Welcome to Chandrakot: Our Heritage, Our Future
Discover a vibrant community in Gulmi where green hills, clear rivers, rich history, and hardworking people unite to build a prosperous and sustainable home for every generation.
Detailed Facts About Chandrakot
A complete overview of Chandrakot Rural Municipality, covering its geography, people, economy, education, health services, tourism and long term development plans.
1 General & Administrative Profile
| Parameter | Official Data & Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Official Name | Chandrakot Rural Municipality (चन्द्रकोट गाउँपालिका) | |
| District | Gulmi District | |
| Province | Lumbini Province (Province No. 5) | |
| Administrative Headquarters | Shantipur, Ward No. 4 | |
| Date of Establishment | March 10, 2017 (2073 Falgun 27 BS) | |
| Federal Restructuring Basis | Constitution of Nepal 2015 (Local Government Restructuring) | |
| Total Number of Wards | 8 Wards | |
| Official Municipal Website | chandrakotmun.gov.np | |
| Time Zone | Nepal Standard Time (UTC+5:45) | |
2 Geography, Climate & Environment
| Parameter | Official Data & Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Area | 105.73 km² (40.82 sq mi) | |
| Geographical Coordinates | 28°07′ N, 83°27′ E | |
| Elevation Range | About 450 meters in the river basins, rising to over 2,000 meters along the mountain ridges above sea level | |
| Terrain & Topography | River basins, flat fertile valleys known locally as Faat, terraced slopes, and steep forested ridges | |
| Northern Boundary | Bareng Rural Municipality and Galkot Municipality in Baglung District | |
| Southern Boundary | Satyawati and Chhatrakot Rural Municipalities in Gulmi District | |
| Eastern Boundary | Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Gulmi District and Baglung District | |
| Western Boundary | Musikot Municipality and Gulmidarbar Rural Municipality in Gulmi District | |
| Climate Zones | Sub-tropical in the low river valleys and temperate in the high ridge villages | |
| Average Rainfall | Around 1,800 mm to 2,200 mm a year, mostly during the monsoon from June to September | |
| Major Rivers & Streams | Hugdi Khola, Badighat Khola, and tributaries that feed into the Kali Gandaki river system | |
| Lakes & Natural Ponds | Timure Lake and Daha Lake | |
| Forest Coverage | Over 35% of the total municipal area, made up of community forests, leasehold forests, and private woodlands | |
3 Ward by Ward Administrative Structure
| Ward | Former VDC & Settlement | Characteristics & Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ward 1 | Formerly Dibrung (Divrung) VDC, centred on Dibrung and Sarang | Home to the historic Dibrung Temple, hill farming, and a cool temperate climate |
| Ward 2 | Formerly Bishukharka VDC, centred on Bishukharka | Known for high terrace farming, livestock husbandry, and community forests |
| Ward 3 | Formerly Harachaur (Harrachaur) VDC, centred on Harachaur | Citrus orchards, vegetable farming, and quiet hilltop settlements |
| Ward 4 | Formerly Shantipur VDC, centred on Shantipur Bazaar | The municipal headquarters and central commercial hub, with healthcare and higher education facilities |
| Ward 5 | Formerly Gwagha (Gwaha) VDC, centred on Gwagha | Mixed farming, riverbed resources, and active local youth clubs |
| Ward 6 | Formerly Harewa VDC, centred on Harewa | Fertile agricultural land along the river flats, suited to paddy cultivation |
| Ward 7 | Formerly Rupakot VDC, centred on Rupakot | Commercial goat farming, panoramic viewpoints, and forest ridges |
| Ward 8 | Formerly Turang VDC, centred on Turang and Majuwa | The largest population center, with river valley farming along the Hugdi Khola |
4 Demographics & Household Statistics
| Indicator | Statistical Value (2021 Census) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 18,662 residents | |
| Male Population | 8,471 residents, making up 45.4% of the total | |
| Female Population | 10,191 residents, making up 54.6% of the total | |
| Sex Ratio | 83.12 males for every 100 females | |
| Population Density | 177 residents per km² | |
| Total Households | 5,029 households | |
| Average Household Size | 3.71 members per household | |
| Population Growth Rate (2011 to 2021) | A decline of 1.5% annually, largely due to out migration and urbanization | |
| Overall Literacy Rate | 79.63% | |
| Male Literacy Rate | 87.47% | |
| Female Literacy Rate | 73.28% | |
| Major Caste & Ethnic Groups | Magar, Brahmin, Chhetri, Newar, Gurung, Bishwakarma (Kami), Damai, Sarki, Kumal, and Muslim communities | |
| Languages Spoken | Nepali as the primary and official language, along with Magar and Newari | |
| Main Religions | Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity | |
5 Economy, Agriculture & Livelihood
| Sector | Details & Specifics | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Livelihood Sector | Agriculture and animal husbandry, which together engage more than 75% of households | |
| Key Food Crops | Paddy (rice), maize, wheat, and finger millet | |
| Major Fertile Valleys (Faat) | Sota Faat, Majuwa Faat, Gekhung, Shantipur, and Harewa | |
| High Value Cash Crops | Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, fresh vegetables, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and coffee | |
| Livestock Rearing | Goats in commercial pockets, cattle, dairy buffaloes, poultry, and pigs, with 89% of households keeping livestock | |
| Local Trade & Commerce | Shantipur Bazaar serves as the central wholesale and retail market, with banks, hardware stores, and supply shops | |
| Small Scale Industries | Rice and oil mills, furniture workshops, metal fabrication, bakeries, and stone or sand processing | |
| Foreign Remittance | A significant source of income, coming from youth working in Gulf countries, Malaysia, India, and parts of Europe | |
6 Education Institutions
| Institution Level | Total Count & Details | Key Institutions |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 43 schools in total, made up of 40 public or community schools and 3 private schools | — |
| Early Childhood (ECD) | 45 pre school units | — |
| Basic Schools (Grades 1 to 8) | 43 basic schools | — |
| Secondary Schools (Grades 9 to 12) | 11 secondary schools | — |
| Higher Secondary (+2 Level) | 6 schools offering the higher secondary (+2) level | Udaya Secondary School and Sharada Secondary School |
| Higher Education Campus | 1 college | Chandrakot Campus, located in Shantipur |
| Prominent Schools | A mix of well known regional public and private schools | Udaya Secondary School in Shantipur, Sharada Secondary School in Sarang, Gyanodaya Secondary School, Chakreshwor Boarding, and Bhanu Boarding |
7 Healthcare & Public Utilities
| Infrastructure | Availability & Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Health Posts & Basic Health Units | Operating in all 8 wards, providing basic primary medical services to residents | |
| Primary Healthcare Facilities | Shantipur Primary Health Center offers maternal care, basic lab testing, and emergency assistance | |
| Emergency Transport | Municipal and local ambulance services connect residents to regional hospitals in Palpa, Butwal, and Tamghas | |
| Drinking Water Coverage | Piped gravity flow water systems serve most villages, with ongoing expansion toward the "One House, One Tap" target | |
| Electricity Access | National grid connectivity reaches over 95% of households | |
| Telecommunications & Internet | 4G mobile coverage from NTC and Ncell, with fiber optic FTTH internet available in Shantipur and the main market hubs | |
8 Tourism, Culture & Historical Destinations
| Attraction | Type | Features & Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Chandrakot Temple | Historical & Religious | An ancient hilltop shrine, known locally as a Kot, from which the municipality takes its name, offering sweeping valley views |
| Dibrung Temple | Religious & Heritage | A historic temple in Ward 1 that hosts popular annual cultural fairs known as melas |
| Chakreshwor Temple | Religious | A revered local shrine that draws visitors during Hindu festive occasions |
| Siddhababa Temple | Religious & Nature | A quiet spiritual retreat surrounded by natural woodlands |
| Timure Lake | Natural Attraction | A peaceful mountain lake surrounded by dense evergreen hills, popular for birdwatching and nature walks |
| Daha Lake | Natural Attraction | A high altitude natural pond that functions as a water reservoir and a spot for hiking |
| Arjewa Waterfall | Natural Attraction | A cascading waterfall that is ideal for photography, eco trips, and local outings |
| Patechaur Picnic Spot | Recreation & Park | A developed green park space that is popular for school trips and family outings |
| Rumale Danda | Scenic Viewpoint | A high ridge that offers panoramic 360 degree views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges |
| Shantipur Bazaar | Cultural & Urban | A vibrant hill market town known for its traditional local food, hospitality, and trade |
| Cultural Performances | Folk Culture | Traditional Sorathi, Maruni, Roila, and Salaijo song and dance traditions performed throughout the year |
9 Natural Resources & Investment Potential
| Sector | Opportunities & Resources | |
|---|---|---|
| Water Resources | The Hugdi Khola along with local rivulets and springs, suitable for drinking water, irrigation, and micro hydro projects | |
| Forest Products & Herbs | Non timber forest products, medicinal herbs such as Amala, Harro, Barro and Titepati, and timber | |
| Mineral & Construction Assets | Riverbed sand, gravel, and building stone deposits found along the Hugdi Khola and its tributaries | |
| Commercial Agro Investment | Opportunities in cold storage facilities, fruit processing for citrus juices, and coffee processing and roasting units | |
| Eco Tourism & Hospitality | Room to expand the homestay network and trekking trails connecting Chandrakot, Timure, and Rumale Danda | |
| Renewable Energy | Potential for rooftop commercial solar installations and small scale hydroelectric power generation | |
10 Core Municipal Vision & Future Goals
| Strategic Pillar | Action Plan & Targets | |
|---|---|---|
| Good Governance | Building a transparent digital administration, with e service kiosks and stronger public accountability | |
| Infrastructure Expansion | Blacktopping the major connector roads to all 8 wards and building year round motorable bridges | |
| Agricultural Modernization | Providing subsidized mini tillers, solar irrigation pumps, commercial crop pockets, and youth agro grants | |
| Youth & Employment | Offering skill based technical education and entrepreneurship funds to reduce involuntary out migration | |
| Environmental Protection | Protecting the Hugdi Khola watershed and planting trees on slopes prone to landslides | |
