Karnali Province Cluster

Karnali Province is located in the northwestern part of Nepal, bordering China in the north. It is Nepal’s largest and least developed province with remote districts. Despite poverty and infrastructural challenges, it is rich in natural beauty, biodoversity and cultural heritage.

Working districts in Karnali Province:

Mugu District

Rukum East District

Surkhet District

MUGU

At A Glance

UMN started working here in

1999

Working Areas

 Mugum Karmarong  (Population: 6,222)

Soru Rural Municipalities (Population: 14,277)

Local Partner Organisations

Gramin Samudaik Sanstha (GSS)

Karani Community Development Centre (KCDC)

RUKUM EAST

At A Glance

UMN started working here in

2006

Working Areas

Bhume (Population: 19,829)

Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality (Population: 18,308)

Local Partner Organisations

Nepal Magar Society Service and Information Center

Nepal Public Awakening Forum

SURKHET

At A Glance

UMN started working here in

2026

Working Areas

Birendranagar Municipality (Population: 153,863)

Panchapuri Municipality (Population: 35,839)

Barahatal Rural Municipality (Population: 25,943)

Chaukune Rural Municipality (Population: 26,950)

Local Partner Organisation

Interdependent Society Surkhet

Key Issues

Poverty and unsustainable livelihoods.
Limited access to quality education, ineffective school governance and teacher-student absenteeism.
Perpetuation of harmful traditional practices, including early marriage, gender-based discrimination and drug and substance abuse among youths.
Inadequate healthcare services and facilities, poor WASH practices, low levels of governance.
Vulnerability to climate change and loss of biodiversity.