Dharan, nepal

Urban & Regional Planning
Problems and recommended solutions for Dharan city, Nepal
Prepared by: Arjun Rai
Source: Shiv Chamling (WWW.Google.com)

Table of Contents
1.General description of the Dharan...................................................................................1
1.1 Borders of the sub-metropolitan........................................................................................... 2
1.2 Demography of Dharan......................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Administration ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Map of Ward division of Dharan.......................................................................................... 3
1.5 Infrastucture.......................................................................................................................... 4
1.6 Geography and Climate ........................................................................................................ 4
1.7 Socio-economic features ........................................................................................................ 7
1.8 Culture in Dharan................................................................................................................. 8
1.9 Market................................................................................................................................... 8
1.10 Education............................................................................................................................. 8
1.11 Transportation..................................................................................................................... 8
1.12 Land use in Dharan............................................................................................................. 9
2. Describe issues problem of the city ...............................................................................10
2.1 Floods problem in Dharan .................................................................................................. 10
2.2 Causes.................................................................................................................................. 10
2.3 Suggestions for solution....................................................................................................... 11
2.4 Increasing number of slums in Dharan .............................................................................. 11
2.5 Causes.................................................................................................................................. 12
2.6 Suggestions for solution....................................................................................................... 12
3. Resources and assets of the city.....................................................................................12
3.1 Well connection with other cities through road.................................................................. 12
3.2 Health institutions ............................................................................................................... 13
4. Policy recommendations................................................................................................13
4.1 Proposed solutions of the problem...................................................................................... 13
4.2 Revitalization of city using resources and assets ................................................................ 14
5. Bibliography....................................................................................................................15

1
1.General description of the Dharan
Dharan is one of the sub-metropolitan cities of Nepal. It is located eastern region of
country, in air distance 217 km far from capital city. Country has been divided into 7 states and
77 districts according to the federal system. Dharan is under the State number 1, and Sunsari
district. It is the second largest city of Eastern Nepal, and has the area 192.5 km2
, consist of
land 178.1km2
and water 4.4 km2
of area.
Source: Google.com
At the beginning, Dharan was as a small trading settlement between hilly region and
plain region of Eastern Nepal. Modern Dharan was founded in 1902 by prime minister Chandra
Shamser. At that time, he established a small village on the hill of Bijayapur Hillock to supply
timber to the East India Company. In 1953, British Gurkha recruit center was established by
British government and flow of people increased rapidly then finally city expanded. In 1962,
the country was divided into 14 Zones, and it became zonal headquarter of Koshi zone. It was
declared a municipal town in 1960 and celebrated Golden Jubilee from January 28 to January
31, 2011 making the 50th
year establishment of the municipality. From December 2014, it has
upgraded status of a sub-metropolitan city and divided into 27 wards.
Old image of Dharan Source: google.com

2
1.1 Borders of the sub-metropolitan
Side Area
East Yangshila and Kerabari VDC
West Barahachhetra and Bharaul
North Ahale, Mahabharata and Vedetar VDC
South Baklauri VDC and Itahari sub metropolitan
city.
Following map shows the borders of the Dharan sub-metropolitan city.
Source: Dharan sub-metropolitan
1.2 Demography of Dharan
Description Census 2011
Population 137,705
Male 64,671
Female 73,034
Household 32,693
Population density per km2
715
No. of voters 74,545

3
1.3 Administration
The local administration body is the Sub-metropolitan. Dharan sub-metropolitan is
headed by an elected mayor. There are 27 electoral wards in Dharan. A corporator is directly
elected in each of the wards by people, and people of Dharan elect the mayor by majority vote.
Administrative Division:
Description
State State number 1
District Sunsari
District Headquarter Inaruwa
District Unit number 1&2
Election area number 6
Number of wards 27
1.4 Map of Ward division of Dharan

4
1.5 Infrastucture
In terms of infrastructure, Dharan is quite good condition than other cities of Nepal. For
infrastructure development, Sub-metropolitan is cooperating with local people. Infrastructures
condition in Dharan is given below:
Road
Black Top 106 km
Gravel 35 km
Earthen 130 km
Electricity
Industrial Supply line 189
Household supply line 9171
Yearly electricity consumption 21110652 kilowatt/year
Street lamp 3792
Drinking Water supply
Private drinking water line 8807
Public drinking water supply 304 places
Water consumption per day 12.5 million litre
Public sanitation and fire brigade
Fire truck 3
Solid waste management 30 ton/day
Public health facilities
Public health facilities
Health clinics 8 operated by submetropolitan
Health post 1
Private clinics 17
Hospital 1 (650 bed)
Banks and Financial organizations
Private Financial Institute 9
Bank 7
Sports
Stadium 1
Sports Hall 1
18hole golf course 1
Tennis courts 5
Basket Ball courts 3
Swimming pools 3
Source: Dharan sub-metropolitan profile
1.6 Geography and Climate
Dharan is geographically situated in latitude of 260
42’
41”
to 260
52’
42”
and longitude
870
12’
04”
to 870
21’
23”
. It is on the foothills of Mountain range called Mahabharat Range. Its

5
southern region is connected with plain land called Terai. It is surrounded by hills in three
sides, a thick forest is to the south and east and west are Seuti and Shardu rivers respectively.
Great changes of altitude 305m to 700m at a short distance of 4km. It is slopped southern side
and midpoint between hills and the terai plains, and a gateway to the hills. climate is mild,
generally warm and temperate. The climate of this area is in the tropical monsoon category, so
in summer season temperature is going up and in winter it is going down.
The following table shows the high, low and average temperature, average precipitation
and average rainy days in Dharan.
Perceived temperature means how we experience weather. It depends on humidity and
wind that make how hot or cold the day feels to a person. Given graph shows the perceived
temperature of Dharan.
Source: ChampionTraveller

6
Following table shows the probability of daily raining, snowing and total precipitation
in cm in every month. June, July, August and September are the months when heavy
precipitation happen in Dharan, but there is no snowing.
Dharan has slightly high to average humidity compared to most tourist destinations.
The graph shows most humid month is August and least humid month is March. Next, windiest
month is April, followed by May and March. Least windy month is September.

7
1.7 Socio-economic features
People living in Dharan are heterogeneous, but majority people are Rai, Limbu, Newar,
Kshetri. Their main income sources are service sectors like business, employment etc. People
work in government organizations as well as private organizations. Following chart shows the
living expenses in city. These costs are average costs, that’s why it may vary according to
seasons and depends on other factors also.
Source: Numbeo
These above costs show the living expense in Dharan is not so expensive in compare
with other developed cities. However, it is more related with income level of people.

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1.8 Culture in Dharan
Dharan is rich in cultural diversity, it has a mixed culture because people in Dharan
migrated there from different region of the country. Different ethnic group has their traditional
cultural festivals like dhan nach, sakewa, lakhe jatra etc. Here, several temples are located,
many visitors from India also visit these temples.
Temples
Temples 50
Monasteries 9
Churches 21
Mosques 1
1.9 Market
It is a business hub between the hilly region of eastern region of country and other main
cities and Indian border. People work in private enterprises and as well as they fulfill their
necessities from the product and services provided by these enterprises. The following is the
number of trade and industries in Dharan.
Medium scale industry 24
Small scale industry 104
Hotel/lodge/guest house 78
Restaurant 45
Shops 1950
1.10 Education
Dharan is education center of eastern region. Public colleges under three universities
Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sanskrit University and BP Koirala Institute of Health Science
are serving students. BP Koirala institute of Health Science is the most prominent universities
for medical education in country. Central campus of science and technology is one of the oldest
science and technology teaching campus which is renowned for food technology education.
Eastern region engineering campus is another famous institute for technical education, where
electrical, electronics, computer and civil engineering is taught. Following table shows the
number of educational organizations on the basis of category.
Description Non-Government Government
primary 45 6
Lower secondary 5 5
Secondary 18 12
Higher Secondary 8 0
College 0 4
University 0 1
Library 9 1
Special education 0 3
Technical school 5 0
1.11 Transportation
Dharan connected with other major cities by road. One of the major highways, Koshi
highway linked with another district Dhankuta. It is near from the East-West highway longest
highway of Nepal. Nearest airport is in Biratnagar 40 km far from the city, and we can reach

9
there by bus. From Dharan everyday buses depart to capital city Kathmandu, but it takes a long
time almost 14 hours to reach in destination. Three bus parks are in city, one for long route
buses and others are for local vehicles; however, Bhanuchowk Bus park, Panmari Bus park,
Chatara Bus park. For local transport people use Rickshaws, Tempo and City-safari. These
means of transportation are the economical mode of transport because passengers can share a
ride.
Means of transportation in Dharan Source: Google.com
1.12 Land use in Dharan
Land is limited in earth, so managed used of land is compulsory. Everything we use in
daily life comes from the land. Without proper land policy, government cannot guarantee of
food, eco-friendly development, planned urbanization and managed human settlement.
Haphazard use of land mainly by real estate companies adversely affects the food
security of people in city. It increases land price rapidly and reduces agricultural products. So,
living cost goes up unexpectedly. To address that kind of problem government of Nepal
promulgate land use policy and currently every local bodies are following this policy. Land use
policy is essentials to make city hygienic, beautiful, well-facilitated and safe for human
settlement.
There are several types of land like agricultural, residential, commercial, Industrial,
forest, public use and open spaces. Sub-metropolitan is trying to separate these lands based on
the central government policy; however, it is not still much effective. In Dharan, basically land
in out of city is using for agricultural production, for industrial use there is one industrial zone,
but small enterprises cannot access on the industrial zone because of criteria. In near future city
will implement proper land use policy.
Bus
Tempo
Rickshaw
City safari

10
Source: Cowater International Inc
2. Describe issues problem of the city
Dharan is currently facing several problems; for example, flood near to rivers, traffic
congestion, migration of ex Gurkha people to UK. Some problems are listed below:
Congested and unmanaged Bus parks, increasing number of slums.
i. Floods
ii. Increasing number of slums
iii. migration of ex Gurkha people to UK
iv. Traffic congestion
v. Drug addiction
vi. Congested and unmanaged busparks
Among these problems, I chose two major problems for discussion; i.e. flood and increasing
number of slums.
2.1 Floods problem in Dharan
It is one of the most hazardous problem in Dharan because every year it destroys not
only millions of properties, but also takes life of people. Floods are natural incidents where an
area or land is normally dry abruptly becomes submerged in water. Simply, flood is overflow
of large quantities of water onto a normally dry land. It happens in many ways and in case of
Dharan is due to overflow of rivers when raining heavily.
2.2 Causes
Main cause of flood is the Seuti and Sardu rivers located in east and west of city. These
two rivers’ source is in upper hill region, that’s why rain water from the upper region flows
through these two rivers and it is destructive in plain land like Dharan. Heavy raining is the

11
leading contributor of flood in these two rivers. There are many factors that affect the raining
like, climate change, deforestation, unmanaged land used etc.
Source: MyRepublica
According to the local people, haphazard mining of stones and sands from the river has
been responsible for uncontrollable floods. Those activities are illegal, however, because of
weak mechanism government lags behind in implementing rules, regulations and monitoring.
When sand and stone taken out from the river obviously residence near to river get vulnerable.
2.3 Suggestions for solution
Here are some suggestions to solve flood problem in Dharan, which might be more
helpful. The main human related causes haphazard mining of stones and sands have to be
stopped. For this, local government has to enforce law forcefully. Retaining walls should be
construct in bank of river to hold extra water during flooding. Town planning is necessary to
prevent city from disaster like flood. Planning will ensure the waterways are not blocked.
Vegetation in river bank help protect the land from erosion and control the speed of flood water.
Detention basin build near to city will give time to evacuate people from residents. To save the
people life better warning system must be setup, it alerts the people.
2.4 Increasing number of slums in Dharan
A slum is a highly populated urban residential area consisting mostly of impoverished
persons. Recent year number of slums is increasing in Dharan. That is problematic for city in
many ways first it destructs the beauty of city, waste cannot manage properly, live in disaster
prone zone, violate human rights, etc. Recently, it becomes the cause of increasing number of
urban poverty. Given table shows the number of slums increasing in whole country.

12
2.5 Causes
There are several reasons that force to increase the number of slums. People from
surrounding areas come to city to see some opportunities and they stay in border of the city.
Rapid urbanization is another cause of formation of slum in Dharan because submetropolitan
is unable to manage urbanization. People living in slums are generally socially excluded group.
These people get safe place to stay far from their society that increases the number. Another
reason is economic stagnation and informal economy. Stagnate economy doesn’t create any
job then economically weak people look very cheap place for living. Finally, it boosts number
of slums.
Image: slums in Dharan, Source: Google.com
2.6 Suggestions for solution
Solving slums problem cannot be done by one night. It takes a long time, more
resources, and proper plan. However, for better life of people government has to solve this
problem. Here are some suggestions that will help to solve slums problem.
Building a cheap and comfortable housing that have basic facilities for low income people by
government. This is the good way to transfer people from slum to managed place and it make
possible to remove slums from city. Basic facilities available in city has to establish in rural
area, it will retain people in village. Providing cheap loan support economically weak peoples’
life.
3. Resources and assets of the city
Here are some major resources and assets of my city.
i. Well connection with other cities through road
ii. Health institutions
iii. Educational institutions
iv. Religious places
v. Tourist area
vi. Geographical location of the city
vii.Ecological resources
viii.Water resources
Among the above resources and advantage, I want to discuss about 2 major points. One
is well connection with other cities through road and another health institutions.
3.1 Well connection with other cities through road
Road access is one of the most important development infrastructures. It makes possible
to transfer goods and travel people from one place to another. Economic activities are more

13
based on transportation because transportation makes every activity efficient and effective.
Total 271 km road has been constructed in Dharan. Through this road people can access other
cities and rural area also. Another major city Biratnagar and India border is around 40 km and
57 km respectively far from here. East-west national highway passes through the city, it
connects capital city and whole plain region from east to west. Koshi highway connects with
hilly area of eastern region. People of Dharan can easily access to other cities and it creates
many opportunities. This well connection with other cities is the asset for Dharan.
3.2 Health institutions
Health is another most important necessities for people. BP Koirala institute of health
science (BPKIHS) is the famous health institute in country, people not only from local area but
also from India come to check up their health. It is the one form of health tourism. People who
come for health issues not only expense money for health but also use other things like daily
consumption, transportation, hotel etc.
BPKIHS hospital has 650 beds, it serves variety of health services. Other 17 private
clinics are serving for people. These numbers of health institutions are the assets for city
because through these local government can generate revenue. Another strong point is
employment generation, many skill and non-skill people get job in these institutions. Finally,
health institutions have series of connection with economic activities.
4. Policy recommendations
Policy is the means for government to govern the people. Through policy government
controls, promotes, regulates, deregulates and do everything within territory of state. That’s
why we government totally relies on policy.
Here I have some policy recommendations for solving the above-mentioned problems.
4.1 Proposed solutions of the problem
i. Government has to strongly implement prevailing laws. Many cases lack of law is not the
problem but implementation part is very weak. So, it creates the problem. Government of Nepal
has law for controlling mining in river, and settlement on public spaces. But, still problem is
existing means implementation of law is weak.
ii. To implement law government bodies has to be capable. So, strengthen the capabilities of
government institutions is necessary like in terms of human resource development, provide
necessary equipment, basic infrastructure etc.
iii. Some laws are not relevant in current situation, for example, district disaster relief
committee is not functioning well because of organizational structure. So, government has to
amend law based on time.
iv. Generally bureaucracy wants to hold power themselves. Transfer the power from higher
authority to lower authority empower the lower level staff and they can perform very well.
Lower level staffs know the ground reality, so they can implement law their own way.
v. Proper city planning is necessary for manage slums.
vi. If people know about the environmental impacts of their every activity, they refrain to do
that activities. So, people has to educate about the pros and cons of their ativity.
vii. Launching social harmonization program bonds people tightly, and they don’t need to go
far from original place.
viii. Using IT in office work like record keeping, promulgate the law for compulsory use of
warning alarm.
ix. Strong punishment in violation of law

14
x. Effective monitoring and evaluation control frauds and give feedback. Feedback might be
useful for next policy formulation.
4.2 Revitalization of city using resources and assets
To revitalize city, we must use resources and assets of city. Here I have some
recommendations which will make Dharan like dream city.
i. First of all, government has to formulate proper policy which address the modern
expectation of people and challenges from the people. World is changing rapidly, so best
policy before 5 years may not fit for current situation.
ii. To implement the policy detail planning is important. It converts the idea into reality, so
without planning good policy is only like dream.
iii. Modern era is age of IT, everywhere we can see use of IT. IT makes job efficient and
effective, like sub-metropolitan can send notice through SMS. Digital record keeping makes
data available when needed.
iv. Resource management knowledge is needed for well management. Resources or assets are
just like wastage without knowledge of management, so high to low level government staff
should have management knowledge.
v. Public private partnership(PPP) has two main benefits, one is local people feel ownership
and another it reduces cost burden of government.
vi. Corruption is the main problem in government and non-government sectors. It wastes
resources and time both so, government has to strictly follow zero tolerance for corruption.
vii. In developing countries, many rules and regulations are prevailing; however,
implementation part is very weak that is problematic. So, strong implementation of law is
needed.
viii. If government provides rewards for people who do well and punishment for people who
break rules is needed to promote rule of law and control law violation.
ix. Organizing several activities like international, national and regional game, conference,
seminar use local resources. It creates direct and indirect and long term and short-term
employment.
x. Foreign aid can assist to use local resources of city. Reconstruction of big infrastructure,
construct new structures need huge amount of money for that foreign aid is most helpful.

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5. Bibliography
ChampionTraveller . (n.d.). Retrieved from The Best Time to Visit Dharan, Nepal for weather,
Safety, & Tourism: https://championtraveler.com/dates/best-time-to-visit-dharan-np/
Cowater International Inc. . (2014, February 24). Land use classification, Dharan
Municipality, Nepal . Retrieved from Cowater International Inc. Connect:
https://cowaterconnects.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/gis-based-municipal-
information-system-gmis/gmis-pic-4/
Dharan Sub-Metropolitan Governement of Nepal. (n.d.). Dharan sub-metropolitan profile.
Retrieved from http://dharan.gov.np/en/node/16
Government of Nepal. (n.d.). Ministry of Land Reform and Management. Retrieved from
Land use policy 2015:
http://www.molrm.gov.np/downloadfile/land%20use%20policy__2015_1505895657
.pdf
My Republica. (2016, July 16). Floodwaters threaten settlement in Dharan. Retrieved from
My Republica: http://www.myrepublica.com/news/2702/
Numbeo. (n.d.). Cost of living in Dharan. Retrieved from Numbeo:
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Dharan-Nepal
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Dharan, Nepal. Retrieved from Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharan,_Nepal
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Slum. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slum

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