Morang, spread across the Terai region of Koshi Province, is a geographically diverse region connected to the Chure region to the northeast. Morang is known as the second largest district in Nepal in terms of industrial development and population.

The naming of Morang and its headquarters Biratnagar, located in the eastern Terai of Nepal, which is multi-ethnic and multilingual, is believed to be related to ancient times.

It is believed that the name ‘Morang’ was corrupted from the word ‘Mavarang’. As mentioned in historical documents, there was once a grand palace of King Birat in this place. In the medieval period, this area developed into the largest kingdom of Limbuwan. The last king here was Buddhikarna Rai Khewang.

A study of the Changunarayan inscription engraved in 521 BS confirms the fact that Kirati kings ruled the Kathmandu Valley in the centuries before Christ. Later, the Kiratis were defeated by the Lichchhavi and moved east of the Koshi River. On this basis, it is believed that the Kirati kings made the area around the Koshi River their domain in the first century before Christ.  During the reign of the state, there is a mention of a Yakthunghang king named 'Marohang' ruling here.

In 1830 BS, Prithvi Narayan Shah sent an army led by Abhiman Singh Basnet, Ram Krishna Kunwar and Amar Singh Thapa to conquer the Pallo Kirat (Limbuwan) in the eastern region. In that process, Morang, which had the Vijayapur district headquarters under Limbuwan, was captured and merged with the then Kingdom of Nepal. For a long time, Vijayapur remained the district headquarters of Morang.

Historical documents mention that the district headquarters was shifted from Vijayapur to Rangeli in order to ensure easy and close access to India for trade. In 1971 BS, the district headquarters of Morang was shifted from Rangeli to Gograha for convenience. Later, Gograha was named 'Biratnagar' by linking it with the name of King Birat. Gograh is a word from the Rajbanshi language. It can be assumed that the Koch (Rajbanshi) ruled here after the Kirats.

Biratnagar Jute Mill and Juddha Match Factory, which were established as the first industries in Nepal in terms of industrial development, also came into operation in Morang.

Before the administrative division of 2018 BS, Morang was a large district when there were 35 districts in Nepal. Later, this area was divided and the present Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa districts were formed.
Morang has a total area of ​​1,855 square kilometers. It is bordered by Jhapa to the east, Ilam to the northeast, Dhankuta and Panchthar to the north, Sunsari to the west and the Indian state of Bihar to the south.

Morang's geographical structure, which extends from about 60 meters to 2,410 meters above sea level, is rectangular in shape. Some of its land falls in the Mahabharata and Chure mountain ranges, while about 80 percent of its area is located in the Terai region. The climate here does not experience much fluctuation. However, there is a problem of excessive heat in summer and excessive cold waves in winter.

According to the National Census 2078, the total population of Morang is 1,148,156. Of these, 557,512 are males and 590,644 are females. Morang has one metropolis. There are 9 municipalities. There are 6 rural municipalities. It has long been known as the economic engine of eastern Nepal due to its fertile land, industry, commercial activities, and service sectors. Morang has undergone rapid urbanization, especially with the expansion of Biratnagar metropolis. However, along with these indicators of development, serious challenges such as economic instability, industrial crisis, unemployment, flooding and migration have also been seen in parallel.

Morang is considered very suitable from the point of view of agricultural production. Sandy loam and loam are found in the northern hilly region, loam and light silty soil in the central region (Bhawar region), and silty sandy loam and loam in the southern region (Terai region).

According to the Agricultural Knowledge Center Morang, the main occupation of most of the citizens here is agriculture. Paddy, corn, wheat, lentils, mustard and various types of vegetables are the main agricultural products here. However, in recent years, dependence on industry, trade and service sectors has increased over agriculture.

Agriculture is still the basic economy of the district. However, the cost of production for farmers is increasing day by day. Fertilizer, seed, irrigation and labor costs are high, while market prices are unstable. Ramdev Sah, a farmer from Katahari, says, ‘The price of rice is not as expected, and the cost of selling is not recovered.’ The imbalance between production and market management has frustrated farmers. This has increased the debt burden and increased the attraction towards foreign employment.

According to the Morang Industry and Trade Association, more than five hundred industries, both small and large, are operating in the district. According to the association’s president, Anupam Rathi, these industries have provided employment to thousands of people. According to local industrialists and businessmen, this has also reduced the migration towards foreign employment to some extent.

According to Mahesh Jaju, founder of Asian Thai Food, dozens of domestic industries are providing employment to hundreds of youth, which has helped reduce migration abroad.

However, the situation is changing now. Many industries in Biratnagar, once known as the 'industrial capital', have closed down or are operating below capacity. This has had a direct impact on employment. Suresh Yadav, a former industrial worker from Budhiganga Rural Municipality, says, 'After the factories closed, employment has been lost.' He was working in a plywood factory.

Not only local workers have lost their jobs due to the closure of the industry, but also the income of families dependent on it has decreased. The failure to modernize some industries, the cost of energy and raw materials, policy instability and market competition are considered to be the reasons for this crisis. With the expansion of Biratnagar metropolis, the surrounding villages are turning into semi-cities. Farms in rural areas are being converted into plots.

Two universities are operating in Morang, namely Purbanchal University and Manmohan Technical University. Similarly, two medical colleges including Novel Medical College and Birat Teaching Hospital are also operating here.

According to the District Coordination Unit, Morang, there are 695 schools, both government and private, operating in the district. In addition, 30 higher secondary schools, 13 campuses, 1 university and 10 technical and vocational schools are operating.

With the expansion of private schools, private hospitals and banking services, consumerism is on the rise. Dependence on private education and health services is increasing. Social prestige is also being measured by studying in private schools and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle. Along with this, the burden of expenses is also increasing. This trend of increasing expenses compared to income has put more financial pressure on middle-class and lower-class families.

Access to social security benefits, health insurance and scholarship programs is expanding in Morang. Elderly, disabled people and single women have received relief from social security allowance. Scholarships have helped Dalit, Muslim and underprivileged children to attend school. The school dropout rate has decreased to some extent. According to Santosh Pokharel, principal of Biratnagar's old and model Adarsh ​​School, school dropout rates have decreased in this area.

Biratnagar has become a hub for the health sector. There are dozens of small and large hospitals and two medical colleges. However, services in rural areas are still limited. Despite the implementation of the health insurance program, service recipients are experiencing difficulties. Nurjahan Khatun of Biratnagar Metropolitan 3 says, "We have insurance, but we are frustrated by having to buy medicines from outside."

Problems such as the complicated insurance process, shortage of doctors and poor supply of medicines have reduced the effectiveness of the program. However, the fact that the social security scheme has provided some relief in daily expenses cannot be denied. Dilip Yadav, head of the health department of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, says that efforts are being made to expand the service. Yadav says, “We are trying to expand the service.”

Although the road network expansion work is underway in Morang, the quality and management seem challenging. About five kilometers of road from Jahada to the Biratnagar Metropolitan City entry point are under construction under the Postal Highway. The East-West Highway is also being expanded. The industrial area and city-facing roads are in relatively good condition.

However, rural roads, drinking water and sewage management are weak. In some places in Biratnagar, it is seen that drains are being constructed for sewage even after blacktop construction. Especially in the Biratnagar Metropolitan City, the problem of flooding recurs every year during the rainy season. Local Tanka Khatiwada says that flooding occurs every year because the metropolis does not come up with a long-term plan. During the rainy season, waterlogging affects vehicle movement on the Biratnagar-Katahari road section. In winter, dust annoys local residents.

Incomplete roads, delayed contracts, poor construction quality and lack of monitoring have increased distrust in infrastructure development. Despite widespread access to electricity, the tripping problem has affected industries and households. ‘This has increased time and expenses,’ says Rampreet Rishidev, a local of Biratnagar 19, ‘It has increased health risks and created obstacles in business.’

Morang, which has become a center of migration from the hills for decades, has not stopped. The number of families who migrated here from the hilly districts of Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Khotang and others is significant. Especially during the armed conflict, the migration from those hilly districts to Morang, especially Biratnagar, has increased rapidly. Migration is still happening . However, the trend has changed . The trend of going from villages to cities, from cities to foreign countries is increasing .

Youth power is migrating to Australia, America, Canada and European countries . Youth has stopped appearing in villages, settlements and cities . In many homes, there are only old people and children . The trend of barren fields is increasing . Lack of permanent employment, search for quality education and health services, lack of industrial opportunities are the main reasons for migration . Its impact is seen in the decrease in agricultural production, weakness in family structure and social life of the village . 

Amit Thakur of Sunvarshi Municipality is running a small salon shop after returning from Malaysia .  However, he is struggling to pay the rent of that shop . He says, ‘I thought of doing something in my country, but it is difficult to work here.’ According to him, when a small loan is available from the government to start a small business, the compulsion to go abroad will be removed.

Although the process of getting services in Morang seems clear on paper, there is a delay in practice. The process of getting work done on the basis of recommendations is also the same. Complaints are heard from the general public that files are blocked, information is not clear, and the process is long. Sabina Begam, a service recipient from Ratuwamai Municipality, says, ‘Despite the completion of the papers, the work was delayed.’

The bitter experience of the general public seems to have reduced public trust. Disappointment among the local people towards government agencies has increased dramatically. ‘Development efforts have also come under criticism due to lack of transparency and accountability,’ says Tika Khatiwada, a local leader of Gramthan Rural Municipality. ‘It is evident that the people want the next government to not do that.’

Morang is in a transition phase today. On one hand, there is industrial heritage, fertile agricultural land, business potential and expansion of the service sector. On the other hand, there are issues of industrial crisis, unemployment, flooding, migration and good governance.
Employment creation becomes the main agenda in every election. Industrial rehabilitation and modernization, agricultural modernization, market management reform, flood control and transparent administration can be the basis for long-term solutions.