Ratnanagar


Ratnanagar is a municipality in Chitwan District of Bagmati Pradesh in Nepal. It is the second biggest municipality after Bharatpur Metropolitan City that was formed in 1997 through the merger of the former Village Development Committees Old-Ratnanagar and Panchakanya. It is adjacent to Chitwan National Park, and serves as a gateway to the park. Agricultural products produced from Ratnanagar includes rice, maize, mustard and vegetables. This municipality is also a major place for production of poultry products and animal husbandry. Tourism is another source of income generation for the people in Ratnanagar. People are directly or indirectly dependent in tourism industry. Ratnanagar is also concerned in environment preservation so in order to preserve and protect environment, eco-friendly electric risk-shaw has also been introduced and available in different parts of this municipality.
It lies on the bank of East Rapti River.
In 2014, the former Village Development Committees Bachhayauli and Pithuwa were merged into Ratnanagar.
Sauraha that lies in Ratnanagar's vicinity is a touristic hub with many hotels, resorts and shops, as it borders Chitwan National Park. There is also an Elephant Breeding Station.

Demographics

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census it had a population of 69,851 people living in 16,070 individual households. Ratnanagar has a notable Tharu community.

Transportation

Ratnanagar lies on Mahendra Highway, one of the main highways in Nepal.

Media

To Promote local culture and cast local news Ratnanagar has three community radio stations, Radio Arpan - 104.5 MHz, Radio Chitwan 94.6 MHz and Relation F.M