Ilam District

Kanyam Tea Garden

The name Ilam is derived from the Limbu language in which "IL" means twisted and "Lam" means road. Ilam was one of the ten self ruling states of Limbuwan before the reunification of Nepal. Its ruler, King Hangshu Phuba Lingdom of Lingdom dynasty, ruled Ilam as a confederate state of Limbuwan until 1813 AD. The treaty between the other Limbuwan states and the King of Gorkha (Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD), and the conflict of Gorkha and Sikkim, led to the unification of Ilam with Gorkha. Ilam was the last of the ten kingdoms of Limbuwan to be reunified into Nepal. The King of Gorkha gave the ruler of Ilam full autonomy to rule and the right of Kipat. Ilam was an independent Limbu kingdom until 1813 CE/1869 BS.

Ilam is today one of the developing places in Nepal, even though the Western parts are still struggling with the basic facilities (road networks, drinking water, health, etc.). The migration rate is very low, compared to other districts, due to the adoption of farming by individual families. Ilam Tea, a very famous leaf tea, is one of the finest quality teas in the world and is exported to many parts of Europe, Australia and the USA. The main source of income in this district is commercial agriculture (especially cash crops) like tea, cardamom, ginger, potato, broom grass (Thysanolaena latifolia) production on a large scale and dairy and dairy related products like milk (Olan), cheese, Chhurpi (Traditional hard cheese) and lollipops (local sweets).

Ilam is also considered to be an educational hub, where students from Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung and Jhapa are plentiful. There are several institutions that offer secondary, higher secondary and university level programs. For a decade, there has been growing number of technical and vocational programs at secondary and university levels. Mahendra Ratna Multiple Campus, the oldest institution in Ilam, is one of the constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University. The first autonomous campus of Nepal, it is well known for its programs such as Agricultural Science, Education, Humanities and Commerce. The campus launched a Bachelor of Science program in Horticulture in 2012 (B.S. 2069), which has attracted students from all over the Nepal.

Ilam is well known for its religious importance too. The Devi temples have a great importance attached to them and many people come here just for pilgrimage. The major attraction of Ilam is the nine-cornered Mai Pokhari lake. Also known as the Abode of the Goddess, many tourists as well as Nepalese people come to visit this place. This place is also one of the most famous places for flora and fauna, which attracts biologists. Similarly, Gajurmukhi is also a religious spot for pilgrimages from Nepal and India. The Mai river and its four tributaries also emerge in the Ilam district. Sano Pathivara is another place that is famous for pilgramage. The famous Mane Bhanjyang (Mane pass) connects Ilam with the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.

Antu Pond, reflecting the color of its surroundings

Ilam was in the news a great deal during the Maoist insurgency, as it was from there that Maoists launched frequent, massive attacks.

Tourists going to Ilam can expect to pay around 7000 rupees a week for accommodation and food. People can get easy options for hotel and restaurant facilities of various levels.

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Ilam District had a population of 290,254.

As first language, 42.8% spoke Nepali, 14.4% Limbu, 8.4% Bantawa, 8.3% Rai, 6.0% Tamang, 4.6% Magar, 2.1% Gurung, 2.1% Newar, 1.2% Sherpa, 1.0% Chamling, 1.0% Sunuwar, 0.9% Lepcha, 0.6% Kulung, 0.5% Sampang, 0.5% Yakkha, 0.4% Thulung, 0.4% Yamphu, 0.3% Bhujel, 0.3% Maithili, 0.3% Mewahang, 0.2% Bote, 0.2% Khaling, 0.2% Yolmo, 0.2% Sanskrit, 0.2% Thami, 0.1% Bhojpuri, 0.1% Dumi, 0.1% Hindi, 0.1% Nachhiring, 0.1% Rajasthani, 0.1% Sam and 1.5% other languages.[3]

Ethnicity/caste: 23.8% were Rai, 15.8% Limbu, 13.9% Hill Brahmin, 13.6% Chhetri, 7.0% Tamang, 5.2% Magar, 3.7% Newar, 3.4% Kami, 2.9% Gurung, 1.6% Damai/Dholi, 1.3% Sunuwar, 1.2% Sherpa, 1.0% Lepcha, 0.7% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.7% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.6% Yakkha, 0.5% Yolmo, 0.4% Sarki, 0.3% Thami, 0.2% Kumal, 0.2% Yamphu, 0.1% Bantawa, 0.1% Bhote, 0.1% other Dalit, 0.1% Halwai, 0.1% Kulung, 0.1% Marwadi, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% Samgpang, 0.1% Teli, 0.1% Thakuri, 0.1% Tharu and 0.6% others.[4]

Religion: 44.5% were Hindu, 35.6% Kirati, 15.3% Buddhist, 2.5% Christian, 1.3% Prakriti, 0.1% Muslim and 0.7% others.[5]

Literacy: 77.7% could read and write, 2.4% could only read and 19.8% could neither read nor write.[6]

Ilam is divided into 4 urban and 6 rural municipalities.

Former Village Development Committees and Municipalities

Map of the VDCls in Ilam District

• Amchok
• Banjho
• Barbote
• Chamaita (now deumai municipality)
• Chisapani
• Chulachuli
• Danabari
• Deumai Municipality
• Dhuseni (now Deumai Municipality)
• Ibhang
• Ektappa
• Erautar
• Gajurmukhi
• Ghuseni
• Godak
• Gorkhe
• Jamuna
• Ilam Municipality
• Jirmale
• Jitpur
• Jogmai
• Kolbung
• Lakshmipur
• Lumde
• Mabu
• Mahamai
• Maimajhuwa
• Maipokhari
• Mangalbare (now Deumai Municipality)
• Namsaling
• Naya Bazar
• Pashupatinagar
• Phakphok
• Phuyatappa
• Puwamajhuwa
• Pyang
• Sakphara
• Sakhejung
• Samalbung
• Sangrumba
• Shanti Danda
• Shantipur
• Siddhithumka
• Soyak
• Soyang
• Shree Antu
• Sulubung
• Sumbek
• Suryodaya Municipality

Ilam district is home to notable personalities including sportspersons and politicians.

• Nawayug Shrestha, National Football Player
• Darshan Gurung, National Football Player
• Anjila Tumbapo Subba, National Football Captain
• Jhala Nath Khanal, Politician
• Subaschandra Nemwang, Politician

• Zones of Nepal
• Danabari

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ilam District.

• "Districts of Nepal". Statoids.

26°54′N 87°56′E