The Bagmati Zone (Nepali: बागमती अञ्चल) was one of the fourteen administrative zones of Nepal, located in the Central Development Region. Its administrative headquarters was Kathmandu, which also serves as the national capital of Nepal. The zone was named after the Bagmati River, a sacred river in Hinduism and Buddhism that flows through the Kathmandu Valley.
Geography and Demographics Bagmati Zone covered a diverse geographical area, ranging from the fertile plains of the Kathmandu Valley to the high Himalayan peaks, including parts of the Langtang mountain range. It was one of the most densely populated and economically significant zones in Nepal, serving as the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country.
Administrative Structure At the time of its dissolution, Bagmati Zone was composed of eight districts:
- Bhaktapur District
- Dhading District
- Kathmandu District
- Kavrepalanchok District
- Lalitpur District
- Nuwakot District
- Rasuwa District
- Sindhupalchok District
History and Significance The Bagmati Zone held immense historical and cultural significance, containing the ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan (Lalitpur), and Bhaktapur, which are rich in Newari culture, art, and architecture. It was home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.
The administrative structure of zones and development regions in Nepal was abolished on September 20, 2015, with the adoption of a new constitution that established a federal system of provinces. The territory formerly encompassed by Bagmati Zone is now largely integrated into Bagmati Province, one of the seven federal provinces of Nepal.