Hariwan Municipality is one of the new municipalities declared by the Government of Nepal on May 18, 2014. It is located in Sarlahi District Janakpur zone, Nepal. It is formed by the joining of four contemporary Village development committees (VDCs) namely Atrouli, Sasapur, Ghurkauli and Harion VDCs covering an area of 88.1 km2. It has been divided into 11 wards with an administration center in Harion Bazar. According to Nepal Population Census 2011, the municipality has a total population of 42,783.
Geography
Harion 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 is dominant forest. Other trees found in the municipality are khayer, Sissou, Karma, Kumni, Harro, Barro, Sindure, Tantari, Sanisal, Simal, Bhurkul, Dabdabe, etc. The faunal species found in the region are tiger, leopard, bear, elephant, wild buffalo, wild boar, deer, chital, etc. Peacock, Hornbill, kalij, Luiche, etc. are the birds 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 42 C the highest temperature while the average minimum temperature of 20 C with record of 4 C. About 80% of rainfall occurs in monsoon season (July–September) with average rainfall of 1699.6 mm.
Population
With reference to population and housing census 2011, about 42,783 people are residing in Harion Municipality in total household number of 8369. Among them 21,962 are female and 20,821 are male population. Among all wards, Harion ward No. 11 has the highest population with the number of 7231 and household number of 1276 and ward No. 7 has the lowest population with the number of 2524 and household number of 465.
Education
The literacy rate of the municipality is 59.77% with male literacy rate of 67.91% and female literacy 52.13%. The municipality has become an educational centre of Sarlahi district. The Schools and college in the city are : Chaturbhujeshwar Janata Multiple Campus, Sukhepokhari. Chaturbhujeshwar Janata Higher Secondary School, Sukhepokhari. Mahadev Janata HSS, Harion. Sunrise HSS Boarding School, Harion. Mankamana Higher Secondary School, Harion. Gyan Jyoti Awasiya Vidhyalaya Harion. Dawning future Secondary School. Firefly Academy, Harion - 4, Tinghare. D.A.V Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati Secondary Boarding School. Shisu Pragya Sadan. Sarlahhi Ambition Academy. Orchid International Boarding School, Harion. Shree Ram Autar Janta Secondary School, [Atrouli|Atrauli]. Shree Janta Lower secondary School, [Bramhasthan] Atrauli
Drinking water
Most households use tube well/hand pump for drinking water with percent of 68.50 while 16.92% people use drinking water from uncovered well/kuwa. Only 6.88 percentage of 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 Harion Municipality mainly depend upon traditional fuel type for cooking. According to census 2011 AD, about 80.31% of people in Harion Municipality use firewood as cooking fuel. About 10.04% of people depend on LP gas for cooking. Biogas use is in third position for using cooking fuel which hold 6.52% household. Other cooking fuel are kerosene, electricity, santhi/Guitha and the others.
People of Harion mainly depend on electricity, kerosene lamps, biogas, solar energy for lighting purpose. About 86.06% of them use electricity for lighting while 12% of them use kerosene lamps for lighting purpose. Use of alternative energy such as biogas and solar is less than one percentage.
Sanitation
Almost half of total household has a toilet while another half percentage of people are involved in open defecation. According to population and housing census 2011, about 31.74% of household has flush toilet and 17.92% of ordinary toilet. About 49.24% of household do not have toilet in the house. In 2019, current situation whole municipality is declared as open defecation free.
Industries
Hariwan is one of the main business centers of the District. InduShankar Chini Udhog (Sugar Mill) Ltd. and Brijlal Chamal Udhog (Rice Mill) Ltd are two major industries that are situated in municipality.