Koshi Province

2026-05-08T18:23:33Z

82.132.239.105:

{{short description|Province of Nepal}}
{{for|the former province of Japan|Koshi Province (Japan)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Koshi Province
| native_name = कोशी प्रदेश
| native_name_lang = ne
| settlement_type = [[Provinces of Nepal|Province]]
| image_skyline = {{Multiple image
| perrow = 1/2/2/2
| total_width = 290
| border = infobox
| image1 = Mount Everest as seen from Drukair2 PLW edit.jpg
| image2 = Mount kanchanjunga.jpg
| image3 = Gokyo lake 2019.jpg
| image4 = kanyam ilam.jpg
| image5 =Local falls near by todke falls.jpg
| image6 = Halesi Mahadev Temple.jpg
| image7 = Pathivera temple.jpg
}}
| image_caption = From top left to right: [[Mount Everest]], [[Kanchenjunga]], [[Gokyo Lakes]], [[Kanyam]], [[Todke waterfall]], [[Halesi Mahadev Temple]], [[Pathibhara Devi Temple]]
| image_seal = Seal of Koshi Pradesh (alternative).svg
| image_map = Nepal Province 1.svg
| image_map1 = <div class="center">{{Koshi Pradesh districts labelled map}}</div>
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Koshi Province in Nepal
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| map_caption1 = Koshi Province
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|26|27|15|N|87|16|47|E|type:adm1st_source:itwiki_region:NP|display=title,inline}}
| coor_pinpoint = [[Biratnagar]]
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Nepal}}
| established_title = Formation
| established_date = 20 September 2015
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Biratnagar]]<ref name=capital/>
| seat1_type = Largest city
| seat1 = [[Biratnagar]]
| parts_type = [[List of districts of Nepal|Districts]]
| parts_style = para
| p1 = [[Administration in Koshi Pradesh#Districts|14]]
| government_type = [[Autonomy|Self-governing Province]]
| governing_body = [[Government of Koshi Province]]
| leader_title1 = [[Chief Minister of Koshi province|Chief Minister]]
| leader_name1 = [[Hikmat Kumar Karki]]<ref>{{cite news |work=Online Khabar |date=2023 |title=मध्यावधि रोक्न सांसदहरूले मलाई समर्थन गर्नुभयो : मुख्यमन्त्री कार्की |trans-title=MPs supported me to block mid-terms: CM Karki |url=https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2023/10/1380929?fbclid=IwAR3aTBL9E2c-y3C-1wJmnYXc9317Ajo6lRiY_ByhYSeIgoHfVZFLoCJ4VWo}}</ref>
| leader_title = [[Governor of Koshi Province|Governor]]
| leader_name = [[Parshuram Khapung | Parshuram Khapung Limbu]]
| leader_title3 = [[Koshi Provincial Assembly]]
| leader_name3 = [[Unicameralism|Unicameral]] (93 seats)
| leader_title2 = High Court
| leader_name2 = [[Biratnagar High Court]]
| leader_title4 = [[House of Representatives (Nepal)|Parliamentary constituency]]
| leader_name4 = 28
| unit_pref = Metric

| area_urban_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 25905
| area_rank = [[Provinces of Nepal#List of provinces of Nepal|2nd]]
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_urban_km2 =
| area_rural_km2 =
| area_metro_km2 =
| area_blank1_km2 =
| demographics_type1 = [[Demographics]]
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://nepalmap.org/profiles/province-1-province-no-1/ |title=NepalMap profile: Province No. 1 |work=NepalMap |access-date=8 March 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125173257/https://nepalmap.org/profiles/province-1-province-no-1/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Religions
| demographics1_info1 = {{ublist|[[Hinduism in Nepal|Hinduism]] 66.63%|[[Kiratism]] 17.14%|[[Buddhism in Nepal|Buddhism]] 9.20%|[[Islam in Nepal|Islam]] 3.59%|[[Prakriti]] 1.33%}}
| demographics1_title2 = Ethnic groups
| demographics1_info2 = {{tree list}}
*14.9% [[Chhetri]]
*11.5% [[Bahun]]
*10.2% [[Rai people|Rai]]
*8.2% [[Limbu people|Limbu]]
*4.5% [[Tamang people|Tamang]]
*4.2% [[Tharu people|Tharu]]
*4.1% [[Nepalese Muslims|Muslims]]
*4.0% [[Magar people|Magar]]
*3.6% [[Newar people|Newar]]
{{tree list/end}}
| demographics1_title3 = Sex ratio
| demographics1_info3 = 91.48 [[♂]] /100 [[♀]] (2011)
| demographics_type2 = Development Parameters
| demographics2_title5 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| demographics2_info5 = 0.553{{increase}} ({{color|#fc0|medium}})
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nepalindata.com/overview/province/|title=NID {{!}} Overview|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026104221/https://www.nepalindata.com/overview/province/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics2_title2 = Poverty rate
| demographics2_info2 = 0.127<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nepalindata.com/insight/province-wise-multidimensional-poverty-index/|title=Province Wise Multidimensional Poverty Index|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920023221/https://nepalindata.com/insight/province-wise-multidimensional-poverty-index/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics2_title3 = Literacy
| demographics2_info3 = 79.7%{{increase}}
| demographics2_title4 = Life expectancy
| demographics2_info4 = 69
| elevation_max_m = 8848.86
| elevation_min_m = 58
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name=census2021>{{cite web |title=National Population and Housing Census 2021 |year=2023 |work=Government of Nepal, National Statistics Office |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/population?province=1}}</ref>
| population_total = 4,961,412
| population_rank = [[List of Nepalese provinces by Population|4th]]
| population_density_km2 = 192
| population_density_rank = [[List of Nepalese provinces by Population|4th]]
| population_blank1_title = Households
| population_blank1 = 1,191,556
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Languages of Nepal|Other Official Languages]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = 1. [[Limbu language|Limbu]], 2. [[Maithali language|Maithali]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2025/16/491206/|title=Calls grow to include Bantawa and Chamling as official languages in Koshi Province}}</ref>
| timezone = [[Nepal Time|NST]]
| utc_offset = +5:45
| postal_code = 57208
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:NP|NP-P1]]
| geocode = NP-ON
| website = {{URL|http://Koshi.gov.np/}}
| leader_party = [[CPN UML]]
| registration_plate = KOSHI XX AB XXXX
| population_demonym = Purbeli, Kosheli, Koshyali
| elevation_min_point = [[Kechana Kawal]]
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Everest]]
| established_title1 = Named as Koshi
| established_date1 = 1 March 2023
| named_for = [[Koshi River]]
| anthem =
| etymology = Derived from Sanskrit word ''kauśika''
| motto =
}}
'''Koshi Province''' ({{langx|ne|कोशी प्रदेश|Kōśī pradēśa}}) is an autonomous [[Provinces of Nepal|province of Nepal]] adopted by the [[Constitution of Nepal]] on 20 September 2015. It covers an area of {{cvt|25905|km2}}, which is about 17.5% of the country's total area. With the industrial city of [[Biratnagar]] as its capital, the province includes the major towns of [[Birtamod]], [[Sundar Haraincha]], [[Damak]], [[Dharan]], [[Itahari]], [[Triyuga Municipality]], and [[Mechinagar]]. It further hosts a number of Himalayan peaks including [[Mount Everest]], [[Kangchenjunga]] (the third highest peak on Earth), [[Lhotse]] (the fourth highest peak), [[Makalu]] (the fifth highest peak), [[Cho Oyu]] (the sixth highest peak), and [[Ama Dablam]].

The river [[Koshi River|Koshi]], the largest river of the nation, and the [[Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve|Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve]] form the province's western boundary. The province is bordered by the [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] of [[China]] to the north, the [[India]]n states of [[Sikkim]] and [[West Bengal]] to the east and [[Bihar]] to the south, and [[Bagmati Province]] and [[Madhesh Province]] to the west.<ref>{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Biratnagar celebrates its status of provincial capital |work=The Himalayan Times |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/biratnagar-celebrates-status-provincial-capital/ |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-date=20 January 2018
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120001104/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/biratnagar-celebrates-status-provincial-capital/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-01-18/dhankuta-protests-intensify-following-govt-decision-to-name-biratnagar-as-province-capital.html |title=Locals intensify protest in Dhankuta after Biratnagar named as provincial HQ |date=2018 |work=Kathmandu Post Ekantipur |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-date=18 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118131800/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-01-18/dhankuta-protests-intensify-following-govt-decision-to-name-biratnagar-as-province-capital.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2018 |title=Nepal government announces Provincial Capitals and Chiefs |url=http://ddinews.gov.in/international/nepal-government-announces-provincial-capitals-and-chiefs |work=DDI News |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119044628/http://ddinews.gov.in/international/nepal-government-announces-provincial-capitals-and-chiefs |url-status=live}}</ref> The province also hosts the [[Koshi Highway|Koshi highway]], which is one of the three crucial Nepalese north-south corridors that are designed to connect India and China via land.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2025 |title=Crucial North-South corridors making slow but steady progress |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/63935 |work=[[The Rising Nepal]]}}</ref>

Under the [[First-past-the-post voting]] system issued by the [[Constituency Delimitation Commission, Nepal]], the province hosts 28 parliamentary seats and 56 provincial assembly seats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/editorial-important-step/|title=Editorial: Important step|date=2017|work=The Himalayan Times |access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905231713/https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/editorial-important-step/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[2021 Nepal census]], there are around five million people in the province, with a [[population density]] of 190 per square kilometre.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022 |work=Central Bureau of Statistics, Nepal |url=https://cbs.gov.np/%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b7%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%9f%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%af-%e0%a4%9c%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%97%e0%a4%a3%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%be-%e0%a5%a8%e0%a5%a6%e0%a5%ad%e0%a5%ae-%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%8d/ |title=राष्ट्रिय जनगणना २०७८ प्रारम्भिक नतिजा |access-date=26 January 2022 |language=ne |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126154240/https://cbs.gov.np/%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b7%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%9f%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%af-%e0%a4%9c%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%97%e0%a4%a3%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%be-%e0%a5%a8%e0%a5%a6%e0%a5%ad%e0%a5%ae-%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%8d/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Per the earlier [[2011 Nepal census]], the province had approximately 4.5 million people.<ref name="Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd">{{Cite news |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-08-12/province-1-call-for-opportunities-in-land-of-great-promise.html |title= Province 1: Call for opportunities in the land of great promise |date=2015 |work=Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd. |access-date= 5 September 2017 |archive-date= 6 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906034756/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-08-12/province-1-call-for-opportunities-in-land-of-great-promise.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Main|Kosi River#Cultural significance}}
The province is named ''Koshi'' after the [[Koshi River]], which is the largest river in the country. On 1 March 2023 the former temporary name of the province, '''Province No. 1''', was changed to Koshi Province.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cast.asiapacific.ca/map/event/2418 |title=Nepal's 'Province 1' renamed 'Koshi' after country's largest river |date=2023 |website= |publisher=Canada Asia Sustainability Tracker |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419034217/https://cast.asiapacific.ca/map/event/2418 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
{{further|History of Nepal}}
[[File:Cropped image of An actual survey, of the provinces of Bengal, Bahar &c. (1794) By Major James Rennell.jpg|thumb|Map of Kingdom of Morung between Kamala river{{clarify|date=July 2025}} in the beginning of the 7th century]]

When King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the Terai lands of [[Limbuwan]], he cleared much of the forest area in present-day Rangeli, east of [[Biratnagar]], and built a town there. He named his Kingdom Morang after his name and rose to power.<ref>{{Cite web |title=प्रदेश नं. १ सरकारको आधिकारिक पोर्टल |url=https://www.p1.gov.np/ |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=p1.gov.np |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211132111/https://www.p1.gov.np/ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2023}}
Meanwhile, King [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]] was on a campaign to conquer all the hill kingdoms into his Empire (the [[Kingdom of Nepal]]). He attacked Limbuwan on two fronts. After the Limbuwan–Gorkha War from 1771 to 1774 AD, the Limbu ministers of Morang, and Limbu rulers of the ten principalities came to an agreement with the King of Gorkha. With the Limbuwan Gorkha treaty of 1774, Limbuwan was annexed to the Kingdom of Nepal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Swatantra |first=G. |title=Nepal KO itshaas |publisher=Kriti publishers |year=2018 |edition=1st |location=[[Kathmandu]] |pages=1–567}}</ref>

[[File:Eastern Nepal.png|thumb|Eastern districts of Nepal in 1942]]

The term ''district'' has been used in various ways throughout the modern history of Nepal.
At the end of the [[Rana regime]], Nepal was divided into 32 districts. Eastern Nepal was composed of the following districts:

*[[Morang District]]
*[[Udayapur District]]
*[[Ilam District]]
*[[Dhankuta District]]
*[[Bhojpur District, Nepal|Bhojpur District]]
*[[Okhaldhunga District]]
In 1956, the eastern districts of Nepal were grouped together into a region called the ''Aruṇ Kshetra'' or Arun Region, after the [[Arun River (China–Nepal)|Arun River]] which flows through it. Arun Kshetra was made by combining the then five districts; it had total area of {{cvt|7000|sqmi|order=flip}} and a total population of 1.1 million people.<ref>{{cite book |title=नेपालको जिल्ला प्रशासन पुनर्गठनको रिपोर्ट, २०१३ |url=http://saruwa.moga.gov.np/mogawebsite/images/pdf/pratibedan/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F,%20%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9.pdf |location=Nepal |publisher=Nepal Govt |pages=31, 32, 33 |access-date=15 January 2020 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124143423/http://saruwa.moga.gov.np/mogawebsite/images/pdf/pratibedan/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%A8%20%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F,%20%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
The five districts were:<ref>{{cite book|title=Land and social change in east Nepal|author=Caplan, L. |year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=History and Culture of the Kirat People: Part I-II}}</ref>

* Biratnagar District: including Sunsari District and Morang District
* Dhankuta District: including Dhankuta District and [[Sankhuwasabha District|Sankhuwasabha]]
* Taplejung District: including [[Taplejung District|Taplejung]] and [[Panchthar District|Panchtharl]]
* Mechi District: including Ilam District and Jhapa District
* Bhojpur District: including Bhojpur District and [[Khotang District]]

In 1962, the administrative system once again was changed, abolishing the ''kshetra'' system. The country was restructured into 75 development districts and those districts were grouped together into zones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reviewnepal.com/articles/memorial-step-of-king-mahendra-in-1st-poush-2017-bs.html| title = Memorial Step of King Mahendra in 1st Poush 2017 BS|date=2017| website=Review Nepal| access-date=6 February 2018| archive-date=7 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005325/http://reviewnepal.com/articles/memorial-step-of-king-mahendra-in-1st-poush-2017-bs.html| url-status=live}}</ref> In 1972, what is now called Koshi Province was called the [[Eastern Development Region, Nepal|Eastern Development Region]] that was composed of 16 districts which were grouped into three zones: Koshi, Mechi and Sagarmatha. {{Anchor|Province No. 1}}

In 2015, the Constitution was adopted which made 14 districts into an autonomous province which was temporarily named Province No. 1. At the cabinet meeting held on 17 January 2018, the city of Biratnagar was declared the interim capital of Province No. 1. On 6 May 2019, it was declared the permanent capital by a vote of two-thirds of the provincial [[Member of legislative assembly]].<ref name=capital>{{cite web|url=http://annapurnapost.com/news/126771|title=प्रदेश १ राजधानी: विराटनगरको पक्षमा दुईतिहाई, नाम टुंगो लागेन |date=2019 |work=Annapurna Post |language=ne |trans-title=Province No. 1 Capital: Two-thirds of MLAs vote in favour of Biratnagar|access-date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507011842/http://annapurnapost.com/news/126771|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 1, 2023, the province was named Koshi Province on passage of the bill in Parliament. Later, some protested the name "Koshi".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protest against naming of Koshi Province intensifies |url=https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-1/2023/03/29/protest-against-naming-of-koshi-province-intensifies |access-date=2023-04-24 |work=Kathmandu Post}}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Koshi Province}}

[[File:Nepal Province No 1 rel location map.svg|thumb|right|Topography of Koshi Pradesh]]
Koshi Province covers an area of 25,905 km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd" /> The province has three-fold geographical division: [[Himalayas|Himalayan]] in the north, Hilly in the middle and [[Terai]] in the southern part of Nepal, varying between an altitude of 70 m and 8,848 m. Terai, extended from east to west, is made up of [[Alluvium|alluvial soil]]. To the west of [[Koshi River]], in between [[Mahabharat Range]] and [[Churia Range]], there elongates a valley called [[Inner Terai]]. [[Churia Range|Churai Range]], [[Mahabharat Range]] and other hills of various heights, basins, tars, and valleys form the hilly region. Some parts of this region are favorable for agriculture but some other parts are not. The Himalayan region, in the north, consists of many mountains ranges. [[Mahalangur Himal|Mahalangur]], [[Kumbhakarna]], Umvek, Lumba Sumba and Janak being some of them. The highest mountain in the world, [[Mount Everest]] (8848.86 m); and the third highest mountain, [[Kangchenjunga]] (8598 m) also lie in this province.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geography of Nepal |url=https://jp.nepalembassy.gov.np/geography-of-nepal/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Embassy of Nepal - Tokyo, Japan |language=en-US}}</ref>

Nepal's lowest point, [[Kechana Kawal]] at 70 m, is located in [[Jhapa District]] of this province. There are many river basins and gentle slopes as well. [[Shiwalik|Chure]], [[Mahabharat Range|Mahabharat]], many basins, tars, and valleys form the Terai region. Between the Churia and Mahabharat, a low land of inner Terai exists. The [[Koshi River]] flows through the region with its seven tributaries; [[Indrawati]], [[Likhu, Bagmati|Likhu]], [[Tamur]], [[Dudh Kosi]], [[Arun River, China–Nepal|Arun]], [[Tamakoshi (rural municipality)|Tamakoshi]] and [[Bhote Koshi|Bhote Koshi (Sunkoshi)]]. Tundra vegetables, coniferous forests, deciduous monsoon forests, and sub-tropical evergreen woods are vegetations found here. Sub-tropical, temperate, sub-temperate, and alpine and tundra types of climates are found here.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Republica |title=Welcome to Federal Nepal, Koshi! |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/137160/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=My Republica |language=en}}</ref>

Koshi Pradesh also includes the snow fall capped peaks including [[Mount Everest]], [[Kangchenjunga]], [[Makalu]] with [[Solukhumbu]], [[Sankhuwasabha]], and [[Taplejung]] districts towards the north, the jungle clad hill tracts of [[Okhaldhunga]], [[Khotang district|Khotang]], [[Bhojpur District, Nepal|Bhojpur]], [[Tehrathum]], [[Ilam district|Ilam]] and [[Panchthar]] in the middle and the [[Alluvium|alluvial]] fertile plains of [[Udayapur district|Udayapur]], [[Sunsari]], [[Morang]] and [[Jhapa]]. Province No. 1 includes places like [[Halesi Mahadev Temple|Haleshi Mahadev Temple]], [[Pathibhara Devi Temple|Pathivara Temple]] and [[Barahachhetra]], which are the famous religious shrines for Hindus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Board |first=Nepal Tourism |title=Geography |url=https://ntb.gov.np/plan-your-trip/about-nepal/geography |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=ntb.gov.np |language=en-gb}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Climatic conditions of [[Nepal]] vary from one place to another in accordance with their geographical features. Koshi Pradesh has three geographical folds: the lowland of Terai, the hilly region, and the Himalayas' highlands. The low land altitude is 59 m, whereas the highest point is 8848 m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Koshi's weather forecast for today |url=https://justweather.org/Nepal/Province-1/Sunsari/Koshi/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=justweather.org |language=en}}</ref>

In the north, summers are cool and winters severe, while in the south, summers are tropical and winters are mild. Climatically, the southern belt of the province, the Terai, experiences a warm and humid climate. Eastern Nepal receives approximately 2,500 millimeters of rain annually. Koshi Pradesh has five seasons: [[Spring (season)|spring]], [[summer]], [[monsoon]], [[autumn]] and [[winter]].
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; margin:auto"
|+Average temperatures and precipitation for selected communities in Province No. 1<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=NP&name=Nepal|title=Nepal Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930103444/https://weatherbase.com/weather/city.php3?c=NP&name=Nepal|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Location
!August<br/>(°F)
!August<br/>(°C)
!January<br/>(°F)
!January<br/>(°C)
!Annual<br/>precipitation<br/>(mm/in)
|-
|[[Damak]]
|94 / 82
|34 / 28
|74 / 47
|23 / 8
|2618 /103.07
|-
|[[Dharan, Nepal|Dharan]]
|85.1/72.3
|29.5/22.4
|68.4/44.4
|20.2/6.9
|1416/55.7
|-
|[[Biratnagar]]
|83.1
|28.4
|60.8
|16
|1549.8/61
|-
|[[Bhadrapur, Mechi|Bhadrapur]]
|82.2
|27.9
|61.2
|16.2
|2351.9/92.6
|-
|[[Dhankuta]]
|76.5
|24.7
|54.5
|12.5
|1809.5/71.2
|-
|[[Khandbari]]
|74.8
|23.8
|52
|11.1
|2040.7/80.3
|-
|[[Ilam, Nepal|Ilam]]
|71.8
|22.1
|50.9
|10.5
|2551.5/100.5
|-

|[[Itahari]]
|82
|27.8
|59.5
|15.3
|1414.8/55.7
|-
|[[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur]]
|69.1
|20.6
|46.8
|8.2
|2290.4/90.2
|-
|[[Khumbu Pasanglhamu|Khumbu Pasang Lhamu]]
|56.1/38.3
|13.4/3.5
|33.8/-0.8
|1/-18.2
|645/25.4
|}

=== Mountains ===
{{Wide image|Everest-Panorama.jpg|800}}
The northern part of Koshi Pradesh has the highest mountain in the world. Here is a list of mountains in Koshi Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Province1 |url=https://walkthroughhimalayas.com/explore-detail/1 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=walkthroughhimalayas.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left:3em"
! align="left" |Mountain/peak
! metres
! feet
! Section
! Notes
|-
{{Mountain list row| [[Mount Everest]] |8848.86|[[Khumbu]] [[Mahalangur Himal|Mahalangur]]|Earth's highest peak from sea level}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kanchenjunga]] |8586|Northern Kangchenjunga|3rd highest on Earth}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Lhotse]] |8516|Everest Group|4th highest}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Makalu]] |8463|Makalu Mahalangur|5th highest}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Cho Oyu]] |8201|Khumbu Mahalangur|6th highest}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Gyachung Kang]] |7952|Khumbu Mahalangur|Between Everest and Cho Oyu}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Nuptse]] |7861|Everest Group|319 metres prominence from Lhotse}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Jannu]] |7711|Kumbhakarna Kangchenjunga|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kabru]] |7412|Singalila Kangchenjunga|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kirat Chuli]] |7365|Kangchenjunga|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Nangpai Gosum]] |7350|Khumbu Mahalangur|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Chamlang]] |7321|Barun Mahalangur|#79 in the world}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Pumori]] |7161|Khumbu Mahalangur|First ascent 1962}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Baruntse]] |7129|Barun Mahalangur|First ascent 1954}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Ama Dablam]] |6812|Barun Mahalangur|"Mother and her necklace"}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kangtega]] |6782|Barun Mahalangur|First ascent 1963}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Cho Polu]] |6735|Barun Mahalangur|First ascent 1999}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Lingtren]] |6714|Khumbu Mahalangur|First ascent 1935}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Num Ri]] |6677|Barun Mahalangur|First ascent 2002}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Khumbutse]] |6640|Khumbu Mahalangur|First mountain west of Everest}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Thamserku]] |6623|Barun Mahalangur|First ascent 1964}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Pangboche]] |6620|Kutang Himal|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Taboche]] |6542|Khumbu Mahalangur|First ascent 1974}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Mera Peak]] |6476|Himalayas|Trekking peak}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Cholatse]] |6440|Khumbu Mahalangur|Connected to Taboche}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kusum Kangguru]] |6367|Barun Mahalangur|Trekking peak (difficult)}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Ombigaichan]] |6340|Barun Mahalangur|}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kongde Ri]] |6187|Barun Mahalangur|Trekking peak (difficult)}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Imja Tse]] |6160|Khumbu Mahalangur|Also known as Island Peak. Popular trekking peak.}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Lobuche]] |6145|Khumbu Mahalangur|Trekking peak}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Nirekha]] |6069|Khumbu Mahalangur|Trekking peak (difficult)}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Pokalde]] |5806|Khumbu Mahalangur|Trekking peak (moderate)}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Mount Khumbila]] |5761|Mahalangur|Unclimbed}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Kala Patthar]] |5545|Khumbu Mah|Popular hiking peak below Pumori}}
{{Mountain list row| [[Gokyo Ri]] |5357|Himalayas|Popular hiking peak}}
|}

===Rivers===
{{Multiple image
| image1 = Koshi barrage golden hour.jpg
| caption1 = Koshi Barrage over Koshi River
}}

There are many rivers in the region that flow south from the [[Himalayas]] which are tributaries of other large rivers that join [[Ganga River]] (in India). [[Sapta Koshi]] or the [[Koshi River|Koshi]] is the main river of the region. Seven tributaries join the [[Koshi River|Koshi]] so it is called Saptkoshi.

The major rivers in the province are:
*[[Mechi River]]
*[[Kankai River]]
*[[Koshi River]] (SaptaKoshi) {{small|Below given names are tributaries}}:
**[[Tamor Nadi|Tamor]]
**[[Arun River, China-Nepal|Arun River]]
**[[Sun Koshi]]
**[[Dudh Koshi]]
**[[Likhu Khola]]
**[[Tama Koshi]]
**[[Indravati River, Nepal|Indrawati River]]

===Protected areas===
* [[Sagarmatha National Park]] – {{cvt|1148|km2}}
* [[Makalu Barun National Park]] – {{cvt|1500|km2}}
* [[Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve]] – {{cvt|175|km2}}
* [[Kanchenjunga Conservation Area]] – {{cvt|2035|km2}}

==Subdivisions==
There are 137 local administrative units in this province, including one metropolitan city, 2 sub-metropolitan cities, 46 municipalities and 88 rural municipalities.

=== Districts ===
The province is made up of the 14 following districts:
{{colbegin|colwidth=13em}}
* [[Bhojpur District, Nepal|Bhojpur District]]
* [[Dhankuta District]]
* [[Ilam District]]
* [[Jhapa District]]
* [[Khotang District]]
* [[Morang District]]
* [[Okhaldhunga District]]
* [[Panchthar District]]
* [[Sankhuwasabha District]]
* [[Solukhumbu District]]
* [[Sunsari District]]
* [[Taplejung District]]
* [[Tehrathum District]]
* [[Udayapur District]]
{{colend}}

=== Municipality ===
Cities and villages are governed by municipalities in [[Nepal]]. A district may have one or more municipalities. Koshi Province has two types of municipalities.

* Urban municipality ''{{small|(Urban municipality has three levels):}}''
** Metropolitan city
** Sub-metropolitan city and
** Municipality
* Rural municipality ([[Gaunpalika]])

The government of Nepal has set out minimum criteria to meet city and towns. These criteria include a certain population, infrastructure, and revenues.
{{Largest cities
| kind = cities
| country=Koshi Province
| stat_ref = 2021 census
| div_link=List of districts of Nepal#Koshi Province{{!}}District
| city_1 = Biratnagar
| div_1 = Morang District
| pop_1 = 244,750

| city_2 = Itahari
| div_2 = Sunsari District
| pop_2 = 198,098

| city_3 = Dharan
| div_3 = Sunsari District
| pop_3 = 173,093

| city_4 = Mechinagar Municipality{{!}}Mechinagar
| div_4 = Jhapa District
| pop_4 = 131,520

| city_5 = Sundar Haraicha Municipality{{!}}Sundar Haraicha
| div_5 = Morang District
| pop_5 = 121,305
| city_6 = Birtamod Municipality{{!}}Birtamod
| div_6 = Jhapa District
| pop_6 = 117,355
| city_7 = Damak Municipality{{!}}Damak
| div_7 = Jhapa District
| pop_7 = 107,410
| city_8 = Triyuga Municipality{{!}}Triyuga
| div_8 = Udayapur District
| pop_8 = 104,375
| city_9 = Barahakshetra
| div_9 = Sunsari District
| pop_9 = 91,891
| city_10 = Arjundhara Municipality{{!}}Arjundhara
| div_10 = Jhapa District
| pop_10 = 84,429
}}

== Administration ==
{{Further|Ministry of Internal Affairs And Law (Koshi Province)|label1=Ministry of Internal Affairs And Law|Ministry of Tourism, Forests and Environment (Koshi Province)|label2=Ministry of Tourism, Forests and Environment}}

The province is governed by Unicameral parliamentary system of representative Democracy. The house consists of 93 seats where 56 candidates are elected by [[FPTP]] and 37 by proportional basis.

The legislative assembly comprises a chief minister who is executive head, deputy chief minister who assists the chief minister, a speaker who hosts the assembly, a deputy speaker who assists the speaker, and various ministries which look over respective departments.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The first [[2017 Nepalese provincial elections|provincial elections]] in Nepal were held on 26 November and 7 December 2017. According to the results of this election in Koshi province, the biggest party is [[CPN (UML)]] winning 51 seats; the second biggest party is [[Nepali Congress]] which won 21 seats; the third biggest party is [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)|CPN (Maoist Center)]] which won 15 seats .<ref>{{cite web|url= https://election.ekantipur.com/province-level-results/pradesh-1?lng=eng|title= Province No. 1|website=kathmandupost.ekantipur.com |access-date= 12 December 2017|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044132/https://election.ekantipur.com/province-level-results/pradesh-1?lng=eng|url-status= live}}</ref>

In a meeting on 17 January 2018, the government of Nepal finalized the temporary capital of Province No. 1, which was renamed as Koshi Province in Falgun 17 2079 and appointed [[Govinda Subba]] as the [[Governor of Province No. 1|governor]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://nepalekhabar.com/2018/01/79987|title= Government finalises provinces' governors and temporary headquarters|date= 17 January 2018|website= nepalekhabar.com|access-date= 19 January 2018|archive-date= 15 November 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201115144640/http://nepalekhabar.com/2018/01/79987|url-status= live}}</ref>
[[Sher Dhan Rai]] was elected as first [[chief minister]] of Koshi Province on 14 February 2018.<ref name="CM of Province 1">{{cite news |url= http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-14/sherdhan-rai-elected-cm-of-province-1.html |title= Sherdhan Rai elected CM of Province 1 |date= 14 February 2018 |publisher= kathmandupost.ekantipur.com |access-date= 15 February 2018 |archive-date= 14 February 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180214223831/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-14/sherdhan-rai-elected-cm-of-province-1.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Currently [[Hikmat Kumar Karki]] is serving as chief minister, the executive head of the Koshi government.<ref name="CM of Province 1" />

For convenience and decentralisation, the province is divided into 14 districts, making it the province with the most districts in Nepal. CDO is the administrative head of each District. District inturn is further divided into Metropolitan city or/and Sub Metropolitan city or/and Municipality or/and Rural Municipality which has its own Local Government.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

== Infrastructure ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}

=== Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Emerging Industries ===
Koshi Province has emerged as one of Nepal's most active subnational governments in promoting private sector-led economic growth. The provincial government has pursued a strategy combining policy reform, public–private partnerships, and dedicated investment facilitation to attract domestic and foreign capital across sectors including tourism, agriculture, agro-processing, hydropower, infrastructure, and information technology. The [https://www.fncci.org/ Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry] (FNCCI) maintains a provincial chapter in Koshi,<ref>{{cite web |title=FNCCI Koshi Province |url=https://koshi.fncci.org/ |access-date=February 21, 2026}}</ref> and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs' Forum (CNIYEF) operates a Koshi Chapter working to develop the next generation of business leaders in the region.<ref>{{cite web |title=CNIYEF Koshi Chapter |url=https://www.cniyefkoshi.org/ |access-date=February 21, 2026}}</ref>

The first '''Koshi Province Investment Summit''' was held in [[Biratnagar]] on 1–2 May 2025 (Baisakh 18–19, 2082 BS), marking a landmark event in Nepal's federal economic governance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Koshi Province Investment Summit 2025 |url=https://invest.koshi.gov.np/upcoming/event/2 |access-date= |publisher=Koshi Province Investment Authority}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2026 |title=Rs 2.56 billion invested in startups in Koshi Province |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/73697 |work=[[The Rising Nepal]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2026 |title=Rs 2.56 billion invested in startups in Koshi Province: NRB |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/rs-256-billion-invested-in-startups-in-koshi-province-nrb |work=[[The Himalayan Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2026 |title=Most startups in Koshi Province profitable despite funding and market challenges: NRB study |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2026/06/514738/ |work=[[Khabarhub]]}}</ref> The summit was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister [[KP Sharma Oli]] and hosted under the leadership of Chief Minister [[Hikmat Kumar Karki]], with coordination handled by the Provincial Investment Authority (PIA), led by Executive Director Dr. Saroj Koirala.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=Koshi Province Investment Summit: PM calls for investing confidently |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/61251 |publisher=The Rising Nepal}}</ref> A total of 71 projects across eight sectors — tourism, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, energy, information technology, services, and waste management — were presented to investors, with a combined estimated value of NPR 173.49 billion.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Preparations over for Koshi Province Investment Summit |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/61194 |publisher=The Rising Nepal}}</ref> Ahead of the event, the provincial government amended eight laws through executive ordinances — including the Provincial Industrial Enterprises Act, the Public Private Partnership and Investment Authority Act, and the Provincial Tourism Act — to remove bureaucratic barriers and create a more investment-friendly legal environment.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 May 2025 |title=First-ever investment summit in Koshi |url=https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/53982/ |publisher=The Annapurna Express}}</ref> Investors from China, Russia, the United States, South Korea, India, and the non-resident Nepali diaspora participated alongside major domestic industrialists. By the conclusion of the two-day event, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed for 46 projects worth NPR 152.16 billion, covering agriculture, industry, tourism, infrastructure, energy, information technology, and waste management.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 May 2025 |title=Koshi Province Investment Summit: MoUs signed for investments worth 152 billion |url=https://english.makalukhabar.com/2025/05/252207/ |publisher=Makalu Khabar English}}</ref> An additional five MoUs were concluded in the weeks following the summit, bringing the total to 51 committed projects. Writing in ''[[The Kathmandu Post]]'' in February 2026, analysts described the summit as a "concrete step toward operationalising federalism through economic governance," arguing it could help transform the province into a production-oriented growth centre contributing to national capital formation and employment generation, in contrast to Nepal's historically import- and consumption-driven fiscal structure. <ref>{{cite news |date=17 February 2026 |title=Investing in federalism |url=https://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/02/17/investing-in-federalism |publisher=The Kathmandu Post}}</ref>

To sustain the momentum generated by the Investment Summit, the provincial government launched the '''Udaya''' project in 2025 with financial and technical support from the [[Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation]] (SDC).<ref>{{cite web |date=29 August 2025 |title=Koshi Province launches 'Udaya' project to create 3,000 jobs |url=https://english.khabarhub.com/2025/29/493303/ |publisher=Khabarhub English}}</ref> Designed to run for ten years — with an initial four-year implementation phase — Udaya targets [[small and medium enterprises]] (SMEs) across all 14 districts of Koshi Province with the aim of creating 3,000 jobs in its first phase. The project provides collateral-free loans ranging from NPR 3 million to NPR 30 million through a credit guarantee fund of NPR 600 million, designed to mobilise approximately NPR 8 billion in total bank lending. A Challenge Fund of NPR 280 million will additionally support the promotional and competitive capacity of emerging businesses.

In the information technology sector, the CNIYEF Koshi Chapter organised the '''[https://www.cniyefkoshi.org/ 1st Koshi IT Summit 2025]''' in Biratnagar on 3 May 2025, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, IT professionals, and investors to explore opportunities for leveraging technology as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation in the region. The summit aimed to develop a roadmap for a sustainable IT ecosystem in Koshi Province, foster public–private–academic partnerships, and attract investment into IT-driven startups.<ref>{{cite web |title=1st Koshi IT Summit 2025 |url=https://www.cniyefkoshi.org/ |access-date= |publisher=CNIYEF Koshi Chapter}}</ref> Complementing these initiatives, the [https://www.swisscontact.org/en/projects/step-up-improving-labour-market-access-for-unemployed Step Up project] — co-financed by the Happel Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation — has been active in Koshi Province, promoting youth entrepreneurship and self-employment as a means of reducing outmigration, particularly among young people in rural hill and Terai communities.

Entrepreneurial activity has expanded in Koshi Province in recent years, supported by targeted policies, investment promotion events and a growing startup ecosystem. A special study by Nepal Rastra Bank reported that 160 startup enterprises in the province attracted a combined investment of around Rs 2.56 billion, with approximately 61 percent contributed as equity and 39 percent as loans. The study found that most startups operate in agriculture and forestry, followed by manufacturing, services, tourism and information technology, indicating a gradual diversification of the provincial economy.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Rs 2.56 billion invested in startups in Koshi Province |url=https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/rs-256-billion-invested-in-startups-in-koshi-province-19-29.html |work=[[The Rising Nepal]]}}</ref>

=== Healthcare ===
{{see also|Ministry of Health (Koshi Province)}}
Koshi province stretches from Himalayan region to the Terai belt due to which health facilities are more viable in Terai than other parts.

Koshi Province has 791 public health facilities including four large hospitals ([[B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences|BPKIHS]], [[Koshi Hospital]], [https://www.nobelmedicalcollege.com.np/ Nobel Medical College], [https://biratmedicalcollege.edu.np/ Birat Medical College]). Altogether, there are 18 public hospitals, one regional medical store, 41 primary health centres, 648 health posts, 34 urban health care centres, and 41 community health units.

=== Energy ===
There are various power stations in Koshi province:

*[[Mai Hydropower Station]] is one of station located in Illam and was established in 2014 producing 22 MW energy.
*[[Puwa Khola Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam with capacity of 6.2 MW energy and was established in 1999.
*[[Chatara Hydropower Station]] is located in Sunsari District with production capacity of 3.2 MW energy. It was established in 1996.
*[[Iwa Khola Hydropower Project]] was established in 2018–19.
*[[Upper Mai Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam with a capacity of 12 MW.
*[[Pikhuwa Khola Hydropower Station]] is located in Bhojpur with a capacity of 5 MW.
*[[Hewa Khola-A Hydroelectric Project]] is located in Pachthar with a capacity of 14.9 MW.
*[[Jogmai Khola Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam with a capacity of 7.6 MW.
*[[Upper Puwa-1 Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam with a capacity of 3 MW.
*[[Upper Mai-C Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established with a capacity of 6.1 MW.
*[[Kabeli B1 Hydropower Station]] is located in Pachthar and was established in 2019 with a capacity of 25 MW.
*[[Lower Hewa Hydropower Station]] is located in Pachthar and was established in 2017 with a capacity of 21.6 MW.
*[[Mai Cascade Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2014 with a capacity of 8 MW.
*[[Puwa Khola-1 Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2014 with a capacity of 4 MW.
*[[Solu Hydropower Station]] is located in Solukhumbu and was established in 2016 with a capacity of 23.5 MW.
*[[Molun Khola Small Hydropower Station]] is located in Okhaldhunga and was established in 2019 with a capacity of 7 MW.
*[[Upper Khorunga Hydropower Station]] is located in Tehrathum and was established in 2018 with a capacity of 7.5 MW.
*[[Super Mai Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2020 with a capacity of 7.8 MW.
*[[Super Mai-A Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2020 with a capacity of 9.6 MW.
*[[Super Mai Khola Cascade Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2020 with a capacity of 3.8 MW.
*[[Mai Khola Small Hydropower Station]] is located in Illam and was established in 2008 with a capacity of 4.5 MW.

== Provincial Assembly ==
{{Further|Koshi Provincial Assembly}}
The first meeting of the provincial assembly was held on 5 February 2018 in [[Biratnagar]] and was chaired by Om Prakash Sarbagi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-05/first-province-assembly-meeting-of-province-1-today.html|title=First Province Assembly meeting of Province 1 today|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401075034/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-05/first-province-assembly-meeting-of-province-1-today.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pradeep Kumar Bhandari was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly on 11 February 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-11/pradeep-bhandari-named-province-1-speaker.html|title=Pradeep Bhandari named Province 1 speaker|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=24 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324101809/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-02-11/pradeep-bhandari-named-province-1-speaker.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Saraswoti Pokharel was also elected unopposed to the post of Deputy Speaker on 15 February 2018.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
| colspan="5" |[[File:Province_1_Assembly_2018.svg|center|frameless]]
|-
! colspan="2" |Party
!{{Abbr|FPTP|First-past-the-post}}
!{{Abbr|PR|Proportional Representation}}
!Total
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)}}" |
| align="left" |[[Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)|CPN (UML)]]
| align="center" |25
| align="center" |15
| align="center" |40
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Nepali Congress}}" |
| align="left" |[[Nepali Congress]]
| align="center" |17
| align="center" |12
| align="center" |29
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)}}"|
|align="left" |[[CPN (Maoist Centre)]]
|align="center" |9
|align="center" |4
|align="center" |13
|-
| bgcolor="{{party color|Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist)}}" |
|align="left" |[[Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist)|CPN (Unified Socialist)]]
|align="center" |3
|align="center" |1
|align="center" |4
|-
| bgcolor="#ffc0cb" |
| align="left" |[[Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal]]
| align="center" |-
| align="center" |1
| align="center" |1
|-
| bgcolor="#ffd700" |
| align="left" |[[Rastriya Prajatantra Party]]
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |6
|-

! colspan="2" align="left" |'''Total'''
!56
!37
!93
|-
! colspan="5" align="left" |Source: [http://result.election.gov.np/ElectionResultStatePR.aspx Election Commission of Nepal]
|}

== Transportation ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}
Only three districts out of Koshi's fourteen fall in Terai and one district falls in inner Terai. Elevation from the lowest point of Nepal, [[Kechana]] (70 m above sea level) to the highest point of world, [[Everest]] (8848 m above sea level) lies in this province, so maintaining a consistent road network is challenging, but all districts are connected by road networks. Air services are available. Rail services are under construction.

===Roadways===
{{main|List of national highways in Nepal by province}}

[[File:Road and Highway map of Koshi Province, Nepal.jpg|thumb|Road and highway map of Koshi Province]]
[[File:Koshi Highway, Tarahara Eastern Nepal.jpg|thumbnail|NH08 Koshi Highway at Tarhara]]
[[File:Hillside capture.jpg|thumb|NH2 Mechi Highway near Buddhashanti rural municipality]]
[[File:Hilepani Bus booking counter and junction of road between Okhaldunga and Haleshi.jpg|thumb|Hilepani Junction at an elevation of {{cvt|1822|m}}]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Highways in Koshi Province
|-
! S# !! Highway number!! Length !! Terminus !! Note
|-
| 1 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|01}} || 135 || [[Kakarbhitta]], [[Koshi Barrage]] ||Interprovincial NH
|-
| 2 ||{{jct|country=NPL|NH|02}} || 352 || [[Kechana]], Gharila Pass || Provincial NH
|-
| 3 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|03}} || 525 || [[Chiyo Bhanjyang]], Bahadura Khola || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 4 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|04}} || 15 || [[Birtamod]], [[Chandragadhi]]|| Provincial NH
|-
| 5 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|05}} || 124 || Mechipul, [[Laukahi, Nepal|Laukahi]] || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 6 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|06}} || 135 || Chatara, Ganeshchowk || Provincial NH
|-
| 7 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|07}} || 48 || Chatara, Koshi new bridge || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 8 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|08}} || 320 || [[Biratnagar]], [[Kimathanka]] || Provincial NH
|-
| 9 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|09}} || 250 || Bahundangi, Baireni || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 10 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|10}} || 92 || Basantapur, Bohoratar||Provincial NH
|-
| 11 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|11}} || 19 || [[Phikkal Bazar]], Chhabbise|| Provincial NH
|-
| 12 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|12}} || 163 || Ghurmi, Barkhadanda || Provincial NH
|-
| 13 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|14}} || 40 || Basaha, Phattehpur || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 14 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|16}} || 111 || Siswari bridge, Mohure || Interprovincial NH
|-
| 15 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|20}} || 161 || Jyamire, [[Salleri, Solukhumbu|Salleri]]||Interprovincial NH
|-
| 16 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|23}} || 108 || [[Diktel]], Pekarnas ||Interprovincial NH
|-
| 17 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|73}} || 25 || Surunga, Lasunganj || Provincial NH
|-
| 18 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|74}} || 50 || Biplate, Sandakpur || Provincial NH
|-
| 19 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|75}} || 135 || Ghorepani, Basa || Provincial NH
|-
| 20 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|76}} || 44 || Chisapani, Rabi || Provincial NH
|-
| 21 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|78}} || 100 || Damak ringroad|| Provincial NH
|-
| 22 || {{jct|country=NPL|NH|80}} || 12.29 || Cancer Hospital, Belsot || Interprovincial NH
|}

===Airways===
[[File:Lukla Airport April 2010.JPG|right|210px|thumb|[[Tenzing-Hillary Airport]] at [[Lukla]]]]
Many domestic airports and air services are available in the region including one of the most geographically challenging airports, [[Lukla Airport]].

Airports in Koshi:
* [[Bhojpur Airport]] ([[Bhojpur, Nepal|Bhojpur]])
* [[Biratnagar Airport]] ([[Biratnagar]])
* Kangel Danda Airport (Kangel, [[Solukhumbu District|Solukhumbu]])
* [[Man Maya Airport]] (Khanidanda, Khotang)
* [[Thamkharka Airport]] ([[Khotang Bazar]])
* [[Lamidanda Airport]] ([[Lamidanda, Khotang]])
* [[Tenzing-Hillary Airport]] ([[Lukla]], Solukhumbu)
* [[Phaplu Airport]] ([[Phaplu]], Solukhumbu)
* [[Rumjatar Airport]] ([[Rumjatar]], Okhladhunga)
* [[Syangboche Airport]] (Syangboche, [[Solukhumbu District|Solukhumbu]])
* [[Taplejung Airport]] ([[Taplejung District|Taplejung]])
* [[Tumlingtar Airport]] ([[Tumlingtar]], Sankhuwasabha)
* [[Bhadrapur Airport]] ([[Bhadrapur, Mechi|Bhadrapur]], Jhapa)
<ref>{{cite web |url= https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/feasibility-report-of-larger-dharan-airport-ready/ |title= Feasibility report of larger Dharan Airport ready |date= 1 July 2017 |publisher= Nagrik News |access-date= 24 January 2019 |archive-date= 24 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190124203806/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/feasibility-report-of-larger-dharan-airport-ready/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Railways===
{{routemap
|title = Bathnaha–Katahari
|collapsible = 1
|width = 180px
|map =
\\CONTg
\\BHF~~0 km~~Bathnaha
\KRW+l\KRWgr
[[File:Flag_of_India.svg|x10px|link=India]] custom yard~~4.2 km ! !\STR!~lZOLL\KBHFe~~7 km~~[[Jogbani railway station|Jogbani]]
Border {{BSsplit| [[File:Flag_of_India.svg|x10px|link=India]]|[[File:Flag_of_Nepal.svg|x10px|link=Nepal]]|line=-}}~~5.3 km! !STR+GRZq
[[File:Flag_of_Nepal.svg|x10px|link=Nepal]] custom yard~~6.3 km ! !STR!~lZOLL~~
STR
Katahari~~18 km! !BHF
exCONTf
}}

There is a 13 km railway track which has been laid in Nepal by [[Indian Railways]] is connected to Bathnaha railway station. Bathnaha is a village situated at [[Araria district]] of [[Bihar]] state of [[India]]. A custom yard station has been built both side of the border on Bathnaha–Katahari railway section. Katahari is at distance of 18 km from Bathnaha Railway Station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/11/04/indian-locomotive-arrives-in-biratnagar-for-test-run |title=Indian locomotive arrives in Biratnagar for test run |date=4 November 2018 |publisher=[[Kantipur media group|KMG]] |access-date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224071259/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2018/11/04/indian-locomotive-arrives-in-biratnagar-for-test-run |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sasec.asia/index.php?page=news&nid=859&url=railway-transit-jogbani-biratnagar&enews=55 |title=Railway Transit for Cargo Bound for Biratnagar, Nepal via Jogbani, India |date=25 April 2018 |publisher=[[South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation]] |access-date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420233646/https://www.sasec.asia/index.php?page=news&nid=859&url=railway-transit-jogbani-biratnagar&enews=55 |url-status=live }}</ref> Itahari will be further connected with Katahari, which is 20 km from Biratnagar (Katahari).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/environment-impact-assessment-of-proposed-electric-railway-in-province-1-ready |title=EIA of proposed electric railway in Province 1 ready |date=18 December 2019 |website= |publisher=The Himalayan |access-date=15 April 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513133804/https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/environment-impact-assessment-of-proposed-electric-railway-in-province-1-ready |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Economy==
Koshi has the second largest economy in Nepal, and contributes 15% to the national GDP. Koshi's [[GDP]] growth rate was estimated to be 6.5% in fiscal year 2018/19.

The population in absolute poverty in Koshi was 12.4%, and the multidimensional poverty rate was 19.7%.

===Agriculture===
Agriculture accounts for 38% of Koshi's GDP and is the main source of livelihood for 75% of the population.

The province has 714 registered businesses, with agriculture and forestry industry having the highest number registered businesses 114 (15.96%). Koshi contributes 22% of the total paddy production of Nepal and 29.3% of the national maize production.

== Sports ==
[[File:Sushil Kandel of Biratnagar Kings celebrates after taking a wicket during a match against Rupendhi Challengers.jpg|thumb|Biratnagar Match]]

===Cricket===
Koshi province has a wide audience in the province. It has been a pioneer in organising night matches. Inaruwa, Sunsari organised the first night cricket in Nepal.<ref name="kathmandu_post">{{Cite web |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-11-27/mm-one-day-national-cricket-starts-on-jan-5.html |title=MM One day national cricket starts on Jan 5 |website=kathmandupost.ekantipur.com |language=en |access-date=2019-01-22 |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119012840/http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-11-27/mm-one-day-national-cricket-starts-on-jan-5.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The first night football was organised in Duhabi, Sunsari on 31 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RSS |title=Province 1 sees growing night-time sporting sensation |url=http://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/88037/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=My Republica |language=en |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309105059/https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/88037/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The provincial teams take part in various games inside and outside Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Province Number 1 squad - Prov-1-Nepal Squad - PM Cup (T20), 2022 Squad |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pm-cup-t20-2021-22-1296131/province-number-1-squad-1296205/series-squads |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309105057/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pm-cup-t20-2021-22-1296131/province-number-1-squad-1296205/series-squads |url-status=live }}</ref> The team includes men as well as women. The overall sports in the province are administered by the Province 1 Sports Department.

There are numerous stadiums in Koshi:
*[[Domalal Rajbanshi Stadium]], [[Birtamod Municipality|Birtamode]], [[Jhapa District|Jhapa]]
*[[Inaruwa Stadium]], [[Inaruwa Municipality|Inaruwa]], [[Sunsari District|Sunsari]]
*[[Itahari Regional Stadium]], [[Itahari]], [[Sunsari 3 (constituency)|Sunsari]]
*[[Sahid Rangasala]], [[Biratnagar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morang: Dug-out Construction Begins At Sahid Maidan, Biratnagar |url=http://goalnepal.com/news/detail/4770 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=GoalNepal}}</ref>
*[[Tharuhat Stadium]], [[Gaighat, Nepal|Gaighat]]

Major football cups include:
*[[Birat Gold Cup]] [[Biratnagar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biggest Cities Nepal |url=http://www.geonames.org/NP/largest-cities-in-nepal.html |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=www.geonames.org}}</ref>
*[[Jhapa Gold Cup]], [[Jhapa District|Jhapa]]
*[[Budha Subba Gold Cup]], [[Dharan]]
*[[Manmohan Duhabi Gold Cup]], [[Duhabi Municipality|Duhabi]]
*[[Madan Bhandari Invitational Itahari Gold Cup]], [[Itahari]]
*[[Udayapur Gold Cup]], [[Udayapur District|Udayapur]]

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|align=center
|percentages=pagr
|1981 |2,954,510
|1991 |3,520,335
|2001 |4,201,795
|2011 |4,534,943
|2021 |4,961,412
|footnote= Sources:<ref>{{cite web |title=Nepal: Provinces and Districts |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/nepal/admin/ |website=citypopulation.de |language=en |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226173016/http://www.citypopulation.de/en/nepal/admin/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The total population of the province according to the [[2021 Nepal census]] was 4,961,412, of whom 2,544,084 were women (51.3%). 95 male per 100 female was the sex ratio. There were 1,191,556 households. 79.7% of the total population were literate. 86.1% of the total population of the male were educated, while 73.6% of the total of the female population were literate.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/population?province=1 |title=Population size and distribution of Koshi Province |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405134058/https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/population?province=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Religions of Koshi Province (2021)
|label1 = [[Hinduism in Nepal|Hinduism]] |value1 = 67 |color1 = darkorange
|label2 = [[Buddhism in Nepal|Buddhism]] |value2 = 9 |color3 = yellow
|label3 = [[Kirat Mundhum|Kirat]] |value3 = 17 |color2 = red
|label4 = [[Islam in Nepal|Islam]] |value4 = 4 |color4 = green
|label5 = [[Christianity in Nepal|Christianity]] |value5 = 2.32 |color5 = dodgerblue
|label6 = Prakriti |value6 = 0.45 |color6 = limegreen
|label7 = Other |value7 = 0.08 |color7 = black
}}

Hinduism is the major religion of the province. [[Kirat Mundhum]] is the second major religion of the province. 67% of the total population are Hindus, 17% are Kirantis, 9% are Buddhists, 4% are Muslims, 2% are Christians and others make up 1%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Province No. 1 |url=https://nepaltraveller.com/travel/provinces-of-nepal/province-no-1 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=nepaltraveller.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Ethnic groups===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|caption=Castes/ethnic groups in Gandaki Province (2021)<ref name="caste">{{Cite web |title=Table 1: Caste/Ethnicity and sex |url=https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/downloads/caste-ethnicity |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Census Nepal 2021 |publisher=[[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]]}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Chhetri]] |value1 = 11 |color1 = orange
|label2 = [[Rai people|Rai]] |value2 = 10.2 |color2 = darkturquoise
|label3 = [[Bahun]] |value3 = 8.3 |color3 = red
|label4 = [[Limbu people|Limbu]] |value4 = 7.8 |color4 = darkorchid
|label5 = [[Sherpa people|Sherpa]] |value5 = 7.3 |color5 = salmon
|label6 = [[Yadav]] |value6 = 1.5 |color6 = lightsalmon
|label7 = Other | value7 = 53.9 | color7= yellow
}}
The province is very ethnically diverse. In 2011, the largest group was [[Chhetri]], making up 14.58% of the population. This is followed by [[Madheshi]] with (14.26%). Next is [[Bahun|Hill Brahmin]] (11.98%). Other Khas Arya groups are the [[Kami (caste)|Kami]] (3.27%) and [[Damai]] (1.78%). The Janajati groups are the [[Rai people|Rai]] (10.21%), [[Limbu people|Limbu]] (8.01%), [[Tamang people|Tamang]] (4.62%), [[Magars|Magar]] (4.13%), [[Newar people|Newar]] (3.68%) and [[Gurung people|Gurung]] (1.36%). Some Terai groups include [[Tharu people|Tharu]] (4.10%), [[Nepalese Muslims|Musalman]] (3.55%), [[Rajbongshi people|Rajbanshi]] (2.47%), [[Musahar]] (1.35%), [[Yadav]] (1.30%) and [[Santal people|Santal]] (1.11%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Province 1 |url=https://nepaloutlook.com/province-1/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Nepal Outlook {{!}} Believe in Data}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=National Data Portal-Nepal|url=http://nationaldata.gov.np/Province/Index/1|access-date=27 May 2021 |website=nationaldata.gov.np|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527044413/http://nationaldata.gov.np/Province/Index/1|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2021, [[Chhetri]]s were the largest ethnic group with 11.0% of the population. Rai 10.2%,Bahun constituted 8.3% of the population, Limbu 7.8%,10.2%, Sherpa 7.3%, Tamang 4.6%, Tharu 4.2%, Muslims 4.1%, Magar 4.0% and Newar 3.6%.<ref name=census2021/>
The various Madheshi non-Dalit communities were 8.68% of the population, of which the Yadav (1.42%) and [[Teli]] (0.98%) were the largest and second-largest non-Dalit communities. Madheshi Dalits were 3.40%, of which Musahar were 1.51%.<ref name=":1" />

===Language===
{{Pie chart
| caption = Languages of Koshi Pradesh (2021)<ref name=":0" />
| label1 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| value1 = 45.27
| color1 = orange
| label2 = [[Maithili language|Maithili]]
| value2 = 11.68
| color2 = pink
| label3 = [[Limbu language|Yakthung/Limbu]]
| value3 = 7.70
| color3 = blue
| label4 = [[Sherpa language|Shepa/Bhote]]
| value4 = 7.30
| color4 = Golden blue
| label5 = [[Tharu languages|Tharu]]
| value5 = 4.40
| color5 = maroon
| label6 = [[Tamang language|Tamang]]
| value6 = 3.54
| color6 = turquoise
| label7 = [[Magar language|Magar Dhut]]
| value7 = 2.88
| color7 = orchid
| label8 = [[Bantawa language|Bantawa]]
| value8 = 2.70
| color8 = cornflowerblue
| label9 = [[Rajbanshi language (Nepal)|Rajbanshi]]
| value9 = 2.58
| color9 = saddlebrown
| labe110 = [[Urdu]]
| value10 = 2.32
| color10 = green
| label11 = Others
| value11 = 17.93
| color11 = grey
}}
Nepali language is [[lingua franca]] of the province and is the mother tongue of 45.27% of the population. [[Maithili language|Maithili]] is the second-largest language, spoken by 11.68%. 7.70% of the population spoke [[Limbu language|Sherpa]],7.30% of the population spoke [[Sherpa language|Limbu]], 4.40% [[Kochila Tharu|Tharu]], 3.54% [[Tamang language|Tamang]], 2.88% [[Magar language|Magar Dhut]], 2.70% [[Bantawa language|Bantawa]], 2.58% [[Rajbanshi language (Nepal)|Rajbanshi]], 2.32% [[Urdu]], 1.85% [[Kiranti languages|Rai]], 1.67% [[Chamling language|Chamling]], 1.32% [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]], 1.26% [[Newar language|Nepal Bhasha]] and 1.08% [[Santali language|Santali]].<ref name=":0" />

The [[Language Commission (Nepal)|Language Commission of Nepal]] has recommended [[Limbu language|Limbu]] and [[Maithili language|Maithili]] as official language in the province. The commission has also recommended [[Tharu language|Tharu]], [[Tamang language|Tamang]], [[Magar language|Magar]], [[Bantawa language|Bantawa]], [[Urdu]], [[Rajbanshi language|Rajbanshi]], [[Nepal Bhasa]], [[Chamling language|Chamling]], [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]] and [[Santhali language|Santhali]] to be additional official languages, for specific regions and purposes in the province.<ref name="langcomreport">{{cite web |title=सरकारी कामकाजको भाषाका आधारहरूको निर्धारण तथा भाषासम्बन्धी सिफारिसहरू (पञ्चवर्षीय प्रतिवेदन- साराांश) २०७८ |url=https://languagecommission.gov.np/files/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE.pdf |website=Language Commission |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906171816/https://languagecommission.gov.np/files/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A3%20%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8B%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%BE.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Education ==
Koshi is renowned for its educational facilities; 71.22% of the population of the province can read and write.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://moe.gov.np/assets/uploads/files/Education_in_Figures_2017.pdf |title=Province-Wise Literacy Rate of 5 Years and Above Population in 2011 AD |date=2018 |access-date=7 March 2020 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211215228/https://moe.gov.np/assets/uploads/files/Education_in_Figures_2017.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Education up to the level of master's degree is provided by [[Purbanchal University]], which offers courses like [[Bachelor of Science in Agriculture]] and [[Bachelor of Science in Nursing]].{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Insand titutions like [[BPKIHS]], Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, B&C Medical College Teaching Hospital offer MBBS and BDS courses along with paramedic courses.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

== Notable people ==
*[[Girija Prasad Koirala]], former prime minister
*[[KP Sharma Oli]], former prime minister
*[[Bidya Devi Bhandari]], former president of Nepal
*[[Rajendra Prasad Lingden]], chairman of [[Rastriya Prajatantra Party]]
*[[Pramod Kharel]], singer
*[[Rachana Rimal]], singer
*[[Nawayug Shrestha]], national football player
*[[Lalit Rajbanshi]], national cricket player
*[[Malvika Subba]], Miss Nepal 2002
*[[Malina Joshi]], Miss Nepal 2011
*[[Manita Devkota]], Miss Nepal Universe 2018
*[[Harka Raj Rai]], independent mayor of [[Dharan]]
*[[Sabin Rai]], singer
*[[Siddhicharan Shrestha]], writer
*[[Kiran Chemjong]], football player, captain of [[Nepal national football team]]
*[[Dayahang Rai]], actor
*[[Sanduk Ruit]], ophthalmologist, referred to as the "God of Sight"
*Mahaguru [[Phalgunanda]], leader of the Kirat religion for the Kirat people
*[[Lhakpa Sherpa]], mountaineer
*[[Pasang Lhamu Sherpa]], mountaineer
*[[Mira Rai]], Nepalese trail runner and sky runner
*[[Sushila Karki]], the first female (interim) prime minister, the former (and the first female) chief justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal
*[[Phupu Lhamu Khatri]], judoka and Olympian
*[[Swarup Singh Karki]], Dewan (prime minister)
*[[Nikita Chandak]], Miss Nepal 2017
*[[Sugam Pokharel]], singer
*[[Girish Khatiwada]], rapper, radio, television personality, and vlogger.
*[[Bipin Karki]], actor
*[[Sunil Pokharel]], actor

==See also==
*[[Provinces of Nepal]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Clear}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Koshi Province, {{flag|Nepal}}
|North = [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], {{flag|China}}
|Northeast = [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], {{flag|China}}
|East = [[Sikkim]], {{flag|India}}
|Southeast = [[West Bengal]], {{flag|India}}
|South = [[Bihar]], {{flag|India}}
|Southwest = [[Madhesh Province]], {{flag|Nepal}}
|West = [[Bagmati Province]], {{flag|Nepal}}
|Northwest = [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], {{flag|China}}
}}
{{Municipalities of Koshi Province}}
{{Koshi Province topics}}
{{Provinces of Nepal}}
{{Districts of Nepal}}
{{Nepal topics}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Koshi Province| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of Nepal|1]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 2015]]

IndianPedia - User contributions [en]

Koshi Province