Hilihang Rural Municipality

Hilihang Rural Municipality (Gaunpalika - हिलिहाङ गाउँपालिका, पाँचथर) lies in Panchthar, a hilly district in Koshi Province, Nepal. Before Nepal's unification, this area was known as the historic region of Pallo Kirat.

The Constitution of Nepal 2072 restructured the administrative divisions, forming eight local levels in this district—one municipality and seven rural municipalities. Among them, Hilihang was formed by merging the former VDCs of Amarpur, Panchami, Subhang, and Bharapa.

The name “Hilihang” comes from King Hilihang Yonghang of the former Yangwarak principality. His reign is not only part of local oral history but also recorded in the historical Hudson Manuscript.

Historical texts document that during Nepal’s unification, battles occurred between the Gorkhali forces and local Kirati rulers, including King Hilihang. He maintained diplomatic ties with neighboring Sikkim, even marrying his daughter into the Namgyal royal family. During conflict with the Gorkhalis, Sikkim supported King Hilihang militarily.

Significant historical sites in the municipality include Bhotegadhi Hill (Ward 3) and Hilihang Palace area (Ward 4), which remain important for their cultural and archaeological value. The rural municipality was named in recognition of this heritage.

Geographic Overview

• Total Area: 123.01 sq. km

• Elevation Range: 1,380 ft (Majhitar, Tamor Bagar) to 5,400 ft (Aagejung Gumba)

• Latitude/Longitude: Between 27.09° N and 87.400° E

• Climate Types: Tropical, subtropical, temperate

• Temperature Range: Max. 26°C, Min. 3.2°C

• Annual Rainfall: 2,120 mm

Bordering Areas

• East: Falelung and Yangwarak Rural Municipalities

• West: Tehrathum District

• North: Yangwarak Rural Municipality, Taplejung District

• South: Phidim Municipality

Hilihang is located approximately 45 km from the district headquarters in Phidim.

Administrative Structure

Hilihang Rural Municipality comprises 7 wards. The current structure was established in 2073 B.S. through the merger of the four former VDCs. The layout is as follows:

• Wards 1 and 2: Former Amarpur VDC

• Wards 3 and 4: Former Panchami VDC

• Ward 5: Subhang VDC (Wards 3 to 9)

• Ward 6: Bharapa VDC (Wards 1 to 6)

• Ward 7: Subhang VDC (Wards 1–2) + Bharapa VDC (Wards 7–9)

Demographics

• Population (2011 Census): 22,913

• Number of Households: Approx. 4,000

• Population Density: Moderate and dispersed across hilly terrain

The entire area is categorized as hilly, with no remote or inaccessible settlements. However, blacktopped roads have yet to be developed. All ward offices are connected via unpaved motorable roads.

Agricultural and Livestock Potential

Hilihang holds great promise for agricultural and livestock-based livelihoods:

Major Food Crops:

• Paddy

• Maize

• Millet

• Wheat

High-Potential Commercial Crops:

• Ginger

• Garlic

• Cardamom

• Beekeeping

Livestock Potential:

• Goat farming (high potential)

• Other livestock farming is equally feasible

Political and Electoral Information

Panchthar district has a single parliamentary constituency. Hilihang Rural Municipality falls under Provincial Constituency (Koshi Province) Section ‘B’.

Natural and Tourism Assets

Hilihang is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage. Notable sites include:

• Jorpokhari

• Aagejung Gumba

• Hilihang Palace Complex

• Mridunga Waterfall

• Dopkile and Sano Pathivara

The area offers panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range and scenic ridgelines, adding significant value to its tourism potential.

Development Challenges and Administrative Setup

Though close to the district headquarters, no blacktop roads exist yet. Administrative and governance responsibilities have been devolved under Nepal’s federal structure. The municipality enjoys authority to prepare local plans, mobilize internal resources, and collect taxes and fees.

To fully utilize its financial rights and ensure effective local governance, the municipality must rely on updated data and evidence-based planning.

Governance and Planning

With the federal democratic system in place, municipalities have gained stronger roles in:

• Policy Formation: Through elected representatives

• Planning: Short-term and long-term developmental goals

• Consultation: Engagement with local political parties and social stakeholders

The municipality is actively working toward preparing structured, data-backed local development plans.

Topography and Land Use

Hilihang is shaped like a stretched semi-circle in the northern and western part of Panchthar. The terrain includes:

• Arable Land: 59.4%

• Forest Area: 35.4%

• Other (barren, shrubland, etc.): 5.2%

Altitudinal Distribution:

• 421–800 m: 23.1%

• 800–1,000 m: 17.7%

• 1,000–1,200 m: 17.2%

• 1,200–1,500 m: 21%

• 1,500–2,480 m: 21%

Early Childhood Development Centers in Hilihang Rural Municipality

Located in Ward No. 1

• Suryodaya Early Childhood Center

• Mahadevsthan Early Childhood Center

• Srijanshil Early Childhood Center

• Amarjyoti Early Childhood Center

• Kopila Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 2

• Jyoti Early Childhood Center

• Chamwote Early Childhood Center

• Janachetana Early Childhood Center

• Singhpur Pashupati Early Childhood Center

• Kanchwari Early Childhood Center

• Pinasi Early Childhood Center

• Dandagau Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 3

• Mridunga Early Childhood Center

• Samre Early Childhood Center

• Kanchenjunga Early Childhood Center

• Hilihang Early Childhood Center

• Phalgunanda Early Childhood Center

• Srijanshil Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 4

• Sayapatri Early Childhood Center

• Bhogateni Early Childhood Center

• Mauledanda Early Childhood Center

• Kuntadevi Early Childhood Center

• Hastapur Early Childhood Center

• Saraswati Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 5

• Srijanga Early Childhood Center

• Phunchebung Early Childhood Center

• Shanti Early Childhood Center

• Himchuli Early Childhood Center

• Amrit Ekata Early Childhood Center

• Pritipragati Early Childhood Center

• Gatisheel Early Childhood Center

• Amle Early Childhood Center

• Phulwari Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 6

• Kalpavriksha Early Childhood Center

• Dipshikha Early Childhood Center

• Kopila Early Childhood Center

• Purweli Early Childhood Center

• Jorpokhari Early Childhood Center

• Jagriti Early Childhood Center

• Saraswati Early Childhood Center

• Lali Gurans Early Childhood Center

Located in Ward No. 7

• Baljyoti Early Childhood Center

• Balkiran Early Childhood Center

• Nunamphung Early Childhood Center

• Dandagau Early Childhood Center

• Sammewa Early Childhood Center

• Singhadevi Early Childhood Center

• Goledanda Early Childhood Center

• Parijat Early Childhood Center

• Yawadanda Early Childhood Center

Early Childhood Development Centers

• Laligurans Early Childhood Center – Hilihang 7

• Santosh Early Childhood Center – Hilihang 7

• Majhitar Early Childhood Center – Hilihang 7

Public Schools and Community-Based Institutions

• Amarpur Secondary School – Hilihang 1

• Amarjyoti Basic School – Hilihang 1

• Raigaun Lower Secondary School – Hilihang 1

• Singhmarg Primary School, Dhuseni – Hilihang 1

• Saraswati Primary School – Hilihang 1

• Singhpur Pashupati Primary School – Hilihang 2

• Angbung Secondary School – Hilihang 2

• Janata Primary School, Koldanda – Hilihang 2

• Kabele Primary School – Hilihang 2

• Gyanjyoti Basic School, Madibung – Hilihang 2

• Namuna Primary School, Amarpur – Hilihang 2

• Sirijanga Secondary School, Gopetar – Hilihang 3

• Shivalaya Lower Secondary School, Dande – Hilihang 3

• Samre Primary School – Hilihang 3

• Hilihang Primary School, Kabhre – Hilihang 3

• Phalgunanda Primary School, Peyaakpa – Hilihang 3

• Siddha Secondary School, Panchami – Hilihang 4

• Matar Lower Secondary School, Sibuba – Hilihang 4

• Singhadevi Primary School, Kaijale – Hilihang 4

• Mechi Primary School, Kodhepa – Hilihang 4

• Nilgiri Secondary School, Muktara – Hilihang 5

• Saraswati Secondary School, Orangphung – Hilihang 5

• Bagaicha Primary School, Wokrumba – Hilihang 5

• Jamune Primary School, Meksidumba – Hilihang 5

• Arunoday Primary School, Subhang – Hilihang 5

• Dandagau Primary School – Hilihang 5

• Mridunga Waterfall Primary School, Sumlibung – Hilihang 5

• Bhagya Udaya Primary School, Gaunsara – Hilihang 5

• Brahmayogeshwar Vedic School – Hilihang 5

• Siddheshwari Secondary School, Tuwa – Hilihang 6

• Siddhakali Secondary School, Akhoule – Hilihang 6

• Jorpokhari School – Hilihang 6

• Secondary School, Jorpokhari – Hilihang 6

• Manedanda Lower Secondary School – Hilihang 6

• Kanchenjunga Primary School, Thade – Hilihang 7

• Phalgunanda Primary School, Serchepa – Hilihang 3

• Laligurans Primary School – Hilihang 6

• Mouledanda Primary School, Simle – Hilihang 6

• Siddheshwari Secondary School, Subhang – Hilihang 7

• Siddheshwar School – Hilihang 7

• Simkharka Lower Secondary School – Hilihang 7

• Jay Bhawani Lower Secondary School, Tari – Hilihang 7

• Bajendrakali Lower Secondary School, Goledanda – Hilihang 7

• Kanchenjunga Himalayan Range Primary School – Hilihang 6

• Susulung Academic School – Hilihang 7

• Suryodaya Primary School, Khumpangdanda – Hilihang 7

• Singhmarg Primary School, Subhang – Hilihang 7

• Mahadev Primary School, Majhitar – Hilihang 7

Private and English-Medium Schools (EVO & Others)

• MangsewaEnglish BoardingSchool, SingaporeEnglish Boarding– Hilihang 1

• Hilihang School 2

• Amarpur Belivers  English Boarding School – Hilihang 1

• English Boarding School, Chature Little Star – Hilihang 6

• N. JagritiEnglish BoardingSchool – Hilihang 4

• Marigold English Boarding School

• Kanchan Shiksha Niketan English Boarding School

• Everest English Boarding School – Hilihang 4

Schools in Hilihang Rural Municipality by Type and Ward

Community Schools

Ward 1:

• Amarpur Secondary School

• Amarjyoti School

• Raigaun Lower Secondary School

• Singhmarg Primary School, Dhuseni

• Saraswati Primary School

Ward 2:

• Singhpur Pashupati School

• Angbung Secondary School

• Janata Primary School, Koldanda

• Kabele Primary School

• Gyanjyoti Basic School, Madibung

• Namuna Primary School, Amarpur

Ward 3:

• Sirijanga Secondary School, Gopetar

• Shivalaya Lower Secondary School, Dande

• Samre Primary School

• Hilihang Primary School, Kabhre

• Phalgunanda Primary School, Peyaakpa

• Phalgunanda Primary School, Serchepa

Ward 4:

• Siddha Secondary School, Panchami

• Matar Lower Secondary School, Sibuba

• Singhadevi Primary School, Kaijale

• Mechi Primary School, Kodhepa

• Siddheshwari Secondary School, Subhang

Ward 5:

• Nilgiri Secondary School, Muktura

• Saraswati Secondary School, Orangphung

• Bagaicha Primary School, Wokrumba

• Jamune Primary School, Mexidumba

• Arunoday Primary School, Subhang

• Dandagau Primary School

• Mridunga Jharana Primary School

• Sumlibung Primary School

• Bhagya Udaya Primary School, Gaunsara

• Brahmayogeshwar Vedic School

Ward 6:

• Siddheshwari Secondary School, Tuwa

• Siddhakali Secondary School, Akhoule

• Jorpokhari Secondary School

• Manedanda Lower Secondary School

• Laligurans Primary School

• Maulodanda Primary School, Simle

• Kanchenjunga Himalayan Range Primary School

Ward 7:

• Kanchenjunga Primary School, Thade

• Siddeshwar Lower Secondary School, Simkharka

• Jay Bhawani Lower Secondary School, Tari

• Bajendrakali Lower Secondary School, Goledanda

• Susulung Primary School, Tamphuwa

• Suryodaya Primary School, Khumpangdanda

• Singhmarg Primary School, Subhang

• Mahadev Primary School, Majhitar

Institutional (Private) Schools

Ward 1:

• Mangsewa English Boarding School

• Amarpur Believers English Boarding School

Ward 2:

• SingaporeEnglish BoardingSchool

Ward 4:

• N. Jagriti English BoardingSchool

• Marigold English BoardingSchool

• Kanchan Shiksha NiketanEnglish BoardingSchool

Ward 6:

• Chature Little StarEnglish BoardingSchool

• Everest English Boarding School

• Niketan English Boarding School