The Kanda village of the hitherto Talkot Rural Municipality in Bajhang district has been granted a separate rural municipality status after a nearly eight months long protest. Following the government’s approval, a recent village council meeting decided to name the new rural municipality Saipal, which is the namesake of Mt Saipal—the highest peak in the district. 

“Mt Saipal is one of the jewels of this region. It is a matter of pride for us to name our rural municipality in honour of the mountain0,” said Chairman Rajendra Dhami of the new rural municipality. 

Chief Administrative Officer Radha Krishna Joshi said Saipal Rural Municipality could generate income by promoting tourism. Saipal Rural Municipality has the largest area of all rural municipalities in the country, covering an area of 1,467 sq km. The area is abundant in mineral resources like quartz, limestone and iron. The population of the rural municipality is 2, 182.