Former administrative units of Nepal are administrative divisions during Kingdom of Nepal. In 2008 Nepal was proclaimed a federal republic and old administrative units restricted after adoption of new constitution on 20 September 2015.[1]
Formerly, Nepal was divided into 5 development regions, 14 zones, 75 districts, 58 municipalities and 3157 village development committee.[2] [3] [4] [5]
Kingdom of Nepal was formed in 1768, by unification of Nepal.[6]
Before the treaty of Sugauli in 1814–16, the territories under Nepalese control included Darjeeling to the South-east, whole of Sikkim to the east, Nainital to the south-west and the Kumaon Kingdom and Garhwal Kingdom to the west.[7]
After the Sugauli treaty in 1814-16 Nepal came to existence in today's shape. During the time of king Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah and prime minister Bhimsen Thapa, Nepal was divided into 10 districts.[8]
During the time of prime minister Bir Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana (1885-1901) Nepal was divided into 32 districts and Doti, Palpa and Dhankuta were 3 gaunda (ne|गौंडा) (English meaning: Cantonment). Hilly region had 20 districts and Terai had 12 districts.[8]
Even after Bir Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana to the end of Rana rule in Nepal in 1951 and till the proclamation of new constitution of Kingdom of Nepal in 1962, Nepal remained divided into 32 districts. Each had a headquarters and Bada Haqim (District Administrator) as its head. From 1951 to 1962 many acts and constitutions passed which shows name of 32 districts.[9] [10] [11]
In 1962, the reorganisation of traditional 35 districts into 14 zones and 75 development Districts.[12]
In 1972 (2029 B.S.). The late King Birendra in assistance with renowned scholar late Dr. Hark Gurung brought forth the concept of regional development for the harmonious developments of all parts of the country. Subsequently, he divided Nepal into 4 Development Regions in 1972: Eastern, Central, Western and Far Western. Since the Far Western Development Region became too large in size, it was further divided by creating the Mid-Western Development Region in 1981. Mid-western Development Region was created out of Karnali, Rapti and Bheri zones. It was done with the objective to achieve balanced, effective and rapid development programs in the country.[13]
Prior to September 2015, Nepal was divided into 5 Development regions. They were first-level of administrative divisions.[14]
| sr. | Development Regions | Nepali Name | Headquarters | Area (km2.) | Population (2011) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Development Region | पुर्वाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | 28,456 | 5,811,555 | ||
| 2 | Central Development Region | मध्यमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | Kathmandu | 27,410 | 9,656,985 | |
| 3 | Western Development Region | पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | Pokhara | 29,398 | 4,926,765 | |
| 4 | Mid-Western Development Region | मध्य पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | Birendranagar | 42,378 | 3,546,682 | |
| 5 | सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र | Dipayal | 19,539 | 2,552,517 | ||
| Nepal | नेपाल | Kathmandu | 147,181 | 26,494,504 |
There were 14 zones divided into 5 development regions. Each development region had 3 zones. Only the Far-Western Development Region had 2 zones.
| sr. | Regions | Zones | Headquarters | Area (km2.) | Population (2011) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8,196 | 1,422,182 | ||||
| 2 | Kosi Zone | 9,669 | 2,335,047 | |||
| 3 | 10,591 | 2,054,326 | ||||
| 4 | 9,669 | 2,837,481 | ||||
| 5 | 9,428 | 3,843,596 | ||||
| 6 | 8,313 | 2,975,908 | ||||
| 7 | 12,275 | 1,549,857 | ||||
| 8 | 8,975 | 2,834,612 | ||||
| 9 | 8,148 | 542,296 | ||||
| 10 | 10,482 | 1,456,202 | ||||
| 11 | 21,351 | 388,713 | ||||
| 12 | 10,545 | 1,701,767 | ||||
| 13 | 12,550 | 1,575,003 | ||||
| 14 | 6,989 | 977,514 | ||||
| Nepal | 14 Zones | Kathmandu | 147,181 | 26,494,504 |
There were 75 districts in Nepal before 2015. They were grouped together to form zones. 2 new districts formed after 2015. District Development Committees (DDCs) were established to carry out all the administrative as well as clerical functions of a district.
List of Districts (Zonewise):
Jhapa District (Chandragadhi)
Hill
Ilam District (Ilam)
Panchthar District (Phidim)
Mountain
Taplejung District (Phungling)
Sunsari District (Inaruwa)
Hill
Terhathum District (Myanglung)
Mountain
Sankhuwasabha District (Khandbari)
Hill
Khotang District (Diktel)
Okhaldhunga District (Okhaldhunga)
Mountain
Solukhumbu District (Salleri)
Dhanusa District (Janakpur)
Mahottari District (Jaleswar)
Hill
Ramechhap District (Manthali)
Mountain
Dolakha District (Charikot)
Hill
Bhaktapur District (Bhaktapur)
Dhading District (Dhading Besi)
Kathmandu District (Kathmandu)
Kavrepalanchok District (Dhulikhel)
Lalitpur District (Lalitpur)
Mountain
Sindhupalchok District (Chautara)
Hill
Gorkha District (Gorkha)
Lamjung District (Besisahar)
Syangja District (Syangja)
Tanahun District (Byas)
Mountain
Manang District (Chame)
Kapilvastu District (Kapilvastu)
Rupandehi District (Siddharthanagar)
Hill
Arghakhanchi District (Sandhikharka)
Hill
Myagdi District (Beni)
Parbat District (Kusma)
Mountain
Hill
Pyuthan District (Pyuthan Khalanga)
Rukum District (Musikot)
Salyan District (Salyan Khalanga)
Mountain
Jumla District (Jumla Khalanga)
Bardiya District (Gulariya)
Surkhet District (Birendranagar)
Hill
Dailekh District (Narayan)
Hill
Doti District (Dipayal)
Mountain
Bajhang District (Chainpur)
Kanchanpur District (Bhim Datta)
Inner Terai and Hill
Dadeldhura District (Dadeldhura)
Hill
Baitadi District (Baitadi)
Mountain
Darchula District (Darchula)
Municipalities are an administrative units to work in urban area. There were only 58 following Municipalities in Nepal before 2014.[15]
Formally, Villages were administered by Village development committees in Nepal. They were dissolved before the new constitution in 2015 and formed Gaunpalika.
National Association of Village Development Committees in Nepal (NAVIN) was established in the year 1996 as an umbrella organization to represent and provide support to Nepal's 3915 VDCs (Village Government in Nepal). In a short span of its origin, NAVIN has been able to establish itself, both nationally and internationally, as a reputable representative organization of VDCs and has founded itself as a pioneer partner organization for decentralization and democratization process in Nepal.[16] The Village Development Committee were defunct in March 2017 and replaced with Gaupalika