Phidim Municipality

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°E / 27.146; 87.766
Country	Nepal
Province	Koshi Province
District	Panchthar District
Government
• Mayor	Mitra Prasad Kafle (NC)
• Deputy Mayor	Radha Krishna Neupane (Maoist Centre)
Population  (2021)
• Total	48,713
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (NST)
Postal code	57400
Area code	024
Website	www.phidimmun.gov.np

Phidim Municipality is the headquarters of the Panchthar District in the Koshi Province of eastern Nepal. Phidim was upgraded to a 'municipality' from a 'village', when a development committee merged with other VDCs (village development committees) - including the Phidim, Chokmagu and Siwa villages - on May 18, 2014.^[1][2] It offers 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 surroundings.

Transport

Phidim is connected to the rest of the country through the Mechi Highway, a 268 kilometres (167 mi) road which begins in Charali of Jhapa district and ends in Phungling. Passenger buses and jeeps to Phidim are available at Birtamod and Ilam. Though abundant public vehicles are available in the region, the locals have frequently complained about the excessive rise in public vehicle fares that have skyrocketed after covid pandemic. For instance, the cost of travelling through a local taxi from Birtamode to Phidim before the covid was 500 rupees. But after the pandemic, the cost rose to double the price that it used to be (i.e. 1000 rupees) and no responsible bodies are seen to have shown a concern in this matter. A new Madhya Pahadi Rajmargha connects Phidim to the Athrai Rural Municipality of Terhathum district, which is linked to Koshi Highway in Myanglung (headquarters of Terhathum District). Madhya Pahadi Rajmargha, one of the roads linking east and west Nepal through hilly areas, starts from the Panchthar district and is connected to Phidim. Koshi Corridor which is under construction connects Phidim directly to Dharan in less than 5 hours which is also the shortest route to terai region. Phidim has hotels and inns for accommodation and food.

Geography

Phidim is within a valley in the foothills of the Himalayas in eastern Nepal. It is a hill township. Phidim is a six-hour drive from Birtamod through a winding road via Ilam. Phidim, offers views of the Himalaya and other hills. Phidim is characterized by 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, Phidim had a population of 13,652 people.^[3] The inhabitants are Limbu, Magar, Yakha, Gurung, Rai, Tamang, so-called Dalit, Brahmin and Newar, which makes it one of the most culturally diverse places in eastern Nepal.^{[citation needed]}

Climate

The climate of Phidim remains warm during the summer and is mild in the winter. Maximum temperature in the summer is 35 °C, whereas in winter, it falls to 5 °C.

Economy

Because of its fertile soil and irrigation, Phidim produces rice, potato, cardamom and tea. Kanchenjunga Tea Estate, one of major producers of Nepal tea, has a 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 were estimated to be damaged. It was reported that three dozen people were inside three hotels when it caught on fire, which was later extinguished by local security forces.

Media

Phidim has three community radio stations: Radio Sumatlung - 104.2 MHz, Eagle FM and Singhalila FM - 97.3 MHz. 2 weekly Newspaper Public Post started around 2009 and Miklajung awaj started in 2 February, 2016.

References

External links

• Phidim Today, a news portal run by Phidimese youth
• The Kathmandu Post: The Ferment in the eastern hills
• How a peace corps volunteer boosted my morale
• Somewhere above Phidim
• Phidim in pictures