three years ago. Since then, buses and all other vehicle plying on Dhalkewar Janakpur route have to run over the debris of the Bridge. Similarly other bridges in the stretch are in dilapidated condition resulting in disruption of movement during monsoon season. Despite allocation of billions of rupee annually to transportation sector, the pathetic condition of one of the busiest route and economically important road and bridges in the nation for years reveals the biased planning approach of the policy makers. 6.2 Information and Communication
Information and communication has emerged as leading infrastructure necessary for the development of district, region and even the country. In last two decades, the country has seen tremendous development in the sector with various communication and information companies competing. Dhanusha district is not an exception. It has seen an unprecedented growth in mass communication sector with the opening of seven FM station in the district providing news, views and entertainment to the people.
-48-
Telecommunication Nepal Telecom Company has been providing telecommunication facilities in the district for long. Recently, Mero Mobile has started its service in the district. Telecommunication has been providing all kind of communication service like PSTN, GSM, CDMA, Sky Phone and internet services. It has distributed 7500 PSTN lines covering the municipal area and Dhalkewar and Mahendranagar. The Marts system was covering about 35 VDCs however; the towers in most of the VDCs were demolished during the decade long Maoist insurgency. The telecom is installing CDMA technology instead of MARTS. At present almost all VDCs of the district is connected with some forms of communication specially mobile technology. The telecommunication facilities in the district are depicted in the table below: Table 6.2
Type of Service PSTN MARTS* GSM (Mobile) CDMA Sky Phone MERO Mobile No of ISP Providers Internet Connection No of Cyber Cafe Postal Service District Ilaka Others
Telecommunication Facilities in the district

Coverage (No of VDCs) JKR, Dhalkewar and Mahendranagar 35 VDCs All VDCs 73 All VDCs All VDCs 3 all in JKR 2000 10 in JKR 1 in Mnagar 1 at JKR 13 in each Ilaka 75 in VDCs
Source: Nepal Telecom Office, Janakpur 2007 District Statistics Office
No of Lines Pre paid Post paid 7500 35 4000 800
Capacity 10000
8000 3150 1000 5000
5000 1000
Mero Mobile has recently extended its service to the district and has sold more than 5000 connection covering almost each VDCs in the district. However the quality of services for mobile has deteriorated mainly due to high traffic and low capacity. An external antenna has to be used in case of remote VDCs. The annual revenue collection of Nepal Telecom has increased to Nrs 105 Million. The annual fluctuation is attributed to the new connection fee and new sales of pre paid mobiles. Table 6.3 Annual Income of Nepal Telecom The number of subscriber has been Revenue Collection in 000 increasing and still there is great % demand for NTC mobile and PSTN Year Sales Others Total Change services. Due to poor quality, CDMA 2003/4 97820 6093 103913 lines are not popular among the urban 2004/05 71910 5932 77842 -25.0893 people while it is the only mode in case 2005/06 105939 4845 110784 42.31906 of remote village.
2006/07 101770 3033 104803 -5.39879
Source: Nepal Telecom Office, Janakpur
Besides mobile, internet and emails are becoming popular mode of communication in the urban community. At present, three internet service providers are providing internet services to more than 2000 individual and 70 institutional subscribers. The service has not extended
-49-
to service centers and VDCs except in Mahendranagar. More that 10 cyber cafes are functioning in the district. Some of the cyber cafes are using even the wireless internet facility. However, ISTN, ADSL and VOIP services are not available due to limited band width connection. Broad band connection is not available even though the district is connected with the Optical Fiber. Postal service is limited to the official use only due to increasing trend of email and internet. Mass Communication Radiio, TV and Newspaper are major means of mass communication in the district. TV is facilitated with 5 cable operators in and around Janakpur while the VDCs have its own cable operator. About 60 percent of the VDCs in the district have some kind of cable TV networks. Though a comprehensive data is not available about the TV ownership, it has been estimated that about 70 percent of household in the Municipal area and 8 percent household in village area possess a TV. Similarly about 120 daily and weekly news paper are registered in the district, however only 5 daily news paper and few weekly paper and magazine are published from the district. The distribution of these news papers are limited to municipal and some service center areas. The national daily, weekly and other magazines are also available in Janakpur, Mahendranagar and other settlements along the east west highways. Indian daily and weekly are equally popular among the Janakpurbasi. FM radio has emerged as leader of the mass communication in the district with the opening of 6 FM stations within last two years. 3 community FM radio are established with the support of DANIDA while 3 commercial FM stations are established by the local private sector. It has increased the political awareness tremendously besides creating jobs in the district. Due to its proximity to the Indian Boarder town and unavailability of FM station there, these FM radios have great opportunity to extend their market to Indian towns. Some of the FM radios are already ripping the benefits. These FM radios will bring comprehensive change in political, social, economic and environmental awareness among the citizen in the region if focused and managed properly. The signs are evident. Telephones, mobiles and TVs are still far from the reach of the general people in District as these services are limited to the district head quarter. Each VDC need a good quality PCO with telephone and internet facility with VOIP so that relatives of migrant workers can be in touch with each other at cheaper price. People living in capital and other major towns with high purchasing power are using far cheaper communication facilities that the poor rural population. This has to be reversed. Private service providers, Nepal Telecom etc should extend their services to the rural area. 6.3 Electricity and Alternate Energy
Electricity is another basic infrastructure for the development of the district. Nepal Electricity Authority is the sole electricity provider in rural and urban area of the district. Electricity is mainly use for household consumption in lighting (65%) and cooking (<5%) and industrial use (30%). The table 6.4 shows that only 45 percent of the population have access to electricity while 62 percent of the VDCs are connected with the electricity network in the district revealing that some of the VDCs are not fully electrified on one hand and on the other the downtrodden population (ultra poor) can not afford the high cost of power. The industrial
-50-
share in revenue is more than 30 percent indicating the industrial opportunities in the district. The district electricity authority revealed that all the VDCs (102) will be brought under electricity network, however unless the electricity is made affordable to ultra poor and farmers, its impact on poverty reduction will be limited. Table 6.4 Annual Growth of Electricity Sector in the district
No of VDCs covered under Electricity Network = 62 /102 (64% VDC coverage) No of Consumer till 2063/63 = 46000 Total Population Covered = 300000 (45% Population Coverage) Annual Annual Annual Total year Annual New Revenue Industrial Industrial Revenue Domestic Collection Connection Revenue in Nrs 000 Connection in Rs 000 Connection in Rs 000 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 4496 4409 7709 4496 205679 213110 239859 259100 35 41 47 55 91362 93551 102424 122278 297041 306661 342283 381378 3.24 11.62 11.42
Growth in Revenue in %
Over the year, coverage has increased, however the quality has deteriorated. Annual load shading is about 4 hours in general while during it reaches up to 40 hrs a week. Voltage fluctuation and low voltage is another common feature of the electricity in the district increasing the maintenance cost of household appliance and small processing units. Power theft is another problem especially rural area. The annual increase of 12 percent in revenue collection is positive aspect. Alternate Energy The household distribution as per the use of source of energy for lightening cooking indicates that about 55 percent of population depends on kerosene for lightening and 70 percent of HH depends on fire wood and cow dung for cooking contributing to high pressure on decreasing forest resources and expensive fossil fuel. This also contributes to deteriorating environment and global warming. Despite, there has been little effort to promote alternate energy in the district. Only 266 HH is using solar energy that too for warming water only. Bio gas production using cow and buffalo dung has high potential in the district if coined with dairy development. Despite considerably high number of cattle in Dhanusha, the national programs and NGOs and INGOs initiatives to promote Gober/Bio gas have been focused to hilly district. More than 50000 HH have one or more than one cow/ox and 30000 HH have Buffalo. More than 20000 HH have both cow and buffalo. The number can go considerably high if Gober/Bio gas is properly promoted in rural areas.
Table 6.5 HH distribution as per the use of source of energy for lightening Description Percentage No Total HH 100 117417 Electricity 43.82 51451 Source Kerosine Bio Gas 53.6 62941 0.22 253 Others 2.36 2773
-51-
Table 6.6 HH distribution as per the use of source of energy for Cooking Source of energy Description Nos Percentage No of HH 117417 100 Wood/ Cow Dung 80189 68.29 LP Gas 8083 6.88 Bio Gas 399 0.34
Kerosene 24816 21.13
Others 1814 1.54
Unknown 2116 1.80
6.4
Water Supply
Ground Water is the major source of drinking water in the district. More than 95 percent of the people depend on ground water while only few are using surface water as source for drinking water. About 30 percent of populations have access to piped water mainly in Urban areas and northern region of the district where tube well is either not feasible or too expensive. Ground water table study undertaken by the ground water division office and district water supply office suggests that drinking water can be extracted at the depth of 10 feet or more in southern area of the district while artesian aquifer is prevalent in north of district headquarter about 20km wide stretching from east to west. In further North ie along the east west highway and further north, the water table is so low that shallow tubewell is not possible. Deep tubewell is prevalent in this region for drinking water.
Table 6.7 HH Distribution as per Access to Source of Water Supply Piped Water 35237 30.01 Inar, Kuwa 6619 5.64 Source of drinking Water River/ Tubewell Spring Stream Others 71649 266 275 626 61.02 0.23 0.23 0.53
HH Percentage
Total 117417 100
Unknown 2746 2.34
Source: District Statistics Office 2005
Sources Inar Tubewell Tap Artesian Well Deep Tubewell
No 1754 44500 2053 82 67
-52-
Surface water is mainly used in Lalgadh, Tulsi Chaura, and Mainawati of Godar VDC. All these settlements are north of East West highway. Care Nepal and other NGO/INGO helped in installing water supply system in northern area of the district while the government of Nepal provided subsidies for community tubewells in southern area. Due to unclear ownership and poor maintenance level, the community tubewells have become defunct over the time period. Recently, the VDC has initiated to form users group at local level for owning and maintaining these community tubewells. The mechanism is working efficiently as per the DDC and local people. Majorities of the HH own individual tube wells. The quality of the groundwater is safe for drinking in general. However the recent study and Arsenic test has shown high iron content in VDCs along the east west highway and its adjacent VDCs on southern side. The arsenic test study supported by UNICEF reveals that about 95.6 percent of the tube wells have arsenic concentration less than 10 ppb, around 3.6 percent of the tube wells have arsenic concentration between 10 to 50ppb and about 0.8 percent of the tubewells have arsenic concentration more that 50 ppb. Higher arsenic concentration is prevalent in Balha Saghara, Lakkar, Goth Kohalpur, Inurwa, Balabakhar, Balha Goth, Duhabi, Ithaharwa, Satokhar, Raghunathpur, Sonigama, Sabaila, Jhatiyahi, Bagchaura, Kajra Ramaul, Dhanusha Govindpur, Gopalpur, Hanspur Kathpulla, Basbiti, Mithileshwer Nikas and Janakpur Municipality. Most of these settlements are in eastern region of the district ie along the Kamla River.
Table 6.8 No of Tube wells and Arsenic Concentration in Dhanusha No of Tube well Public 5386 Private 54189 Total 595 75 No of well with Arsenic Concentration in ppb 10 t0 <10 % 50 % >50 % Remarks 100 % 56980 95.64 2145 3.60 450 0.76 Coverage
Source: Water Supply and Sanitation Office 2006
Table 6.9 On going Water Supply Project in Dhanusha District Name of the project Location No of Start Date Completion Beneficiary Date Lohna WSP Naktajhijh WSP Laxmi Niwas WSP Mahendranagar WSP Dhanusha Dham WSP Lohna (ward no 1-9) Naktajhijh (W No 1-6) Laxmi niwas (W No 1-9) M Nagar (W no 1-4) DD Ward no 1-5 2500 4707 5317 8100 14695 2006/07 2000/01 1999/2000 1999/2000 1998/99 2007/08 2007/08 2007/08 2008/09 2007/08
Cost in 000 500 17180 16058 16267 29489
Source: Water Supply and Sanitation Office 2006
The Government of Nepal, Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office has been implementing various water supply projects especially in northern region of the district. Majorities of these projects (Naktajhij, Laxminiwars, Mahendranagar and Dhanusha Dham) are deep boring with over head tank and piped water supply system. In southern region, the government support in community shallow tubewells like in Lohna. People in southern region dispose waste water from community tube well and even individual tube well to the road creating ground for mosquito breeding on one hand and filthy environment on the other. Any water supply project should include the waste water disposal system along with the water fetching platform. The water fetching time has considerably reduced in through out the district. However water quality due to presence of arsenic in
-53-
eastern region along the Kamla River has to be dealt carefully and technology should be developed to solve this problem in the Terai region of the country. Water supply system in Janakpur is mixed type. Beside the supply of piped water supply within core area (Parikrama Sadak) by water supply Corporation, each HH has its own individual tube well due to its reliability and uninterrupted supply.
Table 6.10 Households Using Main Source Of Drinking Water Spout River/ Total Tap/Pipe Well Tubewell Water Stream Others 4174457 100.00 1465753 100.00 117417 100.00 2209760 52.94 846532 57.75 35237 30.01 377241 9.04 124697 8.51 6619 5.64 1184156 28.37 412473 28.14 71649 61.02 267180 6.40 48557 3.31 266 0.23 61400 1.47 9213 0.63 275 0.23 37232 0.89 10287 0.70 626 0.53 Not Stated 37489 0.90 13994 0.95 2746 2.34
Area NEPAL % CDR % Dhanusha %
National Census 2001
6.5
Sanitation, Sewage/Drainage and Solid Waste Management
Survey for the use of toilet facility conducted in 2005 by district health office revealed that only 40 percent of the HH are having toilet facility (septic toile 25.9 %, Pit toilet 15.2%) and rest of the population uses opens space especially the land around water body for defecation. The pathetic situation of sanitation is evident from the fact that road stretches just outside of any village gives an impression of open toilet. It is shame for the local inhabitants and the government; however the situation has not changed for long due to lower level of awareness, education and poor government intervention. The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme virtually have not implemented any sanitation program in rural area of the district. The fact is evident from the comparative date presented in Table 6.11 exhibiting the toilet facility is far behind than national and CDR averages. Recently NEWA in association with local NGO (Women Development Service Center has initiated the sanitation program under Water for Health Program. It has provided technical and financial support for the construction of more than a thousand toilets in 9 VDCs of the districts. WDSC is running awareness program in those VDCs to get optimum benefit of the program. Other VDCs in the district have also forwarded similar demand but seeking the security reasons, the program has been canceled. In municipal area, more than 70 percent of the HH has septic toilet facility while more than 70 percent of HH does not have any form of toilet in rural area. The situation is worse in southern region mainly due to low level of awareness.
Table 6.11 Household by Type of Toilet Facility No Not Stated Total Flush Ordinary Toilet 4174457 100.00 1465753 100.00 117417 100.00 946923 22.68 439421 29.98 17638 15.02 978829 23.45 306718 20.93 30428 25.91 2191325 52.49 697809 47.61 66050 56.25 57380 1.37 21806 1.49 3301 2.81
Area Nepal %
CDR % Dhanusha %
Settlements in Terai are organically developed, dense with narrow streets and very few motorable roads with virtually no drains. After allocation of fund to the VDCs, the village level
-54-
roads have been alleviated and maintained without provision of any drains causing blockage of domestic waste water and rainwater. The domestic waste water is managed by digging a ditch in the backyard of individual premises providing breeding ground for mosquito and flies resulting into spread of water borne diseases frequently. Sometimes, they open the drain on road creating stinking and filthy environment. Drainage becomes major problem during monsoon. Ponds and other water bodies get contaminated and hence negative consequences on human and cattle life. Even in Municipal are of Janakpur only 43 percent of area and 55 percent of HH is covered with proper drainage system. Recently, the division office of housing and urban development in association with municipality has prepared drainage master plan and is constructing the trunk lines within the municipal area. The VDCs should be provided technical support for construction of drains to dispose domestic waste water and monsoon runoff. It will drastically reduce the cases of water borne diseases in the district. Solid waste is an urban problem, however due to increasing use of plastic, tin and other non degradable substances even at village level, rural areas also have initiated to experience such problem. In rural areas, more than 95 percent of waste is bio degradable and hence is used as manure after composting at local level. In Janakpur, solid waste is managed conventionally by collecting and dumping the garbage at designated dumping site. About 3.3 MT of solid waste is generated daily in the municipal area. People dump the garbage from their house to its nearby nooks and corners of road. The municipality collects waster from these location by mobilizing more that 16 tractors and 30 sweepers and dumps finally at the bank of Doodhmati River. This service is available within the Parikrama Sadak. The major impediments of the sanitation in the district is awareness level among the general people, increasing use of plastic and plastic products and low priority intervention of GOs, NGOs and CSOs towards sanitation program in the district.
-55-
Chapter 7
Social Infrastructure
7.1 Education Education is the most important indicator of human development index. Literacy provides access to information, while educational attainment provides scope for new opportunities. It is a social infrastructure and hence its demand, supply and accessibility to everyone are to be ensured for the development of the district. The school going population distribution and number of schools, its location with other physical facilities and student teacher ration determines the demand and supply of education services. The general status of literacy in the district and its comparison with region and national level in presented in Table below;
Table 7.1 : POPULATION 6 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER BY LITERACY STATUS AND SEX
Total Area Nepal % CDR %5 Dhanusha % Total Male Can't Read and Write Female Total Male Can read Only Male Can Read and Write both Not Stated Male Female Total Male Female 64909 0.67 19489 0.59 2018 0.76
Female Total
Female Total
19255805 9592569 9663236 7654241 2720233 4934008 1133172 574324 558849 10348428 6242957 4105470 119964 55054 100.00 100.00 100.00 39.75 28.36 51.06 5.88 5.99 5.78 53.74 65.08 42.49 0.62 0.57
6802795 3485723 3317073 2807448 1062699 1744750 375074 194039 181034 3580799 2209000 1371797 100.00 100.00 100.00 41.27 30.49 52.60 5.51 5.57 5.46 14350 5.39 52.64 63.37 41.36 96097 36.07
39476 19978 0.58 4192 0.75 0.57 2173 0.75
557980 291535 266445 255045 101066 153979 100.00 100.00 100.00 45.71 34.67 57.79
28870 14520 5.17 4.98
269873 173776 48.37 59.61
Table 7.2 LITERATE POPULATION 6 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER BY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT (LEVEL PASSED) (6-7) Certificate No (1-5) (8-10) SLC & Post Not Lower & Area Total Schooling Primary Secondary Secondary Equivalent Equivalent Graduate Graduate Others Stated Nepal % CDR % Dhanusha % 10348431 100.00 3580799 100.00 269873 100.00 904426 4333968 8.74 8.75 13130 4.87 41.88 37.42 93270 34.56 313496 1340114 1986850 19.20 642068 17.93 48209 17.86 1177429 11.38 411160 11.48 30991 11.48 931583 9.00 390974 10.92 36238 13.43 532232 5.14 244116 6.82 24753 9.17 277165 2.68 145386 4.06 13453 4.98 75083 25110 0.73 1.21 3797 1.41 0.24 0.31 1454 0.54 43459 10958 104576 1.01 39060 1.09 4578 1.70
Table 7.3 Literacy Rate of Dhanusha District

Year Total Literacy Male Female 1971 11.9 20.5 2.8 S 1981 18.37 28.47 7.29 ti 1991 30.1 43.1 16.1 lC 2001 48.37 59.61 36.07 200
-56-
Despite being located in plains of Terai and nearer to India, the literacy rate of Dhanusha is lower than the national as well as regional averages (CDR). Per capita investment on primary education is substantially lower in Terai region than hill and mountain; however the continued government and donors negligence for years have jeopardized the education sector development in the district. Only marginal percentage of population have attained graduation level education reveals the under development of all other sectors in the district. The total literacy rate has increased from 12 percent in 1911 to 48.5 percent in 2001, however, substantial change is visible after restoration of democracy in 1990. The Female literacy rate (36%) is one of the lowest in Nation. This could be attributed to the rampant poverty and cultural barriers which discriminate alarmingly between girl and boy child. A social movement with strong political commitment is necessary to overcome this cultural barrier. Table 7.4 School Going Population Distribution Age and Sex TOTAL 0-4 5-9 10-15 School Going Percentage YEARS YEARS YEARS Pop (5 -15 ) Total
Male Female
670826
348943 321883
87943
44745 43198
103835
53778 50057
91390
49708 41682
195225 103486 91739
29.1 15.4 13.7
Table 7.5 No of Schools in the District 2001 Type of School Pre Primary Primary Lower Secondary Secondary Higher Secondary Campus Training Institution (CTEVT) Govt 100 208 29 50 2 2 1 Private 79 25 11 25 18 4 6 Total 180 237 43 79 20 6 7
No of Schools in the District 2007 Type of School Pre Primary Primary Lower Secondary Secondary Higher Secondary Campus Training Institution (CTEVT) Govt 100 213 39 60 2 2 1 Private 92 41 23 43 22 6 6 Total 192 254 62 103 24 8 7
Source: National Census 2001, District Education Office 2007
The VDC wise school distribution exhibits that 650 (417 Govt and 133 Private) registered schools are operating in the district. About 90 percent of the private schools are situated in the urban area reveals that the community schools are necessity of rural population specially the poor. Each VDC in the district has at least a primary school. The location of secondary and lower secondary schools in the district is evenly distributed to assure equal opportunity for all. The average time to reach nearest primary school and secondary school is about 10 20 minutes in rural areas while it is less in urban areas. The education in the district is analysed at various level as below 7.1.1 Pre Primary Education
The pre primary age (3-5) population of the district is about 35000. Pre primary education is only a decade old concept for rural areas propounded by NGOs. Numerous pre primary schools cropped up in communities but could not sustain after withdrawal of external support. At present about 100 pre primary schools are operating in each rural and urban area. According to district education office only about 8000 to 10000 children are enrolled
-57-
and more that 25000 children are deprived. Child Care centers with relevant physical facilities and child education material are to be developed in each village for the proper development of children in the district. 7.1.2 Primary Education
The national census 2001 shows that 103835 children are in age of primary school goers (5 to 9). The DEO estimate indicate that 122000 children are in age of primary school student in 2007, however total student enrolled in primary school is 93837 (77%). About 23 percent of children are stilled deprived of education in the district. Similarly about 65 percent of only dalit children are enrolled in schools while remaining 35 percent are engaged as shepherd or household workers.
Table 7.6 Primary School Total and Dalit Enrolment by Sex and Grade
Grade 1 Description Girls Boys Total Girls Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 1-5 Girls Boys Total Boys Total Girls Boys Total Girls Boys Total Girls Boys Total
Total Enrolment 13188 14247 27435 11239 11752 22991 9843 10701 20544 5553 6916 12469 4743 5655 10398 44566 49271 93837 Dalit Enrolment Others Enrolment Total Repeater Dalit Repeater 3967 4493 8460 3183 3516 6699 2614 3179 5793 1239 1740 2964 844 1273 2117 11847 14201 26033 6759 7102 13861 5918 5998 11916 5439 5576 11015 3132 3800 6932 2848 3118 5966 24096 25594 49690 3601 3515 7116 1151 1099 2250 471 1060 1157 2217 324 663 169 330 654 134 570 1041 254 340 153 305 122 287 64 88 594 200 290 152 40 61 490 5677 5814 11491 101 1622 1789 3411 280 3204 3070 6274 136 593 541 1134
Other Repeater 2033 1818 3851 Transfer Total New Enrolment Dalit New Enrolment 127 131 258
602 1265 249 124 293 126
554 144 180 248 104 95
324 115 165 199 67 69
8150 8982 17132 2337 2619 4956 1918 2072 3990 1197 1546 2743 1026 1349 2375 14628 16568 31196 2528 2818 5346 643 849 1492 527 660 1187 293 422 715 169 325 494 4160 5074 9234 Source: District Education Office 2007
The geographical distribution of primary school in Table 7.7 Primary Level Education Status, the district suggests that average time to reach 2006 primary school is about 10 to 20 minutes. Despite Grade 1-5 easy access, low enrollment reveals the rampant Description Particulars Girls Boys Total poverty forcing people to keep their children away Total 44364 52184 96548 from school. The prevailing culture, traditional Enrolment Dalit 11648 14852 26500 occupational system and negative attitude of % 26.26 28.46 27.45 people are among the major impediments of lower Total 33859 39557 73416 school enrollment and attendance factor. The Appearing % 76.32 75.80 76.04 in Exam situation is worse in case of Dalit, Janjati and girl Dalit 9078 11069 20147 children.
Primary Level Students as per Social Group % 77.94 74.53 76.03
Grade 1-5 Total

93837 Percent
Passing Exam
Total % Dalit %
31439 70.87 8315 71.39
36626 70.19 10444 70.32
68065 70.50 18759 70.79
Dalit
26033 27.74
Janjati
18099 19.29
Others
49705 52.97
Source: District Education Office
The appearance of students in exam and their passing rate in primary school is encouraging for Dalit and exhibit that they are equally talented and can prove themselves if equal and facility and opportunity is provided.
-58-
Table 7.8 ECD/PPC Enrolment in the District, 2007 Total Description ECD/PPC Enrolment After ECD Enrolment G-1 Girls 198 5 121 9 Boys 256 7 127 3 Total 4552 2492 Dalit Girls 506 308 Boys 569 319 Tota l 107 5 627 Janjati Girl s Boys 504 288 667 313 Others Girl s Boys 975 623 1331 641 Tot al 297 3 157 7
Total 1171 601
Underage (<3 yrs) Girls Boy s Tota l
ECD By Age Group Correct age (3-4 yrs) Over age (>4) Tota Girls Boys Total Girls Boys l 185
Total Students Boy Tota Girls s l 141
Rmk
7.1.3
Lower Secondary Education
There are 63 lower secondary schools including 23 private sector boarding schools mainly located in the urban area. The 39 secondary schools are geographically distributed in all region of the district. Beside, all secondary schools also have primary as well as lower secondary schools. The total enrollment and participation of Dalits in lower secondary school is presented in table below:
Table 7.9 Enrolment in Lower Secondary Level Education 2007
Description Girls Total Enrolment Dalit Enrolment Janjati Enrolment Other Enrolment Total Repeater Dalit Repeater Janjati Repeater Other Repeater Total Transfer Dalit Transfer Janjati Transfer Other Transfer 2541 423 532 518 124 15 77 92 871 140 188 543 Grade 6 Boys 3452 655 668 682 211 33 122 155 1124 220 231 673 Total 5993 1078 1200 3715 335 48 199 247 1995 360 419 1216 Girls 2475 352 633 1599 89 7 45 52 62 18 8 36 Grade 7 Boys 3671 658 653 2251 144 14 83 97 84 24 6 54 Total 6146 1010 1286 3850 233 21 128 149 146 42 14 90 Girls 2113 280 439 1399 84 15 44 59 84 26 11 47 Grade 8 Boys 3287 547 619 2116 161 25 103 128 104 35 4 65 Total 5400 827 1058 3515 245 40 147 187 188 61 15 112 Girls 7129 1055 1604 4598 297 37 166 203 1017 184 207 626 Grade 6-8 Boys 10410 1860 1940 6482 516 72 308 380 1312 279 241 792 Total 17539 2915 3544 11080 813 109 474 583 2329 463 448 1418
Table 7.10 Social Composition of Students at Lower Secondary Level 2007 Grade 6 5993 1078 1200 Grade 7 2456 6146 1010 1286 Grade 8 2428 5400 827 1058 Grade 6-8 2435 17539 2915 3544 8303 Total Dalit Janjati Others Total Dalit Janjati Others Total Dalit Janjati Others Total Dalit Janjati Others Source: District Education Office
-59-
Considering 11-13 as age group for Lower Secondary Education, the total number of children in this age group is about 55000 while the total enrollment in lower secondary level education is only 17539 (32%). It shows that the massive drive of government to enroll in primary education has not been able to retain the students even for lower secondary and secondary level education. The dropout percentage at primary level is very high ie about 30%. It exhibits the immediate need for massive awareness campaign for education and new mechanism to retain the Girl, Dalit and Janjati Children.
Table 7.11 Lower Secondary Students Appearing and Passing Exams 2006
Grade 6 Girls Total Enrolment 2006 Dalit Enrolmen 2006 LS appeared in Exam Percentage LS Dalit Appeared in Exam Percentage LS Total Student Pass Percentage LS Dalit Student Pass Percentage 2699 392 2456 91.0 336 85.7 2351 95.7 2 316 94.0 5 Boys 4559 705 3618 79.4 628 89.1 3490 96.46 602 95.86 Total 7258 1097 6074 83.7 964 87.9 5841 96.1 6 918 95.2 3 Girls 2422 316 2188 90.3 279 88.3 2064 94.33 259 92.83 Grade 7 Boys 3722 566 3229 86.8 504 89.0 3220 99.72 480 95.24 Total 6144 882 5417 88.2 783 88.8 5284 97.54 739 94.38 Girls 2222 243 1976 88.9 215 88.5 1921 97.22 206 95.81 Grade 8 Boys 3462 499 3024 87.3 448 89.8 2859 94.54 428 95.54 Total 5684 742 5000 88.0 663 89.4 4780 95.60 634 95.63 Girls 7343 951 6620 90.2 830 87.3 6336 95.71 781 94.10 Grade 6-8 Boys 11743 1770 9871 84.1 1580 89.3 9569 96.94 1510 95.57 Total 19086 2721 16491 86.4 2410 88.6 15905 96.45 2291 95.06
7.1.4
Secondary Level Education
There are 103 secondary school including 43 private schools catering the secondary level education demand. Most of the private schools are located in Municipality and other market centers. The table below exhibits the secondary school level enrolment in the district. The population by age illustrates that there are 27000 children in age group 14-15 (Secondary school age). The SS level total enrolment is only 30% (60% boys and 40% girl). The 76% of total enrolment at primary level and only 30% of total enrolment at secondary level shows higher level of dropout at primary and lower secondary level education. The enrolment of Dalit and Janjati children constitute about 14.3 % and 15.3% while their combined population is over 50 percent. Drop out after primary level education is normal feature among girls, Dalit ad Janajatis.
Table 7.12 Secondary Level Enrolment 2007 Description SS Total Enrolment SS Dalit Enrolment SS Janjati Enrolment SS Other Enrolment SS Total Repeater Grade 9 Girls 1608 207 254 1095 60 Boys 2801 435 452 1966 136 Total 4409 642 706 3061 196 Grade 10 Girls 1642 170 211 1237 29 Boys 2051 341 320 1414 32 Total 3693 511 531 2651 61 Grade 9-10 Girls 3250 377 465 2332 89 Boys 4852 776 772 3380 168 Total 8102 1153 1237 5712 257
-60-
Description SS Dalit Repeater SS Other Repeater SS Total Transfer SS Dalit Transfer
Grade 9 Girls 7 50 76 12 Boys 16 112 114 17 Total 23 162 190 29
Grade 10 Girls 15 14 2 0 Boys 13 17 3 1 Total 28 31 5 1
Grade 9-10 Girls 22 64 78 12 Boys 29 129 117 18 Total 51 193 195 30
Table 7.13 Enrolment of Students in Secondary School by Social group

Description Social Group Population Percentage Grade 9 Total 4409 100 Dalit 642 14.6 Janjati 706 16.01 Others 1800 40.83 Grade 10 Total 3693 100 Dalit 511 13.8 Janjati 531 14.38 Others 1332 36.07 Grade 9-10 Total 8102 100 Dalit 1153 14.2 3 Janjati 1237 15.27 Others 3390 41.842
Table 7.14 Appearance and Passing of Secondary Level Description Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 9-10
Girls Boys 2767 387 Total 4353 570 Girls 1465 140 Boys 2299 327 Total 3764 467 Girls 3051 323 Boys 5066 714 Total 8117 1037
Total Enrolment Dalit Enrolment Total Appearance in Exam Dalit Appearance in Exam Total Pass in Exam Dalit Pass in Exam No of Disabled Students 7.1.5
1586 183
1366
2190
3556
1317
1999
3316
2683
4189
6872
154 1313 143
252 2200 338
406 3513 481
118 1303 118
282 1938 243
400 3241 361
272 2616 261
534 4138 581
806 6754 842
14
18
15
23
12
29
41
Informal Education
Informal education has been facilitated by NGOs and CBOs at village level in the form of Adult Education, Child Education/Day Care Centers, Literacy Improvement Program, however the effectiveness of these programs are highly questioned at local as well as district level. 7.1.6 Scholarship
Scholarships are given to Dalit, Poor and Meritorious students as per the government policy. In some VDCs, the SMC has devised certain criterion for distributing the scholarship as ethnicity and poverty differs from village to village. The income expenditure data of all the schools in the district shows that Nrs 7940618 have been distributed as scholarship in 2006/07 to the Dalit and Poor Students of the district studying different schools. The fund allocated was Nrs 8460560. As per the District Education Officer, the fund has been increase in the past however, it is not sufficient to provide incentive to poor to send their children to school. The total enrolment in primary education has increased but could not be
-61-
sustained up to secondary level resulting into substantial drop outs. A comprehensive package has to be developed for the family to improve the level of education. 7.1.7 Teacher and Resource Center
More than 1800 teachers are working in primary schools while lower secondary and secondary education is supported by 436 and 486 teachers respectively. These figures do not include the teachers working in Private Schools. About 27 percent of teachers in primary schools are female while only 8.5 percent and 4.5 percent teachers are female in lower secondary and secondary schools. More than 70 percent of the female teachers are hired By schools through their own resources even in primary schools. The participation of female teacher in primary education has sharply increased after the government policy to hire at least one female teacher in each primary school. However, their participation in lower secondary and higher secondary schools is marginal. Table 7.15 No of teachers as per their level 2001
Nepal Government Level Primary Level Area Rural Urban Total Lower Secondary Rural Urban Total Secondary Rural Urban Total Total Male 1020 61 1081 198 28 226 221 43 264 1571 Female 141 71 212 7 4 11 2 8 10 233 Local Resource Male 11 0 11 7 0 7 14 0 14 32 Female 9 0 9 1 0 1 0 0 0 10 Personal Resource Male 90 199 289 26 138 164 19 165 184 637 Female 42 238 280 1 26 27 3 11 14 321 Total 1313 569 1882 240 196 436 259 227 486 2804
Source: National Census
As per district education officer more than 60 percent of teachers have attended some kind of training. Besides, the quality of education has not improved in public schools. The social composition of teachers shows only a mere presence of Dalit and Janjati in lower secondary and secondary education. Even in primary schools only 2% and 9% teachers are Dalit and Janjati respectively. The school level education is monitored and supervised by 14 resource centers where two or three resource persons and same number of supervisors are stationed. The local people complain that supervision is weak despite these resource centers. Each resource center is providing technical support and supervising 7 to 10 VDCs. The resource centers are spatially located at different VDCs (Nagrain, Devpura, Janakpur, Belhi, Deuriparbaha, Gidhha, Khajuri, Chorakoyalpur, Kajra Ramaul, Godar, Kisanpur, Laxmipur Bageba, Naktajhijh and Bengadawar) to cover up the entire district.
-62-
The teacher school ratio though give an impression of adequate number of teachers at primary, lower secondary and secondary level, the student teacher ratio reveals the fact that each teacher in primary and lower secondary schools has to teach 50 and 40 students respectively.
Table 7.16 Ratios(T/S, St/T)

Description Teacher/ School Student /Teacher Student /Female Teacher Primary 7.4 Lower Secondary 7.0 40.2 449.7 Secondary 4.7 9.1 337.6
49.9 187.3
The number of students per female teacher is exceptionally high indicating the need of inclusive policy to hire more female teachers at least in primary and lower secondary level education. Some of the secondary and lower secondary schools do not have even a single female teacher. Similarly a policy has to be implemented to increase the number of Dalit and Janjati teachers which can be triggering point for improving education level among the deprived group in the district. 7.1.8 Higher Education
The proposed Rajarshi Janak University is in process to be established and will be a milestone in higher education development in the district in particular and region as large. At present the higher education is lead by R R B Multiple Campus under Tribhuwan University. In last one and half decade the district has experienced high growth in the development of higher education with the establishment of Janakpur Engineering College, Janaki Medical College, Janakpur Nursing Campus, 6 private general campuses and more than 20 private higher secondary schools. All technical institute and higher education institutions are located in the district headquarter, Janakpur. Quality of these educational institutions is still not established resulting into dependency of majorities of population on Kathmandu for higher and technical education. 7.1.9 Physical Resources and Infrastructure
The district education office records show that most of the primary schools distribute books to about 70 percent of the students enrolled. Rest of the students share books with their friends. Similarly all the schools in the district have some kind of drinking water arrangement (80% tubewell, 20 percent water tank and taps). About 40 percent of schools have separate toilet facilities for Boys, Girls and Teachers while 20 percent have only for Girls. 18 percent schools have temporary kinds of toilet facilities while rest 22 percent does not have any forms of toilet facility. Students and even teachers use open space for the purposes. Electricity and electrical appliances like fans are available only in 50 schools. About 80 percent of the schools have some kind of health facility and equally number of schools has play grounds. School wise infrastructure like number of rooms, library, desk, chairs, computers etc is enlisted in the appendix. The education development in the district needs very focused and targeted approach to overcome the cultural hindrances and bring change in attitude especially towards girls education. A comprehensive package has to be planned and implemented for Dalit and Janjati to ensure compulsory education up to secondary level. The total enrollment rate has to be increased to 100 percent and school dropout rate at primary and secondary level
-63-
schools has to be checked. At present the schools are managed by local level institutions called School Management Committee which is generally run by local level politicians. Education is the key for all other development and hence should be put at highest priority. The higher education system should be strengthened with the establishment of the Rajarshi Janak University and developing a mechanism to ensure higher quality at all level of education. 7.1.10 Education in Muslim Community The educational status of the Muslim of Nepal is far lagging behind national average. The Muslim literacy rate is just 34.72% while national average is 53.7%, and most Muslim man power is labour oriented with marginal output. There is access of public primary school in every VDCs of the distinct, but in spite of this existing provision the Muslim community is out of school. The Muslim claims that these public schools do not fulfill their educational as well as cultural needs, which is essential for every Muslim. They perceived education as a multifunctional agent to achieve the both objective. The Muslim community of Dhanusha district want an integrated course for Muslim children comprising both mainstream education and cultural education in their community owned school called Madrasa and demanded to formalize these Madarsas as parallel system of formal schooling. These Madrasas are running on the basis of community donation and charitable funding by Muslims only. They stablished their own community schools attached to the mosque for the education of their small children. This is the list of Mosque and attached Madrasa which provide basic Islamic cultural learning.
Table
SN 1. 3. 5. 7. 9. 11. 13. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. VDC Raghunathpur Jadahiya Parsahi Sabaila Bhatiyan Thila Simrari Makhnaha Sikyaha Jaddukoha Magiba Giddha Dhari 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
7.17 List of Mosque, Madarsa and Students

Madrasa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 No. of Students 100 50 40 60 100 50 60 NA 100 105 40 30 75 SN 2. 4. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 22. 24. 26. VDC Nagrayam Lagma Fulgama Kapileswar Mahuwa Kanakpatti Asara Deuri Bodhi Lakhauri Tarhi Kharya Lohana I Mos que 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Madr asa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 40 30 50 40 50 20 100 No. of Student 40 30 40 20 30
Mosque
-64-
SN 27. 29. 31. 33. 35. 37. 39. 41. 43. 45. 47. 49. 51. 53. 55. 57. 59. 61. 63. 65.
VDC Madhuwa Khajuri Chanaha Machi Morang Haripur Chhawaghari Gangapur Kerabari Bharatpur Gangapur Kisanpur Chandarpur Gauripur 900 Bigha I 900 Bigha II Telhi Therabazar Janakpur I Janakpur II Janakpur Jankinagar II
Mosque 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Madrasa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
No. of Students 90 75 80 40 90 70 80 60 80 30 40 60 40 50 30 25 45 100 140 150
SN 28. 30. 32. 34. 36. 38. 40. 42. 44. 46. 48. 50. 52. 54. 56. 58. 60. 62. 64. 66.
VDC Lohana II Dhanusi Chandarpur Ramdoyea Mahdoyia Saphi Manindra Nagar Godar Birindra Bazar Tarapatti I Tarapatti II Kachuri Pirari Lado Bela Kurtha Khutta Kalaiya Bharariya Rupatitha
Mos que 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Madr asa 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
No. of Student 70 80 40 30 20 37 40 20 30 30 50 20 25 30 15 20 40 100 90 95
Source: Primary Survey 2007
In the above Madrasas only religious teachers were appointed by donation of local community personals. No government support is provided until now for mainstream subject teaching. Muslims were bound to teach Islamic education to preserve their cultural identity, and so the Muslim children are out of school and their literacy rate is lagging behind national average. 7.2 HEALTH
The health service in the district is lead by the 200 bed Zonal Hospital at Janakpur with 44 medical officers (34 govt and 10 local sources). The hospital has specialists like General Surgeon, ENT specialist, Anesthetist, Pathologist, Gynecologist (3), Pediatrics (2), General Physicians (4) and Medical Officers (20). This hospital works as referral for Dhanusha, Mahotarri, Sirha and Sarlahi districts. Patient from this hospitals are referred to Dharan, Kathmandu or Patna in India for further treatment if required.
-65-
The health service at village level is provided by sub health post established in each VDCs of the district and managed by the local government. Each sub health post has one assistant health worker (AHW) and one Female Community Health Worker (FCHW). Primary treatments are done here and referred to zonal hospital in Janakpur or to nearest primary health center. Each electoral constituency has one primary health center and each region in the district has one health post covering 6 to 8 VDCs. One medical officer (MBBS) and 2 nurses are providing services at Primary Health Center while Health Assistant (HA) provides services at Health Posts. Table 7.18 Health Institution in District
S. N o 1 Health Institution/Health Worker No of Hospital Zonnal Hospital Ayurved Hospital Eye Hospital Leprosy hospital 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Nursing home Medical College Nursing Campus Private ANM/AHW Institute Occupunchar Hospital Primary health Center Health Post Sub Health Post Ayurvedic farmecy Pathology Doctors Nurses/ ANM Health Assistant Assistant Health Worker Population per Doctor No Remarks
1 1 1 1 5 1 1 2 1 5 16 102 6 16 33 43 18 122 20344
JKR JKR JKR Lalgadh JKR JKR JKR Mahendr anagar
VDCs JKR
Source: District Public Health Office
Sub Health Post, health center and health posts are managed by district health facility management committee. Medicines are provided free with the help of NGO and directorate. The Public health office is running numerous health awareness campaigns through newly established FM radios, road shows, theaters, leaflets, posters etc. Campaign against AIDS is run in the settlements along the national highway with the help of INGOs (HSWO), NRCS, NGOs (RDF, GWP,NFP, BDS) etc. The focus in this case is on preventive measures. Similarly, awareness campaign against Polio is run with the help of WHO/IPD covering the
-66-
whole district. Mosquito eradication program is supported by donor agencies for eradication of Malaria and Kalazar. Dhanusha is one of the Kalazar prone districts in the nation. The district public health office revealed that about 35% of the married couple in the district use contraceptive to control birth. Different methods used are outlined in table 7.17.
Table 7.19 Use of Contraceptive and Family Planning Condom Dep Norpla Total s Pills o IUD nt Sterilization CYP 363 130 2071 467 5 4 2420 52884 62781 Number of fertile couples using contraceptives per 100 married women of reproductive age Health Institution Density 3.66
Eye hospital, Leprosy Hospital and Ayurbed hospital provide specialized services to the people in the region. 20000 populations per doctor and only one hospital in entire district of 670000 populations reveal the kind of patient pressure on hospital and hospital infrastructure. During monsoon season or outbreak of certain diseases, the hospital premises becomes full of patients. One can see patients lying in the corridors of wards of the hospital. Number of nurses is lower than the doctor results in situation when one nurse has to look after the whole ward of 50 patients resulting in poor quality of services. The infrastructure is also in pathetic shape and poorly managed. The general cleanliness is also in bad shape. Toilets, water supply and even electricity are poorly managed in the district. The hospital does have radiology, pathology and physiotherapy however, it is lacking CT scan, Blood Bank and other hi tech facilities. Beside, 5 nursing home and numerous private clinics are providing medical services to privileged group. People are paying high charges for the same doctor in nursing homes mainly for cleanliness, sincerity of the doctor, proper care of the patient and soft behavior of the management. In case of major surgery, emergency and complicated cases, even the nursing homes refer cases to the zonal hospital. The record of Zonal Hospital illustrates following facts:
Table 7.20 Patient Flow in the Zonal Hospital Description OPD Cases Emergency Cases In patient Cases Deliveries Major Operation Minor Operation 2004/05 71367 15788 9898 4769 732 384 2005/06 67718 16435 11629 5228 768 468 2006/07 58862 18063 12606 6875 912 528
Source: Zonal Hospital JKR
The time series decreasing OPD cases shows that for general treatments people are visiting the VDC level sub health post and health centre. Similarly, the elite group prefers Nursing Homes and private medical facilities. However, the increasing emergency and in patient cases reveals that for complicated diseases and surgery, people depends on the Hospital.
-67-
The number of daily deliveries has increased 13 in 2004/5 to 18 in 2006/7 indicating the increasing dependency of population in region on the hospital. About 90 percent of the major operations carried out are cesarean. Other operations are GB Stone, Appendix etc. Besides, the private nursing homes also perform minor operations and cesareans. Despite high inflow of patient and 4 districts in its service zone, the hospital is devoid of modern facilities like CT Scan, Blood Bank, UPS system, Modern Pathology Lab and adequate physical infrastructures like buildings and wards, maintained premises, adequate toilet facility. Table 7.21 exhibits the major diseases recorded at zonal hospital in Janakpur. About 22% of total patient visited hospital in 2005 was suffering from skin diseases while 11% and 10% was suffering from respiratory related diseases and diarrhea respectively. Cases of diarrhea become more frequent in monsoon season. Despite the district do not have any dermatologist. The table 7.22 indicates the general health condition in the district. The composite index for health suggests that the district has moderate health facility in comparison with other districts of nation. The analysis of general health condition in the district outlines that there is immediate need for massive awareness campaign for sanitation and safe drinking water and against Vaccination and Ammonization of children and mothers. Discussion with the health worker in the district revealed that an AHW in VDC has to attend about 60 to 70 patient in a day and if strengthened with physical and human resources and medicines, it can enhances majorities of the health indicators.
Table 7.21 Major Diseases and Percentage of Affected Population 2005 Name of Diseases Skin diseases Respiratory Related Diarrhoea/Dysentery Ear Infection Worm and parasitic infection Gastritis Malaria Eye Diseases Bronchitis Typhoid Teeth and Mouth diseases Stomach ache Blood Anaemic Orthopaedic Malnutrition Others Total Total Affected 21.89 10.55 9.94 7.25 6.22 4.57 3.73 3.61 2.87 2.82 2.71 2.44 2.33 1.76 1.73 15.57 100 Source: District Public Health Office Male 55.56 53.3 51.2 48.05 52.65 42.88 58.08 50.76 49.06 52.81 44.55 44.26 27.2 61.12 36.92 47.58 Female 44.44 46.7 48.8 51.95 47.35 57.12 41.92 49.24 50.94 47.19 55.45 55.74 72.8 38.88 63.08 52.42 Table 7.22 General Health Condition in the District Indicators Malnutrition up 3yrs of age Population don't have access to safe drinking water Population Dying before attaining 40 years of age Population devoid of Proper Health Care Child Mortality Rate per 000 Per Capita Daily Access to Nutrition in Calorie Life Expectancy Rate in Yrs Maternity Death Rate per 100000 mothers Total No of Health Worker in District Children given Vitamin A Child infected with diarrhoea and dysentery Child vaccinated with DPT Child vaccinated with BCG Child fed with Polio drop Children suffering from Polio No of Village Clinic Value 54.9 18.8 20.7 54 92 2138 61 875 1591 100 35 96 37 96 22057 505 % % % % % Nos Nos Calorie Yrs Unit % % % %
Source: Public health office
-68-
7.3
Sports and Recreation
Football and Cricket are the most popular sports in the district. In rural areas, most of the schools have play ground mainly used playing football. There is no organized effort for the development of sports at village level. Some times inter school tournament is organized by schools on their own. More than 90% percent of the schools do not have any sports teacher. Schools provide football, volley ball and bats and balls for cricket and let students develop the skill on their own. Sport is perceived as an impediment to education among rural population. The young population in villages rarely involve in sports. The district sports council is limited to the district head quarter and facilitates some clubs at Janakpur. The Rangbhumi popularly know as Barahbigha is the only ground in Janakpur where all kinds of sports are organized. Similarly an indoor stadium (covered hall) has been constructed for indoor games. Recreation in Dhanusha district is an integral part of its culture. Local fairs and dramas organized by local people on various occasions and festivals are major means of recreation in the district. Village level ponds are used as swimming pools and even inter school completions are organized, though rarely. However, cinema theaters at district head quarter and other emerging towns have emerged as modern recreation centers. The negative attitude of population towards sports and very limited activities of sports council along with limited sports facilities are major obstacle for development of sports and hence the personality development of youth of the district. The sports should be instilled as a part of academic curriculum and each school should be supplemented with appropriate sports infrastructure and sports teacher. The school management committee should work with district sports council, district education office and VDC office to facilitate the development of sports in rural area. 7.4 Women and Child Development
Women and child development are cross cutting issues and have been analysed under education, health and other sections. Development level of women and child is poor at national level and it is even poorer in Dhanusha district. 48 percent of total population in the district is women while 42 percents are children of age less than 15 years. Culturally, women development in the district has been put at back sheet. Social traditions like dowry system, parda system, discrimination against girl child at all levels and general attitude towards job of a women etc are major impediments of women development in the district. The level of women education is far behind than male education. The women literacy in 2001 is just 36% while the male literacy is about 60%. The statistics itself clarify the discrimination against women prevalent in the district. Even after massive drive for gross enrolment in education, about 35% girl child remain unenrolled. The dropout percentage at primary, lower secondary and secondary level reveals that 72 percent of the dropouts are female. The lower marriage age, the conventional thinking that a girl anyhow, has to serve her husband and work in kitchen motivates parents to withdraw girl child from school. Similarly lower level of participation of women in community organization, Politics, Teaching, govt. jobs and other sectors discourages women education. Lack of role model and opportunity and incentive to participate are also among the reasons for under development of women.
-69-
The higher maternity death rate, higher infant mortality and high fertility rate shows inadequate access of child and women to the health facilities. More than 90 percent of children are vaccinated against epidemic and other disease. The recent data shows that only 76% of children are enrolled in education and rest of them is forced to land into the labour market. The district though doest not have any published data on child labor, it is believed that more than 10000 children (11%) are working at house hold level, small industries, local hotels etc. even after declaring child labour as illegal. There is need to promulgate a complete package including the incentive to the parents to send the children to schools rather than work.
-70-
Chapter 8
Institutional Resources and Capabilities

The District Development Committee is the governing institution in the district headed by elected chairman and vice chairman and 17 regional members. The local self governance act and regulations 1999 has given ample authority and responsibility for planning and implementation of development projects at local level. The district development committee needs adequate resources at its disposal in order to bring visible change in quality of life of the people living in 101 VDCs and 1 Municipality of the district. The local self governance act 1999 has given authority to DDC to explore, generate and expand its resource base and mobilize it to carry out the development work. In order to carry out the responsibilities envisaged in the Act, the DDC has to be developed into a competent institution with capable and efficient human resources and adequate physical resources. 8.1 Financial Resources and Income of District Development Committee
The financial resources of the district can be broadly grouped into two groups namely internal resources covering the internal revenue, local taxes etc and external resources covering aid and central fund etc. 8.1.1 Internal Resources The local self governance act and regulation 1999 have authorized DDC to generate internal taxable and non taxable revenue. The DDC has imposed tax on contracting aggregate, stone, sand, commercial vehicle, tax on reusable items, contracting raw skin sales, fishing etc. The non taxable revenue are income from sales of tender documents, recommendation fee (Citizenship and Passport), License and renewal fee, theater building permit and hotel permit fee etc. The details of internal resources generated from different sources in last five years in the district are enlisted in table 8.1 below: Table 8.1 Annual Income from Internal Resources of DDC Dhanusha
S. No Description of Income Source 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tax Extraction of Sand Aggregate and Stones from other rivers Tax on Extraction of Sand Aggregate and Stones from Kamla River Tax on Fishing in Kamla river Tax on Extraction of Sand Aggregate and Stones from Ratu River Tax on export of Raw Materials (tobacco, Straw, Pina etc) Tax on the export of Animals Tax on Vehicle Movement Tax Tax on collection and export of bones and horns Export tax of sand aggregate and stone to India Permit and renewal tax for GH class contractor and Cinema Theatres 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 5201000 6267000 5557770 4836444 321000 403000 414000 147431 0 0 0 0 0 0 3576634
0 202100
853888 1317777 1611001 894500 296800 161750 152000 2000 36000 0 400000 0 36101 0 0
320162 407727 411000 745315 112500 149000 254309 250991
-71-
S. No Description of Income Source 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Recommendation Fee Registration and renewal fee from Small and Cottage industry office Land Tax (25% from VDCs and Municipality) Land Registration fee from Land Revenue Office Miscellaneous (Compensation, fine, sale of information, dues etc) Royalty from forest products Last years balance Total
2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 589474 32800 802011 479527 330141 502510 564570 6746103 660142 502510 564570 0
17675 110702 139500 120500 422011 0 2333946 17938540 9524833 9413963 8617265 5127785 Source: Annual Audit Reports of Dhanusha District 0 0 364495
The internal revenue of the district has decreased over the year even though the Local Self Governance Act and Regulation 1999 has authorised the DDC to impose local tax to generate resources. The internal resources base has widened and favourable rates have been devised through contracting and oxoning, however, due to maoist conflict, the DDC has not been able to contract the extraction of sand, gravel and stones. Similary DDC could not collect various export duties and even land registration fee and royalty from forest product and fishing in rivers. Figure 8.1 Incomes from Internal Resources in 000
Despite inclusion of Maoists in Parliament and the government, the YCL a sister youth organization of Maoist are resisting any move of the DDC to mobilize internal resources. Recently the Terai movement has also added considerable difficulties in generating resources at local level. If the Terai conflict prologues, the internal resource base will further shrink. However, if the Terai conflict is resolved and federal system is instilled as coated in the interim constitution, the resource base will shoot up tremendously and cross the Nrs 20000000 marks in coming fiscal year. 8.1.2 External Resources (Aid and Government Grants) The district development committee (DDC) is getting block grants both conditional and non conditional from the government. The non conditional grant is development grant while all other grants are conditional covering the administrative grant, VDC secretaries grant, Government Employee welfare fund etc. The details of these funds are enlisted in table 8.2. This does not cover the grant coming to the district technical office and other sectoral offices working for the development of the district. However,
-72-
the integrated budget of the district includes the budget allocated to the district through all GOs and NGOs. The budgetary allocation has increased tremendously over the time period to carry out the responsibilities envisaged in the local self governance act 1999. However, the share of administrative grant is unchanged to about 40%. After the enactment of LSGA, the DDC is entitled to get registration fee of land and houses, 10% royalty from the electricity authority and 10% royalty from the use of forest products and 25% of land tax collected by different VDCs in the district. Due to conflict, the DDC is not able to avail 10% royalty from forest product along with tax from various internal resources. Table 8.2 Annual Income from External Resources (Aids and Grants) of the DDC
S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Description of Income Source 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Development/Capital Grant 340232 571156 477000 79843875 6300000 Administrative Grant 1970392 1970392 1599600 18667719 1970392 VDC Secretaries 6962052 6962052 7155000 9332000 9332000 Employee Welfare Fund 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 Registration office administration 213270 213270 173438 173438 173438 Contingency @2.5% from VDC Grants 1010000 1010000 1010000 1010000 1010000 Social Security program 14000000 14000000 14000000 14620875 14620875 Bisheshwer with Poor 1091500 3674544 1000000 NDVS 247500 220500 157000 DFDP 8800000 7117000 9117000 Dalit and Social Services 2812500 1038000 1038000 Dalit, Marginalized and Disadvantaged 2000000 12 Program 13 Road board 0 3000000 14 People participation based programs 15 DLGSP 16 Poverty Alleviation Fund 17 Last years Balance Total 4000000 4479297 33075243 1970000 4000000 22735000 815000 4095000 32921870 62986538 2000000 1999000 10000000 6750000
139796951
66568705
Source: Integrated district development plans
-73-
The table 8.3 gives a glimpse of DDCs allocation of resources and its priorities. The proposed budget of 170 million and a mere contribution (8 to 10 Million) of internal resources indicate its dependency on central grants and allocation. It results in its inability to implement numerous program activities and also limits its capability to take up any big projects which can bring substantial change in quality of life of the people. The DDC still depends on sectoral budget and hence central planning and implementation prevails. The 83 million grants from Indian Embassy for construction of school buildings is one time endeavor and may not continue next year. The majority of the proposed programs are in social development and rural accessibility improvement sectors.
Table 8.3 Proposed Budget for 2006/07 S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Description of Income Source Rural Access Improvement program RCIDP DFDP Indian Embassy Supported Program Road Board DLGSP Garib Sang Bisheshwer NDVS DTMP Rural road Dalit and Disadvantaged group uthaan Water Supply and Sanitation Agri Road Electrification Miscellaneous Projects Total Allocated Budget 20179999 15650000 6414000 83366592 900000 10905192 471000 1376800 1000000 1000000 558000 1862509 2382704 10000000 14700000 170766796
Sources: Dhanusha Vikas Darpan 2064
However, maintenance of rural infrastructure is at lower priority indicating pressure to provide minimum services to all. The resource constraint of DDC (less development grant and lower capability for mobilization of internal resources) is the root cause of under development of the district.
Table 8.4 Integrated Budget of DDC in 000 S. No 1 2 3 4 5 Description of Allocated Budget Agriculture, Forest and Environment Development Population and Social Development Water Resource Development Infrastructure Development Total 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 236451 578059 25317 32087 49095 26603 30212 22407
70467 198738 483218 323041 198613 63708 156190 32600 57234 54147
344761 185705 174655 189601 227145 195137 1184588 351967 578678 732022 637635 470304
Source: Integrated district development plans
-74-
Table 8.4 illustrates the integrated district development budget allocation. The table 8.2 and table 8.4 does not show any fix trend mainly because the external grant for the development projects in the district vary tremendously from year to year. In 2001/02 the education sector is allocated about 280 million for construction of schools and other physical infrastructure. Similarly 140 million is allocated for Agriculture Corporation in 2001/02 while in other years it is zero. The segregated data for all the four sectors mentioned in above table does not give any trend in any sectors. It shows that the sectoral allocation is guided by problem solving attitude (crisis planning) rather than long term development vision. Similarly in table 8.5, the budget of DDC does not show any particular trend, however it has increased over the time period. This kind of resource allocation could also be the result of Maoist conflict during this time period as the situation was unpredictable, chaotic and discouraging for development activities. Table 8.5 Annual Budget of DDC Dhanusha in 000 2001/02 117871 2002/03 113489 2003/04 162655 2004/05 142901 2005/06 212145 2006/07 170766
Source: Integrated District Development Programs
8.2
Resource Mobilization
The local self governance act and regulation 1999 has authorized DDC to formulate relevant policy and procedures for effective mobilization of local economic resources to gain financial autonomy and project DDC responsible to local tax payers by providing necessary services at local level. The act has empowered the DDC to impose and fix tax rates, service fee etc, collect internal local revenue and use it for the development of the district. Accordingly, the DDC has been collecting internal revenue tax from different activities, however the table 8.1 shows that intern revenue has decreased from 12 million in 2001/02 to 5 million in 2005/06. The major source of internal revenue are the tax from extraction of sand, aggregate and stone from Kamla, Ratu and other rivers. The other prominent sources are export duty (on raw materials like tobacco, straw, pina etc), land revenue (25% of land revenue from VDCs and Municipality), land registration fee and permit and renewal fee for contractors and theaters. The DDC is entitled to get certain percentage of revenue collected by the central government in the district. The data on land registration fee suggests that the DDC is not getting the land registration fee from land revenue office as it collects more that Nrs 30 million annually. The other financial resource is the grants and aid coming from the nation and donor agencies through various NGOs. The government provides conditional and non conditional DDC grant in social security, agriculture road, water supply and sanitation, RCIW, NDVS, Rural Access Improvement and decentralization Program, Bisheshwer with poor, targeted programs fro Dalit and marginalized groups. Besides, DLGSP, DFDP and road board are supported by UNDP and other donor agencies. Numerous other INGOs and Donor agencies are working in women empowerment, sanitation, awareness campaign etc through NGOs in the districts.
-75-
Despite all these efforts the development in the district is far from satisfactory. DDC is not able to mobilize the internal resources on one hand and it is not given enough financial autonomy to enhance its resource base. The major problems in resource mobilization are: Security: the DDC has not been able to contract its internal resources like extraction of sand and gravel of its rivers, fishing in Kamala and other rivers etc due to continued interference from Maoist and bad law and order situation. Resource Base: the act has provided very limited economic autonomy and DDC could not expand its tax coverage Exercise of Power: the DDC has not been able to exercise the authority invested by the act to enhance its internal economic capability Institutional Structure: the DDC structure has not changed in line with the LSGA. The DDC still does not have any revenue division and concerned experts. Co ordination: the DDC has not been able to develop effective co ordination system with Ministry, VDCs and other institutions to ensure continuous flow of revenue and grant from these institution. Government Grant: the government grant is inadequate and conditional treating DDC as transit point for grants and other budgetary allocation. Stakeholder Participation: though a revenue advisory committee has been formed, it is not functional in true sense. The true stakeholders are yet to be identified and their participation is to be ensured to increase the resource base. Contracting Process: contracting of revenue collection is not competitive. Contractors come together and bid to get the contract at lowest rate which against the contract norms and values. Sometime, violent disputes break out among the contractors. Others: other problems are general and prevalent in most of the institutions in Nepal. Such problems are Corruption, unaccountable and incapable civil servants, higher administrative cost, low priority for capacity building of institution and individual etc Peaceful law and order situation is pre requisite for the district development. The DDC must exercise its lawful authorities for exploiting resource within the district. The DDC should be given full financial autonomy to increase its resource base. A revenue section has to be created with appropriate physical and human resource to co ordinate revenue collection, explore new revenue collection venues and provide rationale information to the decision makers. The government should provide adequate unconditional grant till the district become financially independent to ensure the resource allocation in priority and lead sector development. The revenue advisory committee should be represented by stakeholders and its functional relation with revenue section should be further strengthened. Capacity building programs have to be implemented at district level to enhance the working capability of individual in changed context. Clearly defined authorities and responsibility should be assigned to DDC employee and monitored to enhance accountability, transparency and hence decrease the corruption and ensure fast and effective service delivery system. The citizen charter should be displayed and implemented strictly.
-76-
Alternative Ways of Resource Mobilization Besides depending on the government grant, the DDC has to adopt innovative approach and technique in raising internal revenue through its development endeavors and bringing numerous activities under the local tax umbrella of DDC. Financial Autonomy: The DDC should be given financial autonomy for generating, controlling and using the local resources and fixing the local levy rate on various activities within its jurisdiction. Strengthening of Present Tax Base: The present tax base of contracting sand and gravel extraction and export to India should be made more transparent and competitive by putting end to the local contractors syndicate. The internal revenue collection system should be made more vigilant and monitored closely to check any revenue theft. Utilization of Local Ponds and Rivers: Each VDCs in the district has 2 to 4 ponds under its jurisdiction and ownership. The Janakpur Municipality has more that 60 ponds under the ownership of Guthi and municipality. The DDC should work with VDC/Municipality and Guthi to contract these water bodies for commercial fish farming to Malah and under privileged community and levy a tax of 10% on such contracts. The present trend shows that each pond in general generates about Nrs 200000 per annum. More than 300 ponds in the district will add about Nrs 6 million to DDC coffer. If the tax can be extended to private owned ponds which numbered more than 500 can add further Nrs 10 millions. Like Kamla River, Rato and Jalad can also be auctioned for fishing rights. Forest Products Levy: The DDC in collaboration with the district forest office promote NTFP and forest based industries and mobilizes the 10% levy effectively. The local industries like Paper Mill, Plywood industries and furniture industries should be brought under local taxing system. At present the small units does not pay any tax while the big industries pay tax to the central governments. Government Land: The government land within its jurisdiction should be developed and given on lease through public auctioning for its development and effective use. DDC Trust Fund: DDC with the help of donors, national government and public debentures and contributions can establish a Trust Fund. The fund can be invested in international and national stock markets and business. The earnings of the trust can be used to finance local development initiatives. Community Participation: Though it is not a new concept, its contribution is yet to be visible in district development activities. As per the LSGA and Regulation (financial), the user groups are to be mobilized in planning and executing of projects less than 2 million costs and given operation and management responsibilities. In community and village level infrastructure and other development activities, the experiences of RWSSSP and NISP should be replicated. Community participation in cash or in kind should be made mandatory. Selection of peoples project is the key for higher community participation. The project selection and planning should be done in close consultation with local community to avail higher level of participation and effecting management and operation after completion of the project.
-77-
INGOs and Donors Assistance: The national economy is donor driven which reflect in fluctuating government grant to DDC without any particular trend.
Table 8.6 Donors Assistance (Budget of NGOs) in 000 2001/02 8376 2002/03 48066 2003/04 158684 2004/05 53527 2005/06 48756 2006/07 NA
Source: Integrated District Development Report
At local level the donors and INGOs assistance is necessary for Social Development Sector and infrastructure development. Besides, the donor assistance also comes through the government assistance in various line agencies like education, health, infrastructure and agricultural developments. The annual budget of NGOs working in the district has increased from 8 millions in 2001 to 49 millions in 2005/06 indicating an increasing trend though it is not predictable. The donors assistances need to be coordinated and streamlined for optimum benefits of the society. The image of NGOs are not clean and people look at NGOs suspiciously as the planning and implementation of program is expert driven with minimum participation of local people. NGOs are more successful in awareness campaign and empowering programs than infrastructure development projects. NGOs should closer to people, transparent and motivated with social services and volunteerism. The DDC needs to mobilize the NGOs in coordinated way. Private Sector: Private sectors are active in investing economic and social sector infrastructure mainly in education, health, hotel, services and industries. However in rural area, presence of private sector is invisible. The recent forecast of ILO indicates than Dhanusha is getting more than 1 billion as remittance. If a proper policy is devised private investors and general people can invest in tourism, trade and commerce, industries and other services. Though the government has approved the concept of BOOT (build own operate and transfer), BOT and BOO for the private sector to invest in infrastructure construction, the district is yet to see such involvement. Public Private Partnership: The public private partnership could be used as a tool to avail the public fund for infrastructure construction and management like Bus Park, Market Centers, and Community centers. The concept has been used by other district and can be replicated here very successfully. Cooperatives: Some cooperatives are working in dairy and agriculture and banking sector, however this concept is still to be used in infrastructure and housing development. This concept can be used in poverty reduction sectors 8.3 Institutional Development
District Development Council is the main governing institution at district level constituted as per clause 172 of the Local Self Governance Act 1999. The numbers of district council
-78-
member vary from district to district. In Dhanusha district, the district council is comprised of 239 members as outlined below: Chairman and Deputy Chairman of each VDCs Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Municipalities Members of DDCs Member of Parliament (both Lower and Upper house) 6 persons nominated by District Council 204 2 21 6 6
However, at present the elected bodies are not in place in VDCs and DDCs and are run by the public servants. District council is a supervisory and advisory body entitled to provide broad governing framework under which DDC will plan, design and execute different development activities in the district. The major functions, duties and powers of the district council, enlisted in clause 188 of LSG 1999 are as below: To pass the budget, plans and program submitted by the District Development Committee. To adopt the resolution relating to taxes, charges, fees, tariff, loans and borrowings and internal resources submitted by the DDC. To evaluate the programmes relating to the District plan operated by the DDC and give necessary direction. To hold discussion on the audit reports of the DDC and give necessary directions to the DDC for settlement of irregular amounts. To approve the District level subject wise programmes to be operated in the district. To approve the bye laws of the DDC. To evaluate the administrative function of DDC and give necessary directives to DDC. To grant approval as required on the remuneration, number of positions, allowances and other facilities of the employees as proposed by the DDC. To decide on the sale and disposal, transfer of, or letting on hire, the property of the DDC. To delegate some of the powers conferred on it to the DDC. District Council can form account committee and other subject committee to keep an eye on different development and administrative initiatives of the DDC. District Development Committee is the executive arm of the district council formed as per the provisions in the article 176 of the LSGA 1999. In Dhanunsha the DDC is comprised of 27 members described as below: Members elected by the elected members of the village and municipal councils in each are of the district from amongst themselves at the rate of one member from each area 17 Nos President and Vice president elected by the elected members of village and municipal councils ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------2 Nos. Members of the house of representatives and the national assembly within the district (Ex officio members) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Nos Two members including one woman nominated by the DDC from amongst the members of the district council. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 Nos The DDC is autonomous and corporate body with authorities and responsibilities to carry out the directives and decisions of the district council. The DDC is empowered through article
-79-
189 of LSGA 1999 to formulate and execute policies, plans and programs relating to Agriculture and Livestock, Rural Drinking Water and Habitation Development, Hydropower, Works and Transport, Land Reforms and Land Management, Development of Women and Helpless People, Forest and Environment, Education and Sports, Wages and Labours, Irrigation, Soil Conservation and River Control, Information and Communication, Language and Culture, Cottage Industries, Health Services, Tourism and other development related activities. The government deputed civil servant known as Local Development Officer acts as member secretary of the DDC to implement, and cause to be implemented, the decisions of the District Development Committee under the supervision of the President. 8.3.1 Structure of DDC The District Development Committee has been given authorities and responsibilities to formulated district level development policies, plans and projects and implement those policies and plans for the overall development of the district. To execute those obligation, Dhanusha district has a an established comprehensive organization under the chairmanship of the DDC president named as the Office of the District Development Committee. The organizational structure of the Office of the DDC is presented in Figure 8.3 At present 53 people are working in the DDC to carry out its basic functions. The organization structure presented shows the direct and indirect lines of responsiveness and accountability. All the committees are formed under the chairmanship of president or vice president or member of the elected member of the DDC. These committees provide guidelines, directive and advices in their respective sectors which are implemented and executed by the local development officer through its various sections and sub section. The organization for the core team is very comprehensive and impressive however, it has not been implemented fully, mainly due to absence of elected local government. About 50 personnel are working in the core team. The District Technical Office, working under direct supervision of SDE and supported by 3 engineers and 6 overseers is responsible for physical infrastructure plan, projects and their implementation. Eighteen people are working in this office including ten technical personnel. Besides each specific program has its own sets of human and physical resources, however they coordinate with the DDC through relevant program officers. Rural Community Infrastructure Work Program (98 VDC): RCIW Program is supported by DFID and other donor agency for the implementation of small infrastructure development projects and village level through community mobilization using the concepts of food for works. The program is run under direct supervision of a RCIW Engineer. The office is comprised of 3 overseers, 5 other support staffs. Local Development Fund: The program is run under direct supervision of LDF secretary assisted by five social mobilizers, a saving and credit mobilizer, an overseer and five support staffs. The program is involved in economic development
-80-
through formation of group, savings and capacity building programs. Social organizers are key for implementation of the program. B P with Poor Program (10 VDCs): This program is coordinated by an office assistant at district level while ten social mobilizers are working in ten VDCs. This program is also operating with the concept of social mobilization for the economic development of downtrodden population in the district. Dalit Social Development Program (6 VDCs): This program is implemented through the concept of volunteerism supported by NDVS. Volunteers from NDVS mainly the nurses are working in rural VDCs mainly in Dalit community to enhance health awareness and provide services. Besides, there are others program like Small Enterprise Development Program (SEDP), Decentralized Financial Development Program (DFDP), Decentralized Local Governance Support Program (DLGSP) funded by UNDP and other donor agencies. Each such program has its own personnel however, they work under overall supervision and directives of DDC 8.3.2 Human Resources of DDC Capable and motivated Human resource is the key for efficient service delivery and anticipated development achievement of the organization. Human resource in the Dhanusha DDC is comprised of 6 personnel including LDO, Planning and Administration Officer and Account Officer from the Nepal Government while 41 staffs including program officers are hired by the DDC itself. This is a core team basically meant to plan, budget and implement various projects funded internal resources and direct donor assistance to the DDC. The core team is responsible for coordination, supervision and monitoring of different programs being implemented by donors directly or through local counterparts, employees and NGOs. Though the number personnel seems to be adequate, their capability in handling the development activities envisaged under the LSGA is far from satisfactory. A clear responsibility and authorities with self evaluating criteria is either non existent or very sketchy in each sections except account. Except the specific program offices, other sections of DDC do not have any clear annual working schedule. The academic qualifications of the employees are very encouraging and adequate however the training and workshop attended seems very confusing. Every body has attended all kinds of workshops limiting them to develop a particular type of expertise. Working attitude and environment are other factors for poor quality of service delivery. Motivation levels of the employees are vey low as they are not participated in decision making process in general and there is no mechanism of rewards and punishments. It reduces the accountability and responsiveness among the employees. District technical office under DDC is equipped with trained staff to carry out infrastructure development and technical issues in the district. However, the overseers working in the DTO needs some refreshment trainings and new technologies like AutoCAD. The dual loyalty of technical staff to the ministry and DDC effect their efficiency and attitude. Though decentralization has been accepted
-81-
in principle, ministry and central level institution implement the projects and programs directly which otherwise are to be done at local level. It affects the motivation level. The program specific employees are trained and skilled in specific sectors and they are motivated with better benefits and salary structures. However, the poor coordination with the DDC staff and little know how about the local condition may affect their working efficiencies. One of the vital tasks for the DDC is to mobilize internal resources, however, the DDC does not have any resource mobilization officer. The overloaded account officer is looking after the resource mobilization in the district. 8.3.3 Physical Resources of DDC The District Development Committee does have a 28 rooms double storey office constructed in 12400 square meter of land, however, space available to host such a huge number of officials and service seekers is inadequate and gives an impression of unorganized office space people wandering from here to there in search of particular officer. The office furniture are adequate however some of them replacement and maintenance. Computers, printers, photocopiers are only in few numbers ie computer 4nos, Printer 4 nos and Photocopiers 1 nos etc. The office is not up to date with new technologies like networking of workstations, internet, web sites etc affecting the quality of the service provided. 8.4 8.4.1 Observations Organizational Structure and Management: Structure: The organizational structure is to be adopted fully to accomplish the responsibilities entrusted to the DDC and to establish it as local government in true sense. Participatory approach has to be adopted for outlining different functions and services the DDC is executing and accordingly these functions should be assigned to the corresponding sections and subsections. Revenue generation is at present a sub section of financial administration. As it is one of the most important aspects on which all other development activities and even empowerment of local governance depends, and hence resource mobilization should be given a status of section in the organization directly under the LDO which will work in close coordination with finance administration and other sections of DDC. Work Plan: Each section and personnel should develop her/his working schedule quarterly, and at the end they should be evaluated by their achievement of work plan. Participation in Decision Making: A monthly meeting of staffs should be organized regularly to disseminate the information and decision of DDC for its implementation. The relevant feedback from the staff meeting should be forwarded to DDC through LDO.
-82-
8.4.2
Financial Management Budgeting: Budget should be prepared by each section in close consultation with their stakeholders. It should be then discussed in subject committee and finally in the budget preparation committee before submitting it to the DDC and District Council. The administrative cost should be confined within 25% in general. Inventory of all capital, mobile and fixed assets with their existing condition and where about should prepared kept and optimally used. Internal and external audit should be done annually and report should be place in the district council.
8.4.3
Planning, Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation Periodic Planning: A long term perspective plan setting the vision and periodic goal with directive principles, programs and plans, has to be prepared to guide the development of the district in long term. Participatory Approach: Participatory approach has to be adopted in planning coordination and monitoring and evaluation processes. Coordination: Activities of NGOs should be coordinated to achieve the target indicator set in periodic and annual plan. Different donor agencies and INGOs should be coordinated for support in targeted and district priority projects. Monitoring and Evaluation: The activities and process both should be monitored as per the pre defined working schedule and target achievements.
8.4.4
Information and Communication Resource center should be strengthened by collecting, preserving and publishing numerous reports, books, data and information. Internet and web page: The DDC should own its own website and publish all necessary information on internet. The citizen charter should be published, revised as per necessity and provide services as per the citizen charter. The complaints should be collected from complaint box, internet email, Telephone and should be resolved immediately.
8.4.5
Physical Resources Adequate working space with necessary furniture, computer and other accessories should be provided to the employee. The office premises should maintained clean with conducive environment
-83-
8.4.6
Recruitment and Capacity Development The employees should be segregated in core and project staff. The core staff should be permanent while others on project basis. The employee should be given some kind of training compatible to her/his work. The capability of the employees should enhanced. Madhesi, women, Dalit and locals should be given reservation/priority in district level job. Inter employee coordination should be assured through various meetings seminar and workshops etc. They should support each other in achieving the target indicators.
-84-

District Profile of Dhanusha

Enviado por

Dados do documento

Direitos autorais

Formatos disponíveis

Compartilhar este documento

Compartilhar ou incorporar documento

Opções de compartilhamento

Você considera este documento útil?

Este conteúdo é inapropriado?

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

District Profile of Dhanusha

Enviado por

Direitos autorais:

Formatos disponíveis

DISTRICT PROFILE DHANUSHA

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, JANAKPUR , DHANUSHA

FUNDED BY Asian Development Bank