Natural Environment of the Western Development Region in Nepal
Western Development Region (पश्चिमाञ्चल, Paschimanchal in Nepali) is best developed region in the eye of natural environment than the other region of Nepal. Pokhara is the headquarters of western development region. The Western Development Region consists about 29,398 square kilometer area. There are 3 zones, 16 districts, 864 Village Development Committees (VDCs), one sub-metropolitans and 12 municipalities in the western development region of Nepal.
Like other development regions, this WDR has the same three-fold geographical division- Himalayan in the north, Hilly in the middle and Terai regions in the south. Most of the parts of Himalayan region are covered with mountains and peaks. The highest mountain peaks of this region are: Yan
gra (7,422 meters), Manaslu (8,156 meters), Annapurna (8091 meters) , Dhaulagiri (8167 metres) and so on. The deepest gorge in the world is ‘Dana’ of the Kalignadaki river. At one point, the river bed is 5,500 meter below the neighboring summits of Annapurna and Dhalulagiri. Similarly, the ‘Tilichho Tal’ of Manang is at the height of 4,919 meter.
Pokhara valley has a large number of lakes such as Phewa, Rupa, Begnas, Diapng, Maide Khaste, etc. because of which it is called ‘Lake District of Nepal’. Pokhara valley also receives highest rainfall in the country for which it is called the ‘Cherapunji of Nepal”. Beautiful mountain peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annnapurna, Machhapuchhre surround the Pokhara valley. Deep caves, beautiful lakes and rivers have made this valley a famous tourist resort. The Sapta-Gandaki river system irrigates this region. The Sapta-Gandaki i.e. seven Gandaki river are:- Seti Gandaki, Kali Gandaki, Daraudi, Madi, Marshyandi, Tirshuli and Budhi gandaki. When these rivers mix all together, they become the ‘Narayani’. Some other rivers of this region are Tinau and Marshyangdi. The wind blows very strongly in Jomsom which is utilized in producing electricity at a small scale at Kagbeni. Southern part of Lumbini zone is fertile.