Table-12
Surveyed land of Khurkot under cultivation
Source- Land survey department, Kusma, Parbat.
This above table demonstrates total area of Khurkot under cultivation or of without cultivation. There might be still a large quantity of land that is under cultivation which is not set surveyed or registered. Population engaged in agriculture can be classified mainly in two divisions i.e. one who are landlords or land-holders and another who are as tenants. Total number of land owners in Khurkot represent near about 75% percent as a whole. The accurate data relating to the number of present land owners is 1075. Nearly 6% percent of the whole population are tenants.
4.1.1 Land and method of cultivation
Table 11 mentioned above displays that the land in this area is classified into three categories. Both dry and wet lands are exploited for the production of wheat and paddy whereas, dry land is chiefly for maize, mustard, millet etc. Peasants of Khurkot village apply both traditional and Scientific Methods for cultivation. In order to increase the total output the farmers utilize domestic manure and animal waste both. Instead of using this kind of manure or fertilizer people have started to use Scientific artificial fertilizer so that the output may outgrow. From tilling point of view only traditional plough is used in all the areas of this village. Animals, especially ox-teams are taken for ploughing. In case of seeds of all kinds people still prefer traditional one in spite of occasional use of non-local seeds.
4.1.2 Cropping
In this village farmers grow among the cereals, grains, paddy, maize, wheat and millet, which are supposed to be major crops. Also mustard, sugarcane and jute are other crops which are partly grown. Jute has no scope in this area. Among the cereals, paddy is collected twice in a year. As there is the wet land even in winter, so people sow paddy seeds in the month of Chaitra and plant it by the end of Vaisakha which ripe by the end of Asar. Again by the Srawn another paddy is planted, which because ready by mid Kartik and towards the end of Kartik. Besides paddy, maize, mustard and wheat are produced once in a year. Major production of this area is paddy, secondly maize and thirdly, wheat and potatoes. Potatoes are collected twice in a year. First, in the month of Magh, Secondly, in June and somewhere even in August. Though all peasants do not utilize the barren land for such crops who need not enough crops, own who have abundance of land, generally they have the land as barren. On the contrary, who have limited source of income as well as limited area of land they maximum utilize their soils for monsoon and winter seasonable crops including cash crops. In hill areas as such in this village also tomatoes, potatoes, ginger and other short term crops in this village are ginger and potatoes in which this village stands first in it’s supply for neighbouring Baglung market. Other than major crops there are part time crops as such barley, buckwheat, leguminous, soyabeans, black pulses, rahar, lentil, gram, peas, horse gram etc, which are partially grown in mixture. These crops are of domestic purpose. In some parts of this village linseed, sesome and groundnut are also produced.
4.1.3 Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are essential for humanbeings. Khurkot village has a large amount of production of it. Though in previous times people used not to sell any kind of fruits but now a days they have realized real economic value of different fruits. Therefore, there is competition for growing fruits and vegetables. As these are also cash crops. Varieties of fruits which are grown in this area include papaya, peas, plum, lichi, jackfruit, pineapple, orange, lemon, lime, sweet, oranges, junar, banana, citrus, mango, guava and sour seasonable fruits. Yet people leave no place for extra production of fruits but nearby fertile land behind the houses or front of houses are covered with such fruits. In addition to vegetables, Khurkot is always rich. Major varieties of vegetables to be frown here are chilli, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cardamoms. As much inhabitants need they grow these vegetables. Season after season people sow different varieties of vegetable seeds. They do not lag behind when the new season approaches. In winter green groceries, tomato, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, and brinjal etc. are planted and collected. While, in summer lady finger, and beans are produced in a great amount. But one thing is note worthy housewives of government employees have become lazy and they are habitual of purchasing all these domestic essential items instead of growing by themselves. For consumption purpose people have products but they are unable to supply in larger amount for neighbouring local town market Baglung, which is just 4 miles away from this village.
4.1.4 Live stock
Keeping domestic animals on a farm house is not only a fashion but also on urgent necessity of farming. Alone cattle provide manure milk and they utilize the straw waste. There is no any show without livestock living in village areas. At least 89% percent population of this village keep livestock here. High class farmers keep from 15 to 30 animals mainly buffaloes, bulls ox-teams and the cows. Contrary to it middle class land lords fostere nearly two to five or six cattle. While lower class people manage one or two animals mostly buffaloes for manure and milk purpose. In fact, there is no house without cow shed except businessmen keeping only hotels in plain bank of Kali river, which also comes under this village development committee. The importance of livestock can be estimated from the table given below which is based on field survey conducted by the student concerned for this village profile.
Table No. 13
Description of domestic animals
Bulls 4, Local-4, Non local (0), Cows 300 (Local - 300), He-buffaloes 15 (Local-12), (Non local-3), Buffaloes 1500 (Local -1500), He-goats 50 (Local-40), (Non local-10), Pigs 50 (Local-30), (Non local-20), Sheep 100 (Local-100), Hens (Local 2000), Goose (Local 50), Horse (Local 1), Oxen (Local 850), Goats (Local 400), Total - 5319 (Non local-33)
Source: Village development committee office, Khurkot, Parbat.
The table above shows that the number of domestic animals including local and non-local in the village area out of numbers the total population in numbers. However, peasants have discouraged by government plantation programme which is limiting the area for grazing. Over all description of domestic animals or livestock at district level is not available District Profile also lacks this aspect owing of cattle. Having hill area Parbat district has certainly large number of livestock which is set to brought in light livestock meant for extra source of income for villagers. By selling goats and lambs as well as buffaloes people draw their extra source of income. But in this village, there is no system of selling ghee and milk in greater amount.
4.1.5. Poultry
Only lower castes keep domestic fowl in this Khurkot village development committee that include hens, ducks, goose and the like. Lower class people care for keeping hens than other than birds. But no people have poultry farm on the commercial base.
4.1.6 Irrigation
To a large extent as in Nepal agriculture in this village is depended on the rainfall. So, depending on the monsoon season people have to sow and plant paddy crops. Besides, paddy other crops are also irrigated through natural resources i.e., rainfall. When the rainfall is favourable people collect more than they expect while being the adverse condition of weather they suffer very much. Out of the 28,592 hectre fertile soil of Parbat, Khurkot has the share of 18,700 in which 50% percent of it is under irrigation, while remaining depends upon the rainfall. That fertile soil under irrigation is also partial. When in monsoon season water basins extend abundance of water then paddy crop is planted, but in winter season this source is not dependable. There are no government projects for irrigation except the drinking water. Altogether, there are 5 water basins across Khurkot and in proper Khurkot nearly five. These are the only sources for irrigating water for the time being.
4.2 Industry
In comparison to educational development, Khurkot village has been unfortunate in industrial progress. This is because most of the educated people, as in Nepal is applicable, tend to become serviceman. So, the industrial scope could not extend. Besides agricultural production, there is no production in other fields such as commercial items including soap, sugar and other essential commodities of domestic use as well as textile and furniture industries. The reason for the lack of industrial progress is service oriented mentality of inhabitants, who think secured even by low paying, private or governmental jobs. From industrial point of view this village is far behind than other villages in Nepal. However, small scale industries are frequently seen in this area. The following figure makes the clear industrial picture of this village.
Table-15
Nature and number of industries
Rice and flower mills (in all the wards) - 6, Goat keeping - 15, Vegetable growing
households - 5, Bamboo built cane
industry household 1, General provision stores-9, Hotels-11, Total - 47
Source: Field survey.
This above table reveals that altogether there are six rice and floor mills, fifteen goat-keeping farms, five vegetable growing groups, one in bamboo built industry, nine general merchants and the remaining eleven in numbers are hotel industries. All these industries are hardly surviving except the rice and floor mills has increased years after years as in the increase in population.
4.3 Employment
The condition of employment is not so worse in this village. Thirty percent out of the total population is touched with servicing fields. True to say, there are three categories of people i.e., having land with service as well as business, secondly, there are others, who have business and land but no jobs, thirdly, there are the people who cultivate only their land and have no extra service and business. Any way, there is no unemployment problem. As to say of educated unemployment, who have passed just 8th grade they are also junior technicians in drinking water projects. There are no males living in this village without job other than local government employees who go to office regularly from their houses. Those people, in this village, who are in services, include primary teachers, technicians, peons, accountants, section officers, judicial officer and the lecturers in degree colleges.
4.4 Trade and commerce
Most of the trading centres and marketing places are located at Baglung just 4 miles distance from the village. This area has no such centre so, all the people sale their surplus products by leading on back to Baglung bazaar. Baglung bazaar is the only place whereas, people all around the districts and villages rush for their soil. Khurkot and Pang in spite of the plain area has no industrial, trade and commercial scope because of the lack of transportation.
Historical Background
Khurkot village has it’s prolonged history since the time of separate states it was an independent small state. When an emperial king established his kingdom also established (erected) a high statue establishing symbol of Goddess Durga. In the northern part of this village there lied KOTA- Durga temple and just half of a mile distance leading south. There was large stone bearing the clear signs of hoofs. Including these two symbols people called it as Khurkot. Later on, the entire region covering 20 ROPANI and 200 acres of it came to be known as Khurkot village. Since the unification of different independent states of Nepal, there is no change in its original spirit on form of meaning. Men come, men go but the land remains here is applicable about this village. Therefore, Khurkot bears the privilege of great historical significance in the history of Nepal and its culture.
Political Setting
Politics is an essential aspect of a state. Nepal also being an independent sovereign state, it has its men political status. This small landlocked country has had witnessed the different historical and political movements. The democratic movement of 2007 B.S. against the Rana dynasty was of such revolution that brought a wide consciousness among the people. By new Nepal has become democratic country. Khurkot has shared fully country wide movements with the some spirit. Before 2017 Khurkot village was much ahead in the party politics. Though from 2017 to 2047 Panchayat government dominated all over in local district and national level, but people of this village have always challenged against previous panchayat government. Most of the educated circles being in different services, outside the village only uneducated assumed the high position in village level. Both Pradhan and Upapradhan used to be elected from Brahmin community, but they had no bias against other communities. What they did, was to exploit and dominate the entire inhabitants. Former pradhan of this village owed a large sum of amounts, has still not paid to the concerned because of his political autocracy. ‘Gone is the past’ So, up to 2047 democratic people men are conscious and they have voted for Nepali congress government. Therefore, the duty of the government is to bring forth the effective programmes in village level. By now, the entire village was divided into nine wards from administrative point of view, but up to now what type of local authority is formed that is yet to come through to end election to be held by next year. During the period of thirty years, there has no such change from industrial and economic point of view. The entire budget would be into the pockets of local authorities which never materialised.
Educational Setting
7.1 Background
Parbat district has had been forefront about educational environment. Once it was the great centre of learning particularly, Sanskrit and Astrology. One should not go with a purpose to defeat to pang was the common saying of people around Dhaulagri zone and in neighbouring districts. From Gulmi, Syangja, Kaski, Lamjung, Arghakhanchi, Baglung and Myagdi, students of Astrology used to visit this place and after six to seven years of learning, would return to their respective places. Major learning centres mentioned above was at proper Pang half of, which still lies in Khurkot village development committee. From about one thousand years people of this village have earned their names throughout the world. Late Ramakanta Rijal, the renowned Astrologist, was famous all over the Nepal. Still, there are three/four astrologers, who are known in India and Nepal both. In fact, before 2024, there was no degree system in education properly in this village. According to government educational survey conducted in 2038 the literacy rate of Parbat district alone was 34.5% percent which was higher than the total literacy rate of Nepal. Presently, out of 4425 total population of this village 2859 people are literate in which males and females include which is 38.5% for males and 26.06% percent for females. First of all Shree Himalaya Primary School was established in 2024 at Pang, Bagaincha. Then, the number of schools increased years after years. By the implementation of new education increased. But at the sametime it’s quality decreased. Moreover, there came the flood of new and new schools. In 2031 Kalika Lower Secondary School was established at ward no. 6 Chhip-Chhipe. Then, in the subsequent years Ganeshwor Primary School (2040) at ward no.8, Chandika Primary School (2047) at ward NO. 9. Similarly, Kamdhenu Primary School was founded at Lampata in 2046. Again, Suryodaya Primary School was established at ward no. 4, around 2045/47. Thus, by now there are 6 primary schools and a lower-secondary school is well as one high school. Following table shows the over-all educational institutes of this village.
Description of Schools
Date of Name of the school Place
Established
2024 Himalaya Secondary School at ward no. 2
(It was opened as Primary School in 2024)
2031 Kalika Lower Secondary school ward No. 6
2040 Ganeswor Primary School ward No. 7
2046 Kamdhenu Primary School ward No. 5
2046 Suryodaya Primary School ward No. 4
2047 Chandika Primary School ward No. 9
Source - school office.
The above table shows that, there are no primary schools in ward no. 1, 3, and 8 respectively. In all these schools 1254 male and female students are studying presently.
Table 16
Students According to sex and schools
S.No. Name of the school Students
Male Female Total
1. Shri Himalaya Secondary School 452 194 646
2. Shri Chandika Primary School 15 23 38
3. Shri Suryodaya Primary School 35 48 83
4. Shri Ganeswor Primary School 93 61 154
5. Shri Kalika Lower-Secondary School 156 115 271
6. Shri Kamdhenu Primary School 25 37 62
676 578 1254
Source: Field survey.
Shri Himalaya secondary school in the serial 1, is the largest one situated at Pang, Bagaincha and built in 2024. Kalika lower-secondary school gains the second position regarding the number of students. It was built in 2031. Thirdly, Ganeswor Primary School has the great number of students. Then, the Suryodaya Primary school and Chandika Primary as well as Kamdhenu Primary schools respectively with a brief description of different schools in accordance with their respective grades are given below.
Table - 17
Shri Himalaya Secondary School
Students according to their grades
2045/046 2046/047 2047/048
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
1. 75 42 117 49 31 80 39 16 55
2. 18 20 28 19 10 29 20 11 31
3. 25 12 37 27 13 40 30 15 45
4. 22 17 39 24 19 43 28 21 49
5. 21 9 30 22 10 32 25 12 37
6. 48 12 60 50 15 65 53 20 73
7. 70 30 100 72 35 107 72 35 107
8. 65 18 83 68 19 87 71 24 95
9. 58 18 76 60 20 80 61 21 82
10. 42 12 54 47 14 61 53 19 72
44 180 534 448 186 594 452 194 646
Source: Field survey.
Above chart demonstrates that the number of female students in all the grades is quite less than the males during the period of 2045/046, 2046/047 and 2047/048 respectively. Another notable aspect is of student’s admission., i.e., the description of students including both sexes in grade 1 from 2045 onward 2048. Perhaps, it is because of the other fresh primary schools in other wards. On the other hand, with the increase of population, the number of pupils, in other grades in the subsequent years seems to be increasing. Since 2045 upto 2048, pupils in all grades were 534, 594 and 646 altogether.
Contd. in next issue
