Kalimpong district

Kalimpong district
District of West Bengal
Country India
State West Bengal
Administrative division Jalpaiguri
Headquarters Kalimpong
Government
 • Lok Sabha constituencies Darjeeling
 • Assembly seats Kalimpong
Area
 • Total 1,053.60 km2 (406.80 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 251,642[1]

Kalimpong district is a district in the state of West Bengal, India. It was formed on 14 February 2017, after splitting from the Darjeeling district as the 21st district of West Bengal.[2][3] It consists of the Kalimpong Municipality and three community development blocks: Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II and Gorubathan. The district has its headquarters at Kalimpong.

Area

Apart from the Kalimpong municipality that consists of 23 wards, the district contains rural areas of 42 gram panchayats under three community development blocks: Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II and Gorubathan.[4]

Kalimpong subdivision has an area of 1,053.60 km2 (406.80 sq mi), with Kalimpong I block having an area of 360.46 km2 (139.17 sq mi); Kalimpong II block an area of 241.26 km2 (93.15 sq mi); Gorubathan block an area of 442.72 km2 (170.94 sq mi); and Kalimpong Municipality an area of 9.16 km2 (3.54 sq mi).[1]

Blocks

Kalimpong I block

Kalimpong I block consists of rural areas with 18 gram panchayats, viz. Bong, Kalimpong, Samalbong, Tista, Dr. Grahams Homes, Lower Echhay, Samthar, Neembong, Dungra, Upper Echhay, Seokbir, Bhalukhop, Yangmakum, Pabringtar, Sindepong, Kafer Kanke Bong, Pudung and Tashiding.[4] This block has one police station at Kalimpong.[5] Headquarters of this block is in Kalimpong.[6]

Kalimpong II block

Kalimpong II block consists of rural areas only with 13 gram panchayats, viz. Dalapchand, Kashyong, Lole, Lingseykha, Gitabling, Lava-Gitabeong, Payong, Kagay, Lingse, Shangse, Pedong, Syakiyong and Shantook.[4] This block is served by Kalimpong police station.[5] Headquarters of this block is in Algarah.[6]

Gorubathan block

Gorubathan block consists of rural areas only with 11 gram panchayats, viz. Dalim, Gorubathan–I, Gorubathan–II, Patengodak, Todey Tangta, Kumai, Pokhreybong, Samsing, Aahaley, Nim and Rongo.[4] This block has two police stations: Gorubathan and Jaldhaka.[5] Headquarters of this block is in Fagu.[6]

Legislative segments

As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in West Bengal, the whole area under the district of Kalimpong (formerly Kalimpong subdivision), viz. the Kalimpong municipality and the three blocks of Kalimpong–I, Kalimpong–II and Gorubathan together will constitute the Kalimpong assembly constituency of West Bengal. This constituency will be part of Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency.[7]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Kalimpong district (enumerated as Kalimpong subdivision then) has a population of 251,642. Kalimpong I block had a population of 74,746; Kalimpong II block had a population of 66,830; Gorubathan block had a population of 60,663; and Kalimpong Municipality had a population of 49,403.[1]

The majority of the population today in Kalimpong district are the Nepali. Lepchas and Bhutias are the other two major communities.

Flora and fauna

Kalimpong district is home to the Neora Valley National Park, which has an area of 159.89 km2 (61.73 sq mi).[8]

Historical Buildings

Morgan House is a classic example of colonial architecture in Kalimpong.

It is home to Morgan House, which is a typical British architecture of Victorian rectory built in the early 1930s. The building was to commemorate the wedding of an indigo owner with a jute baron Mr George Morgan. Today this mansion is a boutique hotel managed by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) and is a popular tourist destination.

Morgan House due to its serene beauty and secluded charm has been a favorite destination among tourists and is booked well in advance months before hand. Famous celebrities such as Uttam Kumar, Supriya, Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar, Nargis, Sunil Dutt and Om Prakash have stayed in this lodge over the years and their testimonials can be seen framed in the lounge. Actor Utpal Dutt was also a regular visitor. The lodge has been favored by diplomatic corps of various countries and noted American ambassador in India Chester Bowles stayed here.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "District Census Handbook-Darjiling" (PDF). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "Carved out of Darjeeling, Kalimpong a district today". Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/kalimpong-district-may-stoke-gorkhaland-fire/story-0clHDbeqUyadP0M928AqsJ.html
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008". West Bengal. National Informatics Centre, India. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 "District Profile". Official website of Darjeeling district. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 "Contact details of Block Development Officers". Darjeeling district. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "Press Note, Delimitation Commission" (PDF). Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal. Delimitation Commission. pp. 5, 23. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  8. ↑ "National Parks". ENVIS Centre on Wildlife & Protected Areas. Retrieved 17 February 2017.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.