Nawalpur (नवलपुर)

Nawalpur, officially known as Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), was created in 2017 when the original Nawalparasi district was split between Gandaki and Lumbini provinces. Nawalpur falls in Gandaki Province and is the only Tarai district in the province, characterized by the fertile Narayani River basin. The district is home to the famous Maula Kalika Temple atop Gaindakot hill, offering panoramic views of the Himalayas and the Narayani River. Kawasoti, the headquarters, is a growing commercial town. The district is ethnically diverse, with Tharu, Magar, Brahmin-Chhetri, and Newar communities. Agriculture, particularly rice, wheat, and sugarcane production, is the economic mainstay, while the Chitwan National Park's buffer zone adds eco-tourism potential. Nawalpur's strategic location between the hills and the Tarai, along with its rich biodiversity, including the famous Gaindakot forest, makes it an important district for both agriculture and tourism development.