Phidim
| Phidim फिदिम नगरपालिका | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
 Phidim bazar area | |
  Phidim Location in Nepal | |
| Coordinates: 27°08′46″N 87°45′58″E / 27.146°N 87.766°ECoordinates: 27°08′46″N 87°45′58″E / 27.146°N 87.766°E | |
| Country |
 |
| Zone | Mechi Zone |
| District | Panchthar District |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Onahang Nembang (NC) |
| • Deputy Mayor | Urmila Pradhan Shrestha (NC) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total |
13,652 Languages = Limbu, Nepali |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (NST) |
| Postal code | 57400 |
| Area code(s) | 024 |
| Website | www.phidimmun.gov.np |
Phidim Municipality is the headquarters of the Panchthar District in the Mechi Zone of eastern Nepal. Phidim was upgraded into 'municipality' from 'village' when a development committee merged with other vdcs - including Phidim, Chokmagu and Siwa villages - on 18 May 2014.[1][2] It serves as a route for trekkers and locals who travel to and from the Taplejung district bordering with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. It is also a commercial hub for the rural people of the district.
Transportation
Phidim is connected to rest of the country through the Mechi Highway, a 268-km road which begins in Kechana of Jhapa district and ends in Phungling, the headquarters of Taplejung district. Passenger buses and jeeps to Phidim are available in Birtamod and Ilam. Phidim also has a number of hotels and inns for accommodation and food. Also there is a new connection with the Sakranti VDC of Terhathum district by a gravel road through which it is linked to Koshi Highway in Myanglung (Headquarter of Terhathum District). Now, Madhya Pahadi Rajmargha one of the road linking east to west of Nepal through hilly areas gets started from Panchthar district and connects with Phidim.
Geography
Phidim is within a valley in the foothills of Himalayas in eastern Nepal. It is a hill township. Phidim is a six-hour drive from Birtamod through a winding road via Ilam. From Phidim, there are views of the snow-capped Himalaya, and other hills in the distance. Phidim has tin-roofed houses and small concrete buildings. Two rivers —Phewa and Hewa— surround the hill where the town is located.
Demography
At the time of the 2001 Nepal census it had a population of 13652 people.[3] The inhabitants are Limbu, Magar, Yakha, Gurung, Rai, Tamang, so-called Dalit, and Brahmin and Newar which makes it one of the most diverse places in eastern Nepal.
Climate
The climate of Phidim is mild during the summer and cold and misty in the winter. Maximum temperature in the summer goes up to 25 degree Celsius whereas in winter it lowers to 2 degree Celsius.
Agriculture and industry
Because of its fertile soil and good irrigation, Phidim produces rice, potato, cardamom and tea. Kanchenjunga Tea Estate, one of major producers of Nepal tea, has field office in Phidim.
Incidents
February 5, 2010: A fire that started from a hotel in Phidim killed three people. Property worth 2 million rupees was estimated to be damaged. It was reported that three dozen people were inside three hotels when it was caught by the fire, which was extinguished by local security forces.
Media
Phidim has three community radio station named as Radio Sumhatlung - 104.2 MHz, Eagle FM and Singhalila FM - 97.3 MHz.
Footnotes
Ekantipur: Phidim inferno: Death toll reaches three; police suspect more casualties (February 6, 2010) Retrieved July 3, 2012
References
- ↑ 72 new municipalities announced My Republica
- ↑ Govt announces 72 new municipalities The Kathmandu Post
- ↑ "Nepal Census 2001". Nepal's Village Development Committees. Digital Himalaya. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
