Jumla is located in the north-west of Nepal and is considered the administrative and
commercial hub of the Karnali Zone. The Sinja valley in the western part of the district is also known as the place where the Khas Nepali language evolved and contains sites of
historical interest awaiting classification by UNESCO. The area of the district is 2,531 km and there are 30 Village Development Committees (VDCs). The district headquarters (DHQ) is located in Chandannath VDC. Jumla is one of nine districts that the government of Nepal has categorized as backward areas due to their remoteness. Jumla’s population totalled 108,921 in 2011, males slightly outnumbering females. Geographic isolation and poverty are the main factors that contribute to the underdevelopment of Jumla. Linked with a tarmac airport and seasonal road (Karnali Highway), Jumla Bazaar is an important
trading centre for the entire region. umla was heavily affected by the decade-long conflict between then Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) and the Nepal government. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in November 2006, security has improved, captured land is being returned by United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (UCPN-M) and VDC offices were re-established. Historically, the Nepal Peasants and Workers Party (NPWP) has had a stronghold in the district. However, since the beginning of the ten year conflict, UCPN-M have had more influence. In mid-May 2013, the total number of people registered to vote in Jumla reached 45,846. The 30 VDCs of Jumla are covered by seven police posts, in addition to a District Police Office (combined
strength 225 male and eight female personnel mainly based in DHQ), a Zonal Police Office (200 personnel), and a Riot Police Battalion. Jumla has both a District Court and an Appellate Court. The Indigenous and Janjati District Coordination Committee and Dalit Upliftment District Coordination Committee of the DDC, chaired by representatives of those groups are involved in local government planning processes to mainstream sensitivity to the groups they represent, along with the Women Rights Forum, and Ward Citizen Forum. Major political parties (UCPN-M, NC, CPN-UML, RPP, NPWP) have at least one Dalit and one female member in their district committees. While over two thirds (68%) of males aged five and above are literate in Jumla, only a 41% of females can read and write. Subsistence agriculture is a mainstay of Jumla’s population, and agriculture-related drudgery is prevalent particularly among women. During the winter season people migrate to the hill and Terai areas to escape the cold and engage in wage labour and sell woolen garments. Jumla’s economy is largely driven by trade in herbal products, such as yarchagumba. There is a high rate of seasonal migration by men to India to cope with chronic food insecurity, especially during winter. Bonded labour (known as Lagi, Haliya or Badikae) is still practiced in the district. Jumla DHQ hosts a Zonal Hospital and six private medical facilities. Common diseases and infestations in the district are upper and acute respiratory tract infections, scabies and bacterial skin infections (impetigo) gastritis, intestinal worms, amoebic dysentery, typhoid and diarrhoea. The District Health Office estimates that 40-50% children are malnourished throughout the district. Arable land totals 47,745ha (22% of the district’s territory) but only 25,231ha (53% of arable land) is cultivated. Jumla is declared an organic district for value added agricultural products, and recently adopted a policy to allocate a certain amount of VDC
budget for development of the agriculture sector. Only 8% of households are food-secure, and households spend on average 31% of income on food. The district is prone to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, fires, landslides, and hailstorms.
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Publisher:
UNRCHCO
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(2013
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Type / Script:
Bulletin or Poster
in English
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Keywords:
GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, GEOGRAPHY, DEMOGRAPHY, CLIMATOLOGY, HEALTH INFORMATION, HEALTH STATISTICS, SOCIAL INFORMATION, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION, RULE OF LAW, PROTECTION, EQUITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION, EDUCATION, SOCIAL PROTECTION, EMPLOYMENT, MIGRATION, HEALTH, SANITATION, NUTRITION, FOOD SECURITY, AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, HUMANITARIAN SITUATION, GEOGRAPHY
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Thematic Group:
UNRCHCO (UNRCO)
:
UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Office (UN Resident Coordinator Office)
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Thesaurus:
15.05.00
- Documentation, Library And Information Sciences And Reference Works
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Reference Link:
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