Lalbandi, Sarlahi District, South Eastern Nepal.

Lalbandi Municipality लालबन्दी नगरपालिका लालबन्दी
Municipality
Nickname:  लालबन्दी
Lalbandi Municipality Location in Nepal
Coordinates: 27°4′14″N 85°39′12″E / 27.07056°N 85.65333°E / 27.07056; 85.65333
Country	Nepal
Province	Madhesh Province
District	Sarlahi
Zone	Janakpur Zone (until 2015)
Development Region	Central Development Region (until 2015)
Government
• Mayor	Basudev Adhikari (Congress)
• Deputy Mayor	Kalpana Maya Pakhrin (Congress)
Area
• Total	238.50 km2 (92.09 sq mi)
Population  (2021[1])
• Total	66,419
• Density	280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+05:45 (NPT)
Area code	046
Website	http://www.lalbandimun.gov.np/en

Lalbandi (Nepali: लालबन्दी) is a municipality in Sarlahi district in Madhesh Province of Nepal. The municipality was established on 18 May 2014 by merging the existing Parwanipur VDC, Netragunj VDC, Jabdi, Lalbandi and Pattharkot VDCs. At the time of the 2021 Nepal Census, it had a population of 66,419 living in 14,873 individual households.^[1] There are 17 wards in this municipality. It is the largest municipality in Sarlahi district. The office of this municipality is in ward no.6 Located in Lalbandi. Lalbandi Bazar, located on the East West or Mahendra highway, is one of the main trading areas within the municipality. Bordering Ishwarpur Municipality to the east and south, Haripur Municipality to the west and south, Sindhuli district to the north and Hariwan to the west, Lalbandi is the main trading site of the district.

Due to increasing urbanization, increased business activity, this municipality is becoming a center of attraction in the district and is developing as the largest municipality in the district.

The whole municipality is moving forward unitedly for the prosperity and development of this municipality by embracing the original slogan, "Clean, beautiful and prosperous city, Pride of Sarlahi District."^[2] The municipality is committed to the economic and social upliftment of women, indigenous nationalities, Dalits, the disabled within the municipal area.

The place is famous for tomato production in whole Nepal. Tomato and other green vegetables are the chief cash crop of this place along with paddy, wheat, maize and other crops. It is the fast developing Municipality in Mid Terai region of Nepal. Bhudeo Khadya Udhyog (Hulas Foods), a subsidiary of Hulas Group is located here which is one of the biggest rice, pulse and flour manufacturing and packaging industry in Nepal.^[3]

Natural Resource

Lalbandi Municipality is broadly divided into Chure region, Bhabar region and Terai Region. The municipality is situated in subtropical monsoon climatic region so, subtropical vegetation preveals in the region. Sal Forest (Shorea robusta) is dominant forest. Other trees found in the municipality are khayer, Sissou (Dalbergia sissoo), Karma, Kumni, Harro, Barro, Sindure, Tantari, Sanisal, Simal (Bombax ceiba), Bhurkul, Dabdabe, etc. The faunal species found in the region are tiger, leopard, bear, elephant, wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee), wild boar, deer, chital, etc. Peacock, Hornbill, kalij, Luiche, etc. are the bird found in the region. Deforestation, population increment are major cause for destruction of habitat of wildlife. Lakhandehi River flows through this municipality.

Climate

Harion region has subtropical monsoon type of climate. With the reference to Climatic Station of Janakpur, the average maximum temperature of the municipality is 31 °C with record of the highest temperature 42 °C while the average minimum temperature of 20 °C with record of the minimum temperature 4 °C. About 80% of rainfall occurs in monsoon season (July–September) with average rainfall of 1699.6 mm.

Population Status

With reference to population and housing census 2011, about 59,395 people^[2] are residing in Lalbandi Municipality living in 3,295 individual households.

Education

Community school Janajyoti Multiple campus that can be studied up to postgraduate level, 3 year Diploma Computer Overseas Course in CTEVT and Janjyoti Technical School, which taught 15 months sub-overseas Course. There are 40 community schools in this Municipality.

Source of Drinking water

Most of household use tubewell/handpump for drinking water while northern people of this municipality use drinking water from uncovered well/kuwa. In some area of this municipality, people use tap/piped water. Some people use drinking water from river/stream as well. Sprout water, covered well/kuwa, etc. are the other source of drinking water.

Use of Energy

People of Lalbandi Municipality mainly depend upon traditional fuel type for cooking. About minimum percentage of people depend on LP gas for cooking. Biogas is also used for cooking fuel. Other cooking fuel are kerosene, electricity, santhi/Guitha and the others. People of Lalbandi mainly depend on electricity, kerosene, biogas, solar energy for lighting purpose.

Industries/Agriculture

The place is famous for tomato production in whole Nepal. Tomato and other green vegetables are the chief cash crop of this place along with paddy, wheat, maize and other crops. It is the fast developing VDCs in Mid Terai region of Nepal. Bhudeo Khadya Udhyog (Hulas Foods), a subsidiary of Hulas Group is located here which is one of the biggest rice, pulse and flour manufacturing and packaging industry in Nepal.^[3]

Service

Lalbandi has a permanent market area which houses shops for Garment, Hardware, Cosmetics, Departmental Stores, DVD rentals, Travel agencies, Grocery shops, Hospital, Cooperative Finance companies, a couple of major banks and their ATMs. One can also use internet facilities in the market area. There is a biweekly market that is set up every Monday and Thursday. These are the days when most people from the surrounding areas come for the weekly shopping of groceries. With each passing day the number of shops in the market are growing along with the quality and variety of products that they offer.

Media

There are two FM radio stations in Lalbandi Municipality i.e. Radio Ekata 92.4 MHz.^[4] and Dhukdhuki FM 95.2 MHz.^[5] Radio Ekata is Community radio Station and other Dhukdhuki FM is private radio station.

Medical Facility

In the area of health care, 15 beds government hospital, 100 beds community cooperative hospital and community eye treatment center under construction and health care operated by various associations are available in this municipality.^[2][6]

Temple and River

The temple of Lord Shiva and the river is famous in nearby areas. People come here from surrounding areas in Maha Shivaratri, Bala Chaturdashi, Saune Sombar Chhath and other festivals.

Transport

The most important National Highway in Nepal passes through Lalbandi, the EastWest Highway. Due to this most long route buses plying to major hubs in the country like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj pass through Lalbandi and so one can easily catch a bus to all the major parts of the country from Lalbandi. For local transportation, tempos and Tata ace are popularly used. Nearest airport is the Simara Airport which is approximately 70 km. One can get flights to major destination in Nepal from this airport.

References

External links

• UN map of the municipalities of Sarlahi District