The Karnali Zone of Nepal

The Karnali zone is the largest and most isolated of Nepal’s fourteen zones; this administrative zone occupies about fifteen percent (about 5,000 square miles) of Nepal’s total area. The zone is northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. The town of Jumla is the administrative center of the entire zone and is only a short trek from the impressive Rara Lake, which was designated a National Park beginning in 1975. Like most of Nepal, the majority of the people practice Hinduism although Buddhism does have a following. It is easy to see how the location of Nepal between India and Tibet has had an effect on the religion and culture of the people.

Fun Facts

 Three fun facts:

• The Karnali River is the longest river in Nepal. Snow that melts from the Himalayas form its headwaters and once it runs into India it is named the Ghaghara River.
• The people of Karnali measure distance in silpas or pipes. It takes about forty-five minutes for a man to puff a pipeful of tobacco.
• Nepalese farm the highest rice paddies on Earth; paddies which are as high as 9,000 feet above sea level!