Damak 5

Damak (Nenglish:Dahmak) (Nepali: दमक) is one of the oldest municipality in Jhapa District in the Mechi Zone of south-eastern Terai of Nepal. It is situated between the Ratuwa River in the east and the Maawa River in the west. It is a beautiful area which has Sivalik Hills in its north and ends with the intersection of Ratuwa River and Mawa River in the south creating a fascinating land structure. Mahendra Highway (longest highway of Nepal) crosses this municipality nearly bisecting it. According to Census 2011, it is the second largest city in Jhapa District with population of 75,743.[1]

Damak was changed to a municipality from a VDC (Village Development Committee) in the year 1990 AD. The Damak municipality consists of 19 wards which also includes the large Himalayan Tea State (हिमालय गूडरिक) where the Ex-Royal Family has also invested. The municipality covers an area of 7,513 hectares and is at an average of 100 meters above the sea level. Lakhanpur in to the east, Urlabari, Rajghat and Madhumalla in the west and Chulachuli (Ilam) and Kohabhara VDC in the north and the south, respectively.

According to the census of 2001, Damak had 7,178 households containing about 35,000 people. The total area is 7,513 hectares out of which 1406.7 hectares is covered by residential area whereas 5,586.30 hectares is used for agriculture. The market area consists of 400.00 hectares, 215 hectares as forest plant area and 265.00 hectares is used in other purposes. In 056/057 there was 1 Health post, 1 Hospital (AMDA) and 1 Nursing Home (Life Line) which contains 50 beds in total but now including AMDA and life line: there are 7 hospital they are AMDA nepal, life line, om mechi, Q&Q hospital, Namaste Public Hospital, Janta National Hospital, damak hospital & research center. The Population Growth Rate is 5.14 per annum as per 2047/48 census. As per 056/057 census, there were about 88 industries, 1011 shops, 244 hotels and 9 financial institutions. Black topped road were 29 km, graveled roads were 150 km and earthen road were 500 km. In addition to it, the drainage runs 3.5 km through the main highway. There are 512 street lights and above 4000 telephone lines to public. Three Bhutanse refugee camps (Beldangi 1, 2, and 3) were also settled in damak in 1992. Victoria Cross Medal winner Rambahadur Limbu currently lives in Damak.

It is one of the important trade center in eastern part of Nepal. There are many international organizations such as IOM, UNHCR, OX-FAM, LWF, NRCS, AMDA,CARITAS NEPAL etc. who are working for the refugees here in Damak.