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| Province No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Province No. 1 |
| Settlement type | Province |
| Country | Nepal |
| Established | 2015 Constitution |
| Capital | Biratnagar |
| Area km2 | 25,905 |
| Population | 4,534,943 (2011 census) |
| Provinces of | Nepal |
Province No. 1 Province No. 1 is a first-order administrative division in eastern Nepal created by the Constitution of Nepal during the federal restructuring that followed the 2013 Constituent Assembly election and 2008 Constituent Assembly election. The province encompasses a range of terrain from the Terai plains near India to the Koshi River basin and the high Himalayan peaks bordering Tibet, with an economy shaped by cross-border trade, remittances, and agroforestry.
The provisional designation "Province No. 1" originated in the interim arrangements under the Interim Constitution of 2007 and was maintained in the 2015 Constitution until a formal provincial name was adopted. Debates over renaming involved political parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Maoist Centre, and regional groups like the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung and Sanghiya Loktantrik Rastriya Manch. Proposals referenced historic polities and cultural signifiers including Kirat, Limbuwan, and geographic terms tied to the Koshi River and Sunsari District. Legislative procedures for renaming followed provisions in the Constitution of Nepal and provincial statutes enacted by the Provincial Assembly.
The territory now within Province No. 1 includes historic principalities and polities such as Limbuwan and parts of the medieval Kirat realm, which interacted with neighboring Himalayan kingdoms like Sikkim and the Gorkha Kingdom prior to the Gorkha unification. During the 19th century, the area was affected by treaties like the Sugauli Treaty between British East India Company and Nepal and by colonial-era trade routes to Tibet. In the 20th century, urban centers such as Biratnagar and Dharan emerged as industrial and administrative hubs influenced by events including the 1990 People's Movement and the 2006 Loktantra Andolan, with political actors like B. P. Koirala and Prachanda active in national transformations. Post-2015 constitutional federalization redefined governance, and development initiatives have involved institutions such as the National Planning Commission and multilateral partners including the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
Province No. 1 spans diverse physiographic zones from the Terai lowlands at the border with India through the Hilly Region to the High Himalaya along the frontier with Tibet. Major rivers include the Koshi River, with tributaries such as the Tamor River and Dudh Kosi, draining glacial catchments near peaks like Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu. Protected areas and conservation sites include Makalu Barun National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, which host species linked to Snow leopard habitats and Bengal tiger corridors. Climatic zones range from subtropical monsoon-influenced conditions in the Terai to alpine and nival climates at high elevations, with monsoon patterns similar to those affecting South Asia and seasonal variability governed by the South Asian monsoon.
Provincial governance operates under the Constitution of Nepal with institutions including the Governor as a nominal head appointed by the President of Nepal, and an elected Provincial Assembly led by a Chief Minister selected from parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and CPN (Maoist Centre). Administrative subdivisions follow district boundaries including Jhapa District, Morang District, Sunsari District, Taplejung District, and Solukhumbu District, with local governance by municipalities and rural municipalities. Intergovernmental relations involve coordination with federal ministries like the Ministry of Home Affairs and agencies such as the Election Commission, Nepal for provincial elections.
The provincial economy combines agriculture in the Terai—notably rice, jute, and maize—industrial activities centered in Biratnagar with enterprises like textile mills and agro-processing, and tourism tied to trekking routes such as the Everest Base Camp trek and the Kanchenjunga circuit. Hydropower projects on rivers including the Koshi River and Tamor River contribute to national grids developed with finance from entities like the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency. Cross-border trade with India via border points near Kakarbhitta supports commerce alongside remittances from migrant workers connected to destinations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Malaysia. Infrastructure development encompasses road corridors like the Mahendra Highway, rail proposals linked to Indian Railways initiatives, and airport facilities at Biratnagar Airport and Bhadrapur Airport.
The province is ethnically diverse with communities including Limbu people, Rai people, Tamang people, Magar people, Tharu people, and Madhesi people, alongside caste groups such as Brahmin and Chhetri populations. Languages prevalent in the province include Nepali, Maithili, Limbu, and various Kiranti languages. Religious traditions encompass Hinduism, Buddhism, Kirat Mundhum, and minority Christianity communities, with cultural expressions in festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chasok Tangnam, and rituals associated with the Kirat heritage. Educational institutions such as Purbanchal University and medical facilities including B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences serve regional human development needs.
Transport networks include national highways connecting to the East–West Highway (Mahendra Highway) and feeder roads into hill and mountain districts, with aviation links at Biratnagar Airport facilitating domestic flights connected to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Telecommunications infrastructure is provided by operators like Nepal Telecom and Ncell, and media outlets such as regional broadcasters and newspapers contribute to public information alongside digital services from platforms associated with entities like the Nepal Telecommunications Authority. Cross-border transit points with India at locations such as Kakarbhitta and trade linkages with Siliguri integrate the province into regional transport and communications networks.
Category:Provinces of Nepal