Thanamaula – Char Bhanjyang Village
1. Geography:
Situated in the central part of Parbat district, Thana maula village development committee plays a critical role for the integration of Char bhannjyang. This VDC is environed by Bhangara VDC in the east, Phalamkhani VDC in the south, Limithana VDC and Khanigaun VDC in the west and Shankarpokhari VDC and Thapathana VDC in the north. The total area of Thanamaula VDC is 639.4 hectares from where the beautiful panoramic view of Himalayas, natural awe-inspiring of high hills and rich green forests can be sighted ostensibly. Khalte, once known as the village of British soldiers is based on the heart of Thanamaula VDC, stands at an elevation of 1200 meters above the sea level, and approximately 20 km east of the district head quarter, Kushma. This VDC is encircled 3/4 by watercourses, Khalte/Bhangara Khola in the east, Lamaya Khola in the west and Chirdi Khola in the south. It has an annual monsoon rain and a temperate climate. The temperature reaches roughly 32C in summer and falling to single digit in winter. Spring and autumn are the superlative seasons in this region, as the climate is very moderate and a festive season in addition which brings the milieu of bliss and gratification.
2. Population castes:
The total households of Thanamaula VDC are 385 and the population is 2,385. The population of the neighbouring VDCs are, Phalamkhani {Dadra} (1,020), Bhangara (2,252), Limithan (1,708), Kurgha {Lame} (3,447) and Thapathana (3,410) according to census of 1995. This VDC comprises of Brahmin, Chhetri, Kunwar, Gurung, Gharti, Hamal, Damai (tailor/musician), Kami (Blacksmith) and Sarki (leather worker).
3. Religion:
The majority of the people in this VDC practise Hinduism followed by Buddhism and very few of them follow Christianity. Despite of multi religion, people of Thanamaula VDC have unanimity and a good accord amongst themselves.
4. Main occupation/Income:
The main occupation of this VDC is agriculture and accounts that approximately 70% people depend on farming. Rice and millet are the staple crops in this area. Coffee farming, tea plantation and bee keeping are the recent development. Blacksmith, locally known as Kami are famous for making handicraft equipments and agricultural tools like sickle spade, etc. Roughly, 5% people of the village are employed in the government offices as peons, teachers, and administrative officers and are recruited in Nepales army as well. Main sources of income come from the people who are employed in British army, Indian army, Singapore police and the people working abroad especially in the developing and Gulf countries as a skilled and unskilled labourers.
5. Transportation:
People used to use a porter or mules to carry essential commodities from the nearest market to the village, but now with the help of government and the local people, the village has gravel road connected to Kushma Bazar in the west and Siddhartha highway (Sunauli to Pokhara) in the east.
6. Nearest town:
The nearest town of this village is Kushma, which is also the district head quarter. The town is pushing ahead with the establishment of private and government schools and colleges and is also fortunate to have government hospitals and some nursing home with most modern facilities. The establishment of tele-medicine link is on the way, in one of the hospitals of Kushma Bazaar with the help and support of Chairman of CBTSUK Hon Lt (Retd) Chandra Bahadur Gurung and the contribution of the Lord Swinfen.
7. Utilities:
The village used to have Dhunge dhara, a stone made tap to channelize spout of water with a shrine attached, but now with the help of Nepalese government and the grant of ex British army officers the village is supplied with sufficient piped potable water in every abode. Recently electricity has been supplied by Nepalese government in Thanamaula and its neighbouring villages. For the means of communication, there is a post office, which provides a service of posting, receiving, delivering and transmission of mail. Thanamaula is also facilitated with latest communication technologies like CDMAs and mobiles phone services throughout the village.
8. Education:
This VDC is blessed to have higher secondary school (10+2) which was established with the contribution of British army officers, businessperson, and local villagers that provides a quality and pioneer education. The school is facilitated with internet & email for the students, which helps them to be equipped with the latest news and the updates in every field. For higher education, those who can afford go to Pokhara or Kathmandu, otherwise they have to leave the education and depend on farming or leave for overseas jobs for better life.
9. Health:
The health post in this VDC is sponsored by the government and is governed by district branch of Ministry of health and sports. It is supervised by qualified nurse and an auxiliary health worker. There is a future plan to set up a modern medical clinic in the Thana maula VDC through the aid of Swinfen Charitable Trust, UK.
