Dharchula

 ( Dy-sp-dharchula : Official Website ) 

Dharchula is a town in Pithoragarh district in the North India state of Uttarakhand, India, situated at an elevation of 940 m above sea level, surrounded by peaks from all sides and Sharda River river cutting through the middle, dividing the area into two towns on either banks of the river - one in India and the other in Nepal. River Kali originates from Kala Pani at Lipulekh Pass and forms the border between India and Nepal. People of the two towns have similar traditions, culture, and lifestyle, and can move across the border without a passport or visa. The area has a mixture of Kumaoni language and Rung language, traditions and culture. Dharchula lies about north of Pithoragarh - the district town, along the route of the Mount Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage tour. It lies on the Pithoragagh-Lipulekh Pass Highway (PLPH).

Dharchula gets its name from ‘Darchyo’ and ‘la’; Darchyo is a white coloured traditional holy flag and la is an honorific term in Local language.

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Demographics As of 2011, the population of Dharchula Nagar Palika (municipality) was 7,039 (3,797 males and 3,242 females), with a female sex ratio of 854 compared to the state average of 963. Children of 0–6 years represent 12.64% of the population with a child sex ratio of 824 compared to the Uttarakhand state average of 890. The literacy rate of Dharchula city is 88.68%, higher than the state average of 78.82%; literacy in males is around 95.10% and in females, it stands at 81.20%.

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History Dharchula was an ancient trading town on the Trans-Himalayan trade routes. It was also halting place for the migrating tribals of the valleys' above i.e. Darma and Byans. People of Chaundas hardly migrated as the weather was much bearable unlike the other two valleys. Trade was based on barter system and was the only source of income for the inhabitants of Dharchula. Local handicrafts like carpets which are known here as ‘dan’, were exchanged with the Tibetans for food and clothing.

After the Indo-China War in 1962, all trading ties with the Tibetans came to a stop which caused innumerable hardships to the people of Dharchula. The difficulty forced people to look for alternate means of earnings. Soon the locals engaged themselves in farming, small businesses and cattle farming. With government intervention, good tourism facilities have developed in the town.

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External links

• Dharchula at wikimapia.

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