Lamahi Municipality

Lamahi Municipality is located in Dang district, in the middle part of Deukhuri Valley. Its municipal center is Lamahi Bazaar, about 24 kilometers from the district headquarters, Ghorahi. The municipality was initially declared on 16 Mangsir 2071 BS by including the former Sonpur and Chailahi VDCs. After the formation of local levels, its area was expanded through the Government of Nepal’s decision on 22 Fagun 2073 BS, with the former Satbariya VDC included in the municipality.

Lamahi Municipality is one of the 10 municipalities in Dang District of Lumbini Province. As per the 2078 BS census, the municipality has a total population of 59,050, comprising 28,501 males and 30,549 females, with a literacy rate of 80.88%.

Quick Highlights

Formation and Administrative Context

Lamahi Municipality (लमही नगरपालिका) was first declared by incorporating the former Sonpur and Chailahi VDCs. After the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 BS came into effect and local levels were formed, the municipality was expanded by including the former Satbariya VDC.

Under the new structure, Lamahi Municipality has 9 wards. Its center is Lamahi Bazaar, located in the central part of Deukhuri Valley. The municipality lies about 24 kilometers from Ghorahi, the district headquarters of Dang.

Location and Boundaries

Lamahi Municipality lies between 27.54 degrees 25" to 28.03 degrees 51" north latitude and 82.15 degrees 20" to 82.35 degrees 16" east longitude. Its elevation ranges from 204 meters to 546 meters above sea level.

The East-West Highway passes almost through the middle of the municipality. Raptī Rural Municipality lies to the east, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City and Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City lie to the north, Rajpur Rural Municipality and Banke district lie to the west, and Rajpur and Gadhawa Rural Municipality lie to the south.

Population and Settlement Pattern

As per the 2078 BS census, Lamahi Municipality has a total population of 59,050, comprising 28,501 males and 30,549 females.

There are about 90 major settlements across the municipality’s 9 wards. Dense settlements are located around the highway, while other settlements are spread across different areas. The settlements extend from the Chure hill region to the Bhabar area of the Terai.

Climate, Land, and Agriculture

Most land in Lamahi Municipality is flat, and the area has a hot climate. The average maximum temperature is recorded at 42 degrees Celsius, while the average minimum temperature is 2 degrees Celsius. Annual average rainfall is recorded at 1,540 mm.

Irrigation canals have been constructed from the Rapti River and Arjun Khola. Agriculture is the main occupation of most residents. Paddy, maize, wheat, mustard, and lentils are the main crops. Vegetable farming is also carried out within the municipality, with crops such as potato, onion, tomato, garlic, eggplant, beans, long beans, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, and pointed gourd grown in the area.

Religious and Cultural Sites

Lamahi Municipality has several religious and cultural sites. People gather at these places during festivals such as Shivaratri, Dashain, Maghe Sankranti, Chaite Dashain, and Teej.

Rihar Temple is identified as a main cultural heritage site of the municipality. Other sites include Shiva Temple at Badharadanda, Shiva Temple at Siwai Khola, Narayaneshwar Temple at Narayanpur, Swargadwari Ashram at Majhgaun, Mita Sthan at Bhelahi, Tumtum Bhawani at Khairi, Goraksha Ratnanath Temple at Deupur, Ashrapurna Mahadev Temple at Lamahi, and Jakhera Lake with Shiva Temple at Lamahi-3.

Roads and Physical Infrastructure

The East-West Highway passes almost through the middle of Lamahi Municipality. Infrastructure around the highway area is described as satisfactory, while rural and hilly settlements face weaker road conditions due to limited repair and maintenance.

Some roads around the highway have been blacktopped, but most roads remain earthen. The municipality has 3 suspension bridges of 150 meters each, 28 ordinary wooden bridges across the wards, and 30 permanent bridges along the highway area from Arjun Khola to Amiliya.

A total of 58 kilometers of the East-West Mahendra Highway lies within Lamahi Municipality. Apart from that, there are 7 kilometers of blacktopped road, making a total of 65 kilometers of road length.

Natural Resources and Forests

Lamahi Municipality is surrounded by the eastern and Chure ranges. Forest areas are found in the municipality and include community forests, government forests, and religious forests.

The forests contain plants and wildlife and serve as sources of grass, firewood, and timber. Timber species found in the area include sal, saj, sisau, khair, jamun, and roini. Non-timber forest products, medicinal herbs, and fruits are also found in the forest areas.

Economy, Industries, and Occupations

Most residents of Lamahi Municipality depend on agriculture. In irrigated areas, farming is a source of income, while residents in hilly and remote rural settlements continue to depend on subsistence farming.

Farmers are also associated with animal husbandry and forest products. Trade and business are seen in market areas and around the highway. Small and cottage industries include mineral water industries, poultry industries, soap industries, and furniture industries.

A cement industry is under construction in the former Satbariya VDC. Small industries and businesses are registered in the municipal service area, while the records also indicate inconsistency because some industries are registered elsewhere or operate informally.

Government Offices and Public Presence

All three levels of government bodies are present in Lamahi Municipality. Government offices, army and police units, and offices of projects and programs are located in the municipal area.

Lamahi Bazaar has an Area Administration Office. Offices related to agriculture, livestock, postal service, forest, irrigation, telecommunications, electricity, health, and disaster control are also located in the municipality. Security presence includes the Nepali Army Taradal Battalion at Arjun Khola in Ward No. 5, the Armed Border Security Force at Arjun Khola, an Area Police Office in Amiliya, ward police offices, and temporary police posts.

An agricultural produce collection center has been constructed in Lamahi Bazaar for the collection and sale of agricultural products.

Education

Lamahi Municipality has campuses, higher secondary schools, and schools of different levels. Deukhuri Campus is located at Ratodanda in Ward No. 7. It offers bachelor-level subjects in humanities, education, and management, and education at the master’s level.

A local campus has also been established in Lamahi Bazaar of Ward No. 7. It offers education in the management faculty. The municipality also has secondary, lower secondary, primary, and pre-primary schools. Both community and institutional schools provide educational services.

A madrasa school operates in Lamahi for children of the Islamic community. A housewives’ women’s school also operates in Lamahi Bazaar.

Schools in Lamahi Municipality

Colleges and Technical Institutions in Lamahi Municipality

Institution Statistics in Lamahi Municipality

School Level Distribution in Lamahi Municipality

Note: Secondary schools count includes +2 schools.

School Stats in Lamahi Municipality