# Municipalities of Nepal

A municipality (Nepali: नगरपालिका) in Nepal is an administrative division in the Provinces of Nepal. The urban population of Nepal refers to the inhabitants residing in the designated municipal area. Population size has been taken as the principal criteria in the declaration of urban areas in Nepal since 1961. Municipalities can therefore also include rural areas. It functions as a sub-unit of a district. Nepal currently has 293 municipalities, which given the 2011 population estimate of 16,656,057.
The municipalities are categorised into three categories: Metropolitan municipality (500,000+ population), Sub-metropolitan municipality (200,000+ population) and Municipality (10,000+ population). There are 6 metropolitan municipality, 11 sub-metropolitan municipality and 276 municipality.

## History

The first urban center in Nepal took place in Kathmandu Valley. The historical evidences on the existence of towns in the Kathmandu Valley are found during Licchavi period. At the same time, three major towns with urban characteristics had been developed in the Kathmandu Valley. During the Rana period, towns in the hills were also as hill stations for the purpose of administration and as an outpost against invaders. Towns like Dhankuta in East Nepal, Palpa in Central Nepal and Doti in West Nepal were initially developed as cantonments. Urban areas in the Terai developed because of trade between Nepal and British India. The British had laid railway lines at the border of Nepal for the purpose of trade which gradually increased urban centers in the Terai. Although urban areas developed during Rana period or before it were not officially recorded. Kathmandu was given the status of municipality in 1930 but was only gazetted in 1953. Dharan was established in 1958 as a fourth municipality of the country

## Structure and responsibilities

As defined by Part 17 of the Constitution of Nepal, the municipalities are governed by a Municipal Executive headed by a mayor. The Municipal Executive consists of the deputy mayor, ward chairpersons elected from each ward in the municipality, and five women members elected by the Municipal Assembly among themselves and three members from the Dalit or other minority communities. Part 18 of the Constitution of Nepal states that the Municipal Assembly hold all legislative powers of the municipality. It consists of the mayor, deputy mayor, ward chairpersons and four ward members elected from each of the wards in the municipality out of which at least two must be a woman. All members of the Dalit or minority communities that was elected to the Municipal Executive must be the members of the Municipal Assembly of the municipality for representing those communities. Part 17 also includes provisions for a Judicial Committee which is headed by the deputy mayor and consists of two other members elected by the Municipal Assembly among themselves. Schedule 8 and Schedule 9 of the constitution deals with powers that the local executive can execute either on its own or concurrently with the federal and the provincial governments.

## Classification
### Metropolitan Municipality

According to the Local Government Operation Act 2017 a metropolitan municipality must have following criteria to get the status of Metropolitan Municipality:
* Population: 500,000+
* Annual Income (in NPR): 1,00,00,00,000+
* Infrastructures: Educational institute up to the higher level, medical services, hospitals, transportation facilities, metalled road, communication services, Museum, stadium, assembly hall and exhibition area of international standard. Sufficient recreation places for children and elderly people, Basic water supply and sanitation services. Garbage treatment and management system, Shopping mall, vegetable and fruit market, hotels of international standards. Urban greenery and scenic beauty, etc. as prescribed by government.

### Sub-metropolitan Municipality

A sub-metropolitan municipality must have to fulfill following criteria:
* Population: 200,000+
* Annual Income (in NPR): 25,000,000+
* Infrastructures: higher-level education, medical services, hospitals, transportation facilities, metalled road, basic communication services, Public garden, assembly hall, stadium, gym hall and covered hall of national standard, Basic water supply and sanitation services. Garbage treatment and management system, Market place, animal slaughter houses, human corpses disposal place. Hotel, motel and resorts of tourism standards. Disable friendly and physically accessible infrastructures.

## List of Municipalities by the date of establishment
### 1953 to 1997

There were 58 traditional municipalities which were established from 1953 to 1997. (Below given population are prior to reconstruction in 2017. In 2017, more area and population added to given municipality.)
* YearMunicipalityPopulation (2011) 1953Kathmandu975,453 1953Bhaktapur81,748 1953Lalitpur220,802 1953Birgunj135,904 1953Biratnagar201,125 1953Bhadrapur18,164 1957Tansen29,095 1959Rajbiraj37,738 1959Butwal118,462 1958Dharan133,082 1962Ilam18,633 1962Janakpur97,776 1962Nepalganj72,503 1962Pokhara255,465 1967Siddharthanagar63,483 1969Hetauda135,745 1976Birendranagar85,138 1976Dhangadhi101,970 1976Lahan33,653 1977Bheemdatta104,599 1978Bharatpur143,836 1978Dhankuta26,440 1978Ghorahi62,928 1982Banepa24,764 1982Damak75,102 1982Jaleshwar23,533 1982Kalaiya42,826 1982Dipayal Silgadhi23,416 1982Kapilvastu* (renamed as Taulihawa)30,428
* YearMunicipalityPopulation (2011) 1986Bidur26,750 1986Dhulikhel14,283 1986Inaruwa28,454 1986Malangwa25,102 1992Gaur34,937 1992Tulsipur51,537 1992Vyas42,899 1997Amargadhi21,245 1997Baglung29,360 1997Bhimeshwar22,537 1997Dasharathchand16,791 1997Gorkha (Prithvinarayan)32,473 1997Gulariya55,747 1997Itahari74,501 1997Kamalamai39,413 1997Khandbari26,301 1997Kirtipur65,602 1997Lekhnath* (merged with Pokhara later)58,816 1997Madhyapur Thimi83,036 1997Mechinagar57,545 1997Narayan21,110 1997Panauti27,358 1997Putalibazar30,704 1997Ramgram25,990 1997Ratnanagar46,367 1997Siraha28,442 1997Tikapur56,127 1997Triyuga70,000 1997Waling24,006

### 2014

Total 133 municipalities were established in 2014 in two segments but on 10 March 2017 reconstructed local level body and brought changing in some of municipalities. Some municipality completely disestablished (declined)
* 72 municipalities were established in 18 May 2014
* Taplejung (renamed as Phungling)
* Phidim
* Urlabari
* Myanglung
* Bhojpur
* Diktel (renamed as Rupakot Majhuwagadhi)
* Katari
* Sambhunath
* Kanchanrup
* Mirchaiya
* Suryodaya
* Shaniarjun (renamed as Arjundhara)
* Kankai
* Chainpur
* Belbari
* Pathari Shanishchare
* Sundar Dulari Declined
* Koshi Haraichha Declined
* Rangeli
* Duhabi Bhaluwa ("Bhaluwa" removed later)
* Siddhicharan
* Beltar Basaha (renamed as Chaudandigadhi
* Birtamod
* Hariwan
* Chandrapur
* Gadhimai Declined
* Chautara (Chautara Sangachokgadhi)
* Panchkhal
* Nilkantha
* Dhanushadham
* Chhireshwarnath
* Gaushala
* Lalbandi
* Ishwarpur
* Thaha
* Nijgadh
* Khairahani
* Chitrawan Declined
* Shuklagandaki
* Bandipur
* Kushma
* Resunga
* Sandhikharka
* Sunwal
* Besisahar
* Gaindakot
* Chapakot
* Rampur
* Kawasoti
* Devachuli
* Bardaghat
* Sainamaina
* Beni
* Lumbini Sanskritik
* Dev Daha
* Tilottama
* Krishnanagar
* Shivaraj
* Kohalpur
* Shaarada
* Mangalsen
* Sanfebagar
* Rajapur
* Pyuthan
* Dullu
* Chandan Nath
* Jayaprithvi
* Lamkichuha
* Attariya (renamed as Godawari)
* Api (renamed as Mahakali)
* Punarbas
* Belauri
* 61 new Municipalities were established on 2 December 2014.
* Gokarneshwor
* Dakshinkali
* Tarakeshwor
* Shankharapur
* Chandragiri
* Kageshwori
* Tokha
* Nagarjun
* Budhanilkantha
* Anantalineshowr Declined
* Karyabinayak Declined
* Godawari
* Changunarayan
* Maha Manjushree Nagarkot Declined
* Patan
* Deumai
* Shivasatakshi
* Letang (renamed as Letang)
* Ramdhuni-Bhasi
* Pakhribas
* Shadanand
* Madi
* Saptakoshi
* Golbazar
* Dudhkunda (renamed as Solududhkunda)
* Badimalika
* Bhajani Trishakti (renamed as Bhajani)
* Parshuram
* Bardibas
* Garuda
* Pokhariya
* Dapcha Kashikhanda (renamed as Namobuddha)
* Melamchi
* Sundarbazar
* Bheriganga
* Musikot
* Palungtar
* Jiri
* Manthali
* Dudhauli
* Ghodaghodi
* Mahagadhimai
* Simraungadh
* Buddhabatika Declined
* Ganeshman Charanath
* Mithila
* Sabaila
* Basgadhi
* Madi
* Narayani Declined
* Lamahi
* Tripur Declined
* Chandani Dodhara (renamed Mahakali)
* Jhalari Pipladi (renamed Shuklaphanta)
* Ramechhap
* Kolhabi
* Mahalaxmi
* Libang (renamed as Rolpa)
* Suryabinayak
* Banganga
* Sanoshree Taratal (renamed as Madhuwan later)

### 2015

Total 26 municipalities were established on 19 September 2015. Reconstructed on 10 March 2017 with some changing in existed municipalities.
* Gauradaha
* Laligurans
* Hanumannagar Yoginimai Declined
* Sukhipur
* Dhangadhimai
* Bajrabarahi
* Kalika
* Rapti
* Barahathwa
* Bhanu
* Anbu Khaireni
* Madhyabindu
* Bhrikuti Declined
* Bhirkot
* Rainas
* Karaputar Declined
* Bherimalika
* Chaurjahari
* Bagchaur
* Subhaghat Gangamala (renamed as Gurbhakot)
* Kamalbazar
* Beldandi
* Bedkot
* Krishnapur
* Babai Declined
* kalikadevi

### 2017

On 10 March 2017 Government of Nepal reconstructed old local level bodies into 744 new local level units as per the new constitution of Nepal 2015. Later, on recommendance of Supreme court 9 more local level body added to Province No. 2, increasing from 744 to 753.
* Mai
* Ratuwamai
* Sunawarshi
* Barahkshetra
* Mahalaxmi
* Dharmadevi
* Panchkhapan
* Halesi Tuwachung
* Belaka
* Dakneshwari
* Bodebarsain
* Khadak
* Surunga
* Kalyanpur
* Nagarain
* Bideha
* Haripur
* Haripurwa
* Balara
* Godaita
* Bagmati
* Bahrabise
* Belkotgadhi
* Dhunibeshi
* Bhimad
* Galyang
* Phalewas
* Galkot
* Jaimini
* Dhorpatan
* Musikot
* Buddhabhumi
* Maharajganj
* Sitganga
* Bhumikasthan
* Swargadwari
* Aathbiskot
* Bangad Kupinde
* Barbardiya
* Panchpuri
* Lekbesi
* Chamunda Bindrasaini
* Aathbis
* Chhedagad
* Nalgad
* Thuli Bheri
* Tripurasundari
* Khandachakra
* Raskot
* Tilagufa
* Chhayanath Rara
* Tribeni
* Budhiganga
* Budhinanda
* Bungal
* Panchadewal Binayak
* Shikhar
* Gauriganga
* Melauli
* Purchaudi
* Shailyashikhar
* Karjanha
* Mithila Bihari
* Sahidnagar
* Kamala
* Hansapur
* Aurahi
* Balawa
* Bhangaha
* Loharpatti
* Manara Shiswa
* Matihani
* Ramgopalpur
* Kabilasi
* Madhav Narayan
* Katahariya
* Gujara
* Dewahi Gonahi
* Brindaban
* Baudhimai
* Pacharauta
* Parsagadhi
* Bahudarmai
* Ishnath
* Maulapur
* Paroha
* Phatuwa Bijayapur
* Rajdevi
* Rajpur
* Jeetpursimara
* Hanumannagar Kankalini
* Madhyanepal
* Thakurbaba
* Sundar Haraicha