Rokana

Rokana is a small town situated in the western part of Nepal within the Dhaulagiri District of the Gandaki Province. The town sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 metres above sea level and is surrounded by terraced fields and modest forested slopes that are part of the Himalayan foothills. It lies roughly 35 kilometres north of the district centre, Ghalechobcha, and is connected by a single-lane paved road that is occasionally gravelised during monsoon season to accommodate local traffic.

According to the 2011 Nepal census, Rokana had a population of about 3,500 residents, a figure that rose slightly to an estimated 3,800 by 2020 based on municipal development projections. The population is predominantly of the Gurung ethnic group, with minority communities of Kami, Magar and Hill Brahmin. The primary livelihood of the inhabitants is subsistence agriculture, focusing on staple crops such as millet, maize and potatoes, as well as horticultural produce like apples and oranges that are marketed in nearby markets. In recent years, the emergence of eco-tourism has contributed to the local economy, with several homestays and trekking guides operating throughout the year.

The town has a basic education infrastructure that includes one primary school and a secondary school that serves surrounding villages. Health services are provided by a community health post, while more comprehensive medical care can be accessed in Ghalechobcha. Public utilities such as electricity and potable water are supplied by the provincial grid; however, intermittent power outages remain a challenge during the winter months when snow blocks sections of the road. Rokana continues to develop its infrastructure and community services while preserving its traditional Gurung culture, marked by a calendar of local festivals and traditional music that celebrate the harvest and monsoon season.