Nilphamari Sadar Upazila is an administrative sub-district (upazila) of Nilphamari District in the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh. It serves as the central upazila of the district, encompassing the district headquarters and surrounding rural areas.
Geography
- Location: Situated in the northwestern part of Bangladesh, Nilphamari Sadar lies at approximately 25°55′ N latitude and 88°57′ E longitude.
- Area: The upazila covers an area of about 259.73 km² (100.30 sq mi).
- Borders: It is bounded by Kishoreganj Upazila to the north, Jaldhaka Upazila to the east, Saidpur Upazila to the south, and Kishoreganj (Kishoreganj) Upazila of Rangpur District to the west.
Administrative Structure
- Nilphamari Sadar Upazila is divided into Nilphamari Municipality (Nilphamari Pourashava) and 12 union parishads: Balarampur, Barhatta, Charboli, Chhoyragati, Dhanpur, Dhalapara, Dulla, Goopy, Haripur, Jaldhaka, Karmi, and Rohanpur.
- The union parishads are further subdivided into 136 mauzas and 143 villages.
- The municipality is organized into 9 wards and 27 mahallas.
Population
- According to the 2011 Bangladesh Census, Nilphamari Sadar Upazila had a population of approximately 417,408 individuals.
- Gender distribution was roughly 51 % male and 49 % female.
- The literacy rate stood at about 48 % for individuals aged 7 years and over, which is slightly lower than the national average at that time.
Economy
- The local economy is primarily agrarian, with major crops including rice, wheat, jute, and various vegetables.
- Small-scale trade and services are concentrated in Nilphamari town, the district’s commercial hub.
- The upazila also hosts a number of rice mills, cold storage facilities, and a market (bazaar) that serves surrounding rural communities.
Education
- Educational institutions include several government and private primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges.
- Notable higher education institutions are Nilphamari Government College and Nilphamari Polytechnic Institute.
Transportation
- Nilphamari Sadar is traversed by the Narayanganj–Banglabandha railway line, with Nilphamari Railway Station providing rail connectivity to major cities such as Dhaka, Rangpur, and Chittagong.
- The upazila is linked to national road networks via the Dhaka–Rangpur Highway (N5), facilitating bus and truck traffic.
Healthcare
- Healthcare services are provided by the Nilphamari Sadar Upazila Health Complex, several private clinics, and community health centers distributed across the unions.
Historical Notes
- The area that now forms Nilphamari Sadar Upazila was part of the historic Bengal region. Following the administrative reorganization of East Pakistan in 1983, it was designated as a separate upazila, with its headquarters located in the town of Nilphamari.
References
- Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Population and Housing Census 2011.
- Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives.
- Official website of Nilphamari District Administration.
