Area and Issue

Profile

of Darj eeling

and Sikkim

AREA AND ISSUE PROFILE OF DARJEELING

Researchers: Ms. Mashqura Fareedi. MI-. Pasang Dorjee Lepcha

Darlecliny Ladenla Roacl Prcrr1.3 R C.D.C Hayden Hall 42. L,~denla H o ~ d Dat jecl~~lg- 73-I 1 0 1

Wcsl Orngal I ~ i c l ~ ~ i t'~lo111~ ((135.4 J ?:lr>5HL) 1

E r l ~ r ~ l I C clcclo~cl ' ~ 1 -.,II)~ O , i 1 1 1 1 1 II

Resource Persons:

Retd. Maj. K.P. Malla- Indian Red Cross Society Dqecling.

Mr. D.S. Rasaily. - D q e e h g Earth Group

Mr. Pemba Lama. -Jawahar G. S.S.

Ms. Bandana Mukhia - Asst. Secretary, Darjeeling Planters Association.

Mr. Sudeep Diksit- Knpa

Mr.ShasheeshPrasad-PAHAR

Dr. Shanh Chettri- Economics, St. Joseph's College

Mr. S.D. Lama- Retd. DFO. Forest Department

Mr. Raju Dayan Lama-W.W.F. Project Serve, Darjeeling.

Mr. Jeta Sanskritayana - North Bengal University.

Mr. Satyen Lama- St. Joseph's College.

Mr. Eharat Prahsh Rai-FOSEP.

Mr. N.S. ki- W.W.F. Project Serve, Darjeeling.

Mr. Ashesh Rai - Darjeeling Ladenla Road Prana R.C.D.C

Mr. Niraj Lama- Journalist, The Statesman.

Mr. Prarnod Giri- Journalist, Hindustan Times.

Dr. Milendu Cldcravarty - St. Joseph's College.

Mr. Roshan Rai- Darjeeling Ladenla Road Prerna R.C.D.C

Fr. Clement Tirkey-Seva Kendra.

Mr. Padam Nepal-St. .Joseph's College.

Mr. Rohlll D'Souza- Darjeeling Ladenla Road Prerna R.C.D.C

Ms. Noreen Dunne-Hayden Hall.

Mrs. Dewika Lama-St. Joseph's College, Dqeeling.

Mr. Bishnu Malla-PAHAR.

Dr. Nakul Chettri - ATREE.

Dr. Suneeta Pradhan- Scientific mcer, Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park

DMO's Oi3ce- Dqeeling

Forest Department O l l i e - D q e e h g .

Darjeeling Dislrict (Deshbandhu) Library.

CMOH's office-Darjeeling.

Family Plarming and Welfare Ofice-Darjeeling.

Title Page No.

Darjeeling General and Physical aspects History Rainfall end Climate Temperature Area arid Population Eauca!ion and Culture Agriculture Clarjeelinq Tea Tourism Health and Environment Reienal System Health Functionaries//Health Units of D.G.H.C. and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad Public Health Number of Family Welfare Centres in the District of Darjeeling Integrated Child Development Schemes Tuberculosis Maleria Kala k a r H IVIA! US 0 1 . ~ 3 a d ,4lcohol Abuse Vehir ,~!I~r Foliuiioil and Accidents on Roads Water Crisis in Darjeeling Civic Senitatio~r irl Darjeeling La~ldsiicies in Darjeeling Teasia Low Dam Projocts Bioloy ical Divsrsrty Forestry Forestrj and Joinl Forest Management Fuelwood Demand Fuel and Energy needs Timber Demand List of NGO members of the Darjeeling NGO Network

The Darjeellng dislrict derives its name From its headquarters, wluch, in its tun, is named after Do jeling, the Geographical location of Darleellng and its headquarters

Name of Name of

the district Latitude Longitude district

head Latitude Longitude

quarters "Nu "S" "E" "W"

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (a) Darjeeling 27O. 13' 26O.31 88O.53' 87O.59' Darjeeling 27O.31' 88O. 16'

hl N C C hl C ,. , . L L 1" L

Source: Dietrict Census Hand Book, 1961 Buddhist Monastery that once st& on the Observatory Hill overlookinn Mall. the nerve centre of the town The name Darjeellng thus a-s to be a corruption of ~ o r j e l h - ~ i n ~ meaning piece, and dorje sland~ng for the esxlesiastical sceptre or the double head thunderbolt, which the Lama holds in his hand during service. rested. 'In Tibet the word vsjrnh b e m e dorje and as lime went on it became on of the most common of all the emblems associated with priestly power. It is almost always to be found among the objects on the altars in the temples."

Darjeeling, is lmted between 27O16'05" and 2697'10" North Lntitude and 8853'00" and 87O59.30 East Longitudes (the boundary limits have undergone minor changes and so the figures g~ven heretaken fiom the h e t e e r of Dajeeling, may not tally with the figures hom the District Statistical handbook-table abow). It roughly resembles an inverted wedge with its base resting on Sikkirn, its sides t o u c h g Nepal, Bhutan and the Jalpiguri district of West Bengal whle its apex projects into the Pumea district of Blhnr West Dinajpur district of West Bengal, and Bangladesh (Cmeteer of Darjeeeling, West Bengal)

His tory The present district of Darjeeling is a creation of the nineteenth century and is a result of almost accidental

involvement of the British Indian G o m e n t in the affairs of the neighbowing Himalayan States. In 1817, the East India Company struggled with a Hmalayan State on behalf of the Raja of Siklum and restored to hun the whole of the counky between Mechi and the Tisla rivers. This was the result of the Treaty of Titaliya of 1817.

Under the above treaty the Raja was bound to refer to the arbitration between h s subjects and those of neighbouring states. Ten years aRer it was signed, disputes on the Slklum Nepal 6ontiers arose and were referred to the Governor General. Two officers, Captain Lloyd and Mr. Grant were deputed in I828 to deal with the disputes and they penetrated into the hlls as far north as Rmchinpong (in the K u l h t valley in Sikkirn). Lloyd spent six days in February 1925 in "the Gorkha station in Darjeeling" and was attracted by its advantages as a site for a sanatorium." Darjeeling was at that time a large village and the residence of one of the principal Kazis.

Mr. Grant reported accordingly to the Governor General Lord William Bentick the numerous advantages promised by a sanatorium at Dajeellng and also recommended its occupation for military purposes. The Cmvernor- General then deputed Captain Herbert, the Deputy Surveyor-General. to examine the country with Mr. Grank and, in due course, the Court of Directors approved the project. General Lloyd was directed to open negotiations with the Raja on the first convinient occasion. He succeded in obtaining the execution of a deed grant by the Raja of Slkkun on 1" February 1835 The deed ran as follows: -'The Governor General, Laving expressed has desire for the possession of the hll of Darjeeling on account of its cool cl~rnate, fix the purpose of enabling the servants of h s Government suffering from sickness, to avail themselves of its advantages, I, the Sikkimputtee Rajah hereby present Dar~eeling to the East India Company, that i s , all the lands south of the Great Rangit river, east of the Balasun, Kahail and Little Rangit rivers and west of Rungpa and Mnhanadi rivers."

This was an unconditional cession of what was then an uninitiated mountain. After the cession, General Lloyd and Dr. Chapman were sent in 1836 to explore and investigate the climate and the capabilities of the place. They syent the v/inter of 1836 and part of 1837 doing this, and when it was finally decided to develop the site as a sanatorium, General Lloyd was appointed Local Agent to deal with applications for Imd, whch began to pour in from residents of Cdcutta. Progress was rapid, whereas in 1836 General Lloyd and Dr. Chapman had found only a few huts erected by the Raja of Sikkim, by 1840, road was made horn Pankhabari; there was a slaging bungalow there and M a h a l d d ; a hotel was siarted at Kurseong and another at Dajeeling; and at Darjeeling 20 private houses were erected and nearly as many 'locations' or building sites had been taken up at Lebong. The rest of the ceded areas were however, and practically uninhabited.

In 1839, Dr. Campbell of the Indian Medical Service, British Resident in Nepal, was transferred to Darjeeling, an inaccessible tract of forest with scanty populalion. He converted it into an excellent sanatorium and improved the cornmimication system. Several European houses with a bazar, a jail and buildings for the accommodation of llie sick wcre built around 1849. A simple system of admirustration of justice, well adapted to the character of the local lribes, was also inboduced. There was experimental cultivation of tea and coffee and introduction of various European fiuits.

ThereaAer, there was an internal rebellion by Lamas and other leading men of SiWclm. A pnrrulive expeditlon wvas sent by the British in F e w 1850. This expedition remained on the norlh bank of the Great Iiangit river for a few \web . This was followed by annexation of the Terai (foohlls of the Himalayas) and the position of Slklum Itills hounded by the Rammam and the Great Ran@ rivers on the north, by the Tista on the ens1 and the Nepal lrontier on the west. This area of 640 Sq. miles (1657.60 Sq. km) was attached to Darjeelmg.

The Terai and the h l l territory annexed from Sikkim were managed by the Superintendent, who from 8th May 1850, was called the Deputy Commissioner. The change was welcomed by the mhabitants who had to pay only small fixed sums to the treasury of Darjeeling, instead of having to meet uncertain and Iluctuating demands in kind and calls for personal service made by the Raja and Dewan.

AAer the annexation, the British territory in Darjeeling was wntinous with the British districts of Purnea and Kangphu in the plains, and the Sikkim Raja was at off Gom access to the plains except through British territory. Subsequently there some Sikkimese raids on British Territory. as a result of which Dr. Canpbell with a small fornce crossed the Rammam in November 1860 and advanced as far as Rinchenpong. Later other British officers joined with force and entered Tumlong the Captial of SLkkim in March 1861. The Raja of Slkkun abdicated in favour of lus son, with whom, on 28U March, a treaty was made which was of particular imporlance lo Dqeeling because it finally put an end to &ontier troubles with S i b and secured 111 6eedom for commerce across the Sikkun border. By a treaty in November I865 what is now Kalimpong subdivision was ceded to the British. The Kalunpong area was fust notified as subdivision under the Deputy Commisioner of Western Dooars district. But in 1866, it was transferred to Dqeeling. With thls change the Darjeellng District reached its present shape. This was an epoch in the history of the dislrict. Peace was established and development of the area systematically started.

AAer K a l i m p g had b x n brought under British Adnunistrator the district was divided into two subdivisions; the head quarters sub-division with an area of 960Sq miles (2,486.40) including d l the lulls on both sides of the Teesta and the Terai suMvision with an area of 247Sq miles (709.66 Sq Km). The headqmers of the Terai subdivision was at Manskhawa near Phansidewa horn 1864 to 1880. Thereafier it was transferred to Siligun. Then the metregauge railway of the North Bengal State Railway was extended to Siliguri, whch, at that time in the Jalpaigun district, was transferred 10 Darjeeling district with a small surrounding area and made the headquarter of the Terai subdvision.

In the mean time Kurseong had begun to develop and in 1891 it was made the headquarter of a new subdivision, which included both the Terai and the lower hlls West of the Teesta. Later in 1907, Siligun was made a subdivision, thus reestablishing the Terai subdnision, which had in 1891 been absorbed into the Kurseong subdivision.

Kalimpong in the mean time had been the Sadar subdivision with a Manager of the Khas Mahals working at Kalimpong the Deputy Commissioner-the police work being controlled by an Inspector. In 1917, the Kalimpong subdivision was created as preliminary to working out development schemes in Kalimpong areas.

The district was included in the Rajsahi Division until October 1905, when, as a result of the partition of Bengal, it was transferred to the Bhagalpur Division with the rearrangement of the provinces it was transferred to the Rajsahi Division in March 19 12.

The Partition of Bengal in August 1917 left the boundaries of the district intact and in the share of West Bengal. The &strict was placed thereafter in the Presidency division.

The keedom movement in the district was much tempered by its moderate political ideology. One outstandug incident connected with the "terrorist movement" was the attempt on the life of Sir John Anderson, the Governor of Bengal, at the Lebong Race Course on May 8 ~ , 1934 by Bengali "terrorists". The district with the rest of India attained independence with the rest of India attained independence as part of India in August 1947.

Source: Gazetteer oflndio. West Ben~al . Dariiling.

Rainfall and Climate It is said that there are only two seasons in Dajeeling viz. winter and the monsoons, because they are the

longest and most prominent seasons. The monsoons begm somewhere around June second week and lasts till the first week of September first week. A brief autumn is experienced aRer the cessation of the monsoons but somewhere around the fust week of November the winter starts and lasts for the three months that follow. So it is seen that spring and autumn is experienced for a brief period of time only

The winters in Darjeeling is known for their severeness and the monsoons for the incessant rains and landslides that follow. h n n g the early days i.e. 1980's the winters in Darjeeling were known for the snowfall but today it has becane a reminiscent h g of the past. These days the snow falls after every six or seven years. The recent snowfall was five or six years ago.

1998 recorded the lughest annual rainfall of 3474 mm. The maximum ramfall was recorded in July 997mm whereas the n o d is 758 mm. The average rainfall for the year (1 998) is 289.5, whlch is higher than the normal average os235.75.

In 1999, the hghest recorded rainfall was for August, which was 101 3 mm, exceeding the normal of 61 3mm. On the other hand January, February and March were abnormally dry. January rewrded 3mm the nonnal being 10 mm. Similarly February 0 (normal 21 mrn) and March Imm (normal 38mm).

3 k'cu the last I0 years Ule hlgheJt raorded rainfall was for the year 1991.3893mm. The month when it m u d the

most was in June, 1 16hrun. whch is also the lughest recorded for any other month

Monthly Ralntal l In the d i r t r l c t o f Darjeellna Centre:Darjeellnp Millimetres

ACTUAL MonthlYear Normal 1995 1996 1907 1998 1998

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) January 10 15 5 1 27 1 3 February 2 1 16 7 19 6 0 March 3 8 32 32 3 1 138 1 April 85 19 7 6 116 237 4 2 May 204 136 176 164 166 274 June 544 712 438 452 506 695 July 750 981 827 756 997 683 August 613 584 643 748 928 1013 Septern ber 404 423 343 546 352 364 October 133 128 96 2 8 131 224 November 13 222 2 7 12 17 December 6 19 0 7 1 0 7 Total for the year 2829 3288 2691 2966 3474 3323

Source: Meteorological Department, Govt of India

Temperature-Cenlre: Kalirupong. In 1999, June was the warmest month recording a Mean Maxlmm of 27°C and Mean Mmmum of 26T the

variance being 1 "C. Severe cold seems not to have been experienced in 1999, as the h i m u m temperature for November,

December and January (the coldest months i.e. winter) ranged lrom l2OC to 14°C (One must rake note that Kalirnpong has a warmer clinlate than that oC Dajeeling)

The year 1999 recorded the hiughest M n Max of 29°C in August but at the same time, it has recorded a Mwn h4m of 1 S T , giving a variation of 14'C. In the previous 2 y e . the variation has ranged between I-2°C.

Judging from the past records, it is seen that the records for the Minimum temperatures have risen whereas the records for the Maw temperature have remained consistent.

Area and Po~ulation

Provisional Population totals

The Provisional Population figures of Darjeeling 2001 shows that the concentration of population is the hghest in the plains with Siliguri Ranlung no one, Darjeeling Municipality ranks 6& highest preceded by Bijanbari 5&. The least populated area is the Cantonment Board Lebong.

Brea. Po~ulation, Decennial Growth Rate and Densitv for 1991 and 2001 at a plance for West Beneal and the Districts (Darieeline).

The table Area, Population, Decennial Growth Rate and Density for 1991 and 2001 shows that the Decennial growth rate (in percent) fiom 1981 to 1991 for Dageeling has been 26.91% whereas there has ken a decrease in the decennial growth rate from 1991 to 2001 the figure standing at 23.54%. The Decennial growth rate of female has been slightly hgher 18.93% and males 16.83 fforn 1991 to 2001.

There has been a increase in density i.e. Population per sq. km also. 413 for the year 1991 and 510 for 2001.

Area Powlalion. Decennld Growth Rate and Densltv lbr 1891 and 2001 at a alame for W t Bencral and

Population densty per Sa. km DlSlJict

(1) W s t Bengal Dqiling

Decennid gowth rate 1 1 ) 1981 -2001

Source: C e w of lnda 2001, Provisiond Population

. , 1991 (12)

767 41 3

1981-1991 (9) 24.73 26.91

2001 (1 3)

904 51 0

1991-2001 (1 1)

17.84 23.54

5 The ltlble (District Wise Po~ulalion Growth Rak) shown that the diabict of DarJeeling rankn 176 in the year

among the districts in terms of Popllation s iz . In 1991. it ranlred 12* and then I S* in h e ycer 2001 in t m of Percentage of deuuiel growth rate, whch show that there bas been a daraease m the docadal mwth

D l s t r l c t w l s e population u r o w t h r a t e

P e r c e n t a g e d e c a d a l v a r l a t l o n i n p o p u l a t i o n s l n c e l s O l fo r W e s t B e n g a l a n d t h e Districts

R a n k i n 2 0 0 1

1 7

R a n k f r o m l o w e a t t o

h i g h e s t

2 0 0 1 1 5

N a m e o f t h e D i s t r i c t

W e a t B e n g a l D a r j e e l i n g

S o u r c e : C e n s u s o f I n d i a 2 0 0 1 , Provisional P o p u l a t i o n T o t a l s . W e s t B e n g a l . From the p o d between 1901 lo 2001 the highest decadal growth f a the district was during 195 1-1 %1 whch

stands at 35.90 %, for the slate also that p o d was Ule hghest with 32.80%. Before the year 1951 the deadal growth rate has been lower than 20% but ftom the year 1951 onwards there has been a sudden percenlage decadal growth or in other words a boom in populatioq whlch is very alarming. But when we compare h e years 19 1 1 - 192 1 and 1921 -1 93 1 -. the percentage decadal growth has doubled itself form 5.12 to 12.95 whch is very alarming considering the fraqle ecosyslem o l the hills whlch means pressure on resources. From 192 1 onwards the growth rak then has ken rapid at an alarming rate. There has been a decrease 6om 199 1-2001 with 23.54%.

Between the years, 191 1-1 921 there has been a negative growth, tIus could be because of the Bengal famine b t affected the plains, Darjeehg seems not to have been affected much by the famine.

On an average the perentage decadal growth rate of Darjeellng seems to be bgher Lhan Lhal of the slate except for the years 1931-1941. This is a very alanrung factor considering the 6agile ecosystem of the hlls, whlch unlike the piirins cannot suslain large populalions that exm pressure on the resources.

N a m e o f t h e D i s t r i c t

D a r j e e l i n g

Sta te lD istr ict Percentage d e c a d a l variation

According to the table Ranlung of Districb by population 1991 and 2001, Lhe ranlung of Darjeeling among the districts in the state in terms of population in terms of population density has not changed. This means although the population density has changed, tha ranldng in relation to other districts has not changed.

Ranking of Districts by population in 1991 and 2001 Rank in 2001 DistrictIState Population Density Rank in 1991

2001 1991 West Bennal 904 767

S ta te lD is tric t

(1 ) W e s t B e n g a l Dar lee l lna

- 16 Darjeeling 51 0 41 3 16

Source: Census of India. 2001. P rov is io~ l totals. west B e d

P e r c e n t a g e o f t o t a l

S t a t e P o p u l a t i o n

1 0 0 2 . 0 0

P e r c e n t a g e o f d e c a d a l g r o w t h r a t e

1 9 9 1 - 2 0 0 1 1 1 9 8 1 - 1 9 9 1 2 3 . 5 4 1 2 6 . 9 1

1941-1951 (6)

13.22 17.58

R a n k f r o m l o w e s t l o

h i g h e r t

1 9 9 1 1 2

(1 ) W e s t B e n g a l Dar jee l ing

Sou rce :Census o f India, 2001 ,Provis lonaI totaIs,W e e l Benga l .

P e r c e n t ~ g e d e c a d a l var lat lon

P e r c e n t a g e o f t o t a l l a n d a r e a o f t h e

S ta t e 1 0 0

3 . 5 5

1921-1931 (4 )

8.1 4 12.85

p o p u l a t i o n d e n s i t y p e r

S q k m ,

9 0 4 5 1 0 -

1901-191 1 (2)

6.25 5.31

1931-1941 ( 5 )

22.93 17.72

1901-2001 (11) -

17.84 - 23.54

191 1-1921 (3)

-2.91 5.1 2

1951-1961 (7)

32.80 35.9.0

1971-1981 (9)

23.1 7 31.02

1961-71 (8)

26.87 25.18

1981-1991 (1 0 )

24.73 26.91

Area and Populat lon 6 Densl ty o f Populat lon I n the Dls t r lc t o f DarJeellng

Area in Sq. Population Density population Sub-Division1C.D. Block1 M1N.a krn (number) per Sq.krn to district

population

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Darjeeling Sub-Division 91 5.09(P) 347912 380(P) 20.76 ~ a r j e e l i n g Pulbazar Rangli-Rangliot Jorebungalow-Su khiapokhri Darjeeling (M) Kalirnpong Sub-division Kalirnpong l Kalirnpong II Gorubathan Kalirnpong (M) Kurseong Sub-Division Kurseong Kurseong (M) M irik Mirik (N.A.) Siliguri Sub-division M atigara-Naxalbari Kharibari-Phansidewa Siliguri(M )

212.71 305.83 385.98

10.57 1074.81(P)

321.16 303.00 441.97

8.68 435.1 4 (P)

326.5 5.05

97.09 6.50

863.58 (P) 367.98 480.06

15.54 . .

~ i s t r i c t 3149.00 1299919 413 100.00 (M) - Municipality Source Census of India 1991

According to the 1991 Census, 69.53% of the total Population is rural and 30.47% is Urban The percentage of male population is 52.6% and the percentage of female population is 47.7%. The reason for llus is because of the gender bias that exists in the hills, whch is more vivid in the rural area. Because of the patriarchal form of society, more preference is given to the male chlld than the @rl child.

Among the three hll sutxlivisions DarJeeling has the highest density of population (380 Sq.km). The Largest concentration of Population seems to be in the town itself where the density is 691 2 Sq. km. The population density in Siliguri Municipality is 1396 1km2.

Thesubdivision of Siliguri seems to be the most populated as it conlains 47.32 % ofthe entire population of the district. Darjeeling follows next containing 20.76% of the population, Kalirnpong 14.64 %, Kurseong 11.28%.

7 Growth of Pooulatlon bv Sex and Year (Dl8trlctl

~ d ~ b y r e r a d Y ~ m t I m ~ d O u j e e 6 ~ N K h

lrKi0(nith bb. d P.C d nrd

Year Ta$l 1~11sp h ~ e ~ ~ l l ~ e W d m

males w m (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 0 0 0 e,

1931 53Pi61 125 178561 156610 00 43748 2mE2 86.a

The sex ratio had decreased between 194 1- 195 1. In 195 1, sex ratio was 84: 100; it has, increased to 9 1 females per 100 males in 1991. T h ~ s is a good sign, but it should be rememberd that although the gender bias a m q mala and females is lesser in the urban areas h s bias s U exists in the rural areas, where, more preference is given to the male chdd in t c m of food, education etc. And besides, the factors such as female d a n l murtalitv rate, and death during birth are also responsible for Ute lower female populalion (Se Ilealth).

The percentage of rural population has gradually declined across the years. This would be mainly because of migration Gom rural to urban tlreas fur employment.

Distribution of Rum1 and Urban Puoulation bv Sex In the District 1981

Distribution o f Rural and Urban Population by sex In the Dlrtrlct of DarJeellng, 1981

(Number) Sub-DivisionlPolice Rural Urban

stationlM I Male Female Total 1 Male Female Total

(1) Sadar Sub-Divison Sukhiapokhri Pul bazar Carjeeling Darjeeling(M) Rangli-Rangliot Jorebungalow Kalimpong Sub-Division Kalimpong Kalimpong (M) Gorubathan Kurseong Sub-Division Kurseong Kurseong(M) Mirik Siliguri Sub-Division Naxalbari Siliguri Siliguri (M) Phansidewa

(2) (3) 11359 110150 14778 14197 23171 21575 23413 23355

26006 25219 26225 25804 65595 6071 3 46432 43231

19163 17482 44119 38137 29305 25531

14814 14606 164039 144770 38566 33901 42305 35927

56863 50601 Kharibari District

continued..

27305 24341 51646 388346 353770 742116

- 154221 127932 282153

According to the 1981 census. 72 %f the population still lived in rural areas. The sex ratio for Siliguri Subhvision per 100 males is: -

Rural Urban Siliguri sutdivision 87 79 Naxal bari 87 78 Siliguri 84 Siliguri (M) 79 Phansidewa 88 Kharibari 89

Sex Ratio for the District-83: 100 The sex ratio in urban Gorubethan seems to be the lowest. It has been recorded at 63 females for every 100

males. Even for rural Kurseong, the sex ratio is 80 females for evxy 100 males which is low compand to the hstrict figures.

Compared to the sex ratio in the rural areas. Ule urban sex ratio is low (except for the Kurseong subdivision- Urban 91 :100, Rural 86:lOO).

Females comprise of 47.67% of the ma1 population in the District. In the urban areas, they comprise of 45 34% oC the urban population.

The oercentaee . . . . . s of rural w~ulatlon m the followne sub dlvlsions are:

b Sadar Subhvision-80% (approx) b Kalimpong SubDivision-8OOh (approx) h K m n g SubDivision-74% (approx) > Siliguri Subhvision-66% (approx)

continuation.. . Number I Total

(1) Sadar Sub-Divison Sukhiapokhri Pulbazar Darjeeling Darjeeling(M) Rangli-Rangliot Jorebungalow Kalimpong Sub-Division Kalimpong Kalimpong (M) Gorubathan Kurseong Sub-Division Kurseong Kurseong(M) Mirik Siliguri SubDivision Naxalbari Siliguri Siliguri (M) Phansidewa Kharibari District

Male Female Total

14778 14197 28975 23171 21575 44746 23413 23355 46768 30932 26671 57603 26006 25219 51225 26225 25804 52029 82707 76019 158726 46432 43231 89663

- 14954 13931 28885 21321 18857 40178 59324 51978 111302 35107 28767 63874 9403 8605 I8008 14814 14606 29420 25601 1 216884 472895 43464 37711 81175 42305 35927 78232 86074 68304 154378 56863 50601 107464 27305 24341 51646

542567 481702 1024269 Source: Census of India, 1981

Pirtribution'of Rural and Urban Pooulation bv sex in the District of Dari- l i~. 1991 The percentage of rural population in the subdivisions are as follws:

h Dr~jeeling-79~h b Ka!impong-78%

P Kurseong-68% b Siliguri-62% The sex ratio (px 100 males) in the different subdivisions and their blocks are as follows: -

Rum1 Urban Darjeeling Subdivision 97 93 Dar~aelmg/Pulbazar 95 Jorebungalow/Sukhiapokhri 99 Rangli-Rangliot 96 Dqeeling (M) 93 Kalimpung subdivision 93 94 Kalimpong 1 95 Kalimpang U 9 1 G o r u b a h 92 85 Kallmpong (M) 94 Kurseong SubDivision 94 92 Mirik 95 93 K u r m g (M) 92 Kurseong Sub-division 94 92 Kurseong 95 93 Mink 92 K-ng (MI 9 1 hllrik (N.A.) 96 Siliguri SubDivision 91 83 MatigmaNaxnlbari 91 85 Khari W h a n s i d e w a 91 Siliguri (M) 82 District on the Whole 93 87

There wuld be many reasons for a lower sex ratio in h e urban areas. Among them are: - The female Infant mortality rate in the urban areas is higher than in the rural areas. M~gration from rural to urban areas takes place usually for men, whereas the womenfolk stay back

Pistribution of oo~ulation in the dictrlct of D m e bv me urouo The largest number of people belongs to the age goup between 30-39 in the rural areas. They amount lo 13.53

of the total rural population H o w m , there is somewhat an equal distribution of population in the rural areas of people belongmg to these age groups:

Age group in yean o/. (1991) (1981) Urban+ Rural 0 4 11.58 11.3

Distribution of Population in the d i d of bjeeling by age group 1991 I On t-

(1) (14

5 9 10-14 1519 2024 2529 30-39 40-49 50-59 6 0 k e pee not stated All aees

Male I Female I Tdal No. P.C. I No. P.C. I No. P.C.

Distribution of Population in the d i d of -ling by age group 1Wl I Qn th0-m

(1) (14

5 9 10-14 1519 2@24 2529 30-39 4049 s59 6 0 k e Age nd stated

group 6'-1

All q~es I 212.0 100.001 184.1 100.001 396.1 100.00 Source: District Statistical Handbook 1991

h n - Male I Ferrtale 1 Total

No. P.C. I No. P.C. I No. P.C.

One thing clearly visible from the table is that there is a larger % of females till the age of 29. Age Group MaleO/o Female%

0 4 11.30 11.89 5-9 13.39 13.54

10-14 12.47 12.92 15-1 9 9.78 10.31 20-24 8.88 9.85 25-29 8.67 9.69

The population belonging to these age group comprises 66.24% of the entire population. 68% of the female population falls within these age groups i.e. 33% of the entire rural population

11 Between the following age groups tbt mslribution of rural population be- the sexes is aa follows:

Age Group Male Female 30-39 13.80 13.24 4049 8.99 8.18 50-59 6.42 5.41

60 Above 5.88 4.63

The population between Lhese age groups comprises of 33.34% of the entire populatim. The f d e population consists of 45.56% of thls population, which is 31.46% of the atire female and nrral

population and 15.19% of the entire rural populntion (male and female) 18% of the popllalion in these age groups consids of males.

These fig- r e w d that abour 66% of the entire rural population is either young or belongmg to the waking class. Also chat 81% of the female population is below 39 years of age. Urban 1991

In the urban areas, a greater amount of the population falls between these age groups: 5-9 10.58

10-14 11.39 15-1 9 10.73 20-24 10.63 25-29 10.00 30-39 16.21 4049 10.20

This reveals that the largest percentage of people fall in the age group of 30-39. Moreover, as compared to the rural areas the percentage of new-born is a little low (8.1%).

It is also noticed that in the urban areas, the population within lhe age groups of 15-1 9, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39 and 4049 occupy a higher percentage in the urban population than in the rural areas.

This could be explained by the fact (hat people from m a l areas migrat~ng to urban localities usually belong to these age groups.

Also noticed is the fact hat 64% of the urban female population falls between the age guup of M. 5-9. 10-14, 15-1 9, 20-24, 25-29. Assumotions

Maternal mortality rate is high in the urban as well as rural areas. Population in the rural areas is on the increase because the concept of family planning b ' t reached these areas. As said earlier the gender bias is there both in the rural and urban areas where more preference is given to the male child in tenns of nutrition, health, education etc. becux of the patriarchal form of society. Sex Ratio in the rural areas -93: 100

Sex Ratio in the urban areas-87: 100

Growth rate a n t i r e District)

Year 1901-191 1 191 1-1921 1921-1931 1931-1941 1941-1951 1951-1961 1%1-1971 1971-1981 1991-2001

Growth rate in percent 5%

5.5% 12.85%

22% 22%

35.9% 25%

26.9% 23.5%

Percentaee Distribution of Po~ulation According to Different Cateeories of Workers and Non-Workers

in the District of Darieeline,

Kalimpng II has the lughest percentage of main workers 40.58% of its Lola1 population (5 141) consisls of main workers.

When the class of main workers, the percentage of cultivators is higher than hat of agricultural labourers of the total population of Kalimpong 11. Cultivator+29.470/0 of Lhe total population. Agnculhrral L.abourers2.35%of h e total population of Kalimpong II.

Percentage Dlstributlon of Populatlon accordlng to different categorles of Workers and Non-Workers in the distrlct of ~arje'ellng, 1991

(population in nurnberl

Sub-Division1C.D. Total Main W orken Class of Main Workers

BlocklMlNA

Cultivators Agricultural Labourers Population P.C. Population P.C. Population P.C.

(1 (2) (3) (4 1 (5) (6 (7) Sadar Sub-Division 111464 32.05 28131 8.09 7678 2.21 Darjeeling (M) 18181 24.88 302 0.14 147 0.20 Darjeeling ) 43763 37.35 18785 16.03 3325 2.84 Pulbazar Sukhiapokhri ) 30868 33.44 4732 5.13 1963 2.13 Jorebungalow Rangli-Rangliot 18652 28.55 4312 6.60 2243 3.43 Kalirnpong Sub-Division 68383 39.54 37226 19.57 7299 3.84 Kalimpong (M) 9990 25.73 538 1.39 868 2.24 Kalirnpong-l 19877 37.06 12186 22.72 31 72 5.91 Kalirn pong-ll 20863 -40.58 15149 29.47 1209 2.35 Gorubathan 17653 38.06 9353 20.17 2050 4.42 Kurseong Sub-Division 46735 31.87 8465 5.77 2354 1.61 Kurseong (M) +. 6536 24.43 6 0.02 3 0.01 Kurseong 27168 34.45 6360 8.07 1857 2.35 Mirik 11267 33.14 2007 5.90 399 1.17 Mirik (N.A.) 1764 25.12 92 1.31 95 1.35 Silliguri Sub-Division 211666 34.41 34604 5.63 34451 5.60 Matigara 68637 65.36 11070 5.7 11 990 6.18 Naxalbari ) . ~ h a r ~ b a r i 70742 34.67 23376 11.46 22240 10.90 Phansidewa ) Siliguri (M) 72287 33.32 158 0.07 22 1 0.10 District 438248 33.71 108426 8.34 51 782 3.98

continued ... Moreover, the density of population per sq.bn in Kalimpong I1 is second lowest (170 per K.m. Sq). This can be

interpreted in the following manner: most of the land is being u e d for agriculture, and that there are only 1209 people who being employed as agricultural labourers, whereas 2085 people are cultivators.

Compared to the lulls, the percentage of agricultural labourers in the subdivision of Siliguri is high, especially UI the blocks of Kharibari-Phansidewa where the percentage of agricultural labourers is 10.90. The number of Cultivators is high in the sub-divisions of Kalimpung, namely Kalunpong I, and Kalimpong II. (22.72% and 29.47 respectively) Gorubathan-20.17%.

I3 Mnln Worken Cultlvrturn Agrlculiurnl Labourerr

1)nrjeeling Sub-Diviaio~~ 32.05 8.09 2.21 Knlir~~pong SubDiviaion 35.94 19.57 . R 4 Kurseung 11 H7 5.77 I 6 1 Sil ipi~ri 34 41 5.63 5.60

I h l i o o l the Cullivalurs Lo Av l icu l l t~~a l Lahue rs in U1e four Sub-diviaiou are:- P l >n~ jm l i~ lg - IW: 27 P Knli1111)ur1g- IOO. 25 u liul.seo~rg- I 00. 25 3 Siligt~ri-100. 100 * S i l i g i ~ ~ i Sub-L)iviaio~~ 118s l l ~ e largest IIO o f ~lgricullurnl Inbuusers

Clase of Meln Workers Merainel Workers

Houee hold

Sub-Dlvlmlon1C.D. industry ( M u f e c t u r l n a Other Workers

B l o c h l M l N A Processing)

Dar jeel ing (M) 1265 0.36 17467 23.81 142 0.19 Darjeel ing ) 184 0.10 21469 18.32 503 0.43 Pulbazar Sukhiapokhr l ) 85 0.09 24088 26.09 680 0.72 Jorebungalow Rangl l -Rangl lot 86 0 .13 12011 18.39 615 0.94 Ka l lmpong Sub-Divlsion 506 0.27 23352 12.28 1924 1 0 1 Ka l i lnpong (M) 298 0.77 8286 21.33 120 0 31 Kal l rnpong- l 100 0.19 4419 8.24 445 0 83 Kal impong-l l 66 0.13 4439 8.63 1206 2.35 Gorubalhan 42 0.09 6208 13.38 153 0.33 Kurseong Sub-Division 148 0.1 35768 24.39 866 0.59 Kurseong (M) 67 0.25 6460 24.15 59 0.22 Kurseong 42 0.05- 18909 23.98 404 0 51 Mlrllc 20 0.06 8841 26.01 316 0.93 Mir ik (N.A.) 19 0.27 1558 22.19 87 1.24 Sll l lgurl Sub-Dlvision 1448 0.24 141103 22.04 1889 0.31 Mat igara 493 0.25 24019 23.23 814 0.42 Naxalbarl ) Khar ibar i 507 0 25 24619 12.06 628 0 3 1 Phans idewa ) Sil iyuri (M) 448 0.21 17400 32.94 447 0 21 District 2722 0.21 275318 21.18 6599 0:51

Source; Dislr~icl~ Slulislicul Ilar~dbool~. 1991 Wurkers: - I

Sub Dlvlriot~s Mnrglnnl Cultlvnlors Agrlculturnl Housel~old Otlterr Lnbuurers Workers

Sndnr .55 8.02 2.2 1 . I 8 21.57 Kali 1111~oug 1.01 19.57 3.84 .77 12.26 Kurseong .5Y 5.77 1.61 . I 0 24.39 S i l ipu~ i .31 5.63 5.60 .24 22.94 K n l i n ~ p o ~ ~ g U l l lal ltes the highest pe~ce~~tage of luair~ workers (110.57%) also has l l ~ e I~ighesl perce11111ge or

rnarginnl \vo~-ke~s (2.35%). Knlul~pong Municipnlity nlso 110s Ihe highesl percentage of ils yt~pulnlion i l~\~olvcd ill Monit~acliu~i~~~l~~ocessu~g (tIousehold) h~dustry (.77%) i n Ule Dislricl. l ' lus call be nllribuled lo llisloricnl factors lmause kaIin111ong i n lhe old dnys used lo be n l r ~ d e center. I l l i s elso corl.obales Ihe lac1 that l l ~ e tuu~ller of self elllplovd is Inore ill the a m . (See agriculture elso).

Nua-Worlier.8:- Sntlar - 67.40% K u ~ s e o ~ ~ g - 65.50% K~~lilnpong - 63.05% Siliguri - 65.28%

A~norig the l~locks, Ule ones that have the I~ighesl percentage of non-workers are: - 1)nrjeeling Mu~~iicipnlilv - 74.93% IZn~~gli-lcn~lgliot - 70.5 1 "/a KaIi111po11g U - 73 .96% Kurseong (M) - 75.35% M~rik (N.A.) - 73.64% Kurseor~g Muncilal i t~ 110s tlie Iligl~est percer~lage of nou-workers. Kalunpo~ig 11 has die lo\veaI percel~loge u l null- \\,o~-kers. l l i is is bemuse K a l i n i p o ~ ~ used lo be n trade celller in (lie old days. and is now Inore or less o self -suflicielll nrrn Ir,y itself \vherens Kurseong is neill~er n lrode center and nor dues i t olTer e~nploynient ol)pc~~tu~~it ies like 1)arjeeling 11s n liendquurler offering niore service orienled e~nploy~nenl oyp~~iunil ies . Ln other words it en11 be safely stiid llinl Kurseo~~g is a ~irglecled area.

Dnr lee l ln~ Sub-Dlvlrlun Darjeeling Mu~iciyality - 24.88% nre Mnul workers, nnlong which .4 1 nre Cullivnlors, .20 - Agricullr~rnl Lnbourers, .36 - tlosehold Industry Wo~kers nnJ 23.9 1 OUier Workers 0.19% - Margi~ial Workers 74.93% - Non-Workers

A~ound 75% of the ~~opula t io~i u ~ ~ i s i s t s of Non-Workers. Ailong tlie \tu~kers. 23.91% of Ilie populnlion is involved in "oll~er" \vork seclurs. For every 100 cullivalors. Iliere are 49 ngricullural labourers. 'Tlie lohl percenluge of pc~l~ulnlio~i i~ivolved in ~griculture is .GI% only. Dnrleelln~lPulbnznr I'olnl Mnin Workers - 37.35% n~nong wllicll 16.03% hre Cullivnlors, 2.84 me Ag~ici~llurnl Lnbourers. . I 6 I-lousehold Industry Workers nnd 18.32% OLl~er Workers. .43% - Morginnl Workers 62 2% - Nun-Workers

'1-lie percentage of non-workers is less llin~i i l l Dnr,jeeeluig (M). Ho\vever, Lhe percentage of ~narginal workera is (I lillle niore.

]'he ~~ercentoge of the enlire ppulalion involved in agricullure is 18.87% and lor evely cullivotor, there me 18 ngricullul-nl Inbourers. 'This reveals that nn~ong [lie ~ i io i i~ workers, n Illore or less equnl percer~lnge of (lie ~~opulnlion is in\wlvctl in ~ lg~ic i~ l ture lllnn in olher job secto~s. I'lie perce~itnge or population invl~lwd in Ilie household indusl~y is tlie l e ~ s l . Sublavulhri-Jurebunpnluw l'ulnl M R ~ I I Workers - 33.44% anlong wllicll 5.13% are Cullivalors, 2.13% are Agicrl~lurfl~ Lnbourers, .09% nre llouse I-lold lndust~y workers and 26.09% Vllier Workers. Margi~~tll Workers - .72% Non-Workers - 65.84%

'The percenlnge of (lie entire populntion i~ivolved in ngriculture is 7.26%.. For every 100 cullivntors there are 4 1 ngriculh~~nl lohourers.

Most people tire eillier uon-workers or in\~ulved in "Other" job seclors. Rnndl-Ranvllut . . 'l'cllnl Mnin Workers 28 55% alllong which 6.60% nre Cdlivators, 3.43 are Agricultural Lahourel-s, .13% nre Ilouseliold h~duslry Workers a ~ i d 18.39% Olhers Workers. Mt~rgi~~cll Worke~s - .94'$/0 Nan-WVI kers - 70.51%

About 1% of llie pyulalion co~isisls of ~l~nrgulnl workers. 10% of tlie populalio~l is invvlved in ngl-icullure. 18% is i~i\~olved in other job seclors. All olhers comprise of IIQII-workers. For every 100 cullivotors there are 52 agricult~lrnl Inbou~e~ s. Kalllnuonr (M) Tolnl Main Workers - 27.73% alllong which 1.39 ere Cullivators, 2.24 are Agricull~ral Labourers, .77% are I-Iouaeliold hitlusl~y Workers and 21.33 % nre Other Workers. vnrgi~ial Workers - .3 I O/o Non-workers - 73.96%

15 About 74% of the population mnsisls of Nun-workerr. It llss the lughest percentage of block ~ q u l a ~ i o n

involved in lhe Ilousehold Industry. Only 3.62% of its pvpulalion is involved in agriculture. 21.33% of the ppulation is in\slvetl il l "Other" ioh seclors.

Kuliruponu I 'l'oI111 Muin Workers-37.06% among which 22.72% are Cullimltrrs, 5.91% ore Agricultural l.abourers, . l Y h are I lotlseholtl 111dusl1-y Workers i~nd 8.24 Olher Workcrs M I I I ~ U I L I ~ Workers - .X3% Non-Workers -02. I 1 %#

11 h;ls o l ~ c of (he I~ighcsl ~xrcenluges of the block ])op~~lalion involved in ngriculluw (28.83%) and has the 1owes.I ~)erccntagc !col'block ~~ol)rllalion in "Oll~er" joh SLWIOIS.

Kulinlpong 1 one is 1)usically an agricullural arc: I:or cvery 100 c u l l i ~ ~ l o ~ s U~crc are 26 agricullun~l labourers. K i i l i ~ i ~ ~ ) o ~ ~ v JJ 'I'ot;11 Main Workers 40.5H% among which 20.47%) are C'ullivalors, 2.35 are Agricullural Istu)urers, ,1396 are floilsehold lritlusl~y Wo~kers ilnd 8 63% are Other Workers. Ma~.gin;~l Wol kcrs - 2.35%) Nan-Workers - 57.07Yo

It II;IS the I~ighesl Ixrmntage of populatio~~ involved in agricullwe - 3 1.82Yo nnd one of [he lowest iuvol\.ed in Other job seclors. It also has the lowest percentage of Non Workers. I:clr every IOO Cullivators Illere are 8 agicultunll labourers.

'I'his loo, is basically an agricultural area. Gorubntlrrrn 'l'otal Main Workcrs - 38.Oo% among which 20.17% are C'ullivalors, 4.42 urc Agricultural I~bourers, 0.05% are I lousehold h~duslry Workers and 13.38 are Other Workers Marginal Workers -.13% Non-Workc~s - 61 .0li%

'l'hc lola1 percenlage of populalion involved in agriculture is 24.29%. For every 100 Cullivators there are 2 agricullural Ial)ourel.s. K~rl~st.unic lMJ 'Sola: Main Workers - 24.43% among which 0.02% are Cu!livntors, 0.01'% nre Agricultural Labourers, .2j'>; are Ilouscholtl 111tI11slry Workers and 24.15% i re Other W~I-kers. Marginal Wor-ken - .22%1 Non-Workers - 75.35%

Very lillle percentage of the population is in\alved in agricullure. Mosl working pople arc UI 'Orher' jub scclor-s, and a sn~clll pel-centage consists ol' nlarginal workers. 1t also has llie lligl~esl prccntage of no11 \vorkers ?his could mean llii~t this is quite an u~lprotluclive area. Kurseung 'l'ol;~l Main Wor-ken - 34.45% alllong which 8.07'% are Cullivalors, 2.35% arc Agricullural I.,abourers, 0.05% are Ilouschold lrldr~slrv WOI-kers end 23.98%) Other Worke~s. M;~rgil~al Workers - , 5 11% Non-Workers -- 65.0J1%)

I'he tol;ll percentage of population involvetl in agriculture is 10.42%. For evcry IOO cultivators therc are 29 Agriculttu-al l .abourers.

24% of Uic populalio~l is involved in Oll~er Job Seclors; otherwise 65% of the population consisls of Non Workers.

Total Main Worker - 33.4% anlong which 5.09% are Cullivalors, 1.17% are Agriculluual Lalw~u.crs: O.06Yo ale I lousehold Induslrv Workers ant1 26.0i% are Other Wol.kel-s. Marginal Workers - .93% Nan-Wtrrkcrs - 05.03 Yu

'l'hc totill Ixrcentage of ~)ol)ulalion il~volvcd in ;~griculture is 6.26%. For cvery 100 Cultivalors here are 20 Agricultural 1,ahlurers.

.Al-ou~ld 1% ofthe 1)ol1ulalion consists or Marginal Workers and 26% Other Sob Seclors.

Mirilc (N.A.1 Total Main Workers - 25.1296, arnong b twl l I . 3 1% are Cullivalois, 1.35% are Agricul11n.al Labourers, .27% ilrc I-Iousehold Industry Workers and 22.19% Other Workers Marginal Workers - 93Yo N(III-Workers - (15 93%

'1.h~ total larcclltage o l populalion invol\;ed in apricull~rre is 2'.06%. For evrlry 100 Cullivelors there are 103 . \PI icl~lluml I,;~lwu~l.~s. This is the only block ill lllc district where Ihc 1lu1111)er ol'Agricullu~:~l I .nl>o~~rrrs is morc lhar~ lhc *:1a111rr ( ~ I ' ~ ~ ~ I I I I I \ ~ ~ I o I s .

:vl;tti~aru/Noxalbn~i 'I'01:11 Main Workr~s - 34.41%, runting which 5.63% are Cullivolors, 5.60% me Agricullural L.ubou~ers 25% are ; iousehold Induslrv Workers mld 23.23% are Other Workers. Mnrgillu; 'Workers - .J?% NOII-Workers - 8 14 22'Yn

'The lolal ~)erce~~lnge of populntion involved in ngricullurc is 11.23%. For evely 100 Cullivalors there are 108 /\PI icultwal I .alxiurers ~ ( h r a r i b n r i / P h a n s l & ~

l otal Main Workers - nlllolig wl:ich I 1.46% :lie (:uItivnlors, 10.90% nre Agricullu~al 1.al)ourcrs. 25%) nrc Ilouschold 1). ; IISIIT Workers n11(1 l1,00%1 :11t* I Ilkrr Workers. '\1;11gi11i11 Wor-h~:~,, . .T I ,%) I I - W r h ~ (,5.02'%1

)lie ol'tlle lo\vcsl pcrccnlnges illvolved i l l Ollicr Juh Seclors. Ihc lo1i11 ~xlce l~ lge 01' I ) I ) ~ ) L I I ~ I ~ ~ O I ~ i~lvoI\~ciI ill agricult~lre is 22.36%. For elrely 100 Cullivators Uierc are 95

Agriculluriil L.ahouru~s. Silieuri IM) I olal Mniri Workcrs - 33.3% i~~iiong which X.34%1 are Cultivalors. 3.98 nrc Agricultu~al l.abourc~s, .21% nrc I-louscliold lr~tluslry Workers olld 21.18% are OLl~er Workers. Mnrgini~l Workers - .51%) NOII-Workers - 66 47'%,

.l'lic tol;~I ~ic~cc~llilgc of ~)ol)ulntion irlvolvcd ill ngric~lltu~c is 12,.32%. ITor every 100 Culliv:~tors Ihere are 140 Ae.1 l~llltl~rill I ,:ll~~i~lrcrs

( )IIC ol'lhc liighcs~ 1)crcelitages olNon Workers. 111 the Sub I>i\.ision ol' Siliguri, the percentage of A g r i c ~ ~ I l ~ ~ r ~ l 1,nbourers is higher I h a ~ ui llie olher sub-divisions

'i (dl'\{,

L\L.,I C O I I I I ~ ~ C ~ 10 ~ n e nulnlxr af cultivnlors, lhe n~ul~bcr or Agl.ic~~lIurnl 1,aboult:rs is i~bnosl eqllitl. On Ule hol~. is: rhc -.ulr-tli\;isio~~. liir evelv 100 Cultivalors Llicre is ; I I ~ cclual n iunbt~ of Agricultural laboucrs 11s wccll.

Qiylilbutioa of Population accordi~~e to Different Cateeories of Workers and Non Workers bv Sex i e tile District of Darieelirre,

I A J - M ~ ~ I I Wurkerr I Ilc nu;J .Ire,) ha\c ;I grci~tcr ~)t.rccnti~ge oC mi~lc III:I~II \vorkcrs Ilii111 in the urbiln areas:

, - Cultivators -- - lo'%, 01' Ihe rl1ral l ~ ~ a l c pol~ulation culti\,;~tors 7.6% o l the rural pol1~11ation are i~~volved in thc sallle s b 0 1 I, , ? C ~ l ~ l l

,t-, I{;II!. I ( , ! ) . I < "'<* o i l l i ~ . I ! ~ I % I I I I I I ~ I I C l)o])t~Ialio~~ arc (:ulIivalors.

n , I I C , U , ~ I I I l'e111;11e ] I ~ ~ L I I ~ I I ~ ~ I I :IIC cullivi~lors, , , l < ; ~ t i ( i -. 100: I5

(;rcatcl ~ ~ c ~ c e ~ ~ l i ~ g e !)f lllc ~)crp~~li~(ioli (I 1.85'Yo) is i~lvolvetl as cultivalors ill the rural :u.ens tho11 in the urban areas '%'%I)

A~~riculturdl Lubuurers - e grealer pcrccntngc of l l ~ e ~)opulalion (5.54%) are involved as Agricultural Lnbourers in the mri~l ilrms than ill the urban ;was (.43%,)

7.5')'%~ ol.lllc ~ w a l I I I : I~C ~)opulalion arc Agricult~lrc~l 1,abourcrs. 1 .It%> of rhc rural Te~rii~lc ~)ol,ulation ;lrc Agricullural 1.nhout.ers. Y t > r l < ; l l l t l -. 100~42 I,'+;, o l tllc III:I~: (xi1)uli1tio1i are Agricullurnl Lahourors

: r ol Lhc 1i:nialc (iooul:ilicin v e Agricu~lural L.al)c~urers. , \ I< : I , , ,~ - i!lO.i7

Iigb ,chuld ilnd other t h a ~ ~ huusel~old lnlanufncturine ~~roccssint!.) . 0 1 ' i 1 1 1 i [ t 1i;i11: l ~ j l ~ ~ ~ l ; ~ I ~ ~ ii CIIC I~IoLI:~zIIoI~ I I ILILIS~I~ W O ~ ~ C I S j'h, I I I I . I ~ l!.s,!;~ic I)O~II; :IIIOII are l l v t ~ ~ e l ~ o l d 111d~1slry Workcrs

1 ' . 11ic; . ,

1 .I,' >,! I . I , I L , , !, , . ,OI~I,I( :L,II , , ic I I ~ ! ~ s ~ I I ~ I I c I 111(It~qtry Workers I I It c I . i , . ; .I) ' . N ~ , ) ~ ~ are I lo~~scholtl Illtluslq Workers ~ . \ - l t ; l l l ,~ l f k l ? , I

17 Morc of the i u b n population is involved coupled hy Ole fact that the Greater perwntage of urban male populution are itnwlved as Hou.whold Industry Workers. Sex Itittio is I)cllcr i r ~ rurill arals, although greater prwnlu#e of fe~nnles i n w l v d in u u h ~ areas. -I. Otlier Workcrs 2 .27%~ ol-rurrtl ~n;tlc p)lx~lntio:~ involved in Other Wurk Sectors 12 83%) O T I ~ I I ~ I I fctnillc ~~)~)utli~!ion involvtxl i l l Other W O I ~ Seclors Sex-l(ntio 100:53

46x1 ol ul.tan n~alc populalio~: in\rol\~ed in ( h ~ e r W c ~ k Sectors '

8.'%1 ol'urhctn I'elnrtle ~~opulalion involved in Other Work Seclors Scx-l<i~lio I ( W ) ' I 0

Mote of t l ~ c pol,ulrtion in both the rurcrl and urljan areas is involval as 'Other Workers'. However, a greater O/u of Il.ltralcs arc rnvolved in these sectors in the ru~a l areas than in the urban areas. lB1 Marvlnal Wurkcrs

A glcittcr pcrcerllagc ot 'pople in the rurtll areas are nlarginal workers. It sl~ould be re~nmberetl Lhat the size ot assets or landholding in the hills are vely s ~ ~ i a l l compal-ed lo the plains. .37'%, of ~ura l lnalc ~wpulation involved as Margi~ml Workcrs .8HU/o of rural female populatior~ invol\d as Marginal Workers Sex-l(;~lio 1 (;0:29 30% o l url~sn 111ale population are involved as Marginal Workers 18% ol'fe~n;~lr: nlale poi~ulatic~n are involved as Mnrrinal Workers . .

Luud o\vnc~.shiv in terms uf sizc in the hills is vew small.

Distribution d population according to different categories d -kern and non-rkers by . . sex in the Dlstrlct of heeli in^

Industrial Categories Population Number

- - - - --- Male Female Total

P.C. of col. '4' to respective total

- population

. A_-. (2) (3) (4) (5) A Total Main Workers Total 31773 120515 438248 33.71

Rural 216787 104473 321 260 35.54 Urban 100946 16042 116988 29.54

1 C~rltivators Tolal 75085 33341 108426 8.34 Rural 73970 33174 107144 11.85 Urban 1115 167 1282 0.32

2 Agricultural Labourers Total 36571 1521 1 51782 3.98 Rural 35284 14815 50099 5.54 Urban 1287 396 1683 0.43

Household and other than 3 household (manufactur~ng Total

processing) 2057 665 2722 0.21 Rural 1144 449 '1 593 0.18 Urban 913 216 1129 0.29

4 Other Workers Total 20420 71298 275318 21 18 Rural 106309 56035 16'2424 17.97 Urban 9763 1 15263 1 12894 28.50

8. Marginal Workers Total 2409 4190 6599 0.51 Rural 1762 3860 5622 0.62.=. Urban 647 330 977 0.25

C Non-Workers Total 359181 495891 855072 65.78 -

Rural 248775 328202 576977 63.84 Urban ' 110406 167689 278095 70.21

'TOTAL POPULATION Total (A+B+C J 397323 620596 1299919 100.00

Rural 467324 136535 903095 100.00

-. ---- Urban 211999 184061 396060 100 00 Source: Cerlsus of India, 1991

[ < ' I 1Yon-Worlrers A gralter ~)c~-ce~~lapc of the url~an pol~ulalion colnp~ ises of Not1 Workers thnt1 Ihe nlrul populalion.

53'Yo ol'rur;~l rliille oooulatiuj~ arc Non Workers i.jl%, ol'rurttl I i x ~ i ~ l c population are Nan Workers :.lc.u-llalia 100: 132 , . )L'% cll'~lrhon ~n:llc ~)ol~uli~ttoll arc Noil Workcrs : ' I %, o!' krrl>al~ retnalc pol)ulnlion are Not1 Workers ,'~*!x-l<at~o 100: IS2

03'% of [he total populatiolr invol\.etl as nrain workers is illvolvesl in 'Otller' Job Scclors. They cotnprise oi :!I. I R'%I of l l ~ e enlire I)islricts ~>opul;~tion.

12. 32'%, ol'lhe I)isl~icls populaliot~ is i~~vol\fed ill ag~iculture. 'fltr I)crcrlll;lgc ortlon ivcirhers-aliiong Tel~lales is 111ucl1 I~ighcr Ihan the males, esl~cially in the urban aleas. The

Il:~tti~lc nori-\voth-e~. ~w~-cenlagc is 38.150/;1 in Ihe District and 78% ill the lolal fettlttle ~wpulal io~~.

Education and Culture

111 I'riniar)' Scl~tn~ls, Ihe number or s ludc~~ls per lcacher is higher ill the s~~b-division ol' Siliguri thim ill UIC lull sul>tlivisions. 111 thc hill, Goruhalhiui, Ule Municipalily ol' Kalimpng and Mirik have a high r1~111ikr of s luda~ts per teacher-48 s~r~dents per teacher on 011 average.

1:or Midtllc Schools. Lhc s l ~ ~ d e n l per teacher ralion is lcss than in Ule Pri~naly Schools. Suuprisingly, Sor the K:~lilnpong Municip;~Iily. lhere arc 1111ly ihur sludenls Sol every (ci~cher.

I ' l ~ e studenl-teacher ratio in Iligli Schools is hirly unifonn for all thr: h u r suh-div~sions. For L)WJL%IUI~ Municipality, I1 owever, there are only 12 students per teacher.

Whcre Collegcs are co~~cemed, Pulbaza~- and Maliga~a show Lhc lowest tcaclier-studcr~t ratio oC 8 studcu~s 11c1 leather

1:o1 the e!~tire l)istrict, there are 1 170 Prilnary Schools. 56 Middle Scllclols, 64 l i igl~ Secontlary Schwls, 12 Colleges (including one uni\crsity) and 8 I'rofessio~~al and I'echnicnl Sclltml or College.

I:\rcn if it is prcsu~ncd that 16, 0587 sludeuts in Lhe I'rimury Schools join (he Middle. tLigI1. Ilighcr S C C O I I & I ~ or l'l.ofcssio~u~l a ~ d Tecluiical Schools and Colleges, n large number of s t ~ ~ d e ~ i t s can be prcsu~iied lo haw disclmti~u~ed education allel. tile I'rinian l.evcl, especiall!; in the rural areas (blocks)

Moreowcr., tllcre arc only 12 colleges in the entile Ilislrict, Lhe sub-dhisions 01' Siliguri and Darjeeling share 5

Number of Inst l tut lons, S t u d e n t s a n d T e a c l i i r s In t h e dlstr lct of Darjeellng, 1998.99

each \ \ h e ~ e Kurseong :u;c' Kblinlpmg have onlv 1 college each

Sub-Division and C.D. Block1M.M.C.

(I ) Sadar Sub-Division Darjeel~ng Municipality Darjeeling Pulbazar Sukhiapokhri-Jorebungalow Rangli-Rangliol Kalirnpong Sub-Division Kalilnpong Municipality Kalin~pong I Kaliln pong I I Gorubathan Kurseong Sub-Division Kurseong Municipa!ity Kurseong Miriic Mirik Municipa.ity Siliguri Sub-Division Siliguri Municipal Corp. Matigara Naxalhar~ Kharibari Phansidewa - TOTAL

P m Ineti-

tutions (2)

(Num b e r l

MiPdle. Insti-

lutions

326 44277 1471 52 791 3 253 134 17023 651 103 9768 320 77 9523 247 227 29137 664 21 4118 04 77 941 0 225 69 8121 199 60 7488 153 152 18645 550 23 1967 106 83 10573 306 46 6105 138

393 67821 1281 75 17648 324 5 5 9080 178 70 11479, 204 80 12031 148 113 175883 427 1138 159830 3966

Sludents (3)

Teachers (4) (5) (6) (71

22 3680 132 2 162 13 8 1464 5 1 8 1320 4 5 4 734 23 17 1711 7 9 2 44 14 6 724 35 6 261 14 3 682 16 6 517 24

4 179 1 1 2 338 13

10 1607 56 1 194 6 4 710 24 3 435 16 1 142 5 1 126 5 55 751 5 291

Students Teachers

Whcre I-'roressional and 'I'cdmicol Schools md Collel?es nrc collcel

Sub-Division and C.D. Block1M.M.C. Insti- Students Teacher!

tutions (1) (8) (9) (1 0'

Sadar Sub-Division 18 6628 186 Darjeeling Municipality Darjeeling Pulbazar Sukhiapokhri-Jorebungalow Rangli-Rengliot Kalir~ipong Sub-Division Kalirnpong Municipality Kalin~pong I Kalin~pong II Gori~bathan Kurseong Sub-Division Kurseong Municipality Kurseong Mirik Mirik Municipality Siliguri Sub-Division Siliguri Munic~pal Corp. Matigara Naxalbari I<haribari Phansidewa

b * L -

:d, Ll~erc o ~ c H in Ibe Ilislricl.

Hiaher S e c o n d a ~

CollegelUniversity Professional & Technical

Sub-Division and C.D. ~ c l i o o l a College Block1M.M.C. lnsti-I I Insti-1 1

tutions Students Teachers tutions Students Teachers

- ( 4 (1511 (16) (1711 (1811 (19) Sadar Sub-Dlvision 5i 29131 139 2 i 3681 13

Gorubathan Kurseong SubD l~ns~o r~ kurseong Nitln~c~pal~ty Kurseong

lMlllk

...........

.........

. .

Naxalbari Kharibari

12' 9508, 519 8. 1533:

S u b - D i v i s i o n a n d C . D . B l o c k 1 M . M . C .

S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n

Ine t i - t u t i o n s S t u d e n t s T e a c h e r s

( 1 ) ( 2 0 ) ( 2 1 ) ( 2 2 ) S a d a r S u b - D i v i s i o n - - - - - - D a r j e e l ~ n g M u n i c i p a l i t y - - - - - - D a r j e e l i n g P u l b a z a r - - - - - - S u k h i a p o k h r i - J o r e b u n g a l o w - - - - - - R a n g l i - R a n g l i o t - - - - K a l i m p o n g S u b - D i v i s i o n - - - - - - K a l i m p o n g M u n i c i p a l i t y - - - - - - K a l i m p o n g I - - - - - - K a l i m pon ' g II - - - - - - G o r u b a t h a n - - - - - - K u r s e o n g S u b - D i v i s i o n - - - - - - K u r s e o n g M u n i c i p a l i t y , - - - - - - K u r s e o n g - - - - - - M i r ik - - - - - - M i r ik M u n i c i p a l i t y - - - - - - S i l i g u r i S u b - D i v i s i o n - - - - - - S i l i g u r i M u n ~ c i p a l C o r p . . - - - - - M a t i g a r a - - - - -- N a x a l b a r i K h a r i b a r i P h a n s i d e w a - - - - - - T O T A L 5 0 0 0 7 9 2 5 0 5 0 0 0 " B l o c k w i s e f i g u r e s a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e S o u r c e s 1 . D . l . o f S c h o o l s ( P r i m a r y ) , S i l i g u r i 2 13. I .o f S c h o o l s ( S e c o n d a r y ) , S i l i g u r i 3 D i s t r i c t S o c i a l , E d u c a t i o n O f f i c e r , S i l i g u r i 1 . A I I I n s t i t u t i o n s , S i l i g u r i

Sadnr Sub-Divisiun Darieelu~r M~ulicioelity: there are 52 Prinlary Institutions. The Teacher Student ratio is I teacher for every 33

students (approx.) on an average. Middle Schools are 2 in number. l h e Teacher Student ratio is 5 teachers Tor every 100 students i.e. one ta~cher

I'or wcry 20 stuilenls. The I-Iigh Schools are 5 in uuntber. 'fhe 'l'eacher Student is 100:3 or 33 stude~lls per tetlcher (average) There are 7.Higher Secondary Institulio~ls. l'he Teacher Student ratio is 1 teacher [or e w y 12 students. Tl~e nu~nbcr of Colleges are 3 and the Teacher Student ratio is 1 :20 or I teacher Ibr every 20 sludents. 'I here is 1 professio~lal college where the stude~~t-teacher ratio is 33: 1

m ~ w l t ~ l r IJulbazar/Sukl~ia PokhilRiu~eli-Rangliol. T'hc number of primary i~lstitutions arc more in Lhese rural areas. Pulba7;lr=I42. SuUuapokhri-

Jorehu~~galo\c= 105. In kingli-Rangliol, however, the nunher or pri111m-y schools is less-79. In the lirsl two blocks, i.e. ljarjeeling I'ulbnzar and Sr~hapklu-i-Jorebu~alow. the 'Teacher Studenl ratio is 27

students per tet~cher on xi average. For Rangli-Rangliot, however, there are 39 st~~dents per teacher.

Kalin~punr~ Sub-Divisiun. Kalimuo~~r Mu~licivalitv.

~fhcre are 2 I I'rimary ~chools and the ratio is 50 students per teacher. For Kali~npvng 1 lhere are 81 prilnary schools, 71 for Ki~li~nl)ong II and 62 [or (ioruh~than. 'l'he Teachcr Studenl

ratio is 4 3 students per teaches, which is quite high For Gorubatlian only the riltio is 18 students per teacher. Kurseunv Sub-Divisiun Kurseonr Mullici~alily

The~e is a total 111'23 Primary Schools. The Teacher Student ratio is 19 studcnts p a teacher. l'lasc are 3 Iliglh Schools with 42 students per teacher on an average.

'I'he iiuii~ber or I'riniury Schools have increased rro~n 1 100 lo 11 38 rro111 1997-98 to 1998-99, and rro111 1 138 lo 1 170 li-0111 1998-90 lo 1999-2000. l't~ewTore in a span or lluee years. Illere has Iwcn an increase of 70n Pri~naq Schools in the disliicl.

I3elwveen 1997-98 tolYY8-99 the nunher oC Fligh SSchols d e c m d Gom 71 lo 59. l'his implies Uutt 12 schools slopped operating williin these Iwo yenrs. .Ihe number, however: increased Goin 1998-99 lo 1999-2000 to 64.

'l'lie ntimbcr of IIigher Secondary schools increased froni 1998-99 lo 1999-200 by 9. l'he nuillher of Colleges, howcver, has 1101 increased sicne 1989-90. There arc 12 colleges (dclincd as nll

inslilutiaris excepl schools) in Uie llistricl at presenl. Where Special Educolion is concemetl. 5000 Moss Lilerncy Centres were opciied in 1998-99 and 20 Child

I%iuca(iou Centrcs in 1999-2900. "Ilnformi~tion ~wiardinp Private scl~ouls ur colleees is nut availablel

Sex Ratiu, 0-6 age group Population. Litelates r i ~ d Literacy rates by sex for 1991 and 2001 at a glance for West Dengal and the districts

Educatlonal lnrtltutlon by typem In the dlrtrlct of DarJeellng. Number

Type of Institution 199596 1-97 1997-98 199899 19932000 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

A General Education 1281 1281 1281 1315 1 362 1 School 1269 1269 1269 1303 1350

i) Primary 1100 1100 1100 1138 1170 ii) Middle 51 51 51 55 56 iii) High 7 1 7 1 7 1 59 64 iv) Higher secondarylmultipurpose 47 47 47 51 60

2 College 12 12 12 12 12 B Professional &Technical Educatior\ 8 8 8 8 8

Education 1 School 3 3 3 3 3

i) Engineeringnechncial 1 1 1 1 1 ii) Teacher's Training 2 2 2 2 2 iii) Others

2 College 5 5 5 5 5 i) Engineering ii) Teacher's Training 2 2 2 2 2 iii) Others 3 3 3 3 3 C Special Education - 5000 5020

1 School 2 College 3 Mass Literary Centre - 5000 5000 4 Child Education Centre 20 5 English lllledi~m KG School

All Institution (A+B+C) 1289 1289 1289 6323 6390 Sources:- 1. D.l.of Schools(P.E.8S.E.). 2. Colleges. Darjeeling 8 Siliguri 3. Distirct of School Board, Darjeeling RSiliguri 4. Education Deptt. D.G.H.C.

23

District

No. of Females per 1000

Males

No. of Females per 1000

males

(1 West Bengal

2001

(3) 934

1991

(2) 917

0-6 Population 2001

.

0-6 Population

(%) compared

to total population

P

(4) 1113284

0-6 Population

("4 compared to

total population

1991

(7) 16.98

2001

(8) 13.88

M

(5) 5671152

F (6)

5461672

r - x i c t I Literacy rate excluding 0-6 1 Literacy rate excluding 0-6

Student by sex in Dimerent Types of Educational Ittstitotio~ts i s the District of Dal.iceline. With rcpill.tl to (ieliernl Iduc:nlion, Itle n~u11k.r of relunlc sh~tlcnls II;IS decreasctl I)cl\\,cen 1995-00 101996-97

liollr I I0670 lo 110515. 'lhe r1Lunnc.r r~ather decreased L~l\\'een 1997-98 lo 199H-99 hnuc I1!1165 lo 102077. Whcrc Lllc nulnl)cr of I I I ; I~C slutlcl~ls is collccmctl, thc ~lulilhcr ciccre~~sed sllill-l~ly (io111 I907 10 1998-99 ti0111

I (,I071 10 144967. I'lle nul~ll)er oC girls in ~ ~ r i ~ n n r ~ scllools decreasetl I i e l \ ~ e c ~ ~ 1005-06 lo 1996-97 lio111 62902 lo 62566. Uetwecn

1 'W7-98 n11d 1908-00. their numkr decreasetl again ill lniddle scllools from 6268 lo 28756.

District

(1 West Bengal Darjeeling

I Student by sex in different types of Educational Institutions in the dist"ct of Daieeling I

Literacy rate excluding 0-6 Population 1091

Type of l~istitution '

Literates 2001

(1) k e n e r a 1 Education 1 S~Jlool i) Primary ii) Middle iii) Hgh iv) Hgher Secor ldary/MuIt ip i~~ 2 Co!lege 8 Professional B Technical Education 1 School i) EngirieeringTTechni~l ii) Teachers Training iii) Others 2 College i) Engineering/TechnicaI ii) Teachers Training iii) Others C Special Education 1 School 2 College 3 Mass Litera~y Centre 4 Child Education Centre

F

- (14)

46.56 17.84 -- - -

P

57.70 57.95

199596 . 199697 Male Female Male Female

M

(13) 67.61 67.07 - - - -- -

F

--

(11) 20037007

437524

P

(9) 47821757

1029561

5 English Medium KG School 1 - All lnslitulions (A+B+C) 1 157904 171221 158920

M

(10)' 27784750

592037

live^^ ill Middle Schor)ls, the nutnkr of sli~de~tls frolt~ Iml the sews decreed be.l\wcn v a n 1997-98 ard 109% 09. '1'11~. felllale p)pulolion dwrensd from 62628 lo 2856

llre lerllale ~)opulutlot~ dec~ease is ol>sen,ed li)r the same vmr in I l igh Schools alw. Ihe male population ilcctcilsed lio111 20,000 to 10402 n ~ ~ d the linrulc liotn 20W50 lo 11877. Even li)r H~gher Scwldury h~stitul io~~slMull ipur~m~ Scllools the ~ l u t n k r decreased from 38430 to 16402 (males) and 23021 l o 11877

cor l t inuat ion T y p e o f Ins t i tu t ion

(1 ) A G e n e r a l E d u c a t i o n 1 S c h o o l i ) P r i m a r y i i ) M i d d l e i i i ) H i g h i v ) H i g h e r S s c o n d a r y l M u l t i p u r p o e e 2 C o l l e g e B P1.ofessiona1 8 T e c h n i c a l E d u c a t i o n 1 S c h o o l i) E n g i n e e r i n g l T e c h n i c a I i i) T e a c h e r s T ra in ing i i i ) 0 t he rs 2 Co l l ege i ) E n g i n e e r i n g I T e c h n i c a I i i) T e a c h e r s T ra in ing i i i ) 0 t he rs C S p e c i a l E d u c a t i o n 1 S c h o o l 2 Co l l ege 3 M a s s L i te rary C e n t r e 4 C h i l d E d u c a t i o n C e n t r e

M a l e F e m a l e

5 E n g l i s h M e d i u m K G S c h o o l I I A l l Ins t i tu t ions ( A + B + C ) 1 1 8 4 7 7 2 1 4 2 9 5 5 1 1 9 3 5 0 8 1 4 4 2 5 6 S o u r c e s : - 1 .D . l . o f S c h o o o l s ( P . E . 8 S.E . ) 2 C o l l e g e s . Da r j ee l i ng BS i l i gu r i 3 . D i s t . S c h o o l B o a r d , Da r j ee l i ng 8 Si l igur i 4 . E d u c a t i o n D e p t t . D . G . H . C .

Aericulture Agriculture, ns p~nctised in the hilly regions of UIC L)ish.ict, is dill'elerrl l i o r l ~ ng~icul lu~c 11s ~)l-~~cliscd in ~IIC hilly

t c ~ ~ u i r ~ , which lulllies l~lecl~z~llisetl lilnnir~g illmosl i~ppossible. 'I'llus, ogric~lllure, 11s ~,rllclisctl in the l ~ ~ l l s is wry l ahu r i :~ lc~~sive. Wonien cor~stilute n s i~eal~le ;x~rtion ol'lhe wtak liwce.

.I'he lolul Ibrest nrecl nccording to the 1)ireclorsle o f Agricullure, tiovl. o l Wcst Iknlgnl, is 124.574 Ihousald hecl:~res. This is only 38% o f l l ~ e tola1 n r a lllensuring uplo 325.469 Ihousand heclares according to l).I..R. Wcst 13cng;ll.

A g r i c u l t u r e S o m e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f l a n d u t i l i s a t i o n s t a t i s t i c s o f t h e d i s t r i c t I- 01 D a r j e e l l n q

1-1 9 9 9 - 0 0 3 2 5 . 4 6 9 1 2 4 . 7 4 8 . 6 3 1 5 . 9 3 9 1 4 7 . 9 8 6 1 S o u r c e : D i r e c t o r a t e o f A g r i c u l t u r e , G o v t . W . B .

( i n ' 0 0 0 h e c t a r e s )

A r e a u n d e r Principal C r o p s I n t h e d l s t r l c t o f D a r j e e I I r l g . ' t h o u s a n d h e c t a r e s

Y e a r C r o p 1 9 9 5 - 9 0 1 9 9 6 - 9 7 1 9 9 7 - 9 8 1 9 9 0 - 9 9 1 9 9 9 - 0 0

(1) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) F o o d g r a i n s

1 R r c e 3 9 . 6 3 6 . 7 35.5 3 6 . 4 3 5 . 7 A 11 s 5 . 6 6 . 1 6 . 5 6 . 2 5 . 2 A 111 a n 3 3 . 9 3 0 . 5 2 8 . 9 2 9 . 9 3 0 . 1 R o r o 0 .1 0 . 1 0 . 1 0 . 5 0 . 4

2 W h e a t 2 .7 2 . 6 4 . 4 3 . 8 2.9 3 B a r l e y 4 M a i z e 19 .4 1 2 . 2 2 2 . 6 21 .5 1 9 . 1 5 O t h e r 1 1 . 7 11 .7 1 1 . 8 1 1 .8 1 1 .8

T o t a l 7 3 . 4 6 3 . 2 7 4 . 3 7 3 . 5 6 9 . 5 6 G r a m 7 T u r (a1 8 0 t h e r P u l s e s 1 . 9 1 . 8 1 . 9 1 . 8

T o t a l P u l s e s 1 .9 1 . 8 1 . 9 1 . 7 1 .8

N e t c r o p p e d

a r e a

( 6

T o t a l - 7 5 . 4 6 5 7 6 . 2 7 5 . 2 7 1 . 3 c o n t i n u e d . .

1 9 9 5 - 9 6 3 2 5 . 4 6 9 1 2 4 . 7 4 9 . 7 7 1 4 . 2 0 0 1 4 5 . 8 3 2

0 t h e r f a l l o w

l a n d o t h e r t h a n

c u r r e n t f a l l o w

(5)

Y e a r

--

( 1 )

T o t a ! a r e a a c c o r d i n g t o D L . R .

'VJ e s t R e n g a l

. ( 2 )

F o r e s t a c c o r d i n g

t o S t a t e F o r e s t D e p t .

( 3 )

C u r r e n t

( 4 )

cont inuat ion ... 27 1 Area u n d e r Pr lnclpal Crops In the dlmtrlct o f Dmrjeellng. I

t houaand h e c t a r e s Yea r

i 905-98 l e e s - 0 7 i ee7-se i gee-99 I 999-oo

I (1 ) (2) (3 ) ( 4 ) (5) (6) Oil s e e d s

1 R a p e (L Mustard 2 L ~ n s e e d 3 Othe r O i l e e e d s

Total O i l s e e d s Fibre

1 J u t e 2 Mesta 3 O t h e r Fibre

Tota l Fibre M i sc . Crop

1 S u g a r C a n e 2 Po ta to 3 T o b a c c o 4 T e a 5 Chillies (dry)

0 . 1 ( a ) ( a ) ( a ) 0.1 0 . 0 0 . 1 0 . 3 0 . 3 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 5 1 .1 0 .3 0 . 3

6 Ginge r 2 .O 2 .O 2 . O 2 .0 2 1 Total Misc Crop -- 27 .8 - - 35 .6 33.4

a = l e s s t han 5 0 h e c t a r e s S o u r c e s : - ( I ) Directorate of Agriculture, gov t . o f W 0 .

(ii) B . A . E . 8 5. G o v t . of W . B . ( i i i ) Darjeeling Plantation Associtation (iv) Tara i T e a g a r d e n Association

In 1909-2000, 'Iba cccul~ied 26.3 thousand hectares oCtlre cropped Iund. Rice is a majcu crop in the Il~stnct occupving 35.7 thousand hectares in the same year Other in11x)rlanl c r q ~ s ~lrcduced in the 1)islricl are:- Jute-~ni~inlv pown in the plalns of Siliguri, c o v e ~ i ~ ~ g up lo 47.5 hiu~dred lieclarcs. Whcut-lnainlk grown in arts of Kaliml~ong nnd is alwut 65.7 Ilundred Iwlares of the plains. m 4 6 thousalid Ileclares (1999-2000) are used Ct~r the cullivnlio~i of pot:~lo. As hill nllitudcs arc suitable for the culti\~c~tioi~ of these, Uie yield is higher in file hilly sub-divisions bl'the tlislricl than in tlie plains

Anlong tlie tluce hill sub-divisions, ~iiaize and ~iiillel ure grown as part of the l m l diet. Mustard, Til and Maskalai, m tlie other hand is growl in the sttbdivision of Siliguri. Mustard wcupid 70

liccl;~res in 1099-2000, 'l'il-290 hectares and Maskalal-1 10 hcctnr~~. Ginger and Carda~oon~ are valuable cash crops ill the I~ills, along uiU~ other \.cgc(ables Itkc p w s , kilns.

cauli tlowers. heetrwls, carrots, rtldislies, to~ni~loes and squash.

Productioa of Princi~al Crons: 'I'lic production of rice had decli~lcd latween 1996-1999. I3elween 1Y95-96, 50.5 tl~ousand tonnes of ricc were

produced. 13elween 1996-99 the prduction declined lo a11 average ol' 39.2 thousand lonnes. The produclion rose up to 5 I . 5 thousa~d lo~~nes 1 999-2000 again.

.l'he production or 1iiai7.e also has decreased over the years. Det%veen 1095196, XO,OI)O lollnes of ~mizt: was produced. The graph for Ule production of maize shows a rise and lill patteni, but on the wllole the averagc produclio~~ lias decreased. In 1996-97, 6l,oMl to~i~ies were produced. hi 1997-98, 87,000 Ion~les were produced slid in 1993-99, 78,000 to~u~es. 'The procluclion reached a low of42 thousand lor~~ies in 1999-2000.

Oil the whole (lie pioduction of ccreals lins decreased-fro111 147.1 tllousa~lil tonnes in 1995-96 to 1 12.0 tl~nusuid lieclarcs 1999-2000.

E\.en Tor oil-seeds. the production has decreased from 4 thousand tonnes. (400 Imnes) ul 1995-90 Lo . I Ilio~lsund lolines (100 tonnes) in 1999-2000.

'l'he production of jute Iiowever, lins increased to 22.5 tlious~~id torulesin 199940 fio111 16.9 thousand tonncs in 1995-90.

I'he ~roduct~on pattern of potato, on the other hand lias been lhal for n~aize. 111 1995-96. MI thowmd lonnes, in 1996-97, 71.6 thousand to~lnes which shot up lo 98.6 thousa~id to~uies in 1997-98, hut decreased lo 88 thousand torules 111

IO9X-90 and then to 57 Ihousand tonnes i l l 1999-2000. 'l'he production of ginger liw been relatively constnnl over Llle yem, at lui avenlge oof 5.76 lhousalld tomes

between 1995-2000.

2 H On tilc \\rllole, 111~ figues when t&cll kotn 1989-90 ot~wnrds rcwal l11[11 lltc ;lle;l ~~~~ l l c r l ukc t l 1'01' II~~ICIIIILU~ I~~Is

llccrmsd over lllc "cars, exccpl for ~niscclli~neous crops, like ginger, 111-v-chilly ant1 11olnto libr wl~ich the ilrecl untlcrl;~hcn l i ~ r production \wre riit-lv conslant over the years.

For all olhcr food grains and crops (he area for prtwluclion hi~s decreased l'his could be becuuse of the ~ ~ r i c i l l g

P r o d u c t l o n o r P r l n c l p a l C r o p s I n t h e d l s t r l c t o f D a r j e e l l n g Thousand Tonnes.

C rop

(1) Foodg ra ins

1 R ice A u s Arnan Bo ro

2 W h e a t 3 Bar ley 4 Ma ize 5 O the r Ce rea l s

Tota l Ce rea l s 6 G r a m 7 Tur 8 0 ther Pu lses

To ta l Pu lses To ta l Foodg ra ins

1995-96 1996-97 1997-981 1998-99 1999-00 (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

50.5 3 8 . 8 3 9 . 5 3 9 . 3 51.5 6 .1 5 . 0 4.2 5 . 5 7 .5

44.1 33 .5 35.0 32.5 42.9 0 . 3 0 . 3 0.3 1 .3 1.1 2.9 3.8 6.4 3.1 4 .6

00.1 61 .2 87.1 77 .6 41 .7 13.6 1 4 . 2 14.3 14.2 15.5

147 .1 110.0 147.3 134.2 112.0

e . 9 1 .1 . 1 .3 1 . 3 ( b )

0.9 1.1 1 3 1.3 148 119.1 148.6 135.3 11 3.3

con t i nued ...

.:\-slctll does IIO~ t~~i t l ic 1l1e ~)roductian o f these crops ecunot~~icnlly viill,lc.

continuation ... Production of Principal Crops in the district of Darjeeling

Thousand Tonnes Crop 1995-96 1996-97 1997-981 1908-99 1999-00

(1 ) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) O i l seeds

1 Rape 8 Mustard 0.1 0.1 (b) (b) 0.1 2 Linseed 0.1 (b) 0.3 (b) 3 Other oi lseeds 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 (b)

Tota l Oi lseeds 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.1 Fibre'

- 1 Jute 16.9 16.2 20.0 2 1 22.5 2 Mesta 3 Other Fibre

Tota l Fibre 16.9 16.2 20.0 2 1 -- Mist. Crop

1 Sugar cane (+) 2 Potato 60.3 71.6 98.6 88.2 57.3 3 Tobacco 4 Tea - - 11.3 - - 28.6 27.5 5 Chil l ies (dry) 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 6 Ginger 5.8 5.9 5.3 5.8 6.0

Tota l Misc . Crop - - 89.0 -- 122.9 91.2 (b) less than 50 tonnes * Product ion in thousand bales o f 180 kgs each (+) Product ion i n te rms of gur

Sources: (I) Directorate o f Agriculture, G o v t o f W .B. (ii) B.A.E 8 S Govt. of W.B . (iii) Darjeeling Plantation Association (iv) Tarai Tea garden Association

Yield rate of Principal crops: liven though the area under production hat1 decreased along the years. die yield rnle of rice shot up to 1.443

Kdha i l l IYYO-00 Troll1 1,274 Kfla in 1995-96. 'Tllis shows Ilmt the cullivatjon ofrice was Inore i~itcnsive during Ihe lasl ycar.

I'his is true Ibr other foodgrains like wheal, barley, cereals and pulses and crops (like, Jute, Mesh, Chillies and Ginger. Hut Tor 1i)odgrains like maize the yield rate has decreased lo 21 889 Kgha in 1999-00 l i o ~ ~ ~ 41 35 Kghu in 1995- 06.

As con11)ared to the yield rate of some selected crops like Rice, WllmL, Jute, Ilal).wmI ant1 Mustard and I'otato III

West I3ellgal, the vield rate in h e district of Darjeeling is always less.

Yle ld ra te of P r i n c i p a l Crops In t h e d l s t r i c t of Dar jee l i ng Kllograrn per hectare

. Year . - -

Crop 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (1 ) (2) (3) (4 ) ' (5) (6)

Foodgrains 1 Rice 1274 1057 1112 1079 1443

Aus 1092 81 5 64 6 882 1446 A ~ n a n 1299 1098 1210 1088 1426 Boro 2801 3000 2816 3500 2712

2 Whea t 1086 1470 1472 808 1566 3 Bar ley 4 Maize 4135 5021 3852 3608 2188 5 Other Cereals 1162 1214 1212 1203 1314

Total Cereals 2003 1866 1983 1825 1312 G Gram 7 Tur 8 Other Pulses 470 61 8 694 722

Total Pulses 490 618 694 647 71 4 Total Foodgrains 1964 1831 1951 1798 1589

cont inued ..

Continuation Yleld rate o f Principal Crops In t he dlstr lct o f DarJeellng 7

Kilogram per hectare Year

Clop 1995'96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Oilseeds 1 Rape 8 Mustard 2 Linseed 3 Other Oilseeds

Total Oilseeds Fibre'

1 Jute 2 Meesta 3 Other Fibre

Total Fibre Misc Crop

1 Sugar Cane 2 Potato 3 Tobacco I ) Tea 5 Chillies (dry) 6 Ginger

Total Misc. Crop -- 3201 -- 3452 27301 in baleslhectares

Sources:- (I) Directorate o f Agriculture. Govt of W.B. (ii)B.A.E. 8 S. Govt. of W.B. (Ill) Darjeeling Plantation Association (iv) Tarai Tea garden Association

'l'his coulil lw ;~llrib~rlcd l o (he racl (hat i~gricullurc in l l ~ e hil ly te r r i~ i l~ proves to bc Inorc dil l icull than agicullure ill Ihe plains. More over (he nulllber oC SIII~III and 111nrgill;ll C;lnners his increased over the years. Belween 1985-86, (he 1lrl111ljcr of margini~l holtlings (t)clow I .0 acre) was 39,889 which increased to 90,579 in 1995-96. l'he area undcr tllcse ~l~:rrain;~l l ~ u l d i ~ ~ g s i~~c~c:~sccl l i -o l l~ 18,608 hccli~res to 48,076 hcctnrcs Silnilarly. the nulubcr of srnallholdu~gs has inc,~casctl lirjln 1'),Yc)3 ill 19%-86 lo 24.903 ill 1995-96.

3 1 Ilowever, thc i ~ t u n l l ~ of tndiutn HIUI large size l~oldings b s decreased. Between I9W91 to 1995-96, the

1l~u111or ol' tlwdiutn ho ld~t~gs dccreascd limn 3. IOY to 1 .53y and the tllunber ol' large holdu~gs dtzreased liotn 3. lhY to 1.539 and the llun~her of large size ho1d111~ decreased liom 224 to 201. ' 1 ' 1 ~ nunber of setni-medlun holdiws dccreusd li.oln 1.20.98 to 1 1.235

'I'he alnjvc ligures i~~dicate thal nlorc and I I I O I ~ h n ~ l c r s nre k i n g relegaled to thc stntus of small and rnargiml lilnllc~s ( )IIC ol'lhe reusoI1s l i~r this could 1)c ~ ~ C ~ I L I S ~ ' ol-1I1e rlw in ~x~l)ulalton. For cxa~nple, in a l'amnily whlch owns land as all t~ssct, d ~ c land gels distribu~cxl tn- Iraglnenled Iwi~usc the ~nule childmm 01' the latlnly. So the slze of the land 11old111g I)WOIIICS s~i~ullcr und s ~ ~ ~ a l l e r will1 cvely ge~~eration on Ihe cotld~ltol~ tlut Invre than one son in born in the f i l l y .

I he Iklling lalid-~niln ratio in the hills iuld in Siliguri c ~ ~ u l d 1~ .wid to have an'ected not only the aglcultural p o d u c l t o ~ ~ hut ;~lso the ccononlic slulus ol'lhe ~w)ple dependent tm agr~cullure.

I hr I091 Ce~msus rcvc;lls tImi11 42% 01 l l ~ e e ~ ~ l l r c ~ul-al ~ x ~ p ~ ~ l a t ~ o n helongs 10 the ape group bct\scx.n 15-39 \ears. I;rc(o~s like g ~ o w i ~ ~ g pressure on land {he cotlsequami Illcrease in the ~ ~ u ~ n h e r ol'apricultutal Iakwers have led to rural- L I I O ~ I I I ~ l ~ i g ~ i ~ l i o ~ ~ . 'Illis is also churacteri~~tl hy the d e c l i ~ ~ e i l l the percet~luge of n~ral ~x~l )u lu l io~~ to the cntlrc ~)pulal~cln ol 111~' I )islr~cI :IS such.

h~ l l ~ e ngr~cultural scellarlo in llle htll s u l ~ d ~ v ~ s ~ o n s and Illat ol' S~l tgur~ , a has~c dtspanty 1s nobcal In the acccss lo Icclmology and other irrigational benelits

Also it1 the hills, t h e ;Ire only 11 rert~li/cr dcln)ts, 5 al l )ar jcel ing/l~lbw~r, 4 al Jorebungalo\\~/Sdl~inpokhn and 2 al Kal in~po~~g 11. In thc: subdivision there are 7 l'ertili~er depots, 2 al Metigara, I at Nuwlhri , 2 at Kharihari and I (11 I ' l i i~~lsidc~a.

'l'here i ~ ~ c 4 S ~ C J slores in Jorel)~u1gulow-Sukhii1poMui. All other hltxks in (he llills have none. Siliguri s u b division has 7 swtl storLs In total.

'Ihc agricultuu~s(s s-~lfer liom a mtljor setback when i t comes to co~~unitnication and lack or acccss to 'an!. Fair I 'r~cc Markets n~ld lost ollhrr111 tlepend on 1111dd1elllen who explo~l thc~ll In every poss~hle way.

Moreover, olher industries in the hills are incapable ol' l~elping the agriculture in tilitigating i k problems. 'Over the Iilst l'orly years, l l ~ c lolill ~~ulnher ol' lalx~ur hrce ill the tea-induslry in the lulls has re~lli~ined s~ugiwlt. .Illus the growing popultl(ion, wllich cannot he ahsor ld 11v Lhe Lea i~~dustry!:. llus lo full hrk to agricldture. Only 3% ol the tok~l I)istrict's 1x)pulalion is employed in s~na!l industrial cs~ablish~i~ents. 'I'ouris~n, which has a very bright prospect in the hills, hils not rcochcrl the rural seclor. ~ o r e o v c r , Illere are 1046 i~dli~hiled villuges i l l lhc tlistrict of which I I arc idcntilied in the 1981 census as villages wit11 'cot~cet~lrat io~~' of rurd industries. And surpr~sinply. all these i~ldustries arc

~nostlv concenlri~ted in and around Siligur~ tow^

Some basic statistics about the district of Da jeeling in

SI . No.

(1) 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9

10 11 12

1) B.D.0 2) A.D.0 3) Dist. Agri. Marketing office 4) Post and Telegraph

the

Name of Block

- (2)

Darjeeling-Pulbazar Sukhiapokhri-Jorebungalow Rangli-Rangliot Kalirnpong-l Kallrnpong-ll Gorubathan Kurseong Mink Matigara Naxalbari Kharibari Phansidew Sources:-

No. of seed stores

' (5)

4

3 1 2 1

year 1998-99 No. of

vlllayes having drinking water

facilities (3)

48 43 29 43 22 31 57 11 79 83 66

108

& 1999-2000

No. of fertilizer depots

(4) 5 4

2

2 1

' 2 1

No.of fair price shops

(6) 67 28 33 36 45 6

14 12 6

18 17 3 1

No.of G.P. with

telephone1 telex

facility

(T) 2 5 2 4 3 2 4 2 5 3 4 5

3 2

Even with rcprd to Che electrilicutio~l of the villnges, 0111 of the 120 ir~hubitctl v i l l u g ~ ~ in l l ~ c 1)urjeeling sub clivision, 85 were eleclrilied (1996). In Ihe suhdivisio~l of Kurseo~~g, 49 oul o f 6 8 villages alr el~xtrilied. 111 Kal in~~~ong, our of96 villi~ges, Y I \vcrc clcc~rified. In Siliguri, out of 336 villages, 281 were elrclrified

Populntiou involved in A~riculture: A111ong (lie hill sub-divisiot~s, Kalinlpong 11as one of the highest percentages ol' total po()ulalion ~ ~ ~ v o l v c d in

a~ricullure. Kalin~pong-I hns 28.63% t i it's population as cultivalors and agricultural labourcrs. On an atcrage, For c\'ery 100 cull~vators. Lherc ;Ire 26 agriculturel laln)urcrs. Kuli1n1x)ngU has 31 . H Z of its poljul;rtio~~ involved ill agriculture, and

lu the sub-division of Siliguri, the percenlage of agricultural labourers is higher t h m ' t l ~ a l in the olhcr s u b t l i \ ~sions (5.00%). I ' V ~ I I colnpred to the number ofculti\~ators, the ~ ~ i ~ ~ n h e r of agliculluual lak)urers is alolost equal. On 1 1 1 ~ \+holz, in the subtlivision, for every 100 cultivators, there is ~ I I eqi~;ll nu1111)cr of' agricultur;~l labourers ns wcll. 'I.his ~ o t ~ l d I= ~lrlcq~rcled as-since l l ~ e tlcnsily of ~~opulalion is higlrest in the Siliguri sub-divisio~~ (1 12.kln2), the number of In~~dless Iahourers I)econ~es grealcr.

A little Inore than 50% or the Dislricts population is iuvolued in agriculture. 16% of the rural 11vale pol)ulation col~sisls or culli\~uliors ant1 al~out 8% as agricultural I;~bourel-s. 7.6%) oL. (he rur:tl le~nale ~wpulation ale cultivulors and .I I'!C ~ I ' l h c ~ n arc agricultural labourers. In the agriculluml sector, ~hcrel'orc, the sex ratio is 100:4, u.llich is bclter than in c*lllcr Jot) sectors.

Illsl)~lc of the Ihct Ihal such a large Ixrcentagc of t l ~ e populatio~~ is involvetl i l l ag~icult~n-c, Illis scclor hl ls under I I l t . llsl ol' ~ o o r p a l ~ i ~ e d sectors. 'l'he main reasons being the lack o l a regulaled ~narket, the lach or transportation lilcililies ;IIICI tllc abscncc or inli~aslurclure lo suplmrt the rarn~er during the lea11 season.

I'hc ~rull~hcr of 1.311.-price shop as con~parcd to the nu~llber of inhabilcd villages is v c ~ v i~~adequate (see

table' SVIILC hns!c statisli.cs~al~ut& d & ! r ~ ~ f ~ a ~ i e , c l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ! l l ~ ~ ~ a r . I ~ S , S , ~ ~ . Y & 1999-20001 alldt!l_e_lilbltr gi\!c!1abovc) 'I'lle Pdrruers have tcl rely un middle rneo for the lnrrketinv uf tlleir pruducts. Tllus the ~ r i c e s charged are decided I ) Y tllc midtllenli~n irrespective of the prices prevailiug in tile ~narltet. Sorlretilues the clcspcratiun to bell hislllcr g lr ! . !~ l)ctullle~ su zrcat that the farmer has to furepo hislher desire for profit. This is because of the lack of a

OII all :ItTcrngc, thcrc Itre R agricultural lr~bourers for every 100 cullivi~tiors.

Percentage dlstributlon of population aocordlrig to different categories d workers and non- wwkers In tt~e district d Darjeellng, 1991

S u b divisidC.D.BlocWWNA

(1) Sadar SubDivision Darjeeling Pulbazaar SukhiapokhrMoreburgalow Rangli-Ranglid Kalimprg SubDivision Kalirnprg (M) Kalirnpng.1 Kalirnpongl I Gorubathan K u r s e q SubDivision Kurseong (M) I<urseong Mirik Mirik (N.A) Siliguri SubDivision MatigaraINaxalbari KharibarilPhansidew Siliguri (M) District M= Municipal M. C. =Mur~icipal Corporc~t~on N A=Notified Area

Total Main Workers Poplation P.C.

(2) (3) 11464 32.05 18181 24.88 3868 33.44 18652 28.55 68383 35.94 9990 25.73 19077 37.06 20833 40.58 17653 38.06 46735 31.87 6533 24.43 27168 34.45 11267 33.14 1764 25.12

211866 34.41 €6@637 35.36 70742 3.67 72287 33.32 438248 33.71

(population in number) Class of Main W o r k s

Cultivators Pnricultural Labourers Population' P.C. Population P.C.

(4) (5) 28131 8.09 302 0.14 4732 5.13 4312 660 37726 19.57 538 1.39

12186 22.72 15149 29.47 9353 M.17 8465 5.77

6 0.02 6360 8.07 7 5.90 92 1.31

34604 5.63 11070 5.7 23376 11.46 158 0.07

108426 8.34 Source:

(6) (7) 7678 221 147 0.2 ,1963 2.13 2243 3.43 7299 2.84 868 2.24 :I1 72 5.91 ,1209 2.35 '2050 4.42 2354 1.61

3 0.01

1 51451 5.50 11990 6.18 ZZ40 10.90

0.10 5'1782 3.98

Census of l ndia, 1991

33 pruoer nlarbtine svstem and orooer means of tn~nmourt of puodn fmm the fleld to the market. Na turu l l~ thcrc.furr. because the farmer dws nut hrve the meanr tu lublint duriQy the lean reswn. hclrhc burruwr money from the ullddlemen r t 60-120% uer snnum. thur b e c w Indebted Lo sell unuther harvest to the middle- me^ for a~luthcr year.

Administrative Units of the District of Darjeeling, year 1999 1

t - -

- (Number) lr~hab~ted House-

Sub-Div Pol~ce Station C.D.6.I lMlMC Villages holds

Darjeeling Darjeeling (M) - 13225 Lodhoma Pulbazar Darjeeling Pulbazar 48 22643 Sukhiapokhri Jorebungalow Sukhlapokhrl Jorebungalow 46 43 Rangll-Rangliot. Rangli,Rangliot 29 12123

Kalirnpong 3 3 96 34240 Kalimpong Kalimpong (M) - 6853 Pedong Kallmpong I 9513 Algovah Kalirnpong II 8915 Gorubathan Jaldhaka Gorubathan 8555

Kurseong 2 2 68 27990 Kurseong Kurseong (M) - 4525

Kurseong 57 15385 Mirik Mirik 11 6670

Mirik (M) - 1410 Siliguri 5 4 336 39471

MatigaralNaxalbari MatigaralNaxalbari 162 3807 KhorlbariIPhansidewa KhorlbarilPhansldewa 174 37827 Siliguri Siliguri (MC) - 39471

District 16 12 620 243872 Sources:- ? ) Directorate of Panchayat, W.B. 2) Census of India, 1991

Population features of farmers in the district of Darjeeling in the year 1998-99 & I 999-2000 -

Patta holders

(5) (6 98-99 99-00

11548 5782 8 76 8 76

51 37 51 37 774 1 7741

355 355 3063 3063

956 956 262 262

8539 8539 7881 7881 6988 6988 3108 3108

SI. Name of Block N 0

(1) . (2

1 Darjeellng-Pulbazar 2 Sukhiapokhri-Jorebungalow 3 Rangli-Rangliot 4 Kalimpong I 5 Kalimpong II 6 Gorubathan 7 Kurseong 8 Mirik 9 Matigara

10 Naxalbari 11 Kharibari 12 Phansidewa

Bargadars

(3) (4) 98-99 99-00

1560 1561 27 27

115 115 1440 1440 1225 1225

98 9 8 132 132 2 3 23

1004 1004 1676 1676

798 798 2209 2209

con t inua t ion P o p u l a t i o n f e a t u r e s of f a r m e r s (nun1 b e r ) in t h e d i s t r i c t o f D a r j e e l l n g in

t h e y e a r 1998-99 EL. 1999-2000

',.'ash crops: the ~)rincipi~l cash crops of tlie l~ills are ginger, cartlna~oni, oranges and a ~ ~ ~ l i s l ~ u (l)rc~onlstick). The #.ash crops have a higher fl~~ctuation pricing in the market. L:~tclv sonle of the cash crops hi~ve been over-exploitetl c l ~ ~ e to its ~narket value thus r ende~ l~ ig tlie soil infertile and also reducing prductiun levels of these crops. This is Ibccnusc munoc~~ltul.e c i ~ s l ~ crops arc capital intensive i~nd also hilve a higher resource utilizi~tiun [)attern. Ginger, cst~clnnrar~n~ :~ntl orange3 fi~cc clecrersing prod~~ction proble~ns due to over-exploitation whicl~ hits led to high level of tlisci~ce i ~ ~ ~ s t n l i o n . The tlisease infertation ir externill nit11 1)cst athlcks or unsustainal)le fanning pnlcticcs.

( 1 ) ( 2 )

1 Dar j ee l ing -Pu lbaza r 2 Sukhiapokhr i -Jorebungalow 3 Rang l l -Rang l io t 4 Ka l impong I 5 -Ka l impong I I 6 G o r u b a t h a n 7 K u r s e o n g 8 Mink 9 Mat iga ra

1 0 Naxa lba r i 1 1 Khar ibar i 1 2 P h a n s i d e w a

'rhe Televranli North Berlgal a11d Sikh111 N ~ ~ t u r a l croos come c r u ~ ~ e r - h o r n Vivek Chhetri

I>arjwl~ng, .luly 23: I'estic~des and ~c~iilisers don't l a l u ~ e ill Ihe l~ill Ihmlers' agenda. 13111 eve11 when '~latural' has IK'COIIIC t11c hu7~.\vor(l Sor thc d i s c c r ~ ~ i ~ ~ g u)nsunIer, the culliv;~lors rails lo ealn their share of 1)roIit.

"L:~ck 01' a\v;rrcness." :S:~ys K.N. Prasad, princil)c~l i~gricullure ollicer, DGlIC, "is thc main reason h r thc X L ; ~ ~ I I I I ~ I O I I of prolit. 'I'he govcnmment that overlwks'lhc elTorls oftlie I'annL:rs adds to thcir rruslration."

Agr icul ture l a h o u r e r ( l 9 9 1 )

S I . N N a m e of Block o

Ever though Darjeeling boasls of an spproxin~ate area 30 thousand acres or land under cullivation, most of the ~ ~ ~ o t l u c c only linds a lnarket in lhc reg~~lar bazaar in Silignri.

The rilr~ners in the plains col;~mand a price as hip11 as rupees lirur [or akilo of potatoes that has been grown with I;lrgc tloscs ofcl~en~ical fcrliliscrs. "F i~ r~nc~s in tllc lulls gct the sillnc priw for their organic prduce." says l'rased. "With :.il organic tag. c\vn tvhole scllers In 111c city charge as ~nuch as Its. 10."

Marg ina l f a r m e r s h o u s e h o l d s

N o t e s : 1 ) Marg ina l f a r m e r h o u s e h o l d p o s s e s s e d agr icul tura l l and m e a s u r i n g up to 2 . 5 a c r e s ( 7 . 5 b i g h a s ) 2 ) S I ~ all f a r m e r h o u s e h o l d p o s s e s s e s agr icul tura l l a n d m e a s u r i n g m o r e t h a n 2 . 5 a c r e s a n d up to 5 a c r e s ( 1 5 b i g h a s ) 3) All f i gu re s a r e P rov i s iona l

S o i ~ r c e s : 1 ) C e n s u s of Ind ia , 1 9 9 1

( 9 ( 1 0 ) 9 8 - 9 9 9 9 - 0 0

3 7 9 5 3 3 2 5 1 6 6 8 1 6 6 8 1 3 2 7 1 3 2 7 4 7 1 0 4 7 1 0 2 1 5 6 2 1 5 6 1 3 3 1 1 3 3 1

8 5 1 8 5 1 1 9 8 6 1 9 8 6 1 1 0 5 . 1 1 0 5 1 8 0 6 1 8 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 0 8 2 0 5 9 2 0 5 9

Sources, l~o\vever, agree rl~at !he inI'rastructure built lo help the ramlers grossly fail to live up to Uleir purpose. I'otsto. lhc prirnnry crop, grown approximalcly over ;in arcn of 4000 hectares produces about 120 quintals per

I~rckircs against tul espectetl 160 quintals per hectare. Other \~c.gclahlcs like beans, radish, cabbage and caulillower also sl~ort of l l~e cslilnatetl.

(1 '1) ( 1 2 ) 9 8 - 9 9 9 9 - 0 0

3 3 2 5 3 3 2 5 1 9 6 3 1 9 6 3 2 2 4 3 2 2 4 3 3 1 7 2 3 1 7 2 1 2 0 9 1 2 0 9 2 0 5 0 2 0 5 0 1 0 5 7 1 8 5 7

3 9 9 3 9 9 1 1 9 9 0 1 1 9 9 0

2 2 2 4 0 2 2 2 4 0

'l'l~ough the go\crnrncnt has set up linns across tile region to provide the fi~nners with bctter facilities and 1+:3t!alch ska(lons in various pi;lces to colne-up with bettcr varielics of secds, the hnns are not runctioning prolx~ly. P.lultiplic;~t~on l o ~ n ~ s ill Ijijan!)ari, l'ultlong near S~llihia ar~tl ill Gorulx~ll~an in Ki~liml~ong sub-division: polato research I:~cto~l\. 31 Ghoon~ 13Iic11~jang and a1 So~lada, which is spread over an area oS 2000 acres, have failed Lo come up with illl':\\crs lo I I I C I ) I ~ I ) I C I I I S Vocc(l I ) \ Ille l?~r~ncis.

I'ra\\.;rl Cil~i~nere. a farmer liorn liclley, Kalilnpng said the syste~n of dislributing hardier v;~rieties ol'swds has ;~lso Ilccn ~)husctl out

3 5 The proble~ns, oflicials claim. lies wid1 lack of initiative of h l h the puties. 'I-hey admit here is hardly any

wnt~nct hetwwn Ule h m e r s a d agriculture ollicials in the hl ls . "'he I'an~len are nol k q t posted about the latest develolmenls UI the lield of cullivaticm in the hills" an ollicial mid. " the entile systan needs to be ovcrhaulad so as to bring aboul grcale! interaction between us."

I'rasad "A propvsal has heen nude for distributing mini-kits, I'rasad said. "If ~hings progress as expected. we holx lo dislribute the some by Septe1111m 2002 covering Illore U~an 50 p r cent of lhe cultivable land in the hills at the lirsl go.

Darieeling Tea '1.m wus lirqt introduced in Darjeling b e t w m ~ I840 and 1850 by Dr. C a ~ n p k l l (Supinkndent of Dajwlmg)

and Milior Cronur~elin a1 I,elmng, where thcy o l ~ n e d experimental nurseries. By 1905 nearly 79 square miles were u~lder cullivatio~~. 'I'ei~ planlnlio~ls in Ilarjeeli~y am rcstrictcd lo l)o~.jeel~~rg and liurseong sub-d~visions only. Kali~npong sub- division ivus Iclk out as it already had agricultural holdings and reserve Ibrests.

.l'w is grown in altitudes ranging l i o r ~ ~ 600 to 2000 111clres almve Inean sea levcl. .Ilic cool and moist climak, the soil, the rainfall and the sloping terrain all combine to give llarjeeling Tea its unique "Muscatel Flavour" and "I <xc~uisrlc Ijouqucl"

'l'he cor~~hinution ol'paturol Iuctors pjves 1)arjecling 'I'ea its unique distinclion not found anywhere else in the world. 'l'hus i l is ~nucli sought aRer i~nd highly valunl in the amuait Westem and Jopnese market. 80% of the total ~ ~ r o t l ~ o c is exported every year. l'txlay, lhcre ale H7 registered gardells prtducing what is acknowledged as 'Darjec1in.g Teu' arid tlie iuea on wlucli Uiis is prtnluced is 17,500 heclares. 'lhe tolal prtduction ranges l io~n 10 to I I nill lion ki lopans annually.

Ihrjmling in l l ~ e early days was a sparsely ~)opulatd I~nn~let ;u~d \\'as ~ ~ s e d as a hill resort und tea k i n g a I d ~ r u r intensive industtv neetled suLIicierit nu~nber of workers and so ptmple from Nepol was brought in ar~d pven anployn~cnt. 'fhc prcsc~~t elhnic co~npvsition ol'the worklbrw is probublv thus expla~nal.

Apart l io~n tourism, the higgst industrial activity, a id illat olliiing the largcsl en~ploynient 111 the hills is tca. .t'lie i~idustry provides c ~ ~ ~ p l o y ~ n e n l directly and indireclly lo uboul 50% of t l~e populatio~~. 60% ol'the directly ernplovd are \ronlen. This is becuuse right fro^^^ the Ixginning a large portion of wo~nen wcrc abwrbed suice all field jobs sueh as tvceding, sickling, plucking oC tea leaves are well handled by wolllcn workers. The anploy~nent is on a family bnsis. In rnost ol' the gardens it is the third or Iburth gemration ol' workers who are eniployed. 'lliese Ihnul~es consider these gardens as thew pern~anent lio~ne and the e~nploy~nent is passed on frvm parent to child. 'lhese people are completely dcpcndent on the tea planlati61a for their livelihood and have no other means of existence. Their entire lives ore spent in l l ~ e gardcns and the retired ones breathe Jheir last on the s a ~ ~ ~ r ; garden. 'lhe I>arjeeling l a ~ I I ~ ~ L s L I ) ' ernploys o v a 55 thousand souls on a pernianent basis round the year basis, while a lurlher 25 thousand or so we engaged during tlie plucking sei~so~i which lasts from March to No\'e~iiber. Also, besides the direct employ~ne~~l ligums ~ne~~tioned above, a large section of the hill populalion enni their liveliliotnl fonn the peripheral seclor OF the induqtry, which consists or' transport. supplies, repair establishli~ents elc.

Seasonal e~nplovnlent and perennial unemploy~~~enl 1s a b ~ g problem in the lea gnrdens ol' l ) i ee l~ng . A lea plantation can be described as a capitalis1 institution operated with wage labour wvhose o\u1~xship nla\

assume any three fonns: foreign control via lransnalionnl coporations; indig~lous otbnership (either in publ~c or privat seclor): or a joint venture comprising of foreign and nt~tional interests.

Hut ownel-ship pattern is ol'no signilicance w l ~ e r ~ it con~es lo wages or working wndit~ons. 'lhc labour is kept at n quasi-st~bsislence level.

T:irch ~ c n gdriien hns a poup of pcnnanent c~nployees who I'onn just 20-25% oTthe total populalion 'flie lrayrne~it o l wages in tea plantations in hill iueas are bsetl on piecc rates-the "ha~ira" and "ticca". The

"haz~ra" IS the daily wage paid to each worker on w~npletion ol' a part~cular task \rrhlch 1111s been ullocateri for t11c day. 'rhe wage late is Its. 41.HOper day, but daily rated workers engaged in certain jobs other than plucking get odditionrl conipensat~on over and above the daily wages a1 the rate of Rs.2.00 for garden jobs and l'nctory work according lo the Plimlation Labour Act, 1951. ?'he lalter two categories have been Ilunpcxl into one. " Ticca" refers to overtime work as well as to estril plunlatio~i work given 111 contract. liacli worker usually supports live to sever1 t'anuly rnen~bers with hisher wage.

During tlie plucking season, March to N o v e ~ ~ ~ b e r extra labour is needed. Since leaf growUi is not continuous hut co111cs 111 flushes extra labour is needed for about six lnonlhs a year. 'l'he nianage~~ient e~nploys se,isonnI labours, usuull!: \volnen li.o~n the garden. They are also known as "higo" workers. 'Tlieir wage is based on quantity of green leaves thcy pluck. 'l'he rate varies fro111 one garden lo the ollier since there is no stipulated rate fixed by lhc DPA. In some gludens '.bigs" worke~s are pnid as high as Ks.13 per kg and in some they are paid as low as Its. 3.00 per kg. This depends on the production ol' the garden. 'l'lie rate is higher during the pluckink season but as the season ~rcxecds lhc rate goes douw 'l'lic averilge quanllty of tea stipulated per day IS 8.5 kg of tea plucking but anvtlii~ig above it is "t~ccn" wh~ch IS pad at Uie going rate.

Y cnr . -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - .......

2000-200 1 37.80 ......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................... _ - .... _- 200 1-2002

. - --

41.80 . . . -. . . . . ................ . .. ..

. . . . . . - - ~ ~ . ~- 2 0 W 0 0 3 ..... . . . . . . . . . .

45.90 . . - - - . - . - -

'The Plantation Labour Act. 1951. ( ' l )o,, j~p/inp /e&e~p/e f"t.pul/cn '. I+orrl Ihr IIWC desk 199 7).

The Ijlnntution 1,ilbour Act, ;I951 wvas Connulated ill with a view lo improve Ilm living i~nd working conditions of l l ~ c ~xol)lc in l l ~ e g;tldens, -since in the enrly days the people lint1 to fnw every kind of 11ardshil)s kt~o\\m lo rni~n. 'l'hc I'lanlalio~~ I/ahotlr Act is n Ce~ltrql &vl. Enaclmenl. l ' l ~ e prea~nble to tlus Act R ~ I I I Y at proviilir~g h r Ihe Welfi~rc ol'li~lwur and to rcgul;~te (Ile condilons o[ work in p la~ih t io~~s . 1'0 ilnl)le~nent the provisions or l l~is Act, Wcsl Dengal Sti~lc liules were Cra~~ied i r ~ 1950. A suitable organimtional set up was estahlislietl to enforce scvaal of this Acts and I \ ~ ~ l e s .

As slated a gardeli llns a set of lxople who live wiU~in the l~ la~~tc~l ion and work in the gi~rdcns. But only the per~i~ancnt \vorkers who constitute 20% of Ihe pol)ulaIion nrc e~ititled to Ilie bel~clits fro111 the manuge~nent such as I I O L I S ~ I I ~ . dri~ihi~ig water, childrell's educalion, health ti~cilities, subJise(1 food, clollung, prcivident fund and ot11e1- liinge henelits accortlilinp to the I'luntatio~i I.abour Act. 'fhe low wages Inay see111 jusliliuble lio111 t l~is point of view, but the Act leaves out 80'%, oof the population of Uic gartlen, which ~ ~ ~ o k e s il an ~uijusl Act. Ilmpirical lindings show that every pr~vision of this Act is violi~led and Iloulerl. At ti~ncs certain provisions nre parlially fulfilled, or when tlie munagc~ucnt lilils lo 11onou1 the l)rovisions, ~ L I I S up s l u ~ ~ ~ b l i n g blocks to those willing lo help. .flit galdcns have no proper drinking ~vnla. lhcililies ar~d lalrincs me 11on-existent. Medical li~cilitics c~ntl creches itre a Ihr cry l io~u the pro\lsions ol' the e~mct~ncnt. I:or education, gardens rely on the ( iover~une~~t I'rilnary Scl~twls ~vliose delivelv are quite col~trnry to its i~~kri t ion. I-Iigh schools are ~nostly in the urban ;Ireas reducing the nullher o r High Schools whose delivery arc quite contrary to its intenlion. Iligh Schools are mostly in tlie urbali areas reducing the n~uuber 01' lligll School going students nil colleges ;Ire out of rccsh Ibr Ihe ~najority. 'fhe condition is contlucive li)r the nranage~nenl, as education means a\\.;ll-cncss and ~ I C I I I ~ I I I ~ 01 one's riglib. A!so etlucalion Incans llic acquisilion of new skills and the Inove~nent of labour to Iwltcr \vo~k cn\:irou~ucnt which gcxs against Ihe vcq princil)lc oC the workings of a gnrdsn, nuncly, 1111 isolaled large Ial)our li)~ce \\;11o is solely del)elidant on Ilie garden for sun~ival. Ilouses for 8% of the ~)ennnrlenl workers n~ust be built cvev and c\-cn ;lgtcr Inore l11w 40 vears oC the e~iacl~nent most gardens have no1 provided proper housing for all penllancnt workcrs, ~vhosc ~iuubcrs have hardly increased appereciably over the years. Houses lack silnili~ry provisions are piliahle. 1:lecb.icity is yet to make a11 ;Ippmance in ruost gardens. Subdised h c l meanl for worker m d dependant, l~nve heen reiluced lo worker alone in sonic gardens. F ~ c i l I l i e ~ Tor p~oleclion h o ~ n weather are ~~artially f~~lfilled. Workmen spray toxic pesticides reguii~rly willlout any prolection, trailling and knowletlge of consequcnces ant1 nature of tvork. Since the benrlits clue lo Lheni are not provided Ibr the real wuge diu~ir~ishes forcing the worker lo coneenbate uid p~io~i l i se the ~ ~ c e d s lo w l ~ i ~ t is essenli;~l Cro survival. In this situation, the d;lily wage is nol e~iougli to I I I W ~ the basic needs. In todu\'s contest of prices ~Tessentials spiralling upwards and value o f ~ r ~ o n e y going d o ~ ~ i it means Uiat Ule real \\age of Ihc jvorker is d i~~~i~l l sh i t ig . Ir tlic Act is properlv i~iil)le~nented it would mean that Ihe worker would not have to Ilay liw llic hisic needs fro~n h s h c r OWI lwckel, bul this is not so. So. where is IIiere1)ossibility for Ihe worker to thmk oC education Ihr l l ~ e cl~iltlren. health and hygiene, proper 1nedici11 licilities and sheller? l 'he tvorker is lighting an eternal Ix~ltle iigoi~~sl 11u11ger where \tictory Incans a p r o p niet~l m d dekat ar~d e~lipty sto~~iacli. 'I'his is dolie wit11 110 other Icason I)LII to mnii~nisc prolils, as tea being a laboqr intensive industry aner tlie initial capital i ~ ~ v c s h ~ ~ e ~ ~ t t l ~ c labout bill is Ilic Iiogcst. C'ulting this bill iidturally ~ ~ i e u ~ i s profits shooting up Tor the owier.

'fa1 is a profitable indust~y and within it Dajeelirlg 7'ea is the best prfonner. Yet, the real producer, h e worker, lives in conililions 1lii11 are in marked contrast to the industry's tumowr. The worker is treated like jus a cog in a giant ~v l~cc l , :I cost of p~otluclion. 'The position of the \vorkcr in the industry is largcly u ~ ~ d e n ~ ~ i ~ l e d a~id Ulc work higl11y undenalucd. 'lhe stale of deprivation and cxploitatio~~ has been perl,etu:~ted li)r 1111-ee to l i ~ u ge~icri~tions no\\,. I h c ~ ~ ' o b l e ~ n emerges O L I ~ of Uic capitalistic mode of produetimi of the indr~stry where there is a luge disparity between Ule owner :~ntl the worker ilnd between prices and costs. The owner goes to great lengths to 111nxi111isc prulit t~nd one of the Ii~llouts is lhe tlq)ri\:alion and exploilalion of the worker. I'rovisions o l what is due to the worker in teniis of the enli t lcn~c~~ls of the Act still leave a large suq)lus ti)r the owner but I11e \villingncss to ])art with i t is lacking. While n~illions ofl~cople e111oy their cup oP lea and enonnous profits ale raked in, tlie people who ~eally put their lliu~ds ~ n t o its protluclior~ reln:li~i iinonylnous, Corgolten, unsung 1 1 ~ ~ t a s ant1 scrlln or [lie earth. l ' l i ~ ~ s , cnacl~~ient ot' legislation, provision i)I'o~ganis;~tioni~l sct up to see its i~~iplenicntulio~~ is not e r ~ o u ~ l ~ to guarar~tee Ilie well-being of the worker, it rcquil-es will. I':~tcnt~ng of 1)arjeeling Tea.

1)ilr.jrcling Tea is 111osl sought aner because 01' its distinct c]i~olity and llavour, wh~ch again is the result of tlic u ~ ~ i q u e and COIIII)ICX cv~nbinalion ~ C a ~ ~ o - e l i ~ ~ ~ n t i c condilions o l Darjeeli~~g's geographical arelt.

At present. Illere rue 87 regi~lered gardens producing what is acknowledged as 'Darjeeling Tea'. Confusion is at lllnes crc:~lctl h \ Ihc Inct Ihat tlic 1)arjceling tea growing area is 11ot exnctly synoninious will1 t l ~ e adnlinislmtivc district of

37 Ijarjeeling 'Ille Gorkha llill Council's jurisdiction includes I I gardens in h e plains of h e l'erai arm but domestic or it~tematio~tal buyers do 1101 a m p 1 the produce of U~esc gardens as "Lhjeeling Tea". ' l ' l~is li~oilaliotl did not prevent the ~u1~~:mpolous in the glolwl tca t d e liotn capilalising on the name and repubtion of L)arjeeling Leu und it is generully believed lhal solne 40 million kg of lea are sold globally as 'Ihjeeling'.

As Il~et-e was no legal control on the use or l l ~ e nttlne 'I)nrjeelitlg'. olhcr, cheapr vareties were being offered to consumers and llre i~vuilabilily of such leas also rcsultd in a depression of value and pt-tce of Ule genuine product.

l'ro(eclio~~ was obviously callell Tor. In Ihe wake of the World 'I'rade Organization mognising. the need lo 1)1olw1 It~tcllcclual I'tolwrly Rights, Ciovl, of India has delittd the ttreu in which ter~ grown and n~anuractured can be called 'l)i~rjcclit~g' Iw und has ~)ron~ulgaled Ule Gevgruphicul hdicution Act that will lurtify it.

I.'t~slhcr, in 1:ebluary 2000, Ihe 'l'ca I3cu~rd of India has registered s 'ltade Mark for lhrjceling tc . Lhpt will certilj. its origin, invoice bv invoice. 'l'l~is sl~ould allow I IX 'l'eu Ijourd lo tnot~itor the n~ovetnenl ol'tlte tea and, in the event of a dispule, the cot~ccnttxl trader slwuld be ablc to pr~duce Ule dvc~ut~atts proving the authenticity of h e tca. At the same ti~lrn, legal pr,rtduwrs should now be possible against those wlto tnay cot~linue lo lnisuse the twne 'Drmjecling' in connecl~o~r wilh tco and thereby tnislead Ihe consumer.

-l'he assutnption lhul ttlore leas are being sold u ~ ~ d e r the name of Ijarj~xling tllatl is nctuallv produced, indicates that there is a denland for this p r e ~ n i u ~ ~ tea. 't'hcrefore, if pure and'unadulterated Dsrjeling lee can he t d e nvailable lo llle conslltncrs, they would he willing to pay a higher price for the product. {'L)arieelinn tea ', Jianen Dt~rrnScui.2000).

No. Of Registered Tea Cadens in Darjeeli~~g. 1. Aloobari 30. Liz2 llill 59. llingtong 2. Atllbiok (tlillto~l) 3 1 . l.otlgview (kliglllands) 1. Atya 32. L.opcl~u 4. Avelgrovc 33. Margarets l lcyle 5 Al~lbootiii 0 34. Marybo~~g 0. 13ada1ntaln 35. Mitu 7. I3an1esbcg 36. Mission llill H. Oannockhu~n 37. Monntlakolee 9. Ualasuti 3R. Mollsll Mnjhua 10. Chot~glong (Skisi) 39. MnkaibariO I I . Chat~~ongO 40. MullvvLarO 12. Castleton 4 1. Mahaldera~n 13. D11ajea 42. Mol~teviolO 14. IjooterinhO 43. Nagri 15. 1)ilaratn 44. Nagri Falrn 16. 1:denvale 45. North Tukvar 17 ( i ~ n g 46. Narbada Mnjllua 18. Ciielle 47. Nurbong 19. Glcnbu111 48. Nn~nrulg & Nru~uulg 20. Gol)aldl~ara ([Jpl'er) 21. (3otnlee j9 . Oaks 22. Gidtlapahar 50. Okayli 23. Ciyabarree & IhIliMllonl 51. Orange Valley 24. lluppy Val!+ 52. Pandatu* 25. Jogntllaya 53. Peshok8* 26. Jungpana 54. Phvvbsering 27. Kalej Volley 55. Poobong 28. Kumai (Snowview) 56. Pussi~nbing (MIIUW) 0 29. Lulgia 57. I'huguri

58. Raltgaroott*

60. Kisheellut 61. K~>l-uni 62. Hunglee llungliot 63 Rurtgnt00k/Cedhrs* 64. Ilung~lwt 65. SatnnkvngO (35. Seli~nbvng (Rot~gbong) 0 67. Sootll 68. Singto~t~ 69. Steinthal 70. Sungtna 7 1 . S e l i t ~ ~ Hill 72. Singbulli 73. Sivittu 74. Springside 75. Souretu 76. Singell0 77. Sepoydhvorah (Cllatnluy) 78. Seeyok (Spring Vallcy) 0 79. Tukvar (Pultabng) 80. Tunsong 81. T w u t n 82. Tindharia 83. l ' hurh 84. Tttkddl 85. Teesta Valley 86. Upper Fogu 87. Vi~h Tukvtu*'

0 Organic Gardens * WBTDC Gardens ** Sick Gardens Source: Darieelirrp Planters Associarion. DPA.

Orlinqic tca garclens. As seen Crotn the t~bove lable Ihere are, at present, I I organic tea gardens. As per avsilable infonnillion,

sevenleal gardens in Darjecling produce around 400 Lhous~lld kgs of organic ten atmwlly, which is Inore than 38% of the total o ~ g a ~ u c produclion in hldia. Out olswvhich Ule seventeen gardens, only eight are rckx)rtal to be the n~etilbers of Indian 13io Orgnnic Tea AssociaIio~~.(?'echno-Econo111ic Survey on Darjeelitlg Tea Indusby, l'ea Bonrd of India)

38

Althougll, it is generally I)clievcd that due to Ule I~n~mht l e l lk t s of pesticides nnd cl lcn~iu~ls the tca gardens \\.ere I)rol l l l~td 10 11dopt w s ~ a i ~ ~ n b l e ~)mctiees. It can be sclitl, (hat the shin hi~s been l l ~ a i ~ ~ l y becnusc of the tlcrnand li)r opanic lea in l l ~ c 111arkc1 or as when the Moxin~un~ I<esitlu;~l I.inlit WIIS hund too hip11 11s :I conwquence of wrhich I>;lricelitlg Ira sulyercd ill the illtcrlla(iollal ~llarkct. 13~11 il l ten-estates like Makaiha~i I l~e drive hi~s c ~ t l l c fi-0111 willlirl and c\,ell bc[c)re lllc 1)oolll in orgallie lea it had slnl'led pmclicing protluclion. I'i~r n last dccade or so, a nunlhcr ofcslales ILIVC t~doplctl o r g ~ ~ l i c protluction m d fair tratle practices UI nlliance \vivilh experls iuld N C i O y in Europe, prilnilrilv III (.ien~lany. Sa~~lnbcong is olle sue11 garden, situated at 6,500 feet close to Ule Nepal Iurder it is one of the highesl uld II IOS~ i ~ t ) l i ~ t d garden. The est:~te was closed down in 1970 when tensions between the n~i~nogen~enl 11113 Ihc u n i o ~ ~ s intonsilictl. 111 19!)0 tllc ...l'e;~ I 'rolnot~~s" group leased Sa~nalxong fro111 the (;owrmlle~~t oflndii~. I 'ro~n Ihen, t11inp.s slnrtctl taking a Jillbrctlt t.xna.w i l l tllc r ~ l a t c and in place oClhe Irnditional n~onocullure. organic systelns hil\.c heen inl~otluccd. 'l'hc I I I I I ~ I ~ I I ~ o f l l ~ c S~I-111 is I)nsed on the p~inciples of Parliciption and Cooperntio~~. A n ~ a n a g c ~ ~ l e ~ ~ l council nlntle up of II~rec \vo~ncrl ant1 li\v met1 111ce1s evely 111onth. 'Their ~nnirl priorities are pr i~nav ducalior~. Ixller co~nposting n~clilods, thirlh-i~lg water, ~oittl construclio~~ and dairy h n ~ ~ i n g Ibl- the workers. One Ii~ngil)le result is a high t1~1:llily junior SCIIOLII for cl~ildrcn tiom Iltc lu-111 and su~roul~ding iIrcIIs. SHIIIIIOI)OII~ has lorgcd ;I close relntionship will1 (;l<llA li~ir tri~tlc comlwtly in (icnnany, \vhich sells nearly all thc protluction, wluch is pncketl on-site, creetir~g atlditional elnployn~ent.

l'he Snnjllhta Vikas Ceopera~ive 1s also working lo buy s~niill holder tei~ h o n ~ Ulc Minc~al Springs region, \\here hundrctls pec~ple 11i1ve bee11 suniving on subsisler~cc ~griculture since the c l i ~ s u ~ e o f t l ~ e I lorr iso~~ cslatc in Ihc early I r ) 5 0 ' ~ 'lhcse lxoplc have been t.ver Ule years I)een exploited by t~~itltllen~en a ~ d I~wI-sharks. Wilh sul)porI l i o n ~ the Itegional Conuur~~~i ty I)evelop~nenl C ~ I I I I I I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (RCDC), the SV(.: llns sel up a n~ilk ceol)erative, ;I sn~i~ l l credit ~ulion i111i1 COI ISLUII~ I co-ops l;)r IUIS~C gvntls; and I~as carried out an an'oresti~lion prugiunlne wlh W\VF India. 'I'hc switch lo organic i~liti;rlly I;~ccsl ol)pvsilion no1 onlv k o ~ n other pla~~lcrs but illso Troll1 t~.;ltIers in their ~ n c ~ i r ~ ~nnrkct, (icrlnany, who It.:~~ecl III:II org:u~icnll\: l a l ~ l l a l tens would s t ign~al i~c their "co~~ve~~tior~it l" brands us u~safc . 1 1 ~ 1 1 Ihe swvitch lo organic produclion on the whole 1111s I I I C ~ I I I ~ thal Ihe ecology or lhe lea areas and the er~vironn~cnt as i l

\vhole is suslaintd mid the tvorkers and the people in the esti~les ate no lor~ger cxlwsed to I~ei~lllr 11ir;r;u.d~ 1)osctl h!; the use ofpeslicitles ant1 che~nicals.

l:or \vh:~t Evlaki~ihari, San~aheong u ~ t l Mineral Springs all sho\v is thnt the I'uture for Ikujeeling have to il~\.olvc 111uch 111orc 1lli111 si~nple technical i~nprove~nents. A new elhic of leu production is needed, founded on two ol)\iclus I)ut histor ici~lly silpressed truths. 'l'hc lirst is that plnn(a(iun non no culture tent1 to exploit Ix)tI1 people ant1 the ern i r v n ~ n c ~ ~ t . I'lle ~nixed-fann approach to tca culti\r.~tion. I'oilntletl on organic principoes, is essential not only for ccolugicsl hcallh, hut also to provide dignily and decent livelihood to Lhe ch~nniunity. The secorld is that the local people nwtl to hi~ve :I lin:~nci:~l sl:~ke in the oulcolne, nnd lhal means breaking up Ihe monopoly of absentee land-o\vnership. I.in)king ill the \vrty tea prtduclion is going in the region.- ("'Tl~is Dillicult Drink", Rilu K~unar and Nick I<obu~s).

Darimli~~e. I'lnnlers Associaliul~ Crop 17irures

Year & 1985 9936 173 1986 1 01 604 1 7 1987 1024 I412 1 988 10001735 1989 - 1040860 I 1990 10965702 1 Y9 1 1 1268500 1992 I18 1 1078 1993 '1892457 1 99 4 0550962 1995 0478292 1996 0980435 1997 11767 137 1998 9593630 1999 8383709 2000 8445816 200 1 8038669

Soul~e: L)a~jeeliriu l'lanlcrs ils.vociuliorr. DPA.

I:ron~ Ihe above ligures 'Ilarjeeling Planters'Associalion-Crop ~igbres ' it is seen that Ihe annual production of (c.1 has gone do\\11. One of the [actors responsible for the low rate of production is because due to the use of over aged hushes. 'I he peak age ol'a bush is 40 to 60 ycars, but in Darjeeling there iue bushes Inore hundred years old, and ~rplacernent and rcplsnling has been lagging helund. ?'he reason behind this is that the o\vners of the gardens are not the loc;~l 1~ol1lc and llle prolits instead of being reinvested in the estates are diverted elsewhere. Son~e half hearted lncasurcs ~llc:lsurc.; \\crc laken hy the goiZL. Ih repluntation of tea bushes Iluough dilrerent sc l~e~ues o l tea bo;lrtl. ljul at times i t has

39 bee11 ndniilted by (I= Liza buard that money given Lo plankem were m t used in (he gnrdefis r a h w a e ship- off to olhcr specululive induslries.+ 'Wou~en Workers in the Idonnnl Seclor', Dr. Sllanty Chetlri)

In clddilion very few gardens hnve undertaken exlension although h e is land for exhs iun . Besides the eslntes arc lacking I I I lecl~nolopiwl develop~nents ten).

Sources: 1 Dn~leel~ng P l a ~ ~ l e ~ s Assoclnl~on, DPA

- District and Statewise Age Group of Tea Bushes

2 . 'I.ca ark Arulual Iicpori i~ntl Slatislics 2001, J. ' I ~ ~ I O I ~ S O I I RL Cornpany. 3 . I'cchno-ICconon~ic Survey on 1)arjecling Tea Indusl~y. 4. .Women Workers in the h~lbmral Seclor', Dr. Shanly Cl~ellri. 5. 'Dajeeling-Certilication Mark' & 'Dtujeeling Tea', Ranen Dullu, S e p l e ~ u l ~ r , 2000. (I. Articles l)y hib-. Neelkamal Cl11ieI:i. 7 . "fhis I~illicult Ilrink, Kitu Kumar & Nick liobbins. 8 . "flie I'eople 1:orgoIten'-from the Ii.C.Ll.C, desk.

-- - Tea Gardens eive labuur lnws the sliu

Fridav June .21 2002 Slatesman News SenicoBeneal Plus

State and O~sbicts

Darjeelin~ Terai Dooars

Kolkula, June 20- Tea gardens in tlie stale avoid j~rovisioo of Ule rules Gi~~ned under Uie I'lanlalion Labour Act. 1951, by using the loopholes in U I ~ Act, adcording Lo the Standing Conu~~itlee on 1,aln)~r 2001-02, even as l l ~ e slate govenin~ent I~as set 1111 a cell lo ell'ect ctn) . t i i ~ ~ a t i o ~ ~ with the lea indusl~y.

Source Tea lnda '1'111s u~nl the olher fuclors like llre clitu~ge of Lli~eclors and Inrulagas ill shvrl lwritds Ilavc Id lo It= skignation

ruld Ihc i~isl:~l~ililv ol'tlle gardens. 'I he 111id 80's wele ~ ~ ~ a r h e d hy [lie Gorklla Agilulio~~. u t l e ~ ~ ~ n ~ ~ d li)r a selxl~nle sli~lc ol l);~~jc.ein;. During Ilus

~ C I iod tvork wils slopp~ul in the gardens and Inany factories and i~~fraslmclures were I~urnl down and dcslrvved. ~1'111s Id lo some gartlens going sick., and solne fncu~g closure. Sollie of h e gardens were laken by Uie WtYIDC (Wesl Rengal 'Teu L)eve lo l )~~~e~~l Corporalion), which are running at a loss b ~ ~ t some inevitably were closed down.

'l'l~c c l o s i ~ ~ c of (iartle~ls like Val1 'l'ukwr a ~ ~ d I'esllok rile such u~shl~ces . l ' r a~~sprcncy ruld accounhbil~ty 1s lacking in the gartle~~s m d whellewr the managenrent arld Ihc trade unio~ia come inlo co~~flicl, or \vhenc\vr lhc gardens ~ L I I I S 211 a loss (Ire luallagemml nntl [lie owners ahandoll 1l1e gardell 'I'l~is loo has been h e case i l l I'cshok and Vnh Tukvar Ica gardens.

When Llie Hl.rlish Icll, h e y lefl bel1i11d a llrasler a ~ ~ d slave sysk~n. I3wuse of Ihis Ule 1m)ple of thex c losd eslilles coultl 1101 cope with Ihe situnlion. Antl ever since the closure of lhe gnrdens the ~ m p l e lion1 these gurdens who we Iiced wilh u ~ ~ e ~ ~ ~ p l o y m e n t have starled migrating to the urban iueas lo seek a~rplovn~enl wl~cre they work as unsk~llcd labourers ill construclion work or have ~novcd lo the cities seeku~g work ns security guards.

Uut a)ntrillv to this the rcsidenls of IJeshok lea garden have sl~own Illat llre ~nasler-slave psychc MI be broAc11. lllc ga~.der~ \\'as closed ill 199.3, hul today l l ~ e people ha\'e \)rough1 change and are ~ r o s p e r i ~ ~ g in it ~nulli-cullure e~~virc)nnre~~I.

As sli~tetl earlier, one sees Ihat the system lell I)y the Ijritisl~ is slill esislenl ilnd eve11 llrc conling of tlie LXjIIC II;ISII'I 11tx.11 aide lo hring aboul t l~e muell ~lectlal chnnge. 'l'l~e prolils conli~~~u: to Iw arjoyul by the laople oulsitlc, \vhcreas ihr prople are treated as coolies and Iahourers L.ooking al (he large1 piclure one secs Ihal the tea industry h s had ;I ncgi~ti\,c i~~ilir~cl in every spliere or life in l l ~ e hills. Not only are Ihe ~ m ~ l ~ l e residing in 1I1e gardens c~lTccltd hul h e ~lcol)lc i l l t111: s ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ u ~ i d i n g areas and the urhan areas ten) cue allkcled.

I>ue lo tlre stagnating e~nl)loy~nent grdwth and [lie rising ~xipt~lalion, alcoliolis~n, sulslance ilb~~se, prostilution. ant1 othrr nrgilli\.e social acts hate hecon~e ranlpant in (he I~ills. '111e nroralily and ethics of the society hils delcriorntcd and the psycl~e and conlidence of [he people 118s gone do\ t~ i . I h e people have losl confidence ill Il~enrsclcvs, espy:iallv the residents ofthe estate, because they ore still very IIILIC~I dependant on (he gardens for 111aking :I Ilcing.

Co~~sidering Ihese aspects, il becomes evident lla~l !he Plantation L;~h!ur Acl ~ r e ~ d s lo Iw rc\icu.cd and soc~al illslice should he b ~ o r ~ f i t lo the people who rigl~thlly sl~ould he profiti~~p, or at least should he pelting the hc~~eli ts ho111 Ilic lea planlalion.

Below 5 years

795 - 2,303 5,350

5 to lfjyear6

1,270 1,087 5,330

11 to 2 0 years

402 .1,192 6,383

21 to 3 0 years

510 969

6,040

31 to 4 0 years

614 . 874

8,108

41 to 5 0 years

863 1,116 4,626

Over 5 0 years

8,562 2,955

26,517

Total

13,036 10,493 62,354

40 111 vie\\. 01. lhe loopl~oles, the p)\rnunent nlso ctmnot take stringer~t action against Ule delinquenl otvners ol' tea

p:~rcIrn< In its scco~ld rcl~orl preselltecl to the Assc~nbly, the countnillee rcco~nnmnded lhnt nl)l)rop~iole sleps sl~ould I s

lahen lo s ~ ~ ~ c n d Ihe existing rules 10 111ake U~eni lree fron~ ;ill the lacuni~s ; ~ r ~ d 1tx)pIioles. .I'l~c co~~uniclce has noticed Illat ill case of violi~ting the provisio~~s conhilled in the rclevu~t Act, the owners

aga i~~s t whom the go\,ernnlent lilcd cases, had Inanaged to escape by giving a line of Rs. 500 only. 'I.hc c o ~ ~ u ~ ~ i t l e e . tl~erefore. felt that Lhe q u a ~ t u ~ ~ of punisb~~enl was not sufticienl lo reliain the owners lrom

violaling the cxisling nonus ant1 1111es in Ule Planlnlio~~ 1,ahour Act. '1.a (;arde~is ant1 tea processing Cactories in Ihe slate eniploying 20 or Inore labourers are not will~in the purview

I ~ I . I I I I . I(~nl)loyccs SI:llc I n s r ~ r i ~ ~ ~ c c 9cha11e u~aler ITS1 Act. 1048. A l ~ l ~ o l ~ g l ~ l l ~ c previous con~lniltec hail supgesktl tI1i11 s ~ ~ c h units sl~liultl be brought w i l l ~ i ~ ~ the l)urvic\\, oC the

ICSl scl~en~e. t l ~ e ~ c \vas I I O dc \e lop~~~ent in this dil-cclio~~. As such the presenl co~~uuiltce II:IS suggested I l l a t tllc povc~ I I I I I C I I ~ sho111tl I;~kc up l l ~ e n~altcr in riphl carnrsl.

111 the same ~ e l x ) ~ t , I l~e conlnlillee has also laken note of the fuel 111;1t nt presenl (he tea industry Iios lmcn going 1l)rcr11~11 II 11:11.d li~ne t>ccausl: oT~nounl~llg cosl of1)rotluclion ant1 lnjor renlisc~lion k o ~ n its proilucls.

. - .- -- ---- Lnid low by l ~ i g l ~ tell!

I J > C Y C I I I ~ C ~ . Friday, 2001 ' l ' l~e States~~~un-Wesl B a ~ e u l I'lus

Ihc:ll;ing awxv lion^ ;I ccnlury-oltl tn~dilior~. Lhc Diujeeling I'lanlers' Associalion held ils annual general meeting I:lst \v~:eh \villioul lunch or tlinner l ' l ~ i s "austerity drive" has caused shock nll round. I1 nlso retlccls l11c heelth of the ; I I C ~ ' s lc:~ incl~~sln. "A se\crc c;1s11 cruncll 11i1s fo~crrl us lo cut d o ~ v i ~ on the cerenlol~ial pi111. So. for the lirsl lur~e in its 128-year I~islo~y, the I )I'A sc~vetl ncilher lunch nor dinner," said Itanen Dutla, secretary or (his prel~uer organisation. I h c customary p-r>luich chink sessio~~. \vhich used lo provide scope [or Io\v-pile11 1innle1-, once the serious part oC LIle 111ecti11g ended was also ~nissing "li)r war~t of sponsors."

"IJ~~ll~inki~hle" lo I ~ O S I I)~FSCIII :I( the meeting, Ihc DPA e ~ ~ t l e d the day's proceedings will1 'high leu'. "It ivill n~akc Dr. Canl)l)ell, the Inan who had hroughl tea to Darieeling, l i ~ m in Ius wave lonight," said a senior

~i l :~nle~ ol'tl~c !)a jeeling hills su~nn~ing up the general feelings. "l~sl:~I~lishcd in 1873, the DPA wml throtgl~ n series oT transitions. 13ut the inslilulion never deviated Troni its

t~ndilion t i l l the olhcr day. 'l'he tleparture s c e ~ ~ ~ s lo he pern~anenl," Dalla said. ' l ' l~e scene is also blcnk Tor the ten industry. "l)nrjecling l c ; ~ may soon beco~ne a scarce co~n~notlity in D;lrjeelir~g

ilseltl" salt1 1)I'A prcsitlent A ~ I I I I CJo111de11. " Tea l io~n olher regions including that lion1 Nepal 1x1s swan~ped the low11 of I):~~i~~~:long. 'l-l~c\. a1.e I)cing sold 21s I>m,jeeling lea while Ilic aull~orities turn n I~lind eye lo the a~~l l~or i t i es L L I I ~ a blind cye lo ( 1 1 : ~ : S I I I I ; I I I ~ ~ I I . " ( i c ~ ~ n d e ~ ~ s:1i11.

l<q11:11Iy concen~cd a l~ iu l Ihc T111rlre of 11a1;ieCling lei^. 1)I'A cl~ain~lan KK Ilixil saitl: "'fhe 1)arjceling lea i ~ ~ l l ~ ~ s l ~ v 11:ls 11cc.n shaltcretl t)y the t u ~ n of events since last yea . An unl)~eccder~leil econcnnic slu~np and shall) increase in lllr I 11~ll1clin11 costs li;~vc I:~kcn a lic;~! toll, ll111ess prolxr Ineasnl.es are t:~ken, t11i11gs \vill go l i o ~ n bad to worse."

I )nr jccling tea is I )c i~~g soltl at Ihc lo\vesl price ever. Since Inore tl~an 70 ~)ercer~t o l il i:; expolled, the averilge ,; ;~lc: 1'1 ~ c c I I I I S COIIIC c1o\v11 ~lr:~stically becnuse oT global I-eccssion, h e l)PA cl~:~inuan said. 411 lhe i~ldustry's estin~;~Ics, Ihc ~.osl ol.li~otlu~.tion ol ' l ) i~~jrel ir~p lea will go al~ead of the sales ;werage liy Its 02 pcr kg next year

- '/\hvs~n:lll~~ lo\\. \.icltls Iwcause 01' ageing lea bushes, depleted c i ~ ~ h o n levels i r ~ the soil and hy far the lowest 1nl~o1~1 p~~ulr~ctivi t \ :Ilncrng all In1 gro\ving regions oC the co~ultry, hsve adtled lo the high cost of production," Dixit .;t;~tr(l ' l ' l~c l )~o( l l~c t~on Icvel has d t~ l> l~c t l l i o ~ n 15 nill lion kig in the late 1970's to a liltle \wner eight e nil lion kg in l l ~ e pilst 25 \~I::II s .' I'o ensure CCOIIOIIIIC i n ~ ~ ~ ~ c d i a l e nleasures are required." Ilixil said.

In his opinion, agg~essivc ~n;~rkcling, ~ ~ r o ~ n o t i o n of the Ilarjeeling Irademark ant1 irnproveo~ent of the soil s l n ~ c l u ~ c alc a nus st. -'IJprooting ant1 replanling tea hushes at Ihe n l i r inu~n ~ c ~ t e or 2 per cent o l the exisling ~>lnnti~lion ale:) 11'1' ~ I I I I I I I I I slio~~lcl be ~nantlato~y to ohlain loans or subsidies." he said.

-. - - - - - - Orgnnic leu 111t1kes co~aebnck ill Dnrjeeling.

Satu~dav. Mav 18. 2002.-1hndus~1 T~mes. Kolkala

111&11$?? Gin-Sili~uri. May 17,'rhe Grcwing taste of organic lea in foreig~l ~narkels has pro~npted tea plnnlers oI' the I );~r:ic.cllng 11ills to s\\'iIcl~ to organic Canning, as it was done beTorc the 1960's.

Ilxcessive use of che~nical krtilisers is said lo be a reason Tor the dip in export of the 1)al.jmling Lea. 'Tea experts say the s\vitcl~ovcr was n [oregone conclusion. Panning through cheical fedilisers cannot last long on planters are bound lo s\r.itch to organic l i l rn i~~g, they say.

Sc\.entccn tca gi~rdens or 1)ar.ieeling have already slarled groiving organic lea using nalurc~l manure. I,ast year 1 1 1 ~ I l i l l ? p11~~111(:c(l 1 11111lion kg o l ~ o ~ - g ; ~ ~ u c le:~, Inore t11a1i :I fiSI11 orlllc lolal ~~rc>cluclion.

4 I 'The Makaihari 'I'ea I<state in Kurstxng has switched to organic fanlutig it1 the 1980's iL.se1f. TTE Sclirnhmg.

Se\\,ok and S a t ~ ~ a e b o t ~ ~ Ica eahtes began producing orga~~ic lea fivr years ag). 'I 'GI (htdcns like Singel in Kurseung s w i t c l ~ d over to urpnic cultivation quite rmenllv and othcr tea eslates are

len~pletl loo, seeing the c~um~raging returns from the tmrkd fur those alreadv using the organlc n~elh(xl. 'The Co~eiw~ n~i~rket is very co~~scious of (he qutllity or lea Ihev 1)uy. and the chief cause oC the dip in csporrs of

I)al:j~wlr~~g tea is 11s I ~ i g l ~ n~axinlun~ residual level (Mill,). .wid Ilnris Muklua a tea expert who runs S a i m , a tea cc~t~sullancv

I'ca gardens arc l-olnck lisletl on MItI., lint1 il v e ~ y dificull lo ex1x)rl the ~) r td tc l laler, said Muklitu. liut the swilchowr to the organic tnelhods o l cultivalion is 1101 very easy for the cstolcs long u e d lo t k new

rnetl~otls. 'l'ei~ gt~rdens lhirl Ilave shinetl lo organic filr~uing are inslxctd e\cy y a ~ by the lrlstitule of Markclology on

'I'hc i~~spection is curried out Ih the lirsl three years, culled "conversion prioli", ant1 il is ody t h a ~ that Ihc tea girrdcn is 8ive11 ;III "organic certilicutc". Eight to 10 tui gurdens it1 l l ~ e I lills Ituve k r ~ cleared. sirid I 1a1 IS MukI~ia.

I<sl)erhs~ay I11c going is sn~tn)t l~ alter l l ~ e litst b e e years, several tea gardens in Assan1 s\\,itchcd over lo orgilnic lea, believed lo cure tilany ailtne~~ls. But in IIIC 'l'crai a ~ d the I b r s of Norlh I3errgul, l l ~ e resplnse oC eshrles to urgu~~ic Ica has l ~ e n less Illan luhewan~~. Jusl one lea garden, Pattharjl~ora 'Tea Estate, grows orga~ic lea, wid a planta.

A big reason Tor 11.1is is the relucl[~t~cr: o l ten planters lo take the risk, espcciallv ~ iow tllat the ten ~nduslry is going IhrougI1 lrouhled titncs.

"Organic l i~r~ning is !I hesitant trat~sition since il costs Its 100 Lo Its 200 more pr kg or ten than lrndilionill tw," said a planlcr. Ilaris Mukl~ia ~loesn't ;~ lgw. l ie said t11e cosl o f lucduct io~~ hlls aRer Ll~e Ihud year. Moreowr, organic l a k lc l~cs a Ixtler price Ihnn organic leu. he said.

I'hete are others who advocale the " integraliot~" of organic and inorganic Caming, esl)ecially in the eurly years. Dr. S.11. Kabir, acatle~nic coordiru~tor ant1 ten co~~sullunl of (he lea ~ n t ~ r ~ a g e ~ ~ ~ e n l delarl~i~ent of Norlh nengal Iltdverstly suys tea ~~lilnlers shoultl concentrule Inore on quuliry (hall qrl;lnlily. I J I I ~ I I I ~ I ~ I ~ , lei1 p l ~ ~ n l e ~ s Ilirvc lo swilch ovcr lo orgt~nic lirnninp Ilc si~itl.

-- I?.vwr.urs 1i .w~~ rlrr ur.riclr-

I'lanlinr Cutnluisslun NU Plus. 'l'he Statesn~;u~. 1;ridav 28. June 2002

I~nviromncnlalisl, scaial uclivisl ilntl author, I,D 1)ewan is a verilahle i~~stilulion on e\erything involved with lea. Now on the Wcsl I3engal 'I'ca I)cvelop~nent Coq~oralion's I3oard of 1)irectors. he ro~~tinues Lo he concerned ahout the ra\v deul hattded out Lo lea eslale workers.'us Aswini l'aniiu~g ar;d Ileep Milan t'radlun lind our." .tl~ere ure ntunercllw tea ga~.dens. (;enernlions of labourers have slogged in I I I ~ I I I . A I I ~ still, nun)' a lirne, even Ihcir meagre rcmitlimu~ aren't paid on littic. 1,eave aside t11e other anlenities like g~ln~hools, raincouls and u~nbrellas, what do you think lhuv eat? How do you Illink they sunlive? Where do you think they gel Il~eir energy fro111 lo kcep \\,orking in puring rain or under Ilie I)ltl~it~g SLIII'/'' . . ;~ncl hc resu~ncd. "'l'liis is all act or terrorisn~, ttn). I<conotnic tenor is^^^," I I ~ clairuetl. .'you Ixat rllc \cry dt~yligl~t cut 01'

thosc wt-clchetl peasants in Lravail and don't even provide ~I ICI I I a I'cw ~norsels on l i t~~c." I3om in the Munnah Tea Estate in the l'ootlulls of Mirk he was dcstined lo join the business. And he rose It)

rnen;lge the place. Then and always a garden man, lie hankled nutnen)us Inbur prol,lans wltile suhlly n~i~lglinp with Ule \\,orkers ant1 handling them lacl~ully. fie knew their psyche atid the conlplcsily of tl~cir 1~)verty-slricken lives. It was perhapsthis bond that pro~npted him lo question his boss. "You see Sir," 11e had wid, "When the collipa~~y reaps a hrlune ever?/h)dy is rewarded-lhe managers, the directors, other oflicials. The factoy, the I)ungalows, ofices and c \ m the Iraclor gets a co~liplete ov~rliaul. But \v11en the losses arc lo be tnade up, it's the tneagrc wages of the lubourers lhal dotl't reach on time. 11's their'yearly bonuses that are either overlooked or deducted. 11's theit- ration and other alnenilies Ihal arc tleli~yed. Sir, during good li~nes at least, let us be a hi1 Illore cl~ariluble." Wcll. all 11c hnd txin~ed were :I li.\\' sn~irks ru~d a coul)le ol' disgnrntled colleagues w l ~ o waited Ibr (he slightes chance Lo malign I I ~ I I I . 13~11 l h e ~ ~ shecr hard work won him retrihulio~~.

'Ihe sol1 comer could still be lracetl as we gossiped 011. " Ant1 \\,llal ahoul I'eshok, I'alut~g and Vnh 'l'ukvar?" 11e blazed 011. "'l'l~ese were gardens owned 1)); IIle CellIra1 govenlt~~etd public sector ut~il, ~ I I C 'Tea 'l'racli~~g Cotln)~-utiot~ 01'

India, \vhose I)ushes had grown wild years ago, with its Inboiucrs in dire straits. Whalcver liappcnd to Ll~cir childre11 and Ihtnilies? Nobody Imthered. How could such large govet-runet~l-owlled gardens sudde~lly kick tl~ousands onlo l l ~ e bri~lk 01'

hunger and rrustralion. It was a deliberate act of trampling a person's tnosl basic rig111 lo eanl a livelil~cmd. "Look at the expenses today. Petroleu~n prices hatre risert, transport costs lluve gone up ar~d cheap vegelablcs

hauled up from rutlher down Siliguri Ilavc turned bilter. Yes, tl~al's wvhal they say, the gapes arc sow. When thc labour witge is supp)sed lo be Rs.100, it's still a tileasly Rs.41.90, so!ne gardens have it even I\-c-orse. A beggar in Kolkata perhaps collecls tllorc in a day."

.Tl~is \\,;IS the econo~llic t c t ~ o ~ i s ~ n he had propounded. We were quile anxzcd. Wcll il's open secret-onc I I I ~ I I ' S

perspiration is another's prosperity. W l ~ o visits these ren~ole nooks anynay. Ille to11 nc-otcl~ have Ulcu nests well li.i~lliered. Air-cot~tlitionetl ollices, estrnvaganl lircililies, hl bonuses Cor hulnper scasorls, n Matiz and \\hat uot. :\11(1

sc)~~la.\\llerc. a l l l i t l s l (Ilese obscrlre ~looks, a child has discontinued studies even in a govermncnl sclrool h r cxercise tx)oks, ~)c~~c.ils. ~ulifi)rln. I in~d tin tilne hil\.c bccollle il 1uxlll.y.

I)e\\.e~n cor~le~npli~tcs: "If n I l~n i l y is hurdelld with thoughls like whi~l ~lrey'll have [or dinner. what their c.llilc11cn are to be fcd tvilh and the growing credit at the rcltioll sl~ol).. .it's allnost lerrorising LIICIII, is11.1 i t? His words ~c*\.c:~l ;I collccnl Il l i~l 's all Itlo ul~l~eu-er~l.

[I' [lie gcr\.clnlne~l(-o\d gnrdens causal them so much pi~in, whnl could one exl)ecl from the privately ~\ \~ l led c)l~t.s'! Wr t l rc~~ lrird lo l i l t Ihc Icnglhoning course oPour corlverse~lion. "With such n sizeable ch~ulk of Ll~e hill )u)pulatiai .;(ill renla~ni~lg 111 Ille cstnlcs, and so lllnny ollicrs educntetl, liul unen~l)loyed, \\,hor~r do we nctunlly I~l:lrnc'/ I s i t ir~:~dt:cl~~alr t ~ a i ~ ~ i ~ i ~ , lack of inliastrucIure, 01. 110 jvb aw?reness. You see, our . l~r i~icipi~l industry is tee and one GIII vc~y \\t:II ,:all i t our idenlil!., 1ighl7"

'l'l~cre \vi~s a broild grin on his race. "You see, \ye lul\:e nunlerous privately owned gartlc~~s. Antl the gtmd posts ;II~ al~eildy ~esen:etl. A brigadier's son, a colonel's son-in-law, some tnu-eauc~at's nephe\v and so 011. What can anyone (lo a0011l il')"

I le sl)okc ol Inilllagers wvlio couldn't ~nuller IZnglisli A~ l t l how could olle handle people \\illroul co~n~u~u~ ica l io~~ skills'!" And as I'or 11;s grwn exploits, 77ic iVotioria1 Geogtr~phic Soc,ie!v cap never leaves his head. l lc Ixcn~rlc n ~rre~liber j ~ ~ s t Ilc.ci~usc lie nurtuucd and still nu~lures Lhis secl-et longing of having the Society's 1ca111 visit 1)aljeeling and slutly i l s cli\.t:lsc I lo~n clntl I?IIIII~I. I!III ~III: 11;s leun1.e as IIIillliIger, IIU planted al~nosl 152.000 Lrccs over n 1)erioJ of 13 yeals. I le also sl;~~.tetl the 1;riends 01' I'ICCS I:~IIIIII nntl is iI nle~nl)cr ofnu~~~erous e~rn i rc~~~~~en ln l orgturisntions. And to fer~ther his ~nanager's cnp, he reti~etl ill 10'13 l~ccluei~thir~~ a legacy lo his s~~ccessors-a11 agricullural ~ ) ~ o d u c l i o ~ ~ of about 135,000 kg. His hard work and zeal for I>I:IIIIIII~! 00IsLc1riI the g:u tlen's li)rlune. With all this. llic Wesl Ijcngal 'I'ea I)evelol)n~ent Corporalion sure lras :I p~izc Lo 1~1lcl1 ill Ihis old pln~rtrr

. - - . -- - - - . - . - . - - - - Tea Estates: Certain lrlformation (Darjeeling Hills)

Area (Hectares) Daily and Permanent Monthly

rated

:<I ~ a l l l e ant1 Address of the No[ T.E. Area Children1 (Clerical,

Under Male Female Adolewents Medical area

Plantation Total Technician,

. . . .- . . . - . - - - - -- - -- Su b-staff)

( 1 ) (2) (3) (4) . (5) (6 (7) (8) (9) - -- -. -- -- .- I Narnsing T.G., P.O., Hungi,

Darjeeling 771.58 468.89 436 761 10 1207 165

2 . Secyolc T.G., P.O., Mirik, Darjeeling 406.80 154.01 196 245 4 445 64

Paridam T G. , Darjeelirig 381.21 131.31 111 155 - 266 36 4 A ~ y a T.G , Darjeeling 220.65 123.26 39 179 11 229 7 8 ! Rungreet T.G., Darjeeling 164.27 87.53 32 104 - 236 2 3

CI1;irnong T G , P.O., Poltliriabong, Darjeeling 331.99 164.93 113 312 7 432 82

I , rllkvar T.G., Darjeelirig 891.44 436.72 594 983 35 1612 139 8. Nagr~farni T.G., P.O.

I\Jagrifarm, Darjeeling 571.37 285.66 401 509 - 910 118

! Si~r!gellr.G. I> 0 , Kurseong, I lar jeel~ng 554.50 282.53 253 403 2 658 99

10. Siriqbulli R Tingling T.G., P.c:,., Phuguri, Darjeeliny 823.94 252.51 396 913 28 1337 8 5

1 1 Ra~~garoon T.G., f3.0., Darjeeling

156.01 89.93 47 110. - 157 26

I) Malialdiranl T G., 130,, Mallavacli, Darjeeling 110.00 68.9 55 83 1 139 15

I .I. .luriqa(,ara T.G., P O., Mahatlady, Darjeelirlg 99:7 77.00 122 136 - 258 46

14. Marybong, T.G., P.O., Marybong, Darjeeling 395.08 278.86

15. Pashok T.G., P.O., Pashok, Did. Darjeeling 865.16 305.70

16. Liza Hill T.G., P.O., Ghoorn, Darjeeling 183.67 117.04

17. Selimbong T.G., P.O., Pokhriabong, Darjeeling 307.70 160.96

18. Oaks 1' G., P.O., Sonada, Darjeeling 191.31 138.91

19. Resheehat T.G., P.O., CGhoorn, Darjeeling j99.11 136.38

20. Lingia T.G., P.O., Ghoorn, Darjeeling 220.39 137.94

21. Badanitarn T.G., Darjeeling 880.10 321.05 22. Runglee Rungliot T.G.

Darjeeling 417.60 183.72

23. Aloobari T.G., Darjeeling 50.0 22.0 21. Phuguri T.G., P.O., Phuguri,

Darjeel~ng 427.41 296.35

25. Oannaokburn T G., Darjeeling 283.80 142.64 26. Glenburn T.G. Darjeeling 759.0 278.74 27. Vah-Tukvar T.G., North Point,

506,87 Darjeeling 197.08

28. Gyabare & Miliktlrong T.G., 812,85 311,51 P.O., Darjeeling

29. Pissimbing T.G., P.O., Ghoorn, Darjeeling 389.38 201.90

30. Balasum 8 Mumah T.G., P.O., Sonada, Darjeeling 682.94 352.61

31. Nagri T G., P.O., Nagripur, Darjeeling 567.91 306.50

32. Soom T.G., P.O., Northpoint 507.0 234.61 33. Thurnbu T.G., P.O., Mirik, 1408,05 478.40

Darjeeling

34. Happy Valley T.G., Darjeeling 162.0 105.0 35. Moondeltotee T.G., P O.,

Sonada, Darje.eling 1020.0 467.78

36. Margaret's Hope T.G., P.O., 780.03 358,0 Sonada, Darjeeling

37. MirnT.G.,P.O., Sulthiapokhri, Darjeelirig

389.6 169.15

38. Mullotar T.G., P.0 , Mahanadi, Darjeeling

147.71 134.'15

39. Barnesbag T G., P.O., North Point, Darjeeling 288.7 128.02

40. Sivitar T.G., P.O., Mahanadi, Darjeeling

525.35 144.63

41. Castleton T.G., P.O., Kurseong, Darjeeling

42. Orange Valley T.E , Darjeeling

Hangmukh & Cedou I' E.P.O., Sonada, Darjeeling 716.1 531.87

l'umsong. T.G., P.O., Sukhiapokhri, Darjeeling 186.82 150.26

L.opchu T.G., P.O., Lopchu, Darjeeling 321.1 91.46

Sungma T.G., P.O., Polthriabong, Darjeeling 454.55 281.95

Soureni T.G., P.O., Mirik, Darjeeling 136.8 94.20

Gille T.G., P.O., Teesta \/alley, Darjeeling 486.84 249.29

Kelej Valley T.G., P.O. Teesta Valley, Darjeeling 495.8 234.59

Sirigtorn T.G., Darjeeling 631.34 261.4 (;illy T.G., P.O. Darjeling 633.2 260.71 Ringtong 8 Hopetowr~ T.G., I '.(?. Sorlada, Darjeeliny 966.54 338.00

l'eesla Valley 'T.E., P.O. 1 eesta Valley, Darjeeling 717.40 290.34

Dooleriah T.G., P.O. Ghoorn, IJarjeeling 1264.53 440.14

Gopaldahara T.G., P.O. Mirik, Darjeeling 321.61 131.77

(;oolntee T E., P O . Mahanadi, Darjeeling 234.72 124.24

'rukdah T.G., P.O. North Point, Darjeeling 556.93 227.84

North Tukvar T.G., P.O. North Point, Darjeeling 510.15 237.24

Menteviot & Edenvale T.G., P.O. Kurseong, Darjeeling 77.65 59.91

Chongtong T.G., P.O. (;liooni, Darjeelirig 393.11 376.1

Ililayarn T.G., P.O. Ghoom, Ilarjeeling 358.63 198.41

Poobang T.G , P.O. Dist. 1)arjeeling 525.84 167.5

oi(ay(i T.G . P O.Miril<, 1)arjeelirig 347.47 208.02

I'hoohsaringT.G.,Darjeeliny 510.15 237.24 .. - . - , . . ~

. - . -- - .

Source: Plantation Workers In West Benaal. Labour Gazette 1994. Departnient of Labour. Government of West Benaal

Tourisel L);~rlcellnr as said earlier i s known for (he Uuee '1"s which or course are l'et~, 'l'ourisln md Timber and these are . -

i ~ l s c i l l le l l i ~ c c nili in solll-ce c>P ina1111e or !he 1)arjeelirig I-lill Areas. We have already seen Ihe stalc of 'Tea as it i s 1)nrjceling ond it can sally Iw snitl that the situalion of Tourisni in Dnrjeeling i s also on the vcrge of a downward trend. Aller !Ilr accord of 1988-99 a ~najor portion of [he Deparbnent or Iourisln has been lianded over to the Darjeeling (iotklla Ill1 Council

'l'lie t!vol~~lion of 1I1r to\vn oI' Dtirjeeling dales back to 1835 aner Caplain L.loyd eslat~lished a sarlalori~lln here. I'llc ~11111l1lclit)n of lhc Ci~lculla 1)ajceling Road in IR3H was lhe first slep lowards introducing ~ l ~ t d c n i comlnunicntion.

45 I'he intrtductio~l of ~ l w o w gquge railways UI 1MI increased the accessibility of Dnrjffiling. LI the colonial period, the tci~ i ~ ~ d u s t ~ y \%as IIle ~~i \ 'o l ol' g o w l l ~ Rnd develop~nent. AII i ~ ~ f l o w ol' civil sewanis, al7icinls. planters, and lnbourrrs I ~ e l l ~ d the grudunl expanslo!) and I I W I I ~ civic a ~ ~ ~ e n i t i e s were gradually appended Lo this town. ' I h s helped the davclc)pment ol' 'second' homes arouul L)arjeelir~g. K a l i n ~ p o ~ ~ g and Kurvrwn~g or the w d t h y landlords in eastern India.

'I'he li)rrnaI i~~trcxluct~on of touris~n was only ill 1938 when the C s t Iwlel. 'The 1)ajeeling I;tm~ily liotel, was const~ucted. I I WIIY Lbllowed by the Nilson I-lotel. Wvvdlnr~ds followed shortly followed hy 1>11un Druid, Rtrkville, I3ellcvue. Cc111ral Ilolel and Ilotcl M o ~ u ~ l Icverest. 'l'ill 1975. lourisn~ was nlar~nged p~ivately wiUi little encouragement or I I I ~ ~ I ~ ~ ' I C I I C ~ I)\ the g o v e ~ r u ~ ~ t i ~ l . 'I l ~ e ' l 'our~sn~ l ) e p c ~ r l l ~ ~ e ~ ~ l of the <;owr~~rnenl o i West Ikngal calne into k i n g in 1958, ;lnd 1I1e Wcsl Uengal 'loilris~n I)evelol~n~a~l Corl~o~alion ill Noveh~kr 1975, w11l1 tlie tusk of supplying thc visitors WIUI h i ~ s ~ c unli~nni~tion about places of tourist 111terest. 'lhe e s t u h l i s h ~ ~ ~ a ~ t o l Ij~yjeeling Ciorkha Autono~nous tiill Council In 1988 led to lourisr~~ activities being I lal lsCe~~d to llle IX;NIC. Ilowewr, Lhc West Uengul 'l'ourisrn lkve lopn~a~t Corl~orolion continues lo operate in Ule arm.

linlry for li~reign tourists into lhe Ilarjeeling llill Areas was c l o d ullel- Ule h i d ~ d h i n a war m 1962. This ~esulted in n decline in tourisr~~ uctivities ill the area. Consequently, infrustwture dcvcloprnent sukred. 'l'hese restrictions were lilled in 1985 end Ihc nu~nber of tourists, particularly the foreign twrists visiling Darjeeling increased markedly. When c o ~ l ~ p a r d with thc growth in the resident population, the increase in tourist population is ia greater. It h;~s heell sun~~ised that thc increase in the nu~nher of tourists has bee11 so rapid that i~lliastruclure facilities calmot keep pace (SPA 1998).

.l'ourisn~ is an iml~orlunl economic activity in I I I V ~ I ~ ~ I I ureas ger~erstitlg u~con~es and employn~cnt for the I a l pol~ulalion. 'l'he tourists every y w s p n d lo the tune of Its. 70 crores. Everymy right holn n chaiwala upto the hotel owner henclits from the touris~n. A p r l liorn an increase in the income and the dellland l i~r local products, tourism also results in a ~nulliplier elrect. 'U~is refers to the wc~y ill which tourist expenditures filter Uuough the m n o m y and gcncrute other e c o r ~ o ~ ~ ~ i c activities. 'l'hc multiplier elrccl is based on the concept ol' inlerdepndency of dimerent sectors of Ihe economy the result of which is U~at any change in the host econo~ny's level of outpul, incnntc, c~nl~loyirrnmt, guvcrllnlcxl revenue ~ I I I ~ l i~~c ign cxuI~7nge 1 1 0 ~ s will he greatel Illan the \lalue oC (he i~~il inl clmnge. .l'he multiplier is esprcssd as ;I ratio of cllul~ge ill one of the above vnrial~les to Uie ellunge in tourist sperlding that hrougld it uhout. In addition to its contributior~ to e c o n o ~ ~ ~ i c growth in UIC host economy, lhe lalx~ul- ir~tensivc nature of tourisn~ and tourisnl related il~tluslries results in a signilic;~nt i~nlw~ct upon tla level of e~nl ) loy~ne~~t in this .sector. hlcome and en~ployment genera ti or^ ale the Inost ol)vious positivc i~npacts of touris~n.

' I ou~ism, especially Inass louris~n results in adverse i~npacts, leading to e~~\iron~ucntal stress. l h c lirst ~nujor source of cnviron~nentd stress is the pcnnanent restrucluring of the envircln~nent hrought u h u t by a variety of major cv~~str l~clion ;~ct~vitics. tntense building activity leads to the creation of urban ureas Iiiclunp in amthetic value. OHcn it IS

in co~ul~lete discord with the .suuro~u~ding natural resources and scenery with the result U~nt the site is no louger scenic and tou~ ists alove to other destinations. TI2 sccc~nd area oC envir;~~unenlal stress results l i o ~ ~ ~ the gencratial 01' irrreascd \vastc residuals. 'l'ouris~n acti\rlties t~lso result in soil erosion, change in 11lant cover iuld s p i e s di~ersity. I h e I\)uuUl wo;~ c o ~ ~ i p ~ i s e s seasolla1 populatior~ increases resulting in 1111ysicnl congestion and all u~c~easecl d e l n i ~ ~ ~ d for nirlural ruuurccs. 'l'hese negative impacts onell result in a dcclinc of tourist nu~nbcrs, whicl~ in tun^ ~esults in advcrsc cwlnonuc unl)ilcls \vith n suhslantiul decline in inco~ue rnd e ~ u l ~ l o y ~ ~ ~ e n l . llence there is a I I L ~ to susli~i~r 1oulis111 aclivitles U~rough paper ~~lnnning inte~venlion.

.fhe genesis of the proble~n in the area can be traced to the hal1ha7ard grou411 and unwntrolld granlu~g of Iwd use lights bv the Rritish. Espnsion of mnstruclion activities along the steeper slo1n.s (slope greater than the one suited to ul-\>an use) has cxccedcd the c a ~ ~ y i n g cal~acily of 1l1e 1i111d. I lerlce, the frcque~~cy al~tl i~l lc~~sily 01' la~~dslidcs has i~lcrcased. Ijesidcs. :III cxl~ansion of the built up arca at lhc esperlse of forested or opcn areis 1111s resultcd i r ~ an incrcasul r tu~ \)IT a c c o ~ ~ ~ l ~ i ~ r ~ i e d I)y ;I I . C ~ I I C L ~ O I I in spring dischi~rge. L.owel- late of i r~l i l l r i~t io~~ has resulted ill Lhc lowcring ol' the ground \\.atcr table hence a ruluclion in the discharge or yield of sp~ings. 'This has ;dverscly oll'cclcd the water suppl! In the tvwn s i ~ ~ c c the uatural springs fonn the source oC w;~ter supply lo the town.

'I'he rapid incrcase in tourist population has also resulted in the creation of high-density urban areas lack~ng In aestl~etic value. 'I'hesc high-rise buildings obstruct views, the raw ~naterial Tor s c e ~ ~ i c touris~u. hl addition, 1111: increasc ill the built up space to providc for tourist amenities has lake11 place at Ule experlse of forested areas. 'lhe rapid Increase ill

urhi~n ant1 toul-is1 population and the associi~led buililing acti\~ilies res~~l t s in lar~dslides ncnrly c v c ~ )'car. So Ihrjeeling, which is known ;IS lhe "Queen of the I lills", is 11ow or can lx no longcr said to be the queen ol'

the I~ills. Kapid urhi~n growth, and the ever-&owing residen~ and tourist population put ken~endous pressure on the liagile ucosystenl of the Darjeeling lrill Areas. During the British days, only single or double stori~vl houses ol' lid11 constn~ction were allowed to be constructetl to adn~irably suit the low load I m r i ~ g ci~pcit); oC Ihe soils here. With rapid urbanization and demand fvr conslructions crcaled by touris~n a11d a total lack of control bv the ~nunicipalilies, we have IIOW ended up with concrete ~nonsters of buildings, Inany, o l which are continuing lo grow vcrlicnlly to six storeys or no re! '1'0 have one such building located on a wide expense of land is one thing; but to have a c o ~ ~ l i n ~ ~ o u s sketch of sucl~ (all buildi~~gs, one on top of l l ~ e other, s p l l s disi~ster.

Although it is true Ulat the construction of high rise'buildings and illegal buildings should be stolnped or co~~trolled lluough proper i~nplen~entation of rules and regulations the root of the problc~ns that Durjcclulg is now fac i~~g

is Ixcouse of h e great divide in the rural and ~u.ban breok up. For this we have to look at the lurid use p l len l in Ilarjceling \\,here 58% of the lnnd has bee11 taken L I ~ by 1:ol-esls. Tea and Cinchona ;~nd the ren~ainir~g 42%1 has bccn Iclt Iirr l l ~ e use oCthe ~xople . So one can see clearly that tl~cre is hardly any place or spnw lell for gr(rw1l1.

I'ill date 1nos1 of the locill people of 1)or.jeeling has seen tourism as a boon but it ~ c ~ n a i n s u~clnesliond by the rllilsse.; \vhcthcr it is really n h o o ~ ~ . 13wause. ever since D;I j w l i ~ ~ g has been ~nnde the thrusl area oft our is^^^, we huw sccn :~clvesr all'ects on its environrnenl. 1'0 hegin with Ilurjeeling has w ~ l l ~ e s s d a sudden gro\\th in t l ~ c nunbcr of 'l'nsisiVcl~iclcs. \\luch is now 1x)sing a niajor threat lo tlie hall11 ant1 environnient of the people ill tcnns or vchict~lur ~>olluliol~ and accidents 011 roatls-(see hec~ltl~ nnd ernil.omnenl). '1'1.nHic reg~~lntion is ad\,ersely ;111'wlcd t lu r i~~g the lourisl scascins \vhe~c ~ i ~ x i s cram up the ~.oads and parking space..

A l ~ ~ r t li-0111 Ihis, the resourcc of 1)ajccling is pul under much strc~in during tlie lou~.isl seasol), 'l'l~c pcol)lc expe~ienw shorlagrs ranging korn lircl lo wnter-l)arjecling heing h n ~ o u s l i~r its water crisis. A1111 bcsidcs with ir~:~lil)l.(rl)~ii~te IncasLues of waste disjwsal the totuisls Irave I)elii~rtl \\.it11 them n huge t ~ t ~ i ~ l ~ t i t y of w;~str, \vhicIi they pcncrale tluring Ihcir slny and it is in~~~oss ib le for o ~ l e to ovc1.11~1k OIC 111111ygicnic t~nd dilly c o ~ ~ t l i l i o ~ ~ s 01' tI1c I ) ~ L I C C .

I3cluding the S i l i~ur i Sub-division whcrc there is :I rctl-ligl~t oleo. t l ~ e 1)arjecling llill ;Ire;) h;~s no red-ligI11 arl,;i :IS SII#:~I . 1j11t \villi the ~ O O I I I of 'I'(>trris~n. ~ I I C lI:~rjeeling I l i l l Arm 1111s tvitr~essed ;I ~ L I ~ I C I C I I rise in ~ ) ~ o s l i t ~ ~ t i o ~ ~ : I I I ~ l t~lay I ~ I I I ~ R I I I in l l ~ e l~i l ls has heco~ne s v ~ ~ o n y n ~ o ~ ~ s wilh ~)roslit~rlio~l. So Ilie risk all11 tI~rc;~ts of scxr~:~lly t r ;~~~s lu~t tcd tlisc;rscs ~ I I L I I IIV/AII )S II ;IS 1~co111e arl ill1111ilr~111 ~ I I I M ~ to (he ~n'ol)lc ol 'l):~~:icrli~~g

I \IIC~ 111 the nrrnl meas ~ l ~ e t t * is vet? littlc or 110 prople w l ~ o arc in\rrl\,etl in lourisn~, so t l ~ c clt~estion of Ll~cln bcrreliling (lees 11ot cvcn ;~risc. 'l'l~e rrr~ly ones who benclit ;Ire the t~ ;~vc l agcncics. And even il'touris~n does rei~ch to Ihc rural urcas, 1111: elliacts IOLII is111 iv~ll I ~ n w a1 the value syste~ns. cullurc and as ~nentiol~etl ulx)ve l l ~ e health and e ~ ~ v i r o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ e l ~ t r c r ~ ~ i ~ i l ~ s to tic ;~sscsscd ant1 a~mlysed lo colnc up with n suililble solution.

I 'ht~s il lnay be sal'ely be concluded Lhal the role of tour i s l~~ in the Ilarjeeling I-lill &.ens needs to be re-evaluated whicl~ should bc lbllowcd up by judicious action by the locills ant1 the aull~orilies involved. And it is up to lhc people tvhat tl~ey \\,ant-irhether 'fouris111 in I>urieeling should he matle class tourism or Inass touris~n. .Smrr.ce.s:

(I) Srr.s!crir~crhlr 101rr.isn1 Devc~lol>r~rent irr !Ire Dnrjeeling IIill /lt.e(1-7'ElU h) ~ I ~ I ~ J , Y 8, ,\fet111.~ (?/' nst~~zit~g /he [/I./JCIII ~ ? I I I J ~ I ~ ~ I I ~ I ~ I ~ / oj' 111e Dclrjrelirrg //ill .,It.e<r.v 17t.oni F11!/1er

I )t~leriot~cr!io~r-~il~c~~rt/rrr Aloni I'r.trt/litn~.

Health and Envi~.o~la~ent Ilcalll~. as tlclincd t)y the W.1-1.0 'is a stale of colnple~e physical, ~ n e l ~ t i ~ l ant1 sucii~l well-bcing ant1 not ~ncrely

thc alrsrnce of disc:ise.' l3ut sucl~ a hroad delinition oflicilth c;~n hardly be co\lired in Ulis paper, w ~ d we will nlercly try :rnd lircl~s on the scenilrio of' health in the tiistricl o l Dnrjeeling Inking into colaitleralion tile secondary (lala Ifucts and ligr~res available at hand. It is ol)vious i~nd one can hardly deny that solne envirvru~lental l'aclors are relatetl to health and so an clli>tt \\!ill I)c I I I ; I ~ ~ lo look upon t l ~ c tcepic as a whole and try i~nd ilssess the relationship between t l ~ c t\vo. A I I ~ one r~cc~ls I ~ I I~avc an intc~r;rtcul approach il' hcalth ; I I I ~ or prcvenli\rc I~ealt l~ is lo be pron~oted, cvnsitlcring tlic 1)rcssLu.c on c111;1ti\1. health. The \\:or11 bei~ltlr ;~ntl cnvirc,nn~ent covers n h u g nrln~ber .or topics. For csa~nl)lc. tliseases like 111:llaria < . O I I I ~ I I O ~ I)c c~;~dicatctl \ \ i t 1 1 I l~c use of 1>I>f and 11ow il is accepted, tl~al, it cru~ only be ~)~e\,t.r~tctl hy tvorking nithi11 Ule vnt.in)~l~nrnt. ' I llings like saic :~nd clean drinking \inter. working conditions. urhnnisntion. i~~~lusl~-ial is ; l t io~~, g~o\vth In ~ I I I I I I :III.:IS. \\ollii~)[? c o ~ ) t l i t i ~ ~ ~ s , sociirl 311~1 ct~lt~lr:rl Ilahits, file1 and e ~ ~ c r g y nectls clc. colnr \ \ i t l ~ i ~ ~ Lllc ) I I I I \ J ~ C I V or tlrc ( Io,:c I I I I ~ : ~ - I ~ I D I ~ O I ~ S I I I I I I)ct\vce~~ 11cirltl1 ~ I I I ~ environ~nent. AnJ the tlill'c~e~~cc hetlveen thc sccnc~rio oC health in the rural ill111 (111- .:ccnc~rio or I~caltO in tlie r~rHni~ nrcas :dso conle ~uitlcr this licatli~~g

Allho~rgl~ licnlth is a ~~niversal lopiclissuc the scenario of health in thc I)al:jeeling lr~lls can snfelv be said to be (lrllcrcnl \\hen co~npatccl to tlicrt oT tlie plains. One ~nain reason is the hilly terl-ain, wl~ich makes rc:~uolc and rurul arcas ~~~:~cces<i l ) le li)r he;~lth \vorkers nol\\~ilhstanding 1I1e Sac1 ll~at 74%) of [he ~~opulntion is conccnhatetl in Lhc rural or btislee ;rleas. Ilcsides the lieallh centres in tlie rural arcas arc. most of the tinle. ill equipped to deal wilh n~inor ailments and in son~c they do not even exist. So the rural ~wpuli~tions have liinited access to the ~nedical inslitul~ons because of their re~l~oleness. r l ~ c other fr:llure of lhe heallh scenario of Darjeeling is that niost of the Lime the referral sysleln is Ilawed. 'l'llis Ic;~rls to [lie crowding up of Ihe secondary and tertiary levels and it isn't \'cry surprising to see patients crowded up In t l ~ c 1)islrict Iklospilals where one hed is shared by nlore than tiyo. (See l lelrral Systeln)

Wher~ one looks hack on the li)rgo,tcn past of I)ajeeling one lirlds that this place was initially started as a S ; I ~ ~ ~ O I I - . I I I I ~ I I C ~ C ailing soltlie~s ccruld recuperate. Later it was (leveloped as a hill station. And even today because ol'ils rel)ulalion it attracts a large number of touri$ls who hopc lo slxnd sonle ti111e in Ihe salubrious enviromi~enl of the hills. Ilul wl~nl was oncc tlcvelopetl a hili station 161- a limited pop~~lation of 20,000 now supports 11 staggering ~wpulation of 7. ' )00. . I '1 In the thrcc hill-suhtli\ision excluding Siliguri suhtlivision and n population of 106,257 in the Darjceling hlu~~icil)nlit!- only. In ;~cltlitio~~ to t l~is it suppork a to~uist population of 10,000,or more every year. So considering the pressure or l~rp t~ l :~ t ior~ (111 the resources and the Cragility of'the eco-syste~n or t l~e hills il is a n~iracle cis to how thc systenl 1%; slill lirr~clioning hec:~use hy all ~ncruis i t should have collapsed a long time ago.

47 The pressure of population can actually be directly linked to health hazards ur its pdentiuls. k n w I ~ C larger

Ilie population Ilie chancrts of the deterioration of Iw~lth hecomes more. In the hills every yeur d ~ ~ r i n g (he boom of tla It)urist season, which the Itmls invariably e us rewards. is actually a ~najur h t lo health and enviroruneut. Becuu .~ Ule to~uists a p r l li-oln bringing Itusiness to the hills ala) bring a host of diseases w actually creek such situtions as to give birth to Ihc ali~resaid. For exa~nple tourist could he carriers of deadly diseases like 'I'ukrculosis, sesu;llly translr~itled diseases and I IIV1AII)S (consider~ng the hcl that touris~n in 1)arjwling has almost heco~ne synonpous with ~)rosl i lut ior~-ulthou~ therc aren'l any red-l~ghl areus in the hills). hrd diseases like Knla arnr ctr F ~ h a and o h con~municahle tliseases could HISO I= tmnsmilted lo Ihe ~xvple within (lie district.

And during their slay in Ilarjeeling they ~ w t al ly put pressure on the resources like water. electricity and l i l I)LII also pencriltc (1 lot 01' waste for whicli there is no p c ~ r ~nanngement in the hills. And so Uiis diraUy aKixts the crl\rllonlllenl adversely und so l l ~ e adverse i~tipucl ul~on e ~ ~ v i r ( r n n ~ e ~ ~ t can thus he said Lo he an adversc clYect 011 health.

As Ihl IlIVIAIDS till dale acco~ding Lo Itetd. Mujor K.I'.Malla (Indian Red Cross Society. District Aids Conhol C'cr~ltc) there ilre 40 known c u m of Aids in tlic Ljarjeeling Iiills. So the ~wint suggestive is Illat prcventivc nlcasurcs should be taken as ntuch as pvssible lo prwent an epidetnic in the future wiLh regard to not only diseases like aids bul illso othel conunullicable diseases

'l'he crisis of water is a hiown thing in I)arjeeling and none are unaware of 11 yet no-onc has no11cd or raised a voice ns regards to l l ~ e l~lucement of tlie dislributior~ pilalines which actuaUy are buried untleryound or run along ~ h c dlains or ricrllns. So the chances of the drinking water getting cta~tarliirlated and the incidence oT water h n i e discases increasing nre ~ n u c l ~ kdaer. h r ~ d the crisis 01' water also aggravates the lieulth cunditions in I h e hills throufi vurious \vavs. ITirstly. due to lack of water flushing of loilets btrolne pnicticallv illlpt~sible, which nlenns that, suiitntiorl is lailing in Ijarjeeliiy. Secondly it puts pressure on tlie \r.omen w l ~ o have lo can?/ water over convideruble distances ad thirdly people hecollie prone to waler borne diseuses since the quality of the wuter is forsaken when tlie crisis reaches its peak during the dry seasons.

I)ar,jeling is Iamous l i~r its tluee 'T's, which of course are Tea, l 'ouris~n and ~l'inilmr. We hnve alrady seen the inil~acl ol'touris~n on heallh and environment and wlietl tlic scene is shilled Lo lea tlic scenario I x o ~ n e s cven norb bid. I h e tea gardctls or the planlelion oreas, which mver a large porlio~l of Ihe l~ills are pluces where thet-e are liigllcr incldcl~ccs 01- tuberculosis arid other diseases. The use of chetnicols likc peslicides, insec~icida nntl \vcedic~dcs elc. and their ncgauvc Ilnpacl has not been fully assessed as yet, and the incidence of tuberculosis is said to k higl~cr mnong h e workers wla) are engaged in spraying these chelnicals hi the tea-bushes. 'Ihe h ~ n in organic farmiry arul planlulion, of course, has not ye1 heen I'ull lledgedly in11-oduccd ill the hills. (See "'l'ea")

r - PLANTATION WORKERS IN ASSAM AND DARJEELING

The working e~wiromne~~t of plantalion workers in the tea gardens oT ass all^ and Dajccling, or in the coll'ee und rubber plat~tetions in Kanlatuka, Kcrala alld I 'anil Nadu ale a b y s ~ ~ ~ u l . Altllough tlic S~alc l'lal~lalion Act lays do\m cerlain stipulation, these are rarely adhelrd to. A recent sutvey of Leu wardens carricd out by Sanlarjit dnna of AIllll'll in 1989 Tound tlult: U 'l'lte l~ousillg fncilities were in dircct violalion of the PIanla1i011 Acl. 'fliere were also no toilets or

sources olpotable drinking watel. U No ~nedical facililies wcrc a\railablc to the workers a 'I'lie s~i~allcr lea gardens rarely allowed the workers the slipuluted k ~ ~ e f i t s ~llness 011d other b ~ v e

hcililies. Such sel-trices as cnnlcens, creclies and recreational facillibs retnained on paper alone. u As the wol-k is bascd on a piece-rate syslen~, workers were u)mpelled lo work lo~ig hours. U Without foolwear i n l l ~ e cold and wet cli~nale, the workers ollen dcvelopcd lissurcs 011 thcir fcct that

went untreated. Women oneti conlracted hoookwonn, wvliich in turn caused prolol~gcd anaenua. a Despite tli6fa:t that n~osl of the ten gardens were located in the goilrous bell, ,no iodine wus distributed

as a preventive iileesure. l'esticide poiso~ling is beculni~lg a reality not o ~ J v for sprayers bul I'or people liviug in close proximity lo areas wvhich are continuously sprayed will1 pesticides. hi 1975, Tor inslance, 200 people in forty villages in Kan~;~laka were crippled and llieir loco~notion i~nlaired when they cvusu~ned fish and crabs collected lion1 tlic nearby rice ticlds thal had k e n sprayed with paralhiclll a11d endrin. I h e cpidetnic of epilepsy in t h t y - six \:illapes of Ultar Pradesh was shown to be the rcsull ol' tiwd conta~uinuled by BHC. Similarly, agt-icultural labou1-ers and planlation workers are continuously at risk, living ;IS Uley do in cltrse proximity lo lields h-cated wilh pesticides. Furlliennore, belonging as they do lo h e uiorgonised swlor, agriculturul labourers and planlation workers are not projected with safely gear such 11s gloves, boots, tniasks und respirators. In Licl, it is believed thal 50 Wr cent of all workcrs do not wear any prolecli\c gear at nll.

~ o k c r : Sr~lre oJ'lndic~'s Iletrlrh-l bl~r,r~c~rjr Neulrtr :ls.rocicrriorr oJ'hrriio ( 'I'hc shorlage of firewood or in othcr words fuel and cnergy n e d s also posm as a ~ni~jor tllrcal to h e Iici~lll~ ol'

women in tlie rural areas. In the face of firewood shortages, not only are wolneri hrced to change the lind hubits of heir litniilics (I7ini1 Aganval, 1989). but they also tend to sacrifice their o w l nulrilional inlake ill ordcr lo providc rnore li)r l l ~ c Llnily, ollen lnissing nleals ;!ltogcther. 'Illis, during pregnaricv when lliey should in fact hc increasing their inlake oi calories, I-esults in women heco~ning anae~nic. Anaemiu has a profound impact 011 lieillth as il lowers resistance to fatigue

48 :III(I (Iist.;~sc i111tl i~ITcc:ts Ihc \\torking capcity 01' a person. 111 atldilio~~, it i~~crrases I l~e risk ol' dent11 du~ing c l ~ i l t l l ~ ~ ~ l l ~ . (Slatc t11' India's llcaltl~-VIIAI) Antl illso a Iilrgc ~ x r c a ~ l a g c of wonlen ill Ll~e ru~ul areas i~lso work us ugriculturi~l Ii~houl-t!~~ ant1 i l l wlnc 1ur;11 arcas in the hills the wonlell illso 11i1\2: to collect B I I ~ curry w ~ ~ t c r over sonle considerable ,I~sl;~nccs. So the st;~lus ;~llotted to women and the demand lhal is placed upon then^ hns plays a 11mjor role i l l the S ~ ~ I ~ I I S of her~lll~ of Ihc wonlcn.

Alcoholiat~ and Ilrug addiction havc hectm~e n~njor tlueats to the hon~e e~n'iron~nent 21nd to health. 'l'hese contlitions ha\c aggra\'tlted health conditions because they result in the increase in tlo~~leslic violence resultir~g in dyslu~~ctional fanilics. 11 II:IS illso resulted in the increase in the ~~tunber 01' crinle rates. It compounds the condition of ~naln~~fri t ion as chronic alcoholics and dmg addicts suffer fro~n ~nalabsorption oT ~najor r~utrients. It aggravates the ~,onditlon of l)overtv, lends lo higher incidence of liver disorders i~ud c o ~ ~ ~ ~ n u n i c a h l e diseases like AWS, llcpi~tilis, 'l'uherculosis clc hecntae of the inlravenous use oft l~ugs.

Vcliiculnr pollutio~~ is another cliullenge of Ihese days especially the urban arcils. WiUi Ihe increase of 11~11)ulstion and the i~ t t rac t io~~ 01' the lourists Ihe I I L I I I I ~ ~ ~ of vchicles are rising ut an a l a ~ l ~ ~ i ~ ~ g late, \vhich 1101 only tlu-cuts the h(:alth i~nd en\iroruner~t but also has staded clogging the small rontls ofthe hills. Accitle~~ts on roads is n ~ ~ o l l ~ e r hctor, \vhicl~ I S these days nll'ccting t l ~ c lxople by and large Accortling to Ihe '1tcpn)ductive and C:hild Ilcc~llh Projccl for 1)arjecling Municipal I 'o \ \ I I , April IelYH,' around 20.3% o l the ~xq)ulalion sull'er 1i.o111 A~Lerial Itcsl~iratory Infection.

'I'he li~lesl dcvclop~~~ent in the hill:i is the building of the Tcesln I lo~a in the river 'reeslil. (See Ilclnils-'Twslu I)an~s) is no\\, p ) s i ~ ~ g ;IS ~naiol- llueal to tI1e enviroruna~l a id I~ealth of 1)arjeeling. Acco~ding to the Volunta~y llealth Associi~tion of Mia-'State o l India's Ilealth' there is 1111 incrci~sd i~~cidcnce of Vector diseases like ~nt~ l t~r ia and lilario (1111 ing and al tc~ t l~e c o ~ ~ s l ~ . ~ ~ c t i c ~ ~ ~ of rivcr vollcv projects. Antl allliougl~ the co~nplesily of changes caru~ot be graspd lotall!. c~nc ~)ercel)lil~lc ch:n~gc is Illc rise in lhe waler tahle nrld Ihr~s increased i l l k ~ l i l ~ t ~ , \vhicI~ h i~s i~ tlirecl Ixaring on the I I C ~ I I I I I sti~tus of 11ic ~)opr~la t io~~. Chal~ges can he detcctctl i r ~ the lrace ele~nents (copper, molvlxle~~~l~n. zinc, ~nilgncsiu~n ~ I I I ~ IIue~riclcs) that are i~hsvrbed in hodslulY, lending to copper I'cstetl in ~ ~ ~ u l n i ~ t r i t i o ~ ~ , i~nae~uin ;lnd skclctal Iluorosis. I'hcse I~avc lxcn en~l~irically verilied in Ihi co~nn~und area or Nagmj~u~asagar in Andllra Pradesh, in arcas i~tljaccnt to 1 Iosl~ct tln~n in Kanlataka, and in Coin~hatorc within a 30 KIII radii~s h o n ~ the Pmn~nbikkula~n Aliyar dan .

Changes irl the ri\:t:rine syste~l. ant1 in~poiu~ding (containing) ofwaler results ill water-based haz:~rds: W;~ler-bo~i~e tra~lslnission (i.e. trns~nrssion that occurs IV~ICI I the l ~ t h o g e n is contained U I the \vatel- whict~ is co~~sumed. Icaili~~g to diarrhoea or dvser~t~y) Wi~ler-bi~scd trans~nission (when h e pa~hogcn has an aquatic host, such as schistoson~iasis) \V;~ler-relatd insect \.eclor t r i ~ ~ ~ s ~ ~ ~ i s s i o ~ i (i.e. lrruis~nission by insects bleeding in or llcllr water, precipitating ~nalaria, enccl)h~~litis, lili~ri;~sis or Ki~la-nzar)

(Solrrct.: State o~/'lraiitr '.Y I l ~ u l ~ h - 1 b1trr1tar-v Ilcultlr Associtrtior~ o/'lrrtlicr) ' r l~us one C:III sec that lhc threi~ts and chnllenges to henlth and its services nre IIINIY i~nd judging by tlie~n they

sccn~ tlisn~ol. AIIJ one can at least get a pictiue of the scc~~ar io of heillth i ~ s it exisls Ihe district of 1)arjeeling although the piclurc prcwnlctl in this paper isn't v c ~ y detailed due to constrai~~t of lirne and resources. But Inore or less an overall ~)iclure. as 111ucl1 :IS ~)ossiI~Ic, h i~s heen depicted licre.

Rcfcr~.i~l S ~ S ~ C I I I Obiective uf tlte Referrnl Svste~u Patients with corl~l~lex health ~ ~ ~ o b l e n ~ requiring investigations and treat~nent need lo go through a ~vcll

l i l~~c l io t~ i~)g rcl'enal sys1e111. \vhich is an insl;tutioni~l set up where lieallh care services are provided in a s)~sle~natic way ;rt Ill< aplvolx~t~te Ic\~cl

.l'his rel'c~ral ~ ~ ~ e c h a n i s ~ n requires to be established with the i1i111 to link up Ule nlulti-tier I~cnlth care system to co~~lb inc prevc~~tive, promoti\s, cuffltive a id specialised clinical services. ' f i e co~mnu~uty must have access to the ser\,icc:; in all lllr hers ;)arIici~arIy the prilnclry carc level as it is the first contact point [or treating colnmon diseases. ' l ' l~c~caller tcchnic:~llv Inore con1ple.u heallh ~ ~ r o h l c ~ n s arc taken cale ofbv each successive I~ealth care level which is cll11i1111t-11 \vi~h superior qui~lity oChc:~llli can: support. I'atients will tlevelop confidence in such 11 rcfcrral system, as thcy I V I I I ~ ~ ~ ~ r I c l . s t a ~ ~ t l that Ihcir hcaltl~ ncetls nill t ~ c takcn care of properly i111d that they will be relien-ed to apl)~ol)rii~tc lcvcl as I>CI I118 11 111ccIic:11 ~ ~ c c ( l s . '!.~l!~-~j!r!'cr~t I<elerrral Syste111:

/\I I>lt'scnt (Ilc I<eli.n.al S ~ S ~ ~ I I I ill t :~c State is l ~ o t f i ~ ~ ~ c t i o ~ ~ i ~ ~ g \\'ell. l ' l~ i s is also truc Tor 111ost pt~rts oF111Jia. I':~lie~ds. il l Ihc :~hscrlcc ol'vi;~l)lc rcTe~~;rl ch:~in, scck Ire;~lrnc~~l tlircctly at the higher levels li)r ~uinor illness resulting in tllc L I I I ~ I C ~ 11lili7atiotl ol~tlic p~.in~ary carc levcl on one hand and thc ovcr loading of the higher tier parliculi~rly terlinry carc Ic\.cls 1111 the other I~alltl. A gootl Rcfcnal Systeln ill cKwt will llriniri~ize bypassi~~g of the lower tiers of the health care deliver syste~u. For this lo Iiccorrle viahlc the systcnl would necessitate the following measures

Scrvice nonns for the primary, secondary and tertiary level to I)e well defined. 'I'llc c o ~ ~ u l ~ u ~ u t v to havc the confidence that the patients will bc pror~iptly transferred to technically higher tiers ol' h r i ~ l t l ~ care \\.llcn ~~ceclctl. C'l~nicitl services at eilch level lo be of quality that will satislj, the needs ofthe conm~uiily.

49 Awareness h)lh anlong the beneliciaries as wll as the health care providws regarding types of s e ~ c e s available a1 each level. A well laid d o w ~ prvcdure to ensure Lhet bypassing of Iowa tiers d m not w u r .

In thc instiluticln under the ~xc!jecl the Itel:erral Syslel~~ would kslrenglhaled by the followiw. ; I ) I Jl~grading and renovating the hospital huildinp to l~rovide adequate space for scwices. 1)) Illdating and upgrading ~nanagerial and clinical slulls of ~nedical und parm~edical pemonnel through appropate

progl ailune. c ) 1'1ovidi11g anlhulance Ivr transpding critlcslly ill patients. I ) Insli~lling pholle. fax ant1 lor radio com~n~tnicat io~~. Mcasurcs lo st~cnglhcn the I<eSer~i~l Syslcn~ would include.

Introductior~ of the use of Iceferral and I ' aedkk Cards iinplementation of odminishtive guidelines and Keterml PI otocols. llstahlishil~g irlcentives Ib the patients to ~ollow Ulr recerral chain. Con~~nunicalion and linkages betwecn the l int referral hospitals and prinlay care to be ensured by m a n s of intcnsivc Irc~inings c~ntl outrcnch visits. AII i~~te~ls ivc IliC I)togr;lnlnle h) Iw co~lductetl to In~get both provitlers and I~calth L . ; I I ~ seekers Mo~lito~lng oC Illt: lielenul Sysleln tluc~ugl~ the Dislricl liealth Co~tuniltecs.

Referral and Feed Back Cards: 'I'his wllen i n l r o d u d will provlde the patient direct access for services to the referred hospital where the paticnl

will report \with the referral card to the unit concerned without going through the Out I'alienl Ikpartment (OPD). The patient need [lot procure a lies11 rupeell- ticket and aller the necessary kettbnent or invcstig;llionu ut the referred hospihl he will report back to the tirsl Sacility wilh the feed back care. 'flus rna~tual of referral guidelines conlain c~d~ninistrative and referral protocols. Adn~il~istralive guitlelines indicate:

'I'ranspc)~-hticln (an~bulance) Sacilitics. O~xratio~ral hours of the project hospilals Ilel'erral and feed hack cards. Incentives to the patients.

I<elkrral protocols are given below: l>isse~nillation of rererral guidelines 'l'ralllillg ol'stcrli: I Iolclir~g clinical nleebngs in the hospitals. Scrving the conunuluty tluougll outreach visits by specialists.

Strengthening the Ilcl 'e~~al Syslenl will be done thn)ugh the Dislrict Ileallh Colmnittces who have the l'olloiving responsibilities: 3) To see Ihal Zones and cl~i~ins oCrererral as idcntilietl in this manual to slrictly adhc~ed to. b) Monitoring the rererral systenl through data collection and analysis fron~the rel'et~al register in the hospitals. c) Coorcli~mting teclulical support to the p r i n ~ q level. d) Need based transpod mobilization. to take the assistance of NGOS in these aspects. e) A slrorlg IEC culnpaign to make in order that the r e f e ~ ~ a l syslenl gets allenlion of boll1 the bcneliciaries and

providers of training will forn~ a major part in gelling (he 11~1th w e providers of all the Uu-ee tiers to be forn~alizcd will1 liu~ctioning of the referral systenl.

Nonns oP Services 'l'he existing clinical senice facilities available in the Secondsry L e d Hospitals are no1 at the dcsired lewl ;uld

l~ave failed to lnmt the d e ~ n a ~ ~ d s or tlie growing pol)ulation and play a supportive a ~ l d co~npli~nentary role tu the pritnu~y hcallh care systenl. l'he reasons are nlany and due to bull or no single elelnc~lt. 'lhey may he attributed to paucity uf nlcdici~l ~)rofessionals in the henlth facilities as compared to large tumowr of patients, abscncc of ulxlating w d upgrading oS clinical knowledge and skill o l doctors and pnra~nedics For want of elTective in-senices Ilantls on training prognunnlc against the scenario of ever growing n~edical science. It is not surprising to rind that evcn Sor sunl)le slu-fgical inlc~ventions uncl diagnostic services, the poor people have lo 111st1 to big hospitals or ~n~xlicnl colleges at Ule tcrtiaq Icvel, th~ls overcrowding these institutions, unnecessarily and interfering wilh U~cir nonnal Cu~clioning of rescarch alld tr;~ilung acti\lities wllile the ~nicldle tier remain practically under-utilizetl. l ' l ~ e ~leoplc pcrceivc these hospitcrls as providing poor quality service because of non-availability of required clinical facilities. l l ~ u s , UI order to gain the conlidence of the colmnunity, the clinical service cutmntly available in the project hospitals have h e n proposed to he upg;ided/de\aloped through enhancement of clinical skill and expertise of the doctors as well us paramedics on o need - Oased criterion. It is desirable that clinical carc is to he pn)\~ded in the Secondary 12evel Ilospitals h!. n multi-tier lhullh

50 calc apprc~ch svsten~ and will haw within its pu~view Lhc curalive i~nd sl)ecinI case nspecls of the pnlicnts npr l horn 111ovidi11g ~)rcvcnlivc sen,iccs.

' l l ~ c 11rimarv hetlllh ccnlrcs nrc espccled lo be the lirsl line or n~cdicol cnrc unil w l ~ c ~ e the pal ic~~ls ullcnd \\ill1 t.olnttlon disease prohlc~ns lo receive lhe clinical curelive senice. More con~plex ~)rohlerns ~ e q u i r i ~ g higher cl i~~ical allcnlion Jio111 the he;~llh care providers nrc tncklal nL the ncxl higher levcl 01' rcrerrel units. L:rcl~ succssivc lcvcl sl~ould ~woviclr Iwlmicnllv higher quality of' rlinicul service and oupJl1 to be bellcr equipped and wcll s l e k d . ?~hcrcforc. lhc I~ipl~c-I licr I)? ollk~ing more lechniciillv improved senice are likely to give l11e clirlicul sul)l)orl needed Ibr lowc~ hers 11r11 Illis is 11ol cun.c111l~ rellected in the Ilospitnl ~)erlbrnlancc in (rue realily as Ihere is no well delirlcd servicc scl~cdulc l :~h~ng I - : I I ~ ~ l ' c l i s ~ i ~ s c l>rohlen~s i l l cach lier ol'hospit~~l.

S&cc:l<t.1i~.d r\larlutrl. Ocfobcr. I YY 7, II Lsf Berival lleulfl~ Seclor. L)ev(,lourrrc,rr/ f'roprcrnrrrrc*.

11cu11/1 l ~ l ~ l ~ l r l l l ~ ~ I1 LIIuI~c l ~ c f ~ ~ l r / l l l l ~ / ~ ~ IIEALTU FUNCTIONAKIESIHEALTH UNITS OF DAHJEELLNG GORKLiA HILL COUNCIL -

(D.G.H.C.) AND SlLlGURl MAHAKUMA PARlSHAD

Atlwiniutl.utive Set up:- I lc:~llh ~ni!jorih. 01' l l ~ e portion has heen handed over lo the 1)arjeeling GorM~a llill Coi111cil (I).(i.II.C.) I)y the

( ; O V ~ I I I I I I ~ I I ~ 01' West I3e11gal as per acco~.d or 1988-89. 111 D.Ci.tI.C:, areas, the Ileallll Sel 1111 is as follows:- l ) . A A J l ~ l ~ I ~ t i tiQI1KliA I-IIU, COUNCIL (D.G.11.C.) L)l~I'Tl'. 01: IIEALTII & F.W. I I:\ccutive Coincillor is in charge of the L)eparhl~enl. ?. Scwclan Ilcalllr, I).(; 1I.C: is the del)arl~nental hei~d, 1 lD.O. i~nd al~poinling aull~orily oC all culcgosies ol' Stall' of

I Icallh 1111dcr I ) (;.I-1.C. 3 h~ l l ~ e limn ol'a 1)ireclorale. D.ti.1I.C. llns got Council Chief Medical Ollicer oCIleallh and under Council C.M.O.1-I.

t l~c~c . is OIIC IJ.l>.C'.. I..I).C. iuld one Peon. Coiulcil C.M.O.H. 1tx)ks uller l l ~ c day lo dny ;~d~n~nislr;~lion of the I I~ I I IS I 'C I ICI I units 01. llci~lll~ untlc~. I>.(i.I I.C. keeping close and conslant lii~sion will1 I1.G.II.C'. Ilealll~ Dcl)a~-tn~ent's ( ~ll'lcl:lls, T l ~ c council C.IVI.O.11. docs no1 have any linancial ~)o\\~erslobligalions \vl~icI~ is pusscss(~I by IIe;~lth Secrclary

l ~ . ( ~ . 1 1 . ( 7 . I l lc (.'.M 0 . 1 1 . . 1)arjeeling who is also the Council C.M.O.11. bl-idgcs l l ~ e gap he lwee~~ thc C0'~ulcil and lhc Sli~lc.

Ivl:~~or~l\- of sl;~tT of the Otlicc oC C.M.O.II.. Da~:jeeling are also engaged as and when necessity arises lo work I'or the I Ic:~lll~ .;el 111' of lhc C'ou~~cil.

' l l ~ c l i j l l o w ~ ~ ~ g Ile:llth I111its arc funded by D.G.II.C., Ilcallh Ileptt. Except n~edicines and parlial lranspo~-l ~) ro \ . i s iu~~s HISALTII UNITS:

I . l>islricl I Iospilal, 1);1rjeclulg-308 heds. 2. S.1) 1 losl)ilal, liillinlpo~~g-370 bcds (including Leprosy) 'K S . I ) I-losl)ilal, Kurscong-100 ImJs. . I , l<u1;11 I lospilal, 13ija111~1ri-1 7 beds (tleclared Tor 30 betis but no1 lunctioning).

I3LC)L'K l'.ll.C.s: I Suhl~ial~oklu~i 131'1 IC-25 trccls. Under lhis Block PI~lCthere ;Ire 3 I'IICs and 25 ? ~l'~1htla11 131'1 1C' - 25 I~cds. IJnder this Block 1'lIC tllcre are 2 €'I lCs and I5 Eleallh Sub-Ccntcr (ill1 li~nctioning). 3 . Miri k 131'1 IC- 1 5 beds. Under lllis Block PI-IC there are 2 1'IICs and 10 1-lealth Sub-Centres. (all fiolctioning).

I . Suhna 131'1 IC-I 5 heds. U ~ ~ d c r this Ulock I'IIC there arc 2 I'HCs and 1G Ileal111 SubCenlres. (1111 fuicl io~~ing) :I. 1'~ulv11g 131'1 1C-25 hctls. IJntler this Block 1'1 IC there are 2 PI 1Cs and 16 l i e ~ l t h Sub-Centes ( d l fiuncliorling). 0. 1l:lnlhhi IJI'IIC- I 0 hcds. IJncIer this Block 1'11C there are 2 1'I~lCs a11d 19 1 Iealth Sub-Centres (all hnctioni~lg). 7 (;orrrl~n(l~;~n 131'1 IC-20 he&. IJnder this Dlock I'HC llicre are 2 1'IICs and I2 Health Sun-Centres (a11 functioning).

Sorrr.ce: DA.10

Public Health Medical Institutions available ia the District of Darieeling

One Iling tllal is visible from the above tttble is that the gro\vlh in inl iaslwtwdM~dicnl lnstilutions has not kept up ill pilce with the growth ill population (pvpulat~o~l lake11 li-o~n Ilw Provisional Populatio~~ Census). There has been un Illcrease ill the nunber of~ l~edica l institulions Cro~u the ywr 1997 o~l\vnrds excell for thc negutiw gu\\4h in the nun~lxr olhealth centres l'ro~n 32 in I997 to 3 1 in 1998. 'l'he populalion figurcs for thc d~strict stands al 1,605,900. alld the ~lunlhcr ol'hospilals are 12 in nur~lber i l l the year 1999, heallh ce~ltres ale 31 in nunlar, clinics are 6 in numlrr and disl)cnsiu-ies ale 27. l'he total nun~ber oClxds h r the district is 2382 and the IotaI n u n ~ b c ~ s ol'dwlors nrc 238. So I~ylx)thclically slxalung s tolul 01'76 healtl~ institutions with 2382 beds and 238 dwtors arc su~)pvrting a ~ X I I ) U ~ B ~ ~ U I I 111. 1,605.900. Alld hence the disparity is easily visible.

Wl~en we compare the ~ ~ u n h e r or medical institutions lo the number ofplienls treated we see that Sro~n the year I YO5 to 1997 the lok~l numher oC polients ht~s gone up by 73% lio~n the yenr 1997 lo 1998. And hcre again we sec lhnt thc grotvlll in i~~liaslmcture has not beell keeping up wiU~ the growth in pvpulelion. h (lie ycor 1999 a lolol ol732193 pstic~lls \\.ere treated in 76 nledical i~~qtitutions 45.5% of Ule tole1 pjpulalion were treated in the n~ediwl inslitulions

PUBLIC HEALTH Medical facilities available in the district of Darjeellng

MFnlCAI INSTITLITIONS

1 1 1 1 - - 2 2 4 4 6 0 6 0 , l l 1 1 1 1 2 2 - - 1 1 4 4 3 6 3 6 6 6 - - 2 2 - 1 1 3 3 1 2 1 2 5 6

Source:Dy.Chief Medical Officer of Health-l,ll

h ~ n l ~ ~ g l l ~ e li111r sub-divisio~~s, Ilarjecli~~g S a d x has tllc I~ighest r~u~ulxr of Medicill 111~litulio11~. 4.17 il l I'IW ;(1111

Silipui Suh-l)ivisio~~ has the lligllest n11rnl)er of beds and doctors 923 and I I0 respccti\.cly 111 Ihc !,car I OQO. A l n o ~ ~ g the hill sl~lrdivisions i.e. escl~uling the 'l'e~ai or Ulc plains, Kal i~~~pung Mu~icilrllt~y Ilnh ~ I I C Ilid~c:,l

I I L I I I I ~ W ~ or beds-540 i l l 1998-99 with a totnl of 20 Medical I ~ ~ s t i t u t i o ~ ~ s Ccdlowed by Sadw Sub-Divi:;i011-447 lxds.

S i ~ d a r Sub-Divislo~~: has a Lotal oP 24 Medical Il~stitutio~~s, with 3 I lospihls. I0 1 IcalU~ Cc~~tres, 3 Cl~niss and 8 l>islxnsaries. T l ~ c I1osl)itals are cc~ncentrated in Darjeeling Mlu~icipltiy area c~lly and there are now in the blocks which means lhal l l ~ e secc~~~darl/ I~ealth centres are conce~~trated in llris area orlly

Darieel i~~e Municipality: has a total populatior~ 01 3,88,32 1 . It has a total of 8 Medical I~~stitulions with 3 Ilospilals, 3 Clinics, a~ id 2 l>ispnsaries. The nu~nber of beds are 358 in lotal and there are a total oC 30 Doclors, which is Ihc Ilighcst withi11 the subdivision.

13111 Ihcn it.shoultl he kept ill 11li11d tl~al t11c relcrml s!~,lc~u is not ti~~~ctloning well or I lawd. A11d p;~rie~lls, i l l tile i~bscnce of a viable relerrnl chain system, seek treatme~~t !lirectly at tlic higher Icvcls Ibl minor i~ibncnts ~esu l t~ng in I I I C under i~tilizalion o l the prullary health centres on the one hand and owl- loading or l)utti~~g pressure on the I~igher. licrs ul' the referral systerll esyecinlly the secondary and the tertiuy levels on the oll~er.

l'hc ~>ol)ulalion for Darjeclir~g Municipality stands at 106,257 in the year 2001 and :I lotal oC 87,214 1wtic11ts welt. trcaletl in the year 1999 which means tI1t11 82% oC the populalio~~ were trealetl duru~p the year-~vl~ich ol' socu-sc cannot he 11uld [I-uc-since the referral s y s t e ~ ~ ~ has 1101 heell accounted lor. But t11e11 the ratio betweell the llu~llher of 111edical Inslitutior~s and the poyulatio~l seems disproporlior~ale

'l'lle dista~lce to Norlh Dengal M.C.11. is 80 luo.

Dariecl i~~e I'ul- Darjeelinp. Pulbamr is basically a nu-al area. It has a staggering populntion of 11 5,821 hul it 1111s a total o l 5 Medical Institutions and 19 beds only. I ' l ~ c total ~ lu~nl )e~- o l pal ie~~ls Irei~lccl ill the year I999 is 53!16l\vhich means that 46.5% of the total population o l t l ~ e area were treated in Lhe 111et1iwl inslitntions.

I>ist;~nce lo I>w:icelu~p D.1-I. is 35 k ~ n and Lo NVI-111 l3engal M.C.tI. 9 hm.

Stkhialmhi-Jowbui~~~alow: 'I'here a e no hospituls i~nd c l i ~ ~ i c s in Illis area but it 1111s a 10181 01' 'I IIci~ltl~ CCIII~CS a~ld ?. Dislansaries. a total of 19 beds ant1 8 doctors in Lhe ?ear 1999. 'l'liis area loo has a large pol)ululicl~l ol' 1,00,07-I. 'lllc rolal

5 5

Lodhama

Sinrimtarn

Takling

Sonada

Pokhnabong

Ghoom

i

'Okrn

- .

Takdah

-

-

Sukhia- pokhri

-

-

-

Rarnbi

-

-

' -

, -

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Kalirn-

Pang SDH

Siliguri SDH

75km

35knl

35krn

35krn

55km

23km

17krn

31km

Darjeeling DH

Dajeeling DH

Da jeeling DH

Dajeeling DH

Da jeeling DH

Darjeeling DH

Dajeding DH

Da rjeeling DH

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

80

70

20

North Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North

M.C H. North Bengal M.C.H. North

Bengal M.C.H. North Bengal M.C.H.

a x 1 Fmily W l a e

L : ~ ~ ~ ~ M u i l i i c i p a l ~ t y : has n Lola1 of 4 Medical Inslilulions, u.ilh 2 Hospil;lls, 1 Clinic, I Dispcnsnry, a lolal 01'434 Beds il110 ?5 1 ) O C I O I S . 'l'hc arm Itas a Iota1 populallol~ or 40,067 and n Lola1 of 6085 i .e . 15.1% of the Lola1 populalion was I ~ c n l ~ ~ l i l l Lhc !lcar 1999.

5 7 Kurwng, has a total of 5 Medical histitutio~ts will1 3 l leollll Cenlres arid 2 Dispensaries, hus e total of 19 &Is and 6 I h c t o ~ s . The nreu llas a lohl ptq~ulation of 85,109 and a total ol 14148 i.e. 16% w r c Ireuled ill Uu: yenr 1998.

&IJ& is a rural area. li has a tohl ol' 2 Medical lnstitutioris with 2 Ikaltli Centres only, a total of 4 13ds and 3 Ikx~ors. 'l'he aleu Iiiis u total p)l?ulation 01' 42.230 and 3 l.!iu/u or 13330 patients were t ~ w t e d ill the ycnr 1990. Co~npared to he pol) l~l i~l io~~ o f t l ~ e nrw t l ~ e ~iurnher of Medicnl histilutita~s is quite less.

I)istianm to North RengaI M.C.11. IS 30 k ~ n .

M i r ~ h Munic- has a tohl of 2 Medial Institutions with I I lospital and I I ) ispcnsq, a total of 15 I l d s w d 2 I)txlors. ' l ' l~c total p)l)ulalion ofthe area is Y 179.

S i l i e u ~ i Sub-Divlslus: l'hs area is called the l'erai or Llle plains. 'lhe area has a total of I0 Medical Lnstitutions with 4 Medical I~~stitulions, corlilxisi~ig of 4 I-losl)itals. 7 Ileulth Ccnlres, 1 Clinic, 7 I)isl~e~wa~.ies \\liich slalds as the highest alliollg the lbur sulxlivision. I)ut tlus is justified when we co~isider Ule total populalion which stands nt 8.1 5,851 and also the k~cl that the I'erliary Ilospilal (a No1111 Bengal M.C.11. is localetl m this sul+d~\~isio~i. A total of 5331 14 or 65.3% vf thc lot;ll pol~ulntio~~ of the sud-division were treated here. LJ~llikc the other hill-sulxli~isio~is U~cre arc hospitals in elcry block r:xcept Ibr I'liarnidewa.

Siliruri Mu~~icioal Cow: has a total of 3 Medical Institutions u)~np~ising 01' I Ilos~)ilal, 1 Clinic, I L)ispxsary. It IIS a total of 250 13ds and 42 D~xtors. l'he area hus H tohl populalio~l of2,84,615 arid 19676 or 69% or the toul population were t~.cated in the v e x 1999.

Mi~tirara: has a total of 5 Mcdic~l hlstilulio~is with 1 flospilal, 2 Ilei~lth Ceillres a ~ d 2 Clinics with u total of 565 Beds and a lohl 01'45 Doctors in l l ~ e year lYY9. The tobl population of Ule area is 1,26,704.

Naxa1bal.i: llt~s a toltll of 11 Medical Institutions \vitl~ I Ilospilal, I Ilealth Ce~itre a ~ ~ d 2 I~isl~cnsn~ics, a tol;ll of60 13cds and 1 1 1)oclors. The lob1 pol)ulat~o~i of the area is 1,44,942.

'l'llc total (x)pu!atio~! iu bolh these areas (i.e. Matigara awl Noxalbari tahen lc%elller) is 271646 and Ilw Lola1 percentage of patients treated in the years 1998 a ~ t l 1909 collies to arc~u~id 5 1.2% and 39.2% reslwlively.

Khuribari: has a lolal of 4 Medical Lnstilutions wit11 I Ilospilnl, 2 I lenlll~ Ce~itres and 1 I)ispcnwq, a total 01'36 H L ~ S a11d 6 Doctors. 'l'l~e total population of the area is 811.206.

17ha~isidc\va: has a total of 3 Medical I~~stitulions will1 2 Ilcalth C e ~ ~ t r e s a id I Dislxnsary. Ihel-e are no Hospitals in Ilds ;ires. It Ilea a total of I2 Beds and 6 Iloctors. The tolal pollulation of the area is 171,384.

l'he total n u i u l ~ r of patients treated in the year 1998 and 1999 (i.e Kharibari and I'hunside\vil tahen topclhcr) stands a1 61% and 68% respectively. I l ~ e sum total population of these areas is 2595')0.

N.U. the analysis is based n~ostly on Ligures fro111 the Statislicol dala, whicll covers only goven~~ncnt health institut~nns and does not include private I~eallh inslitutions. A general picture as to (lie ratio between Ilie populalion of t l~e prticulnr area and the nullher o f n ~ d i c a l institutions in that area has been?epicbd hv way ofjmcel1tages ha t have hen lruted in the area. Thus the referral chain system has also been lried to cover here. And also Ulc population figures iue ba.d on tlic provisio~~al population or the 2001 census. With regards to I'rivate Clinics it a 1 only be nlentioned here that Siligur~ Sub-Division has wi'thessed a considerable growth in the nunlber of hivale Clinics.

58

Number of Family Welfare Centres in the district of Darjeellng

59 Number of Familv Welfa1-e Centres ~ I I the Dbtrict of Darieelinn.

In the Ijislrict the total nunber of Frnily Well'are Cmlres iti 73 in numbcr in the ymr 1999-2000. There hus bcen nn increilse of only I I'ublic I : n ~ ~ l y Welfare Ccntre in the year IW>-ZWO. Rul the number of Private Fanily Wel l i~~e C'cr~tre t l ~ e ~ e has lee11 an increase of 40% i.e. h ~ n 1997-98 to 1999-2000 tl~ere hm I w n an of 12 I:;~mily Welfurc C:enlrcs.

'l'lle highest nu~nhcr of Vaswto~ny cases (a su-gely prlbnned on n~alcs lor birth control) treated in the ye;u 1906-97 is 56 in nulnher, but lrorn the year 1998-2(KlO the nun be^ in Vawloloy cases llove gone down to 1 only which is. 11, other wortls, ncgligihle. 'fhis could be inter~weled as-tl~c prt icipt ion f n m the side of the ~ m l e s with regard to Ia~nily planning has gone down considerc~bly. And besides this could he a lack of ir~cc~ilives on the other hand and also birth co~rlrol rl~rough the usc ol'Condo~ns has no1 bwn included.

l3ut co~~~pnralively, t l~c nurn&r of 'l'ubecton~y ( H sulgery perfon~~ed on 1111~les) l ~ a s remi~ined nlorc or less conahnt but Ihis toc~ II;IS ~ o ~ l t : tlown in the year 1909-2000.

. S i ~ ~ ~ ~ l u r l y I'or l l2.I). (111t1a IJterinc 1)evices) the n u ~ ~ l x r is Inole or less co~~stunl and in lac( the numbcr has gone I I ~ in t l ~ r !;eru 1000-2000 w l ~ i c l ~ is 2,437.

'I'he ~ I I I I I I U I U S ~ ~ ~ ~ I I progriulnne covered is the highest lor the yeur 1998-99. Fur llle year 1998-99 the nunber is 85807 i~nd Tor the vear 1990-2000 is 75749.

Among the three Ilill SubDivisions, Darieelinr Sadar has the highest nunlber o l I.'amily Welfare Ccntrcs wit11 15 I'i~blic and 3 I'rivale-a total of I8 as against 13 for Kalilnpong SubDiviuio~h 10 I'ublic and 3 I'rivate and Kurseong Sd-1)ivision has il lotal of 9 Fa~nily Welfnre Centres with 8 I'ublic and I Private.

Among the four SuhDivisions, Siliguri SuhDivision has the highest number of 1:arnilv Welfare Centres with 10 I'uhlic and 23 I'rivate-a tolt~l of 23.

Tolal Nunber ol' Cases Treated: ?'he total nun~her o l cases treated ('l'ubecton~y, Vasecto~ny ilnd I.U.D.) w i h the threc IIill Suh I3ivision is the I~ighcst for the Sadar Sub Ilivison. V;~seclon~\ =nil or negligible .fubectomy = 1602 in 1998-99 and 1400 in 1999-2000 1.11.13. =I401 in 1998-99 ant1 1301 in 1999-2000

60%) to 70'% of thesc cases werc treated in Darjeeling.Municipalily Farnily Well'are C:rnt~es \\'hich coultl be inteq~rcted as ( 1) the ~)eople in rural al-ens 'arc not aware or do not yraclice Pan~ilv I'lanning as ~ n u c l ~ :IS the urban aruis. (2) or th;~l l l ~ e I:a~nily Welfare Centres in the rural areas are ill-ecli~ilq~ed to treat tl~esc u s e s cons~dering the fact Ulat I'rlvate 17amily Wellare Centres arc none in Ule rural areas.

l<alimpone Sub-Division, the total nurnhcr olcases treated are as follows: ~I'ul~ectonly = I 178 in 1998-99 and 1 153 in 1999-2000. Vasecto~nv =2 in 1998-99 and I in 1999-2000 whicl~ sho\vs ~)articil)ation of t l~c ~ualcs in Family planning cspciall! \bill> regard to surgery. 1.11.1). =513 in 1998-90 and 586 in 1999-2000.

Flul it1 the Kalimpong StlI~Division the scenario is tolally Jillerenl Illan Illat of the Darjecling Sack. I'irstlv the ntunbcr of 17amily Wellare Centres are not concenlrated in the Municipalit!, area o ~ ~ l y and they are more or less c\.enl!. distril~uted and balanced tunong the blocks and unlike Sadar SubDivisitui the total nun~ber of uses treated is not conccnlr;~ted in the urban areas only except for I.U.D. cases wluch is 269 i.e. 52% in 1998-99 and 301 i.c. 5 1 % in 1999- 2000. So this means that the Facilities of the Urban areas are not overcrorvded or the pressure on the urban Fan~ily Wcllare Centres are ~nini~nised.

For Kurseunc Sub-Division has a total of 9 Falllily Welfare Ce111res (8 I'uhlic ant1 I l'ri\nlc). l'hc total nu111l)cr of cases treated lbr 'fubeclon~v =H l 8 in 1998-99 and 725 in 1999-2000. 1.1 J.D =300 in 1998-99 and 337 in 1999-2000.

A total of 46.2%~ of'l'ubectomy cases was treated in Mrik in the vear 1998-99 and 47 4%) in Kursevng in the year I 999-2000.

For 1.IJ.D. the Iiigl~csl nun~ber of cases Lrei~ted i r ~ Kurseong Municipality 58% iin 1998-99 and 71% in 1999- 2000. Silipuri Sub-Division: has the highest ~ ~ u u h e r of Falllily Welfare Cenlres-a total of 33 and the nuinber or cases treatctl ;Ire as li)llows: .I-t~bcclomy =3267 in 1998-99 and 1706 in 1999-2000, out ofwhish 41% was treald in P11;lnsidewa in 1998-99. But the nunber of l'ul~ectoniy cases has gone down considerahly for the year 1999-2000 bv 47.7% l i~r the Sub-Divisioll. 1.lJ.D. =I30 in 1998-99 and 213 in 1999-2000. 'l'here has been an increase by 38.9%. 64.7% o l Ihese c a x s werc trcalcd in Siligiui Municipality.

1'Ilt. Iiuur Sllb-Divisiu~~s take11 tugctlrcr: - - Sadnr Sub-Di\.ision has 24.6% or l l~e lot111 l:umily Welfilre Centres rind 28% of l'ubectomy cascs were treated

here and 53.3% of Ule 1.IJ.D. cases were trenled here. A dwrense of 12% is noticed in lhc nlunlar of ' l '~~hcclo~l~y c;~scs ontl a rlecrease of7% in the nlullbcr of l.U.1). cnscs Oan the yea- 1998-99 to 1999-2000.

Ko l i~~~nunv Sub-Divirio~~ has 17.8% of the lolal Fmnily Welfare Cenlres i d 23. I% ' fu lxcto~~~) ' ;~nd 24% of I 11.1). cnscs wel-c 11.catc-d here. A tlecrease of 2.1% is noticed in (he nu~nlar of .Tul)wlo~ny cases ~ I I I ~ I a11 inc~.casc of 1 2.4':';) in the nr~n~l~er of 1.IJ.T). cnses.

Kursconc Sub-Di~i~on llas 12.3?/n of Ule total k'iln~ily Welfiuc Ccntres and 14.5'% of llle 'l'ilbectolny CilSes and I J~K 1,U.I). cases wclc trealed hcrc, 'l'hcre 110s bwn n dccrense of 11.3% ill (he ntunber 'l'1ll~cl~ln.Y CllScS i~nd an i11clc;lse 01' lO.O% in the 11~ul111cr 1.CI.D. cascs lio~n 1998-99 to 1999-2000.

Siliguri Sub-Diyision has 45.2% of the total i:;lntily Wellilrc Centres and 85.9'!41 01' ' I ' U ~ C ~ O I ~ I ~ arid 8.75 of 1 (1.) J, casrs \\.ere lleald I1ele. .fljcre has txcrl n decrease of 47.7% in the u~uok.r ol'l'ubeclo~ny cnses and L U ~ il~creilsc of 3H.YYb i l l tlre I I I I I T I ~ ? ~ ~ of I.1I.I). cascs.

So li,r the tlistricl Ihere IKIS been a tlecrense li) 27.3%) in the n~unl>er ol' 'I 'ub~lolny cnscs ; I I I ~ i111d illcreilsc of 3.80; in the number oSl.lJ.l), cases. Imunisatioo (Block wise):. lllc total nnlllbcr of prsons i~~lr~lunizcd h r Ll~e tlisl~ict in the )cal. 1008-99 s1:111tls al 85807 n ~ ~ t l 757.15) in the year 1999-200. .l'llere has k e n n decronse of 1 1.7% in i u ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ u ~ i s n t i o n proga1111~11e C O V C ~ C I ~ .

Sad;lr Sub-Division: a total of 30% were inununizd in the Snd'u Sunkl)i\~ision ill 1999-2000 u ~ d there has heen tul inc~rilse or 1.7"A ill the nulnlxr of pcrsons i~tl~nunized li.o~n Ihc yenr 1998-99 lo 1999-2000. K a l i ~ ~ ~ p u n a Sub-Divisiuu ;I total oS 17.1% wcre i~~u~~uruset l in tlic ycar 1999-2000 and 1he1.e has been a decrease of 13.O'Xt 111 Ilx rltu~lbcr of persons i~~llnullizetl from Ihe veur 1908-99 lo 1999-2000. Kurseune Sub-Di\.ision: 21 lolal of 12.2% were inu~~unised nnil the tlccreilse has Ixcn ncpligible or the nu~ober - ~ I I I I I I L I I I ~ S ~ ~ ~ 11:1s relnaincxl ll~u s;lllle or corlstanl. Silieuri Sub-Divisiun: a lolnl of 40% were imrnuniscd here a11t1 there hns bccn a decrease of 21.5'56 in the nunbcr of ~x r%~~~" i l~~~~~un i ; l e t l li-om lhe year 1 998-99 to 1999-2000. ~ s l i r a l Data of 1ie;llth fur the Darieelinp Municipality only: So~ou.c: Rpp/.mi~tc/ive crtrd C'ltikl Ilctrl~h P~.ojcct /or L)_ar.ic.elirr~ Altrrriciuul 'IVIIII. Dis/ricr:Dat.ieel~~r~, IV'csf Uer~tyal. jlyril 1 Y Y b L)euar.~nrerr/ of Af~ericil~ul ,-lflait:~, (~o~~ct~t r~rre~r l ol'll'e.vI Ucriau/ uric/ Dc~r.icelir~n Aftrtricioulih.

E x i s t i n g H e a l t h F a c i l i t i e s S I . N o . S e c t o r l A g e n c y H e a l t h In s t i t u t i on

1 1.D . H o s p i t a l ,

M u n i c i p a l D i s p e n s a r y

S a d a r l E d e n 2 S t a t e G o v t . H o s p i t a l , T . B .

C l i n i c , P . P . C e n t r e

H u r n a n a t a r i a n S t a t u s V a c c i n e C o v e r a g e (%) B . C . G . 6 0 . 1

' D . P . T . I I I 5 5 . 8 0 O P V I I I 5 7 . 3 0

M e a s l e s 2 6 . 4 0 T . T . ( P w ) 5 7 . 3 0

S o u r c e : R e p r o d u c t i v e a n d C h i l d H e a l t h P r o j e c t f o r D a r j e e l i n g M u n i c i p a l T o w n - A p r i l , 1 9 9 8

Vaccine co\.erage is cslre~nely poor, co~nplele i~nrnu~uznlion recorded 26.4% l-.l'. (Pw) covwage is also poor. I'l~ese sllould Ix raised ilmnedii~lely llu-ough proper inte~venlions viz. awareness generatio11 (IIXC), provision ol' service

1; ' I L I ~ I ~ I C : . . ,. 5 , ~Ncctivc survelliance ~r~echanis~n, untl active community support.

C o ~ i t r a c c p t i u ~ ~ Bcllaviou~. F?. Mcll~od . - -~ ~- - I_- 'Yo --- - P e n i ~ a ~ ~ e n l 10.2

.. .... T c ~ ~ i p o r a y 27.0

0 I Co~~lrncepl io~~ coverage 1s loo low ~ c q u ~ r i n g 11cuxli11g up lluougli u~puts o l IBC, w~vicc fncilities and

cc~~~vc~gwnw. (iender inecluily in conlraceplio~~ adoplion sl~ould 81x1 be Itwknl into.

Morbidity Profile by Age (Illness during last 15 days)

Morbidityrate (percent) Age <1 1-4 3-4 all age groups total

A 5 7 n Q

borl)iilily of inlints seellls lo lw qurle h~gh, as ala) ~ t t r l of all age group lol;ll

C r u d e D i r t h K a l e 3 0 . 8 C r u d e I1 e . a h K a t e

All lhc vilal rates are recltdring adequale heulllr FW iulervenlions IMK vi~lue is also high rind llus should be 11rougI1I dowwl Illrough sl)ccilic ir~puls vil.. MI1 with Neoni~lal, lJiC and Ihc like.

Murblditv bv cuureR AItI (A~lerial Kespiratory Infwlion) 20.3

'1'.13. 17.4 1)iarrhoeal I)iseoses 15.2

Skin Diseases 04.3 Night l3lindness 02.9

Oll~ers 39.9

ARl, '1'13 and dinn.lioeal disenses ale prep)ndero~~l. Prevala~~ce of 11jgl11 b1u1d11ess \VLLITBIIIS I ~ I I I I I ~ ~ ~ : I ~ C

ir~lenrenlion.

Integrated Child Develu~nlellt Scllenles (I.C.D.S.)

'l'he National policy h r children, erllusialed in August 1974 declares children us " a supreme asset of Lhc Nulion". 'The total well being . ~ f the children under six years of a g with cluldren and nus* mother les been ensu1.d by taking i~nd inkgrated puckage of services. Obiectives of the I.C.D.S. SCELEMES.

. . I . 1'0 im1)rove the nulrilio~~al and health slalus o l children under six years-of age.

ii. '1'0 lay the I'oundation for proper psychololrjcal, physical and smial develop~nent olthc child. , . . 111. To reduce the incidence o l mortality, morbidity, ~ual-nutrition and school drop ouls. iv. '1.0 achieve effective co-ordination of policy and i ~ n p l e ~ ~ ~ e ~ ~ l a l i o n nlnollg the various dcpnrtments pronlotilig cluld

dcvelol)~~lent. . ' v. To enl~ance the ca1)ability ol' the ~nolher Lo look afler the nonnal l~eulth nnd ~~ulrilional needs of lhc cllild through

proper nutrilion and heillth education. I'he Ibllowing scrvices are provided to children. pregnml and nursing mohers in lCDS projects ares:

a) Sul)ple~uenlary Nutrition h) hn1nuni7ation. c) lleallh Check-up. (1) Itcferral Se~viccs. c) Nulrilion and Ilcolth I:duu~Iion. 1') Nor~-l:or~~~nl I<d~cntion.

l'he1.e arc eleven l.C.L).S. Projects in illis districl. l'hrec o l ' l h e ~ ~ ~ nre nl Siliguri Subl) ivisio~~ and [he relnslu~ng are In Ule llill Subdi\~isions of the dislrict. The Dislricl ICDS Cell is I~eadtd by Disl~ict 1'1-ogra11u11e Otlicer and has low clerical slt111'. '1.h~ main aim oT District ICDS Cell is to 111onilor the ICLIS progrrulllnes in Ule dislrict lo help and guide the Child 1)evclopnenl Projecl Ollicers of Ulis district in progrnsnlnnle i~nple~nenlation.

'l'he number of ICDS centers, 11u111ber of sul)enlisors and the number of sldl' ul each center are g i x n bclow~:

-. No. of No. of -

N a m e o f t l ie P r o j e c t No.of SI.No. S u p e r - Clerical

C e n t r e s C e n t r e s -- v i s o r s Staff -

1 Darjeeling-Pulbazar 148 8 3 2 Mink 82 5 3 3 Kurseong 6 3 3 3 4 Sukhiapokhri 92 5 3 5 Takdah G5 3 3 6 Siligi~ri 100 4 3 7 Siliguri-Naxalbari 125 7 3 8 Khoribari-Phansidewa 196 11 3 9 Kalimpong-l 78 4 3 10 Kalimpong-ll 51 3 3

-. 1 1 Gorubattian 46 2 3

Kalimpo~~g-I1 NILI Gon~hi~lhan ICI)S l'rc?jec( iue 1101 fimclioning. Wrilten luld oral lixa~rini~tion hns been ~x)n~plclctl lor the scleclio~r A. W. worker und helper for the projecls. Wilhin a sl~orl period the said two prc?jccts will sli11.1 I i~nclioni~~g. I ~ilal Iwncliciarics Ib the districl ale as rol1ows:- I ( 'l~iltl~,en 01 ,000 ! I'1111sing Moll~ers : 5,700 1 . 1'11.gnant MoLhc~s : 3,350

I \\o l~rqjccls arc runnitlg with local k)oJ and t l ~ e rc~irau~illg projecls :Ire rumling with CARE assisl;~nce. 'I hc al)ove m e ~ ~ ( i o ~ ~ c t l 1~enefici;u-i~~ are getting regular services, such as nulrilion feeding, i~nn~unizi~tion pre-school

ccluc;~l~on clc. l io~n Ihe 1C'I)S.

I o i~nl)lc~ncl~l t l ~ e 1)1ogalllllre o1'ICIlS, solue problelns arc bcing heed whicli are appended as beiow: i . Nan-availability oPsnCe drinking wcrter a1 every Aganwadi Cenler.

11. I,i~ck oC pcrnlnnenl slruclure at every /\ganwcrdi cetllrc. i l l . I .i~cli ol'cll'ecti\l: co-ortli~~alion bcl\vern Ileallh and ICTX L)cput~nent.

Sour.~-e: Atvi~rtll Atitninsi~ralive I(c~orl of'lhc Darieelin~ Colleclornlu. 1999-2000

Name Of ICDS Project

(1 )

- Khor'ibari- Phansidewa

Mirik -

ICDS Project Population in reporting AWs (as per Survey Register)

Total Population of AW's (all age

(2

F e ~ n ale Male

Male

76818

22261

Female

71967Male

212748

Children

(3)

Below 6Months

926 846 234

6Months- 1 year

1309 1324

532

I yr-3yrs

4257 4140

547

3yrs-6yrs

5685 5458 1107

Reported Births and Deaths

~ -

Gorubathan l ~ a l e I 181 I I l~ernale I 131 0 1 2 1 0 1 01

l o 0

b c f IC136

Rried .--. -

('I) -

mitm

---

Mnk

- 1 2

W i r q q l

lfmuiab*

m1m3

(6) a l ~ ~ 1 ~

(5)

!33

ol~ctmoly

(4) (4

833

we

we5

74

Wr

m

~ i o

o l~mo~y

(3

l a , ,

!XI

UJr w w ~

W io me CPT

Wio

CPT

Wio

21

21

75

75

a

25

I s t c i ~ 1st

m---

112

19 ---

I8

I8

8)

33

a m

W io

" 3 5 m a

Wio 3 S W a 3 &

ffi

we:

we

1 I B G

MAS

ad dlij

ax

2l 3 4 C m

* g m t o t h E d i l h ~ o l l d r c t k I m n r i 4 d n r g l ~

Istcbie

l1

91

a

Z

& ad

4 m 4 3

ffi

~ e s

Zl

3dc&

wio

o m

* ; l d 2 1 'hi?

32

73

& E n -

45

I173

51

341,,

4 0 3 9 2 1 w 6

4 ) 3 8 2 1 ~ ~

iB

UJr

wio ,

rm

Wio

cm

~ i o

73

3

I4

m O

m i B 2 1 ~ a

! am

323

40

Q

a m

W io

42

23

5

m~ C t E

@

dB3

Tuberculosis (TB) ~l'ul)erculsosis (I'D), an ancicnt iuPeclious disalse, was Ii~lo\\n as the dreaded "uhitc pli~guc," "l)this~s," or

"consumption" in the English tern~inology of h e last century and as "R(~j>uroga" (king oldiw.ses in India) l'ilty years allel- Independe~lce it is still Irldia's biggest public l~ea l t l~ prohlc~us, cluimi~~g un e s t ~ m a t d 5tN.OUo

lives eveq vear and causing disease in aboul 17 nill lion. AlTwliry adults in the pri~ne oC [heir I~ves, it c a ~ w s 111w1i sufl'ering and econornic, loss kor patients, their Pd~nilies a~nl thc nations. It resulls in 26 per cent of p r ~ ~ c ~ l k l h l e adult deaths ; I I I ~ is onc of the 111ost iml)ortant causcs oC death among ufornerl of cl~ildhctlring age. Wlwt is tragic is that the disease is c~uable-(flielrna Narayan, 'fhe llindu Survey ol lhe Ilnviroruner~t)

Tibetan rescltlnnents in India also r e p d a I~igli prevale~~cc of TI3 and Dajecling II~IS a lugc population of Tibetans allhough it has 1101 k e n substantiated till date whell~er the aroresaid slaten~e~lt holds truc.

Indushial and Urban growth are correlated nlth '1.13 and it wr~s "perhups h e tirsl ~xnalty U~nl wpitalis~ic socicry had lo pay Fo the ruthless exploitation o l labour-which should be kept in I I I ~ I I ~ with regard to 1)arjcvling bcwusc it onc (11' Ule ~najor pli1111aticirI-areas. India had a big p r o l ) l c ~ ~ ~ oC TI3 among the ~ w s t I'utition refugees in 1947 I)~smp[eJ wclal conditio~is, underr~ulrition, p a r housing and plysicdl and emotional stress llre pre-dispsu~g hctors.

There are manuy [actors that have led to TR being such a 111ajor health problen~. Among Ulc111 are: - I-lousing:- 'TU pri~narily affects the lungs hut can also spread willlu~ Ule h d y alTwling several other organs. It 1s an nir- borne discase. transmitted to others by coughing, spitting and talkiug. Olhcr pahncts whose phelg~n or sputuu contau) bacteria ( l c n ~ ~ e d sputuni positive) ill-e sources of infection k)r other people.

The bacteria disperse Uirough s ~ ~ l a l l droplets which survive k ~ r long ~xriods in dark, unventilated co~dit io~is . Poor congcsled housing, a rcsult and indicator ol' poverty in the hills. is an itnlw~lm~l wlnnent in disease trans~nissio~~. The Da~jee lu~g Mulicipality has identified 37 areas as s luns in the Da~:jeeling hills. These include such a r a s will1 s~nall t e n e ~ n c ~ ~ l s and houses with i~lsullicient or no veulilation provide the right c w i r o n ~ ~ ~ c n l 61. the sun'ivnl and spread uftllc organism.

Snloky cht~llas or cooking fires are shown by studies and expel-iec~~e in Indio to illcrease thc r ~ s k oCruspiralur!u problems. Especially pwdoolinnnt in the r~urol areass ant1 Ihc lea gardens, thcse could agl(m\.ale the disease and 111ilkc t11c life of a 'I'B patient nore difficult and perhaps be a risk ractor in the spread of 'I'D. Similarly, patients with 'I'U arc advised no1 to smoke to prevent Curther lung dan~age. P r o ~ n o t i o ~ ~ o l smokeless chulas by dew lop men^ ugencies could also be a part o r the ant-.I'B puckug.

. , (IC)

I l s ~ c is a I~i~l lcr urcidcnce of '1.13 alllone ~r~nles - colurr~rr I -lr\v C R S L ~ and a1x) UrC r rwr~l~r of III~IILJ arc hlghcr tbhcrl II

coruos to relapse cnses. Ijul the tohl eliows u Iliglwr n u ~ n k r ol k ' a n a l ~ ~ bv 3.4%.

S111ciu I'i~sdive Nen cases: shows 111i1l Ihe ir~idence ol"I'I1 is allloly (Ire 1;enlales Iw.lwcr.n thc age group 15-34. 17 '1% (11' (he 'I'otal (~nale rrnd fe~liale) and 30% of the liemale totals. 'l'lris is a poi~rt to be ta)lal corlsidni~~g the luc~ hat the age- ~ I C N ~ ) Ixlwec~r 15 to 34 is Ille reprwl~tcli\~e age of wolurn, wllo at tho( pcrlid of ti~nc arc rn~rst \ulnrruble tlnd are IAcly lo g~rl infwted. l'liey cornprise 43.73%~ of the (oh1 pol~ulation sp~~c~xirnately. I.he incitlence of 'fl3 In males is hrghcst bet\bee~~ the age group 55-64. I ' l ~e incidence of '1'13 arnong c h i l d ~ n WCIIIS qurte low C'li~ldren bctwwn h e age group cornl)~ rse 35.JU/u of ttv total ycq~~llntion.

'l'rei~hne~~t -- Kesull For New Srnear Positive Cases (Absolute Nuu~ber of NON DOT'S ha.) The tolr~l nunber of cases evaluilted in the pricd txlween Jnnuary to h e n i l r r -2001 is 5229 out of \vhich

1266 \\'ere cured wllich means 24.2% were curcd. From the lolal caws evaluat~vl I427 plienls were not curd trhich comes to 27 2%1. Tile rnortalilv rale for (he year is 6.2% aid the Failtue rale comes to 5.3%. A total of ZlYO pl~lrel~b Lrcirllnclil were ilrlcrrupled which comes lo 41 .Hi%] ;uld 5G paticnl i.c. 1% were trarrsl'errd oul of thc Ilrstric[.

Treatment Result For New m r Positive Cases Absolute Nunber Of NON DOTS AREA

~ ~ ~ 1 ~ ~ - o T : l : u l ~ e r c u I o s i s Patients Detected by l)islricl .Under Nntio~inl T.H. C . ~ _ ~ I @ ~ Q I _ ~ I > ~ ~ ; ~ _ I I ! I ~ I ~ L ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . the moll111 . ( jL

Januurv 2001 lo Dccember 2 m /\ I(ltal 01' 3823 patients (District 'I'.H. Ce11tr.e and I'eriphelrl Iiealtl~ 1nstilutic)ns hken tugetllcr) \rere trci~tcJ ill

the lilne lleriod belween Jaat~iry 2001 to Deceoikr 2001. Within this 35% \\,ere trcilld in t l~c Ilislrict T.U. Centre and 6 1 U/u were tralcd in Ilie I'.H.l.'s.

'I'he tolul Figure shows the highest r~umlwr of a~sesl lesls li)r Spulun~ p~silive 1590 (4 1.5%) fi>llo\+cd by sputum Negative 1305 (34.1%) followed by ExIra Puhnonnry 928 (24.2Y0.)

---

'Total Cases Registered

(1)

Nurnber of T.13. Patients treated bv District and I'laces uldcr National T.13. Control I'rorruune (Januan 2001 to December 200 1. )

A total of 2233 palicllls were put under Ireal~nenl out of which 1900 patie~~ls co~riplcled Irwllne~il. Compnrd (11

tllc 1)istrict TI3 Ce111re Ule nun~her of patients trcatal in PI-11s is higher.

Total Cass Evaluated

(2) 5229

Smear Positive at the end of

the treaternent

cured (3)

1 266

Corrplete trealemnt by slnear at the end uf treatl~ient

(4) 1427

Dead

(5) 12

Failure

(6) 279

Inlerruoed Treaternent

0 2189

Transfend out of Distnct

(8) 56

bnbx at X-Ray and Splumtcaninalim Dare, MMct and Placed Exanination Ulckr District TB

111 l l ~ e I)isl~iCl '1 . I 3 . Cenl~e IIlc lolal I I L I I I I ~ ) ~ ~ ol' X-I<:ly d o ~ ~ e is higller lhol~ Ill111 of lhc I'cI-iphcrol 1Icallh I~lsl~lulions I)!; 5.?'% \\llr~cas l l ~ c nuluher ol' spul~ur~ cases is I~igllcr in Ihc I'r~il)lo~al Ilculll~ Ir~slilulions Oy 71.2'%. A Iocrk nl thc lot;lls sllo\\,s illc 111u11k.r oCct~ses higher \\.ill1 rcgiud lo X-I;I\ ~ h t u ~ Spulrull by 25.7%~.

. W Program VUast Bengal --

Ilsbi~Z -- Dislrict TB Cenbe Peripheral HealUi Institution

- X-Ray sputum X-Ray spltl n1

Cllemotlierapy (SCC) by Districts and Places of Treatment Under District Tuberculosis Programme (January 2001 to December 2001)

Ilqding Usbid Rqddirn a1 2000m-16,05,900 F d e 7,79,586; W&,Z ,334 N) (3) Cdum Rr,ad Rerfarrmce, pvrisecktiils didentifidcn, T ~ & ~ s d a g e d f r o l n 1 ~ 9 7 t o a O O O 2 M ) 1 Lnder 7)- (iv) Cdim (9ynqsls d aj fdlmirg (wx) Cdun M s e d Mticnal (ll3Corbd Royarrlre I\ld yet imdmd in Wljeelirg

-

Total No. W 8

New 4855

Total Total No. ]New 1831 14231

Total No. l ~ e w 1620 1931

.- Darjeeling

Total No. lNew 1932 (1078

Malaria Malaria has plilgued l~~alikind for thousands 01' years and each year over one l l ~ i l l ~ o l ~ people arc killcd hy Llle

discxsc-n tleath cver? 3 0 scco~lds. 'l'his disease has recently killed 111sr1y people in lhe adjoitung urens of Ilool~rs olliccting orrer 30 people f r t ) ~ ~ ~ Siliguri suhdivisiorl

The I I I ~ ~ I I C:IUSCS Tor the rnr~llmrlt s p a d of malaria eslxcially in the rurnl plnins of L)ar,iwling arc I :~~virol~r~~cnlal clistrrrl)nncrs. parlicularly loss or. forests, population 81.owllr. poor heallllcnre i~~linslructure aid lhe 111os1 ili~ngerous r~~illnrin ~ ~ ~ r a s i t e - l ' k r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ i r ~ n ~ ~ ~ l c i p ~ r r r r n r , developing dmg rcsist:~nce ant1 \zclors becorning insecticide proof I'hc ethnic diversity uf the ~n)pulution also has an inlportnnt beururg on the disease. For extrlnple, 11-ibuls, livirrg in ucccssible areas ~ecoitl n vcc- high incidelrce or the disease. They corrstilute HYo or lhe totel nralaria cases and over 60% or h e total rnalari:~ cases and lnrcr (it)'% of -I-'Iu.~nrc~lirmr ,/i~lciptrr.rrrtl cascs in l l ~ c coul~lry. These iiglucs were l i ) ~ u ~ d lo inc~caqc as li)~-esls. on \vl~ich these ~~~inor i t i es subsist, i re becorning increasingly i~ccessible lo csl)loilalior~.

According t o ligures recordilrg in July 2001, 1)eople korn the Siliguri-Ni~.unll)~i nrws a e 111orc cdl'cctcd b!. thc tliseasc Illan the people liolll lhe hills and Suhtla division wlicrc t l ~ e grccnely is rnore or less 111ainlailled. Thc Silig~u-i- Nssal l) ;~~ i block accoul~t I;)r llic ~~lns i~nurn nurllber or-l-'lnsnroilirutr,/iilcil~rrr~rmr cascs in thc 1)islricl.

bloscluilt~s 11i11~c 11 lifc spnli of 25 days ill itleal corltlitio~rs, l)ul or1 i111 average ir is no1 111osc 1ha11 10 days. 'I'hc!. ciul r ~ ~ i p a l c up to 12 ~ I I a Jay. A11d by this sheer ilhililv lo prolilrate i l l millions, the i~biquitous ~~rosrluilocs havc I~eerl I C I I ~ O I - ~ ~ ~ I I ~ the socicl\..

SOIIIC slxcics en11 resist wen po\vcrlirl c h c r n i ~ ~ l insecticitles. 'I'l~e veclors spreading r ~ ~ n l a ~ i i ~ l pnrasite had cnnicd lllc tl~rl)ious distinclion of killing ll~illions of pcoplc. L<xtensivc nnti-lurval operations iuld use oC ~nosipi to rlcts and rel)ellnr~ts cannot \vur-tl of[ all rnoscluiioes and check the disease. A ctlr~llce hiling I)v Ule ~nosquilo, say while taking a slroll. \vrlI Ix: c~lough lo send n lxrson lo bccl with fever. Mal i~~ia h i~s lbul~d lo be respolrsible l i ~ r the low birlh weight o l rl~iltlrt.~~. l)arliculi~rly those horn to 11rir11a 1)arous n~olliers. .l'hc growth of I l~e hc111s lowa~tls Ll~e crltl of prcgnallcy, \\,hen the cvlls of the brain multil)lv rapidly. is atliectcd. 1)oclors say that a single boul or rigour oP llrirlarin fever consulnes 5.000 c.:~lor-ics. '1-his ;IIIIOIIII~ of cnclgy is gcricrr~ted hy c o r l s l u ~ ~ i ~ ~ g of 1 6 kg or rice, fotd of an a\;eragc Illdian roughly h r l \ \ O (l;l\,s

'l'he vectors of ~nalaria tleveloping resislancc z~gaiml corn~nonl!. uscd illseeticides have escnlnlcd lhc costs of ir~secticicles ant1 t l ~ e rclusnl o r the ~ x o p l e to gel their houses sprayed have col~lpelled lli~vc i~ggravaled the prohlel~~ even Illore

hlopheles Culicifacies, the 1n4it)r veclor of malaria, has become resislarrt lo Il.l).'f. and FI.C.11. and sonletimes lo Mnlnthio~~ Loo. And in lhc al)scrlcc or replacelllent Ihe illsccticide sesislar~ce has posed serious probleuls and i t is c\.idenl lli;~l I3iolo~ical cor~ll-ols sl~oiild be i r ~ ~ p l c ~ i i e ~ ~ t e d rlow.

L\'hcn the Nalioni~l Malaria Eradicatiol~ Progralnnle was lilunched in 1953 it rnade slrctacular progrcss lill I965 hr~t I)? 1976 i l \\;as a lotal failure which was ~~tlributetl to the rollowing f;~clors. a ) Shortage mtl irnlirncly supply of~nalerials including equipr~~enl & i~~seclicirles, 11) Sll~ll lagc 0 1 ' lll:lll~n)\vcl <t sti111; c I?rvelop~r~e~il ol' ir~sccticidi~l ( l l l J f , Malathion and 131 lC) resistance by veclors.

It is evidcr~r ll1:1l unless Ule living corlditions of the 1n1or ilnpro\.e, and lieulh education i ~ r ~ l ~ r ~ c d , the conmol p1ogrnnlrllcs lo chcch cpidernic like lllaloria will conlinue Lo be inell'eclive.

Ne/er.errcc: Tlrr Iliral[r Srrrvev ufi/rc, E ~ I \ ~ I I ~ O I I I I I ~ ~ I I / 1993, Al~rl~ir.io: ljucli to Diu-COII/I.O~.

. . K. , I ~ C ~ ~ / I I I ~ I O I ~ U I I . Pacu 95

- 5 Years Malaria Incidence and Death for the Year d 1996 to Jdy 2001, in the District d Da tjeeling

above-- above .-. -

1996 111 127 238 NI b n e 2 14 95 11 15 101 15682

- 1997 56 46 102 Nl Done 0 3 53 2 5 39 74 28 1998 28 58 €16 NI D~IE o 4 24 4 9 4 ~ i 63 n 19% 73 115 IRA MI lkne 7 6 60 2 23 90 13852 2000 88 98 186 NI Done 3 15 70 8 17 73 130 Zi

Bloclc- wise Mu~rtl~lv Malaria Positive and Blood Slide Collectiolr Heuurt in tlre District of -- Darieelinv for Julv, 2001.

Sill ie~~ri Nosalbari: tllcre clre 4 0 I'v Total I'osilive u ses out o l wluch 2 5% helo~lgs to the age group 0-5, 15% 1)elongs to 11ic age grouli 8-15, and X2.5'K belongs to the age group 15 and above.

'fherc nrc 121 I'f .l'olal I'ositive cases out of which 16.5% klongs lo Ilie age group 0-5, 22.3'% in l l~c age group 5-1 5, ;~nd 01.1% in the tlge group 15 and nbovc.

l'lle tptol Pv and PTpositiw cases :u-e 161 ntl 20.4% cases are Pv cases and 61. I'%I arc l'lcuscs. Ant1 willlin Ule tol;~l of Ihl 1%. and PC czlses <4.50/;, all-wlal ml: ~nalc untl 35'K alliecled alc lnlale wllicli means that Ulc ir~cidence of 111a1,u-i;t is higllcr among nlnles.

5 wars Malaria Parasistc Inciclence and Death for the veal- 1996 tu Julv 2001, in the District of I)aricclin(r.

'I'lic incidc~~ce o l ~ ~ ~ ; ~ l u s i a is seen highest in the year 1996. Pro111 llle ycm- 1996 to 1998 I11el.e has been n dcc~case i l l tilt: ~ncidcncc of Malaria by 63.8%. Dul l ion tllc year 1998-1999 u rise in the i ~ r the inciderlee ofmalari;~ is secrl by 5'1.2%. A I I ~ again li.0111 Ihe !.ear 1999-lo July 2001 there lias bee11 a decrease by 4.7%.

c!):. Ilic total ~)ositi\r case arc 238 in ~lu~llbcr oul of whicll 65.5% c~llkcletl ore n~illes and 35.5% are le~nales. h l t l the i~~citlrllce of~l~alaria i l l the age group hetwecn: 0-5 is .5,5Y'

5-1 5 is 12.2% I5 abo\?c is 82.3% 'I'he I'v cases alnolig Ihe age groups is as rol1ows:- 0-5 is I .S'%B 5-15 is 12.01% I S ;111t)ve is X5.S1Yn

: I I I C ~ lllc I'l'c;~st:s anlong Lllc :~gc groups is:- 0.5 is X ~ ' Y u 5- I5 is I I .8'% I5 ;~h<~vc is 79.5%

Among ;I tolal or238 c:~scs 46.6% is r \ l cases i~ncl 53.4% is I'l'cz~ses.

1998: Illere arc a total of 86 posilive cases out of which 73.2% all'ecled are ~nales and 26.8Yo are le~nales. Incidcrice 01' Malaria in llic age groups 1 )-5 is . I . (>'%I

5-15 is 15.2%) 15 above is 80.2% I'v cases alnong the age groups is . .. 11-5 is 1111

5-15 is 14.2% 15 ill~o\w is 85.8% /\r~tl Pf cases among the age groups is 0-5 is (1.8% 5 1 5 IS 15.5% 15 aho\.e is 77.7%

Among ;I total or86 positive cases 32.5Yu is Pv cases and 67.5% iTPlcases.

201)U: Illere arc a total o l 1x6 out oE which 69.8% affected are males and 30.2% alyected are females. I~)ciclcnce of Malaria in the age groups (1-5 i s 5.0%

5-1 5 is 17.2% I -i :~l~o\.t. i s 70 0% I'v c:~scs clnlong the age g~oulis is 0 .5 is 7 . 5 % .i- I 5 IS 1 -1 4'X,

15aboveis74 4% Alllong 11 ttlal of 186 pjsiliw u s e s 47.3% is 1% cases a i d 52.7% is P l u s e s .

Kala Azar Kulo Azar is a diseuse (hut has d~saplmred Srcr~t tlw South and is now w)t~lh~ed to thc L ~ s t . 1t YIIOI into

~ ) ~ o m i n a ) c r wl~en it emerged us a n~ajor killer diseuse it1 the lole 1970's aner a lull it1 tlu prevlou d d . In 19'91 thc cl~sease wus bnck in thc news again uwounting li)r several hundred denths. Although the ligures r~realcd [ha1 the people nll'ectcd by the disease me decreasing in nun~lwr since 199'9, otlce ctl~~rtol pndicl anv(hing because it llas a cyclical ~):~tlcr~l.

Kula-an~r belongs to the group of d i s w s collectively kmwn as l.eishmrmiusis, causal by dilTerent species of I.cisht~ntua, o I)rotoztmn ~~arasifc. Out or 20 known species of I.eishn~ania, a1 least 12 are ~IH)NII to cause mrious f m a o f leisln~~aniasis. Kala amr i s ' c a u s d by the parasite Lei.~hmonm dunowni. Kalu cvnr (visceral leislmauiasioj is a svstctnic diseuse, ~vhich aKecIs liver and spleen (which UII grow lo a11 ewlmcus skr a.cul)ving ulmvjt the entirc abdomen). 'fhe number of blotxl cells t(r) decreases, as tla In)l~e m m o w gets infected. k t la u n r MI kill Ulc an'ectd person il' let) ut~treated. Even with treatmerit, fatality roles range lion1 five lo tell per oc~it. ' l h s disease is nlninly I~ulsnlilted by sandflies IJhlehoion~us argerriipes. If one considers the ntcde of kimsntission of the d~?;ense and its puthogcncsis i t is amazing tlurt so nutrly individuals can Ix infected and develop this discax.

The nunlber of parasites the sandllies can pick up to transmit is very sn~all k a u s c the pilraslte prefers to I~ve it1 a special group of cells called nti~crophqes und the number of ~ttocrophnges in llw blwd IS w ~ y small. Again, not cveryorle is bitten by nn infi led sandfly develops Lhe disease, S I I I ~ tnany living in the a l k l e d areas are tnununc to the disease. Yet, scvcral thousands o i ~ x o p l e are oll'ected in filch eptdenlic and the disease kecps coming buck.

Whcn l l ~ e number of cases increased rapidly \\.it11 each eI)i&n~ic, the aull~orities stel@ up e8'orts lo detect cases early and treat then^ elTeclively. Such an inlensi\;e canpaign usually yieldd rich dividetldsa raptd dwline in the nu~nlxr of cases and deaths, Invariably the success lecl to contplacency and slackening of umtrol Inensures allowing Ihc discasc to teetncrge.

[J~dike mosquitoes, which breed uln~ost evetywhere, sandllies have slxciIic cliinnte and soil and rod recluiretnenls. 'I'hey generally thrive in areas with alluvial soil, whicl~ has ~)lerlty of s;~prol)hylic orgaruc substances, mid luckily for thern, hunlon habitats in t l ~ e plains of Darjeelitlg L)islrict favour Lhcu breeding nnd U~us help karis~~utting the diseese. The villnger's habit of keeping their cows and hulfaloes in close proxin~ity onen shoring the some room 1s a f:l~niliar sight in [he rural areas. Unplastercd walls of houses, found in trural arms, provitlcs the insect with tunny crevices. which senre as excellent brading sites.

klothcr in~porlnnl Iador that contributes lo these el)idetnics IS the large-scale tr~igralio~l of workers cotrung across the border -Nepal and Bangladesh. Such ttligratio~is usuolly bring into the epidetnic area a large number of itntt~i~nolopically 'ntuve' individuals who arc easy lorgets for l l ~ e ~xople.

'These ilre problems that hatnper control of this dreaded disease. '111e inl'wted person remains as)~nptomtic, have no outward signs of.the disease and are a h ~ ~ o s t in~possible lo detect. as here are no sensitive and s p ~ i t i c tests to idenlily thetn. lliagnosis of this disease now relies on the presence of the parasite in the bone Inarrow of the patients

'Thcre is another risk 1)osetl by Uie existence of asytuptotnatic patients. hutn~no-sul)~)r,ressive cor~ditiotls such as I-11V (AIDS) infection greatly increase the risk of such patients d e ~ l o p i n g kalewar.

'There is a clinical font1 of the ulreclion, post kaln ozor dennat leislu~~aniosis (I'KDI.) tvhich is usually seal in i~~dividuals who have received treattne~~l ond recovered Eron~ Ule disease. 'Hie infection is clwaclcrisal by the appearance of s h lesions which are sin~ilar to that of leprosy. Since h i s condition is not recopused ond treated pronlptly, Ihe heolUt workers believe that 't'hese patierits serve as reservoirs for h e disease as 111any p t ie r~ ts harbour parasites in Ihe skit1 Icsions. .They are active especially during the intervals between epidemics when the diseose control measures \lave slackened.

The niunber of cases reported is usually o gross wldere.sti~tlale, bused on attendance recorded at govcnunant health clinics. Many patients, even the private practitioners and these nun~bers hardly lind their way lo otticial records. l'his is one of t l~e uuportant reasons why an epidcnlic is not recogtiscd early enougl~. Perhaps, the most un l~r tan t barrier in controlling the disease is Ihe lack of awareness among the public.

Until health educatia~ is itt~parted and good Ilealth care is available along with on increase UI Ulc standard of livlng, kitla azar may continue 19 be a regular, but on unwelcortle visilor.

5-Years Village-Wise Kala Azar Report of Phansidewa- Kharibari Block in t t ~ e District of Darjeeling

Sour~cr: Deaor~m~err~ ol'llealrlr K, Flicrrriil~, Ilk!,',', Ollicc of lhr D,. Cl~iefhletii~.alUlIicer of Ifeulih-11.

Si11v111r.i. Dcrr;ee1111g llre higllcst rluulhc~ o l cases detected has becn in the year 1996. 'l'he lowcst k i n g ill the lollo\\ing vear 1997

\\-ill1 iI lotal of 9 cascs rcgistcred. There has Ixen a sudden rise in thc nullihor oTKala azar cases delccted ill the year 1999 i111d Iio111 1000 O I I \ V ~ I L I S \YC scc a tlo\v~~\vard trerld agairl. ,

1999

2000

2001

3. Saidabad 4. Balai Jote 5. Kharibari 6. Tetliguri 7. Kamala T.E. 1 . Charna Jote 2. Saidabad 3. Bidhan Nagar 4 . Bhimbar 5. Kamala Vita 1. Bidhan Nagar 2. Dangar Vita 3. Kharibari 4. Saidabad

13 4 6 6 5 1 5 10 9 3 5 3 5 4

53

28

17

b y e a r s VIIIage-Wine Kala-Azar Repurl uf Slllgurl-Narelhnri In the Bluck in the I

. . IilVlAlDS Ihe stalislicallseco~~dar!, d a b for I-WIAIDS is not available and so Car no research or documentation

has becn done or has not been ~nade available to the 1,ublic. I<xcluding Ihe Siliguri sub-division Lhcre ore IIO ral-light areas in the hl ly sulxlivisions. But with tot~rism Ilarjeeling has seen a rapid increase in proslltution, wilh a floot~ng sex- worker p)puli~lion. 'l'he floating sex-worker ppulation is dillicult to identilL and also to reach. This goup cuts boundaries of class but ~nosl are Cronl the lower class. Authe~~tic data is not available ol' Ihe group. Aparl tion1 Uus Ihe risk ol' intrnvenous use of d r u g by drug addicts is p i n g as o n~ajor tlueat for Ihe spread of the discax. Siliguri 1s thc only outlet in India for the Golden Triangle Drugs b o ~ u ~ d for the inlernntional ~narkct and some of the drugs lilter to Ulc Darjeeling I-lills from Siliguri

2001

According lo Major Mt~lla, Secretary, Darjeeling Iled Cross SocietylL).hC.C'. thcre are aroul~d 40 knoivn cascs ol' 1-UVINUS in the Darjeeling District. He says that the Lhreol of spread ofIIIVlAIl>S UI the hills is rnaullv l io~n the people tvho work ill Ihe plains-such as people in the anny, drivers, woilers, beauty stlloo~l workers and security guuds etc. 'herd are a lot ofn~igrant workers in the Dislrict.

. .

I

In the hills there is an un~nense need Ibr an awareness campnigl. Aware~iess level 011 HlVlAlDS is very linutud in the llrjeeling and of that work that has been undertaken in tenus of awareness hns not been susluined and limited lo urban areas. It has ye1 to reach the rural inaccessible conununilies, \rho are also a very high-risk zonc as most o l the nuyiint workers described above are frorn the rural areas. There is also a need of a n~onitoring bodylup~~cy. So until and unless this is done with il~unediate ell'ect, the risk oftlIVlAlDS reaching lo epidell~ic proporlions in Durjecling is i~~luunenr

sm~.ce: Derntrtnlenf ol'Neul~h & l*bnrilv Il'ellurr. Oflice ol'llre Qv. Chi~'Mcdicol0ficer vf Ileul~h-[I. Si1i~lw.i. L)~rr . r re l i~

l l c ~ e we see o rise in the nuntber of cases detected from 1998 to 2000 o~~i\iurds. l l ~ e year 2000 record> Lhc highcst n u ~ ~ ~ l , e r ofci~ses registered and then we see a sudden decrease in the yalr 2001

DIVP and Alcol~ol Abuse The tisst wnvc of drug abuse hit the hills in the early 1980's and ttday it is mol-c rnnrlmnt cspccially aulclng

the vouth between Ule age group 20-29 years old but these davs oddictio~~ and substance abuse is htting Ulc voung at a much lower ratc than what it was belbre. Alcohol. which is rooted in eb.ery society or rhc cull~uc of people, has no\\. tunled into a Inenace in its own way nlTecting a large ~wpulation of Ihe hills.

Many factors can be attributed for oug~nenti~~g this deadly menace nnd some of the111 are: 1,ack of 1,reventive nleosures; nwarcness co~npaigns. c~u . l ) i~~g the nuilability of the suhslance and h u u ~ g any such trade and reaching to the people a1 Ihe grass root level. l'his will not lonely ease the pressure on the curative

78 Illc;ls~rcs hul also 11cll) ( 1 1 ~ recovered atltlicts who ilrc aclunlly rcrerrctl to as 11aticnIs by 'Kripa' 10 colnc back and l i \ r :I 1 l ~ ~ n ; 1 l lilt illsle;ld ol'lxillg slig~ni~liscd i~nd l;~l)ellctl ;Is cl.ilnillill~ 0 1 ' OlllclW'i~e. l~vslulletionol ~alllilics; i.c. Ia~nilies \vl;ere alcoliolis~~~, tlrug abuse, d ivc~~ce tlnd or 0111er 11cga1ive l'o~ces ale ~)~c:scl~t \ \ l l lc] l aggrw\."Lc~ or. is likely [(I illtluce alcoholisnl (11 drug ;ll)usc in Lhc youl~gcr gc~lclatiol~ 01 any olller person in llrc li~rnilv: - ' 1 llc I*xistlng Vallle Syslc111 \\ill~il! the society; whcrc lhcrc is cnonllous I,ressure ol' cxl)ccliltiolls 0 1 1 lllc yollngcr p t : ~ ~ ~ a t i o n 1io111 tlie porellls and cltlers side whicl~ is 11 result or fierce cornpctitin~. l'his leads Lo li.us1ralisn iunong l l ~ c \ . o u ~ ~ g \\.hen Il~e\' c;l~lnot li\.c up to Ihc cxlxclalio~~s of Ihc ~ ) a r e ~ ~ l s ;~nd guurcli:ll~s: I J n r ~ ~ ~ l ) l [ ~ y ~ l ~ c l i [ \vhich Ie;lcls to idlerlrss and hence li-usIralions alnollg the you111 consitlcrir~g the Iilcl that lhc scolr ol' hcttcr c d u e ~ ~ ~ i o n ant1 job ol)p)~.lunities is wry lin~itcd in the Iiills; Neg;~li\,e intluencr or lncdin ant1 Puer I'ressure, where using drugs or addictive suhslances or alcol~ol is made a p 'IS .I IIC)II statcnienl: . Al)scllcc or need (lf IncJrc rehnhililn(it~n and counsellillg c e ~ ~ t r e s wluch will l';~cilil;~le curillg ; I I I ~ hcl~cc i:~cililtllc the c~lrcd people within the mninstream sociely by prompting ~ I I ~ I I I to take 111) st~lclies or ;IIIV Conn ol'work work.

r '1 llc issue ;IS sucll nectls to I= nlade coll~munity based \\ i t11 atbillcncss \v i lh i~~ llrc c o ~ n n ~ u ~ ~ i t y and wl~cre the pcoplc Il~c~nsclvcs ~ n o ~ ~ i l o r t~ntl initiate a c t i o ~ ~ s to ~nitignle or lessell Ihc ~)lol~leln:

e I sti~~~clarcls 01 C C ~ I I C ; I ~ I ~ I I s l io~~ld 1 ) ~ I I I I P I . O \ C ~ or i l l OIIICI \ ~ o r d s c d ~ ~ ~ l i o n i ~ l insliLutio~~s sl lo~~ld i11co11)orillc a\t:llcncss lcsso~~s into their svll;~hi. A I I ~ not o~lly tlii~t, the ~~rcsenl etluc;~lion s y s t e ~ ~ ~ as sucll docs not prcp;lrc lhc !o1111g (i>r tllc o ~ ~ l s i d c \\orIcl:

I'hc ~)rcihlc~n ol' J I ug ;~nd i~lcol~ol oht~sl: ~csults i l l collseelucllces Illat one day could reach epidc~~ric propor(ions. As of IIO\V lhc cs i r~~c rate i l l the hills h:~s gone up \\,here Ll~e atlilicts steal llntl 1001 or evcli c o ~ n l ~ ~ i t ~nu~rder to supporl tllcir Ilahit. I)iscascs likcIIlV/AUlS, 'fukrculosis, Ilepatitis ant1 otller c o ~ ~ ~ ~ n u n i c a b l e disease lu~ve risen because ol' ~ I I ~ I ; I \ - ~ I I ~ ) I I S (11-11g LISC. kln~~!: I i~~~ii lrcs arc I)rokc~~ up i111c1 l l ~ e r~~lrnlxr of tlysliu~clionnl ~a~li i l ics arc on Ilic rise. I-lcnce looking i ~ t the prcsent situation the li~ture seems bleak because the vely generation Illat ~ 1 1 1 o ~ l c day will Ire leading the society and the count~y scelns Lo be 11c;ldcd towartls dcstn~clion.

ICIUI'A COUNSFLLINC AND REUABILTIA'I'ION CENTHE (FORmDRUG AND ALCOUOL ABUSE)

C ; l ~ N L ; I ~ ~ J N l ~ Q 1 ~ 1 ' 1 . ~ N AN.~-MC.KL?I<(IU_N12: K I ~ ~ I ; I (Sur~skrit \vortl ~neaninp GRACE) is ;I Non-prolit Orgn~~isation, \vl~ich e ~ ~ e b l c s at ilidil~g in llle a~rcs l ol'

Alcol~ol an11 Ill-ug ah~lse in lhc hills of Ilurjceling Ilislrict and it's neighbouring nrcns, like Sikkim, 33hutan and Nepal s i ~ ~ c e 1992. 'This organisatio~~ was setup or1 the initiative of a group or co~lcerned citizens who realized thc exlcnt of Llie LI:lrn;~gc: ca~lsetl due to alcol~ol anil t l n ~ g ahuse ;Illlong the populace. especinlly anlong tile youlh. 011 thc requesl Pro111 Ihc I I I I : I I I ~ P I ~ ol' the Darjccling Kripa fo~uidatio~~, cxlxrlisc, training ;llicl I'uotls were i~ssislcd by tllc Kripa I~ou~dat ion Ivlul~~hni

, 'I'lie prescnl Counselling ant1 Rehnbilitatio~~ t~cil i ly locc~letl at Mall Villa I, C.I<.l)rls Rocld wcls siu~ctioned by the I)istricl Mapistrntc of D ~ I jccling on the request of the Core Co111111illce. In Lhe yesr 1994, 1's. E.P.Bums, S.J., the Director oI' Il:~!(lcn l lall St)cial ('entre. D;I jecling also n ~nclnber of the Core Col~in~illee. relcascd one of tllc I-ooms o l Ilaytle~i I I:III I~l:ilitution Krijx~ C c ~ ~ t r c to he used as a scparalc Counselling col~lponcl~l koln the rcsidenlinl hcility. It is still hciug ~lsctl li)r lhal ~ ) u r p s e lill lod;~y.

ICripa docs not receive any govcrn~uenl support lor the I,rogranl. Ilven lhough h e linancinl rcsoiuccs of the ~csidcl~tinl clicr~ts arc limited. the centre still charges them n certain nnlou~nt of Inoney for their ~llcals, while the trcatluclit I S liec ol' cost. There are also some clients in thc racilitv who canl~ot pay (heir h l l a~nounts. 'l'lic collection lic)n~ the c l~c l~ t - ; 1:oIars o h ~ u t hall' of Ilic overall .budget. The rest is 111ade up by local donations and occasional subsidv Prom Kripa 1'1usl I;tund. Mu~nbai. tlencc, tlie linancial situation ol'Ksipa I1a1:jceling is \;e~y screecliv. D c ~ t i o ~ ~ olTeatment Pruerum -

K r ~ p i T>arjeclinp accolnotlales 30 to 35 residential cl ie~~ts. though the resider11 cilpilcity is hardly sutlicicnt for 20 j)cople. I'lie lrcal~nmt pl'ograln is live to six ~nonths long. The 111ode of trenl~nent is a holistic approach of healing wing cn.;lcrl~ ant1 \\cstcnl discipli~lcs, trc~nspcrso~~al ant1 lransronl~atio~~nl tecli~~ology. the corner stone k i n g t l~c 12 SLcl~s of Alcol~olic A~lon,rnous wilh a goal of tot;~l abslinence not only lio111 Alcohol or Drugs, but also rrom their inil)u~lsive and C ~ I I I I ) I I ~ S ~ V C ' I)cli;Mo~~r alrtl an i~~ipro\crnenl on Lhc 13io. Psycho. Social acitl Spir i t~~al Icvels.

fllc gencr;~l lkcling is (hat K i l n is ru~uling a good lreallner~t progmln as ~leol~le are rccowring. Chlcr the p s t nine !.C;IIS, tirip1 has reached out to 336 plus afflicted people and has successP~~lly brough healing a r~d restoration to 1114118 l11:111 57% \vllo ;Ire c ~ l j o y i ~ g 111t: Inlit oP llecovcry. The hrokel~ rilluilies have been ~c-united, t l ~ c parents have bccomc ~wrcnts, and I I I ~ I ~ dropout students are again continuing their stutlics and e~~iployees wllo \\,ere suspended liom johs nlc hick to work \\,it11 tlignity.

Al the colulsclling centre in Ilaytlcn Hall, ad loti vat ion, wunselling and screening ol' ysospcclive clienls li)r I I C ~ I ~ I I I ( ' I I ~ arc do11c. illid illso 'flicrapy Meetings for Uic hlnily ~nc~nbers of Ulc clienls and regdar self-l~clp groups 111c.cli11gs for l l ~ c el-clicr~ts ; ~ r c conduclcd here. Apart .lio~n Lhesc l'u~~ctioris .as pc~rt of the prc\:cnti\,e mcaslu-cs, tlie ( ' ~ ~ u ~ l s t ~ l l i ~ ~ g Ccnlrc o~g;~nizcs tl\v:lrcrless and ot~trcacl~ prograllullcs.

'I'hus hr, Kripa b j e e l i ~ has w n d u d d a ntnnbr of neminars fir drug/alu)hol abuse and HIVIAUB, nwurerlcss prcwralnntcs in wrlous vllluges, .I'M Garde~a, I'ublic OIBces. Strial and Religious lnstitutim u s IWII as cducut~otrl h~slitutions .ill S d a r Darjeeling, Kursmry, Kalunpong. Siliguri d Sikkitn. 1he Cmtre also c m t n ~nalicul and luw ed 'orce~tu~~t agencies will1 these prograrmlles. Aparl f i these. Knp Lhrjceling Im successfully wpwd nine walkathons, having n~ore thar~ 3.000 w p l e tnking pnri in each rallies

Kripil's prescnl ail11 now is 10 I I I O V ~ illlo c0111111unily-0ased Ixogranlmcs reaclung (1111 lo peuplc at the griiss-~cw~ level, but UIIS would a1 the same tune delk?id on tI~e avu~labil~ly of f u d s to cmy oul the projects. Due to lintited budgct and liuwlc~al constraints, t l~e centre is still unsble lo reach out to the ~naioritv of the uasses of the hills. a d it

.l'lie above figures are Ule figures that show Che nurnlar of patients that I ~ a w kn ad111itt~4. cured iuld duscharged over thc yenrs Gotn Kr ip~ Da~jmling. As pointed curlier Kr ip Dorjeeling a~xo~uodates from 30 to 35 residential candidates, which is by the way, actunlly l~as a capacity of cntlv 30 to 35 ~ ~ t i e n t s . When we look at Lhe second colunln wve see hut over the years since the inception or K r i p Darjeeling licntl 1092 there has \ m n a nlorr or lcss n steady clitnb in the nu~nber of potiel~ts of nd~nitled lo the lacility exccl~t Tor the yars 1993, I997 a ~ d tllc yea- 2000. 'lhc hlghesl n~u~ther oftlew patients have been in the year 2001 (76 patients).

'I'he Total nunher of patients who lell tlte facilities, or ran awoy are 68 in n u ~ n k r arc indicated in the colurnn 'Exit'-which totals 15% from Lhe year 1992- 2001. 'I11e 'l'olal number \vl~o we~e disclmrged lio~tl lllc I'acililv atlcr hvlng co~npleted Che course are 307 in number which constitutes 68% which in other words signil? thc totul pcwplc \vllo cotnpleted tlte course and hence leR the fncility but the nunher or people \ ~ h o have delkulted or relapsed should lot bc taken into nccou~l from this figure only. And the ~)alients who were Lrat~sre~ed to oll~cr facilities co~tslitulc 9% in tohl that is lion^ 1992 to 2001 the rest 8% includes patients who are continuing the course or in other words who lm\r not co~nl~leted the course.

'The above figures (Performance Over The Nine Years) of Kripn Dajeeling utdicntcs the perfontlance rntc of Kripa lio~n April 1992 to March 2001. It can be observed that the age group horn 15 to I9 ycnrs old are n~osll!~ h u g Addicls, ~vhclt is 37 in nunher which means 68.5% are Drug addicls and 31.5% (17in ntunbr) iue Almholics in U~is age group. t11 'Total this age group consists of 16% of the total addicts.

For the age group between 20 to 29 years also the smne bend as Ulat of 1l1e oge group stated mlier can bc slid to be tlue. 'l'he n u n k r or Drug addicts nre 13 1 in n t u n k ~ ~ wllich would nieatl thul tllcy cootprisc 81.8% (1 3 1 in n u ~ ~ l x r )

P E R F O R M A N C E O V E R T H E N I N E Y E A R S

T o t a l a d m i s s i o n f rom A p r i l 1 9 9 2 to M a r c h 2 0 0 1 = 3 3 6 ( T h r e e h u n d r e d thirty s ix)

C a l s s i f i c a t i o n b y A g e g r o u p

1 5 to 1 9 yrs 2 0 to 2 9 yrs

3 0 a n d a b o v e T O T A L

S o u r c e : K r i p a D a r j e e l i n g

T o t a l

5 4 1 6 0 1 2 2 3 3 6

P e r c e n l a g e

1 6 % 4 8 % 36 %

1 0 0 %

D r u g A d d i c t s

3 7 1 3 1

7 9 2 4 7

A l c o h o l i c s

1 7 2 9 4 3 8 9

of the .L.(>lul Putien[s/addicts ill the age groub 20-2Yyears. h ~ d in the some age group the total n u ~ ~ ~ b e r of alcoholics arc I X.2'%/;, (29 in nunlbcr).

!:or tile age group 30 ant1 a h v c the nu~nbo- of I ) I I I ~ ntldicts are 79 in n~uulxr 64.7% and the n u n k r t11 i\lrol~~il~c:: ;Ile ~4.1 in I I I I I I I ~ I ~ I . 35..3'%1.

S o i t can be C O I I C I U ~ I C ~ t11i1t the I IUI I I I IC~ of l l rug Addicts cue 11iglle1 ill I I L I ~ ~ ) ~ I . I hey c o n ~ l ) ~ i ~ ~ * 4 H ? O oI' tho 7.1.5S; o f l l ~ e tt,lal ntldicts a11t1 the Alcol~olics consti!ute 26.5'5 01-l11c total addicts.

/ \ I I (~ Ixsidcs. it is seen that tllc lardesl lut age groul) in tcr111s of bolh Alct~hol i111t1 111 up ;II ) I ISC 11c I)ct\r ccn l l ~ c ; ~ g c goul) 20 to 29 yctlrs (.IVYu) followed by the nge gwup 3 0 cnld 111)ove 36% w11icl1 is Ihcn lirllowctl Ily Ihc lowcsl seglnenl of age groul) 15 to 29 years 36%.

'l'l~e row 'Clccn~' ill UIC table 'I'EHI:OI<MANCE' rneans or indicutes the nu~ubcr of nddictslpc~ticnls who ;111er 11nvi11g a)n~pletcd the rehnbililation course hnvc ~ ~ o t deCnultetWreli~psed or in other words have not reverted lo their habit OI' 11si11g tlrugs or alcohol. Wl~ich also in other ~ v o ~ r l s indicates the success rc~lc of Ibip;~. which con~es Lo urotu~tl 57%). l'lic 1w:rcentage of 1~eol)le \\ho lli~vc rcvcrtctl lo their previous hithit rue H6 in nun~ber tvhicl~ is 26%. 'l'hc nu~nbcr of ~) ;~ l ic~) t s \vho have not hccn kcpt trsck of bv Kripa (IJnk~~o\vn) constitute I2 and they could ciU~er l)c clean or could I1nv12 11*1 ;1 l~~ec l and 5'%t ot' the I I ~ I \ ~ 1)i1tients w l ~ o have tlictl, Ihcy cc~ultl hn \ t tlietl n ni~lur;~l dci1l11 01 the 11;1l)it could 11;1\c I;I I \CII II~cir Iitcs I3ut I I I O S ~ ol'l11c111 are said to 11ave died 11;1tura1 tlec~tl~s.

P E R F O R M A N C E

S o u r c e : K r i p a D a r j e e l i n g

E V E N T S C l e a n R e l a o s e d U n k n o w n D i e d ( R I P )

T O T A L

Cor~clusio~~:- Although thc ligu~es indicate or at l a s t g i \w us a picture of the extent of the spcad or tlrug ar~d alcohol abusc

: I ~ I I O I I ~ the various age grolrl)s. there are various tlljngs thnl o m should kecp in nllnd. First of all we have lo considcr the nun~her of 1)aticnts Kripi~ T>ar.jeelir~g can accommodate. \vhicli comes to a ~naxi~ntun of 3 5 palicr~tsh~ddicts al a Lime. So U~is woultl nlean Illat Ihe i~ctual nu~nber of atldicts who are still at large have not been included in the ligures. The ~)e~t:e~~lngcs indicaletl in the abo\r lig-ocs hardly con~prise a si7,enble pcrcenlage of the lolal tlrug users in the dislrict. And I11e ~nnin ljclor is that the facility is solclv ~ncnnt for nlales only antl so Ihe incidence of c~lcohol or drug abusc alllollg l l ~ c girls 11i11:e I ~ I I ~ ~ ~ i s s e d out cnti~ely c o n s i d e ~ i n ~ thc Fact U~at IIO sr1c11 hcilily exists for pills. '1 '11~ awareness levcl : I I I I ~ I I ~ the popul:se cannot be ,judged by the abow ligures alor~e antl Mr. Sutleep Diksil, C:oul~scllor Kripa, says Ihnl tllc soci;~l slign~a is still Ihcre. And o l co~usc solne ~~coplc , that is pcol)lc li.o~u the lower ~niddlc cluss or the 1)oor cnn hc~rdlv nllilrd to tl~~clorpo the re11nhilitalion course under Kripa. r3ul unlike the 70's or 80's the people are more or less : I \ \ - ; I I ~ :11)tl 111)to a cer tn i~~ extent arc pr~-parcd or have anlicip;~tcct the prohle~n.

'1.11~ incide~~cc ol' IIIVIAIDS and TI3 and othcr diseases spread hv subslance i~bust: or intravenous drug abuse coultl not be taken into account since U I L T ~ is no data a\lail;~ble due to lack o l any such body or organisation to do so. So tlicre ic arl 111.gcnt need for the prcventivc nleasilres to bc taken by Lhc c o ~ ~ l n ~ ~ ~ n i t v and Ihe authorities in\~olvetl inclutling tile atln~inist~ation. And also thcie is a need for contlucting a ploper stutlv or researcl~ in order to h r m a basis or hilckground lo monitor the levels o l 'd~ug and alcohol abdse anlong the popi~laci: and to tr&e any such nlcasurcs 01 actloll *:.y. a\\;lll:ncss tlri\:es to control Ihc sl)rcc~tl of this Illenace ant1 the pc~cknpc that it carries \\it11 i~ likc IIIV/AII>S. .fU. I Icpatit~s and so on.

So tlic nccd for Inking prc\:cr~live nlasures is urgently needed I d o r e the problc~n reachcs cpidemic proporlions.

P E R F O R M A N C E 1 9 0 8 6

4 2 1 8 3 3 6

Vehiculal. Pollutior~ and Accider~ts on Roads

P E R C E N T A G E ' 5 7 %

2 6 'A 1 2 % 5 %

1 0 0 %

Number of Reaistered Motor Vehicles in the District of Year

( a s o n G o o d s Motor Motor Taxi& Auto

C a r s & Cycles& Contract rickshaw 31 s t Vehicles March)

J e e p s S c o o t e r s Carriage

Year (as on

Mini Bus Stage Tractor L Others 31st Carriage Tailors Total

March)

1999 3 82 192 192 910 42,330 Sources: 1) Home (Transport) Dept. W.B.

2) R.T.A. Darjeeling

Number of Registered Motor Vehicles in the District of Dp jeeling

. -. - -- - . - - -- - -. . . . - -- -- -+Motor Cars 8 Jeep +Motor Cy&8 Scooters *Tar88 Comd Carnage I +Mini Bus +Stage Camwe -Tractor Talbrs I

-0lhers +Tola1 I

Fro111 the above table, it is seen illat the total n~unber of Vehicles wns highest in the year 1995, and then we see a dccline in Ule number of Vehicles Registered form the year 1998 onward. But once again we see that the numba is rising Lio~n the yeor 1999 onwards. But when we look at the 'other vehcles' we see hot the n& is increusing steadily between the years 1995 to 1999 onwards. When we look at the 'total' figures we see Ulat ihe nrn~~ber of vehicles is on the rise again

In Da jeeling, this tinct can be easily viewed when one tokes look at the tratT~c IImt is prevalent these days and any loc~l resident will agree to the fact. So without p r o p pollution control agencies lo check the pollution, the vehicular

~)c'llutior~ i r ~ {he Uarjeeling l lill Areas esl~rinl ly ill Ihe urban wnlres a ~ c on the rise. And neeording lo Ulc 'Hcproducllve nnd Child Ilwith l'rqjct for 1)urjceling M~ui ic ip l 'Fokvn, April 199U,' around 20.3% ol' l l ~ c ~)opululio~i sulltr l'rom Aslc~inl I<cspiralory Infcclion.

I'l~e ~ .cg is~rn l io~~ i l l Ihc I I L U I I ~ ~ C ~ of ~ I i i ~ I e s is 011 l l ~ e rise ~ l ~ a i ~ ~ l v I)cc;~rlsc of l o u ~ i s ~ ~ ~ . Now \kc scc I I I ~ I I tllc 11u111hcr CI I totlrist lnsls is on lllc ~ l s c a ~ ~ d it is si~itl I I l i ~ t Ihcsc Joys ;I l i )u~l l~ "I" i.c. 'l'clsi has 11cc11 nilded 10 l l ~ c Ilucc '1"s ol'

I J I I I I ~ X ~ ~ I I I ~ -. . . -- - -

Accident on the roads in the district of Da rjeeling Year No. of accident No. of persons injured No. of persons killed (1 ) : (2) (3) (4)

1995 376 525 116 1996 365 515 125 1997 355 419 132 1998 3 32 549 141 1999 354 478 147

Source. Superintendent of Darjeeling

I - - -- - - - - - - - - -. - - - - - -

I 1

. -- . . -

No. of accident occurred

No. of persons injured

* No. of persons killed - - -- --

Water Crisis in Darieeling Sorrt.ce. 32"%ur,c.elrng I'rrblrc Iten-

LE/W PAPER D.S.lGlS/lILY,

Dui~eehrrp Crtrzeris ' Il'e1iur.e ,lssoc~n/~orr, L)trr.]c~rlrrlg

b~ lllc .Sc,rrcht~l Wiltll~l'c Sanctuary, about 10 ~ I I S South East of I>arjceling totvn, there are ~ w o ~nw-rnadc I'akcs. lllc h':~r.llr l ~ r l i e will^ a cilpacily of about 90 nill lion lilres built in 1910 a ~ r l t11e Sorrrlr Ltrke with nboul 60.75 nli l l io~~ litrcs

i l l 1932. '1-hey arc tlle ~llajor sources or waler supply lo Darjeeling ~llu~licipal area. hi 1981, the l'ublic I-lealllr Engineering I )cl)arll~lenl lwill the Siritfino Imkc wit11.about 65.25 million litr-e capacity lo store t l ~ e excess rainwater. Ilowever, when lilted to capacity, it Icakcd heavily threatenihg a major disaster. Even aner repairs, it is no1 able to hold water more thm I ~ l f ils c;lp;~cily. 11 ncrcls lilrlher rep;~i~-s

(Xger HI1 8600 ft) ,-.

/ '.

C o ~ n p r r l s o ~ ~ in conduit flow ill peuk season (In Gallonslhour)

July 1984 1994 1 75,000 82,000 2. . . 65,000 Y0,OoO 3. 74,000 89,OOC) 4. H4.000 84,000 5. 72,000 78,000 6 . 74.000 82,000 7. 74,0(H) 82.000 8. 74,OoU 90,000 9. 50.000 YO,O(W) 10. 60,000 82.0O1) 1 I . 60:OOO 80.000 12. 65,000 80.000 13. 65,000 80.000 14. 55.000 80,000 15. 55,000 79,000 16. 55.000 70,000 17. 55,000 72.000 IS. 50,000 71,otn) 19. 48,000 74.000

Cun~parlson in conduit flow In lean seagun (In Callonglhour)

March 1'984 1W7 - 1. 18.000 17.0oU 2. 17,000 17.000 3. 17.0(M 17.0(W) 4. 17,000 1 7.0(~1 5. l6,OCU 17,001) 6. 16,000 17.0L)o 7. I6,Ol)O I6.0W

' R . I6,O(X) 15.000 9. 16.000 1 5.OfK) 10. IG,O(JU I 5,O(M) I I I (1,000 14,0(U) 12. l 6,000 l-J.OtK) 13. l0,OUO I *l.OIM) 14. 15,000 I4.000 15. 15,000 13,0(K) 10. 15,1)00 l5.000 17. 15,000 15,000 18. 15.000 19. 12,000 12,uoo

Barlier, there n8cre 30 natural springs, Out now reducetl to 24. i l l the calcl~nlenl area. 'l'l~cy ketl the lahrs Il~rougll Inasolu!. conduits and the \baler is pumped up lo the t o \ n ~ l io~n .lor~ebrrrrgtrlo~~~ filler house, wluch is al a distance ol' 2.5kn1s fro111 l l ~ e lakcs. R(rrrrhhiJhorn and Anngko Khola ore sonle of the ~xre~ul ia l hill slrea~ns, which feed (lie lakcs.

'lhe tolal quaulul~ of \vi~ler li.on~ all these sourccs gives a dischurgc of about 54,000 litres pa. hour aro~uid early March. Allcr ;I lk\v sho\\ers: i l incrcnscs to nboul 1,12.500 lilres per I~our. Taking this 111asinlr1111 tliscl~arge during the

20. 50,000 82,000 2 I 55,000 74.000 22. 52.000 n2,ooo 23. 50,000 Nil 24 58,000 Nil 25. 56,000 Nil 26. 59.000 Nil 27. 55,000 Nil 28. 55,000 Nil 29. 55.000 40,000 30. 58,000 94,000 3 1. -- 54,000 92,000 Total 1,871,000 1,999,000

le;ln sc;lso~~, the tolal inllo\v in to thc lakes is arountl 2.7rniIl1on litres per day agninsl all CSI~I I I~LLYI rc(111ren1enl of i ~ b u t 5.1 ~l~i l l io r~ litres (as pel Ihc Agr~c-Finance Corporalion's Sunvy I<el)orl 1984). Anolher report, possibly of the L);lrju.lil~g Municil)aliIy, re\,eulc*l that no1 less Illan 6,75,000 lilres of wi~lcr is lost cve~?tlay clue to leakage in 1I1e 9 k.111. long Iccder l i l~c li.oln Scnchal li~kes Lo the Lowl~. .l'hus, the lotal nvailabilily of water is only 20.25 n~illicui lilrcs per (lily

20. 15.000 14,000 2 1 . I5,O(K) I 5,OlHl 22. 15,000 I 2,000 25. 15,000 12,000 24. 1 5 , 0 w I I , ~ ( M J 25. 15,O(H) 10.000 26. 15,000 10,000 27. 16,000 14,0(lo 28. 15.000 16,OOU 2Y. 1 5,000 1 4,000 30. 15,000 1~1,000 3 1 . - I (,,OW) 14,000 --

482,000 -. 440,000

lor a hit;~I ~)ol~ul;~t ion of 1,07,000 during tl~r: lean season.. If hv ~ ~ r c p i ~ r i ~ ~ g Ilie I I I ~ ~ I I letder line, I r i ~ ~ ~ s ~ ~ l i s s i o ~ i losses ciin be

S ~ I I I . ~ ~ . Se111c11el I l '~ lc l l~ l~ .SUIIC~I~OI:V; 7110 L.!/i> Lirle o/ ' l ) t~r~icc/~~~g, . [;III~!.Y/I 1)rvir~c~~Ioi. Ilirnuluvur~ Pur~u~~u~ur~&L)cclirru.~ l a

rc~lucccl Ihen the dclicit will Ix lin~itctl to 2.7 nlillion lilres pcr day. Keeping Lhis aspecl in \tic\$,, l l ~ e Ibl lo~.ing IIIC;ISUI.CS

IIII.ISI Lie l a k e ~ ~ lo luecl the 1)resent dclicit and the a n l i c i p ~ t d de~nilnd ol watcr. I . Vcpeli~li\rc ccot'er of Ihe calchnlcnt arm coml~rising 6 13locks in Surrclrol Wildlife Si~ncIuary i ~ l ~ ~ s l bc rcsrorcd on

2 . I l ~ c main oljcctivc of t l ~ e integrated Jevelop~ner~l 1)rojecl for presewi~lion of Setlchc~l ccosyslcln, ~)rcl~orcd hv the Agri-l:i~~nnce Corporz~lion in 1984, is tb augment the water sources in Serrchol area. It envisaged a lolal capital outlay of l<s.25.51 million wit11 short-tcnn credit componenl 01' I<s.~l.343111illio11 iuld govenunenl granL1subsidy of I<s 2 1.235 lnillion pllascd over a period of 5 years. l'his proJect nus I)e u~~ple~nenled;

7 . I'hc I(t~rrrhhi .Jhorrl I'roject, preprred hy the I'ublic IIcnllh Jlngineeri~~g Del)u~-l~nent, was al)antloncd aRcr initial 1)1og1css on Ihe g ~ o ~ ~ n t l s that 6,75,000 lilres per day by 2-stage pumpilig is not wono~nically vi:tblc. 'fhe loci~l pcoplc ; I I ~ 0I' l l ~ c \:ic\v r l i i~l Inore t I i ; u ~ 6,75;000 likes can he harvcslcd cveryduy. I I I I I ~ I S ~ 1x re\:ic\vcd;

4. Mt~in lkeder line 111us1 hc r c l ~ i r c d to stop leakage; 5 I'nr (ii~lly n ~ o d i b l l ~ c to\vn's dislrihut ion lines to ensure ti~ir. and equilable dislrihution o P \\,aler; Li~rlowrr Waler Supply I'ro.ject, prepared by Ihe Public Ilealth Engineering I)epiutn~cnl and Bstiniated to cost aboul Rs.3.3 hillio~~. \\-as clcnrcd hy Ihe (iovcmn~cnt in 1996. It nus st he iolplemenled as it will solw the tvater yroblcnl ol'the town on 21 long-ten11 hasis:

. . SI~l'UAI'ION M KAI,IMI'ON(j ,-

'l.l~c prohle~n of polable water in Knlimportg is appalling. The iVeor.o I a l l e j ~ Wi~ler Supply I'rojecl. taken up as a long (CIIII solution. is still incomplete. Partial relief has hecn give^^ bv drawing \vater fro111 Ilhorrla Klioln. IJnlcss this 1)1o;erf is con~plclcd, t l ~ c crisis \\.ill conlinuc to loo~n large OII this to\vn.

S1'1 UAI'IUN lN KUI<SEONG -. -- - ..-

Krrr:ccorrg (o\vn has no1 I;~ccd water crisis so l i~r though some scarcity is faced. tlowevcr, the ever incrcc~sing 1)ol)ulation tlcl~~;lnds i~tl\:ance planning before the situation goes oul o l hi~nd. 'l'lic aulhorities, witl~oul wailing for a crisis ((1 cr~11)I. sl1011ld act

MIKlK LAKE .\lir.ili \\'iIS a s ~ n i ~ l l \:illage till lhc artificial lake was constructed there in 1970. 'l'hercaller, il Ixca~nc a place of

lo l~~is l alll~clion and conslruclion boon1 starlcd. In the late 1 YROs, the place was dcclared a Nolilied h-en. T'hc Ink-e ~cceivcs water Cram several springs i r ~ its ci~tchment area and is the main source of potable water supply lo K~~ishr~o,ycr~ a ~ ~ d Alir.ik. Walcr is liltered in the Filler I I o ~ s e in one comer oC the lake and is then pu~npetl uilo town l'or supylv. But \vilh l ~ r ~ ~ h a t c t l hrrilding conslruclion i n , i ~ s 1:icinity and the catchlncnt area. all sewerage and garhage started finding its \\:I\. illlo llrc I;~ke. Earlicr. its I I I ~ ~ ~ I I I I I I I ~ tlelitli wi~s 2Gn. No\\,, il is cousidcral)ly retluccd. It is I~cavily ~ ~ o l l ~ ~ l c t l i111d will1

8 5 the uccunulutior~ ofgurvuge and sullag, it is now ~xuctically a dead wutcrbudy unable to sustain muy life. Urgcnt a d drastic n lwures are nceccasary lo save it. ' l ' l~e following rneasure are suggested lor unmediute adoplion: 1 . Ilu~nan Inecal 1n)llutio11 should be stoppd hy ensuring constmctim o f puhlic toilets und eKcctivc septic tanks in

resitle~~tial buildings; 2. A nctwtlrh oT scwogc syste~n should lx develolxd Ihr Alir.ik and k'r.i.~hncr,~nr: 3 A 3-layel l>luntution o l herbs, shrubs und trees should lx starld in the lake's cutchn~ent area: 4. (iril~ing i l l the c a t c h ~ ~ ~ e n t mea should be prc~hibitcd; 5. Ih~thing nnd wusl~ing in Ihe luke s h o ~ ~ l d he ~)roldhitml, and 6. 'l 'l~e excess orgal~ic matter should he re~noved lro~n Ihe hflto~n ol' U l e leke under expxt guidance. N.B. It shc~uld he .r~uted that water Is nut iust an urban ~~rublem. where one recs a l o w line vf o c o ~ l e waiting for thcir turu tu collect water ur water' vehicles distributlne water in narts of the tuwn. The n e u ~ l e In the rum1 an.:lc quually lncc tlle urublem. since luost uf the o e u ~ l e In there areas relv un s ~ r i n v water for their daily use. Svn~c even have tu walk l u n ~ distaces tu carry water. The aveilabllitv u l water in the rural area is dl~ninishine due tu defurestatiun and increase in ~ u ~ ~ u l t i o n . Thls water is nut cunsidered safe fur drinking. esneciallq during the munscwrls. T l ~ c water iu these areas is nut muniturcd by anrbodv and must ueunle arc nut awarc about the health Ilxtards Invulvcd. Must of the tirue the focus Is k c ~ t un the urban areas and the rural areal are uverluoked when it comes to the wuler ~ r u b l e m but this needs to be chanued i l the well being uf the ~ e o u l e is tu he loukrcl inlu.

Civic S a ~ ~ i t r t i o ~ ~ ie Darieeling Sour.ce: 3 . i ~ ' ~ L)ur.irelinrr l'~rblic Iic~arrng

1-E:ID I'/IPI<K K.P.h t l L L . I ,

1,rclcrcrlion C)j'Socic,~res I*;), t ~ l i ~ ~ l r ~ ~ t ~ i n ~ t l l ~ l / ~'l~~llei~~ilIl1,

L h ~ r j ~ ~ t ~ I i r ~ ~ ~ . 'I'he l)ar.ieeling Municipality was set up in 1850. 'l'he tow11 then Iwd a population or 20,000 11112 ~ I L ~ ~ I S L ~ U C I L I I - C

and Lhe amenities were planned ant1 installed accordingly. And tt)dav these inlraslructure i~nd a~nenities arc supporting a l)opulatio~~ oP 106,257 (p1.0visiona1 I'opulation 2001) in the 1)arjeeling Municipality arcti. 'l'he p r m u a l soiucc of drillking water was identifietl up in Serictrol. There, two a~lilicial lakes, lirst one in 1 9 I2 and the other in 1932. \wre consLmctcd lo store and supl)ly water to the town In 1978. the third lake \\'as w n s t ~ l ~ c t d . Ikspile thcse and other ctTo11s to auglnenl water ;~vail;~bility Tor the to\nl, the tle~nand always outstr~plxd the supply polentitll. .nus aspcct seriously atiects Ilarjeeling's civic sanitation exercise.

I>ar.jmling Municipality ow~ls cult1 ad~ninistcrs alx)ut 102 co~n~nunity tuilcts \ \ i l l l i ~ ~ l l~e ~nunicil);~l alea. A h u l hall o i t l ~ e ~ n have septic tanks and soak-pits. 'l'he resl are cc>nnwled to a network of 6" and 8" se\verage pipes. Due Lrl

shorlagc of water, particularly during dry ~nontlls, Ulese pipes get chokal. Eve11 iP they iue clcarcd, tllc sc\vage lcalnler~t plants are non-l~unclional. For the Bazaar. (town) area, the can~nunity collection poi~lls and t~eat~ncnt cenlrcs arc Itc;clcd close Lo the Ilarjeeling Jail. For the k'df Jllora area, they are above the 17clorio Ij;ill.r, and the third one i r ~ the Il'ilsorr .Jhora lxlow lhe District I-lospilal complex, and the Court11 one is in Ul~trrio Brtslee below f'r~ariltorr Goon. I>uring t l~c hcighl ol'~uonsoon, the sewage l io~n these collection points are \vnshed away heavily 1)olluting the s~u.ro~u~ding areas.

'I'he co~~ununity toilels with their own septic tanks a id smk-pits ark UI no latter condition. Shorlagc t o i \rratcr, lacli of regular cleansing ant1 ~naintenance and increasing use have rnade tlle~n potential health I~mard. l3~5idc the conununity ones, there are I~~lndreds oS private toilets WIUI their o w l septic I d s and xwk-pits all over the nlunicipal area. Illey also need!? be cleaned l~eriodicolly, There arc others that are connecl~rl to ncarby jhorrrs. Many Inore pople still continue with the old practice of dry latrices ~nanually cleaned by buckets. Delisating in thc.jlrorus and even in the open is not uncon~mon. Recently, Central and State C;ovenunenls have provided low-cost toilels costing IZs 5000 a picye l'he const~.uction o i such toilets in built up areas is not Sensible but they are a boo11 to those living away lro~n the henrt of IO\\ll.

With the ever increasing population and growing nu~nher of hotels, holidav ho~ncs ant1 c~ther cstnhlish~nerlts like r ~ ~ u s i n g hon~es, etlucat~onal institutions, etc. the quantun of solid wast has grow^^ 1n:lnv Ibltls. Its Iundling ant1 disposal have beconle a major prol)lern. The Municipality has about ZOO-cen~ented enclosure tiv collection of giu-bagc. 'fhey arc inadcquatc and their irregular clearance create serious health prol)le~n. The residents also co~nlx)~u~cl lhe ~~rol)lc~ll I?' dumping tllcir waste, ranging lrom construction I-ubble to dead 1x1s into jhoi.u.r. Iluring dry season Uley post 11e:lllll 11iv.al-d and during nlonsoon (hey get washed down with the rain posing the srulle prohle~n to the people do\vnstrem~~.

I ieg~~lar cleansing of drains, sweeping of puhlic places ant1 re~noval o i garklge are accepted suutation respc)nsihility of a civic hody. I.<arlier Darjeeling used to be spotlessly clean becouse or less population, I-esl)onsible work cultlll.e and sl~icter ciiscipline. l'he increasing population, Ule deteriorating work culture and thc prevailing social indiscipline are contributing to g o w u ~ g insanita~y condition within the 1ow11.

According Lo 1991 Census, Dajeeling Municipality has a t o l ~ l or 10.6sq.k1n arc divided into 26 wads wilh a total pol)uli~tion of 73004. The Census wits conducted during Ule winter when most o l the residents go d o ~ w to the plau~s for vculous reasons. I-lence this ligure is 1uis1e;iding. An irpl)rolwiate eslin~ale is 1,00,000. The floating po1)ulatlc)n

86 l:c,lnl,l is j l lg lourists, sllldt.l1ts, leacllcrs alltI olhcr visitors con~l~~- i sc uhout 50,O00. 'l'hus the ird-aslr t~cl~re 111mnl to ci~lcr 10 1 I I C Ilccds OS ;~klut 20.000 11col)le is now slrelched lo ~nccl lhul of 150,000 peol)le. ?'he c u ~ l - \ i ~ ~ g cnpi~cily ol' I.)ar,jeeling I,,\\.I~ l s f;lr r s c c . c J . I;llrl1la., its growl11 hns bee11 I~nl)llan~rd. Mulli-storied building slruclwcs nrc w)lning Up willloul ll:g:ll~l 1,) s;lre(y nonlls alltl en\yirolllnelltal conscquellccs. Mul~icipul rules U I I ~ reguli~lions are 1101 crlli,rccd a1111 arc hc111g l~~azcllly Iloutccl k)r quick gains. If this Ire~ld continues, Ihcn Dnrjeeling will soon cease to be t l ~ e qucel1 ol'l~ill toivns 11nJ Ircolllc :I 1,;lriall shun~~cil I)y all sa l~e pcople.

11' 1);u:jccling is to hc wvcd li.oln certaill deal11 bccuuse of its waler a11t1 s;~l~itatioll p~'ohlel~~s, the11 study lo clclrn~line ils can,ir~g ci~pacity I~as to he urgently undcrtnken. 'I'he~-e alter, stel)s hnve to I)c tilk~m lo idenlit. ;I suitable s ~ t c 101- ; I I I ;Illc.lllutivc I(,\\llshil] lo Jispcrsc thc exisling pollulnliol~. 'l'hc other stcl)s are esscr~tinl ~ I I u pliol it!, I)os~s ale 3s lollo\\ s: 1 . /\ 1o11g-lenn toun plan shuultl hc u~.gently preptlred nner ~lublic dehule and d isc~lss io~~; 2 . ' I ' i l l sue11 time [his plan is ready, there should bc an u~nhel lo han on (111 typcs of co~~stnlclion; 1 Si~nitt~lio~i systcll~ sl~oultl be st~wnlinct l . For collcclion and disl)osol of do~nestic wasles, U~lngillorc I js l)eri~ne~~t

should Ix: trictl oul; .I. I ' ~ ; I I I S should Iw prel);l~cd L)l- wcvcling olsolid wuste and ~vuslc \villa.; ilnd 5. I'~thlic nwiu.cncss about civic sn11il~q pmctices sl~ould I)c created hy using Inass ~nedi i~ as well as I)y i ~ ~ ~ p o s i r ~ g

~ ~ r ~ l ~ i t i v r ~ncasurcs. o Ill(: I)cillan~ linc is ;~cti\,e ~)articipalio~~ ofcvc~yl)dy-l l ie Ilill C'ou~~cil, thc Municilmlity ;III(I the peol)lc-i~~ keeping the

I I ~ \ \ I I cle;ln lest tho cllnnn t)f l l ~ c Queen ol ' t l~e I lills is losl li)rcver. . ,-.

Laridslides iri l)srnieelir~g According lo I .col)altl, WO~III;III ~ I I I ~ Millcr (1 904) " n slide is a sl~ccr failure which will Iw: scl ill notion whcr~

lhc S~II:SS iiIo11g llie ~)otc~~li i l l SIII~;ICC of nlpturc cscecds Ihc rcsisla~~ce lo sl~ecr nlong the silrface." It is 1I~rcli)re colnlllon h) al)l)l\ the Ii1111lslillc to any ki~lcl of tlown slope ri~tc of ~novernent of ~l~atcrials o ~ d i ( C e r ~ ~ ~ l slope corldilions and I I I B ~ ~ I i;lls 1Ili1l glitle tlo\vn slope.

I.a~~clsl~dcs arc essc~~lially n l~i~lrlr;~l pl~cuo~nerloli Lriggeretl or accenlilatetl I)y ~~ulurill or c~nthrol)oger~ic (those c;lus~:tl hy I I I~I I I ) . /\\x)iding the tec l~~~ica l aspects ant1 the co~~~plexit ies in the processes and mechimis~u of l l ~ c oprraling lill-(01s. o~lly tl~ose I i ~ ~ t o ~ s li)r \ ~ l ~ i c l ~ l l ~ e reatlcrs can get access to \isu;~l evide~~c: in the vicil~ilv will Ix discusscd Ilerc.

I I I I)al:jccli~~g, landsliilcs prior Lo 1899 are allnosl unrccorded but Ia~dslitles arc not new in I)i~rjecling and e\'cnt \r;lr ill lhc r~l~)r~sot>ns landslides ilestroy ~)royerlics and clain~ livcs. A1though Lnntlslidc is ;I nolural pheno~nenon. I:~nilsliilcs in 1l1c hills arc ~nostly Iriggereil by 111an-~uatlc s tn~clu~-cs ant1 ~)racticcs. Impropcr drni~~ilge systc~ns, in~propcr \\:ISIC I I I ~ I ~ ~ I R ~ I I I C I I ~ i~ re t l ~ c fi~clors \vl1ic11 : I ~ I ~ I I I ~ U ~ Ll~e landslides i l l Da~jcctli~lg. Sanitation is alnlost nun-existent in the Iiills i1 l I I1011~1) 1>:11:iceli11g during t l ~ o Ilrilish period is r c ~ ~ o w ~ ~ e d for its en'eclive plannir~g and elliciency.

I l~ll)lal~nctl y o \ \ l I ~ is also ;i faclor lhal (riggers la~~dslides. Toclay i l l lhe hills every now irnd [hen the scenery I S

~ : I I : I I I ~ ~ I I ~ \ Y I I I I tllc c~opl)ing 01' I I ~ \ V I~uildings ant1 houscs cver~.rvl~crc. L)u~:jceling now slnnds ns one of lhc ~ ~ ~ o s l pol)ulated hill sl:ltlo~ls in l l ~ c \\,o~ltl. 1)eli)rcslation and Ilcncc soil c ~ - o s i o ~ ~ is also a lactor resoo~~sihle li)r landslidcs. When sccl~ ill llle I)iggcr ~)iclurc all the facto~s staled alwvc arid others which hnve been o~niltexl are inter related and ~)raluces a kind or :I cl~:lil~ rc;lctiol~ \\111cl1 results 11ot only in l;l:~dslides I)ut also i l l other l1a7~1nls a ~ n l ci l la~~~it ies .

I'he lirst ~ccortl of ;I Inqor lalldslitle \4,as the resull of cxlc~~sive rainfall ol24"' and 25'h Septcn1l)cr 1899, \vhich ~l:sr~lIc~l i l l nionerous lalltlslips. tleslruclion of state and pri\:alc prolwrty, and loss of l~nman and iu~in~al li l i- . I;vcn t l l i )~~gb exccssivc rainfall \\.;IS tllc ~nain causc it was also poir~tul out that hu~nan encroachmenl, delictive drilinage silcs, I I I I I ~ C ~ I . ~ I ~ ~ ~ I I ~ slccl) slolw< Ibl Ihe fonnatio~~ of palhs, roads etc were additional Ihctors c:lusing l l ~ e la~~dslides. . , I llc scco~lcl 111ajor report oT Ianclslidcs was due to Ihe 13ihar-Ncpi~l ea~.ll~(lunkc ot' I 5"' J;~nu,uy 1934. Jalapali;~r ( ' ; I I I ~ ~ I I I I ~ ~ I I ~ . I ~ L I I ~ \ \ ; I I I I'alarc, C;oi.em~nenl school, Goverr~or's Iloilse and I.cl)or~g Car~tor l~ue~~l was n~osll\ aKccted

111 May 1050 Ihcr-c was anotbcr larldslide and the rililway linc \vhicl~ connccled Siligilri and Giclle Khola \\.as tll:sl~o\ctl tlu~ing t11al I;~utlslicIe. Large landslips occurral again betiveer1 31d r~nd 5"' Oclobel- 1968, wl~ich rcsultctl in lhs \\;lsl)i~lp i~\\.oy 111' Ihc Andcrsol~ 131idge. In 1980 loo Ulere \\;ere Ilutnerous I;l~ldslips in and around Darjeeli~~g In 1991 Illcre \\:IS :I 111:1ior l c ~ ~ ~ ~ l s l i ~ l c 111 1ta11gIi ltar~gliot.

So \Ye see 111;1l I;lnclslides I~a\ie occun-etl in 1)arjeeling allnost every yeiir or so which stands true c\an today. .I'he ~c.ct.r~l leco~il of a dc\-aslati~~g larldslide was ill Ihe year 1997 in Singanlari, Rums Gram where many livcs and property \ V I : I ~ I(,:;( /\11i1 like thl: year- I899 thougl~ tlie causc was cxcessi\,c r a i ~ ~ l i ~ l l , it was ti)ulxl out thi~l the landslide occurred I ~ . ~ - ; I I I : ; I - ol'lllc I)urstil~g o f a scplic tank and the seepage o f d ~ a i n waler.

~ O L I I I ~ Dil~iecling tl~cl-e ;ue so111e pcnnanenl lanilslips such as tlie Ijcrry slide, the slip at 29"' n~i le 1.ekhey Hhir (*I I NI I:\ I A. Kanllc~t Poiro i l l La tp :~~~ch;~r alltl the pea t Arnhoolie slide, u,hich is supl)oscd to be the biggcsl slide ill Asia. /\IIOIIII.I li~~l(lslil) is !lie I'aglajhora long the N1355 or1 the wiiy to Silig~ui. Eve? Inonsoon tlie road collapses which ~usults in rl~c blockade of tralrsporl lo L);u:jceling and Kurscong. C o ~ ~ u p t i o n among the conlraclors and the residence nlo~lg lllc I~lgh\\.a!; ;ll.c s:~id to be rcslx~nsihlc li)r Ihc collapsing of l l ~ c highway every ycur, bccuuse cvcry tilnc the I';~glr!jl~ti~;~ coll:tl)scs Ihc cii~ll~aclors and the people get cniployrncnt. Allil il is Celt by the pcople that proper cspcrtrsc h;ls llot h l r r ~ ~ usc*i.l lo solve t l ~ c ~ ~)rol)lcn~ ~ ~ e n ~ ~ a ~ ~ c n l l y .

UNICEF dula out cerh to tackle Imndrllde krrur. Nor(h 7 ' '

Siligu~i; J I I I ~ H: ' lhe Co1111nuuty ljasal l'relmral~~eus Project (CHI'P), a sell'-reliant prograrn~~~e jointly s t a n d by thc Statc (;ovrrrunent and Ihe IJNICEI: in 1;ebr~ury this year, is a i l ~ t d at Luckling the growing landslide Iilcnace in I>urjeeling Hills Ihat r w r ~ l l y a u . d two tleatl~s in Giddaphnr, ncar Ku-wan.

Will1 I l~e i ~ ~ t r o d ~ c l i o n of this sellll~elp project, I tu~ l reside~~ts insisl, the lluldslide victin~s \\auld no Icmger ~ ~ c e t l lo dclje~ld on lllc various governllletlt apncies, whose tardy relief tnrasules b v e resulted in lorss o l life and proper[!.. - .

l'hc "i~u~ovalive und prag~nutic" progcllnlue is Itlrgely divided inlo three distinctive categoriesawnrenesa drive, i ~ ~ b r ~ ~ ~ n l i o ~ ~ g a t l ~ e ~ i l~g and rimnation of self-help groups.

IiHi)rts ilre on to spread awnrellcss, vit~ rnditl and 11ul)licitv mmtcrialu, arid educate \ictilns on preventive lneasures to be adopted ill tile event ol'this ~ B C U I T I I I ~ crisis.

Hesides, l l ~ e Geologictll Survey ol' India (ciS1) s ~ r \ ~ e y relwrts, con~pilrxl witl~ the help ol'tlw state-ollart satellite i~nagcrv, is a ~unior datahose fvr the la~~dslidc plcule zone. Mo~eavcr, Ule sutellite i ~ ~ ~ a g e r y COIIICS in hnmly Ivr @thering ~r~li)nnulion aln)ul rernole tlreas ofthe hills lerrai~~. . ~

l l ~ e li)nnr~lion ol' self-11ell) groups, Ilowever. I~oweve~, holds tile key to ~ I I C successl'ul inll)le~~rentat~~m of thls progriinlntc.

I'li~r~s ale ah01 to unpart training Lo the local reside~~ls, u)~~~prisirrg ~nostlv the reside~ils fro111 V I I I I I C ~ ~ ~ I I C XC;IS ol' Ihc Illsee hill-sub divisions

"lnilislly, thc training is k i n g cor~ductd in 30 village ~mchayats which hove h i sl~orl-listed 1)n tlic k~sis of llieir vc~h~erabil(iv and also the recall inputs of the satcllile imagery. Altogether, Uajceling hills have 112 gm111 ~)a~lchasats." said K. Ranjit, adtlilional district ~nagist~nte of l)nrjcxli~~g.

'The IINICI<P, ill fi~cl, is 11lnying tl- nlajor role, role in IIus n~~~bi l ious project. The (IN'S initiative not only involves providing the lur~ds but also i~~~pnr t ing invnluable tr~iniog to the locals.

" l l ~ e I JNlClil; has already sanctioned Its. l8lakl1 for Ihe feasibility study and mother Ks. 35 lakh li)r the CBPP, " lllc AI)M s a d .

"As Ihr UIC Iuture endeavours, liulds \\.ill not Ix a detcner~t." he promised. Presently, the Uainulg is being m ~ ~ d u c t e d at the district slid block level. On June 25, a training calllp was hcld in Kurscot~g, where landslide : ~ l l i t c d Ic;lls ~uldc~wcnt (1 rigoroui

I)logranmme, involving a hands-on appronch lo n host of cr~~ploy~nent generated activit~es like ~~laklllg of cane funlilurc. sclling oT 111ilk and allied dairy prtducls.

'l'he Inonev generated fro^^^ this exercise was kept asitle as a c o n t i ~ ~ g e ~ ~ c v 1u11d lo bc used duriry natural cala~nities.

El;~ln)raling on the bnsic ail11 of Ihe project, Ita~ijil suid the progranulle would not only instil self-nwurc~icss a110111 the natural wlo~nily alnong the hapless locals but also make lhe~n regroup m d seek self-help during emergency.

"l'i~hlic response, however, has been mixed. 'l'l~e propanune has e w k d v e v good response in Ki~li~npong," Ile said

'l'he projec~, said ocliccr-ui-chi~rgc Sonan1 Uhutia, would go a long woy in allaying public rear. l'he "laudable alte~npt" would alleviale the lull pa)l)les' colnmon perception a h u t alienation and neglect lo il

gleal cslenl, she i~tlded.

NOT1 FlCATION TEESTA LOW DAM PROJECTS

Vidvutna~ur. P.O. Satellite Tuivr~sbio (West Beoeall Ret Nu: NHITLDPISLCIF-281 Duteil : 15.03.2002

'I'he tbllowing sche~nes under section 29 nf Eleclricity (suppli) Act I948 as auendcd is publisl~ed for general ir~li,rn~nlion

TEISTA LOW DAM PROJECTS N E S T DENGAL) STAGE - 111 - 132 MW & STAGE IV - 200 MW

Now, therelore the Generaling Colnpony hereby pul)lishes the schen~e in temls o l Section 29 (2) of [he aforesaid Act as Ibllows: NAME OF THE SCHEME

Construction or 'Teesta Low I>HIII Projects (Stage - 111 - 132 MW & Stage - IV - 200 MWI on IZiver Tecst:~ located inI)a~jeeling I)istrict of West Bengl by installing 4 111~1s of 33MW each in o Surface Po\\lcr 1Ioiac for St:~pc -

111 (Near sAMC(-) I(ol)c\\ay) & LI units of 50 MW each in all IJ~ltkrground I'o\vcr Ilouse lilr S t i l ~ ~ : - IV (Neal C'oro~~alic~~i Ijritlge). I3olh t l ~ e slugcs c~rc tlcsigncd for pcokinp power gcne~i~t io~l and lo IK: ol)er~~tcd in Iandc~n 'l'l~is is a rtln of 1Iic rivcr sclien~c 311d its enlire reservoir is situated in West Rcng~l .

'I'l~c I~eiglit ol' the Shge Ill I3arrage !t,!ioni rivcrbcd level will 1% 27 nlelres and SIIlpe IV li.0111 r~ \ .e~hcd level will IT 3')111. l 'hc sul)~nergc~ice oren of Stnpe Ill \ r i i l Ix 156.49 heclares and Stage IV will be 359.89 Ilcclnrcs

'I'he dams will gcl~crale. Stage-III - I32 MW & Stage-IV - 200 MW oT elwlricily 1))' inslalli~~g 2 1 rul~ls df 33 lvlW c:~cl~ in a Surlhce I'otver Ilouse for Stnge-Ill (Near S ~ n c o Itopeway) urld 4 unils o f 5 0 MW c ; ~ c l ~ in 1111 I J n d e r p o u ~ ~ d l't)\\a- Ilot~sc Ii)r Slngc-lV (Ne~lr Cvronalion I$ridge). 'Hie I'ro,jccL r~ller il's con~~niss ion i~~g trill gelsralc l50~1.2 I MIJ uT elccl~icil\ inuiually i l l a YO'% ddcpendahlc ycor in landen~ ol)eralion.

'I'hc ~~rvjcct is scl~cilulcd lo be c o ~ ~ ~ ~ u i s s i o n c d in l)cc'2006 (111 l l ~ e Xth l'ln11) inclutlinp I \.car l i~r t l~c tln-clol)n~cnt oC ullinstrucltu~e \wrks. The csti~l~otctl co~nbincd cost of Ihc 1'1cjecl at Sept'2OOI 1'1 icc L.cvcl is Rs. 1947.0f1 C'~orl!s tt~clr~tling 11)C oflts.252.12 C:rorcs, IispecteJ colnl~lclion cost 01' lhc I'~c!ject is Ils.2 173.20 C~orcs i~lcluding Il l ( : ol' I<:;.275.64 Cl.orcs. I,evelised 'Ta~ilf (conlbi~~etl): Rs.2.98 per KWI I .

111 1)ursuallce of [lie ~~rovision oC lllc Electricity (Supply) Act, 1048, Ihe N i ~ t i ~ ~ ~ i l l I Iydr t~I~vl r ic l'o\vcr C ' o ~ l ~ w a t i o ~ ~ IhJ. shall esercise all powers vesled in a gcncrating con1pi111y tu~der Ihc said Act Ibl 111~ purl)ose of the :~lo~rsc~id schcn~c.

I'O\\L.I (;lit1 Co~l )ora l io~~ of 111dii1 L.ld \\,ill provide sr~iloblc illlegrated po\vcr eviaa~tion systcn~ ~ l~ :~ lc l~ ing wilh Llie ccvn~nissioninp scl~etlule of I'o\\-el- I'lilnls. This slii~ll be done in consullalio~~ with CUAIWesl I-lengal Stale I<lcclricily 13oilr(I,

rile :~l~o\.c: ~lotilication IkalurcJ in [lie wchsitc ol' NIII'C - m v , ~ c i n d i ~ ~ NoLil ical i~~~~ RcCNo: NIiI1'l..Ut'ISI~CIF-2W of 15/03/2002and is t l ~ e firs1 oflicial docu111en1 discussi~ig the proposed ~I'ecsli~ I la~ns Stages IU :IIIJ IV. .Illis added lo lllc al~eady l~ented debate on Ihe 1'1olx)sctl 'I'eesla I lan~s IJI a ~ r l IV.

Sl;~gc I11 s u b ~ ~ ~ e r g e s 9 kunilics in and Stage IV - 10 fa~nilies. 'I'l~e NIII'C will provide cash con~pe~lsa t io~~ h s c d O I I tl~eir I < ~ ~ \ ~ i r o ~ u ~ l c n t ; ~ I l111l)ilcI Asscssn~e~~l ( B l A t socio c c o ~ ~ o n ~ i c study ntld details are prcsenlcd i l l the linviruunental 1111l)ac't I ~ ~ I I ~ ~ ~ ~ I I I C I I ~ I'Iat1 (I;IMIJ). 'l'hc water will also sub~nergc foresllnnd and also seclions ol National llighway 3 1 A leatli~~g lo S i k i ~ n . l ' l ~ e l i ~ r e s ~ sr~bn~crgcd will he cott~pe~is:l(ed by a f b r e s k ~ l i o ~ ~ progr:u~ume dcscrilxd i n Llie co~nlxnsatoc :~lli)rrlr~lion s c p ~ ~ c n t 01- the ITIMP. I h e suhmcrgcd seclions oT N113 1 A will hc (liverled Iliro~~gh the Mal~ilnandi~ Wildlik ~:lllclll:lr~.

I<lccl~lcity is a I I I U S ~ Cor ccono~nic ~ l e v e l o p ~ ~ ~ e n t iuitl 11ytln)elecIricily is one ol' the 111ost tlcpcrldable, cllcap, ~cnc\\:~l)lc. c c o n o m i ~ ~ l , ellicicl~t i~ntl ecc*iiiendly. This is thc rationale adopted Tor the IJroposed Teesta I > ~ I I I S U1 nntl 1V n ~ ~ d NI II'C is lllc inlplenla~ting organisatio~~ to construct the tlatns based c3rl an agreelnent bclu.ecn Ulc West 13engi1l Slate I io\'cl~lllncnl ~ I I J Ccnlrill C;~\~e~-tunenl of I11difl. M'itlr l l ~ e lillle ~ ~ C i ~ i l b r ~ ~ ~ n t i o ~ al)oul Ihe proposed Tecsla I>a~ns III ar~d IV collecled Tro~n NIU'C, we would like to bring to light various pvints for tliscussion. Key word in devclopnicnl Itday is 'laople's ~)articil)nlion' Ilowe\fer. ill si~cll an Illll)ortal~l 1)rcgecL like this Ilic people of the hills i~lclut l i~~g t l ~ e local povcrn~nenl Iln\fe 11i1d no role in Llic pliln~~ing ~~roccss Ico\e alo~lr ~,o~licipillc in l l ~ e i~nplc~nentalion. Nol onlv have Ulc people hod no oppo12uniLy ill parlicipalion I)ut lhcir v c q roots arc [wing submrrpcd nl the dl1111 s i l t Thus, ulslcad of adol)ting a suslninahle de\~eloptncnl ;~l)l~~oac"h lhc prclject hns i~ t lo l ) l~~I a 101) ( lo~11 al)pr(xicl~ \vhich has k c n rejcctetl worldwide.

IJ~oiccls lihc Illis tnilst he ~)rcretlctl I)v a non-bias I : I I \ ' ~ ~ ~ I I I I I C I I ( ~ ~ hnpact Assess~~~enl \vliicli IIIUSL not Ileg111 \vilh on ol)jccli\.c ol' proving the nced ant1 kasibil~ty oT the prvjcct. This l7lA 1nus1 In: made a public docu~ncnt. 'Ihc l'Io1111 I3c11g;il TJ~~i\,r~.sily has untle~li~kcn 1J1c l<IA ant1 Ihc Jan Kalyan Manell Ihe lrople's organisatio~l oT the tlarn site II:I\C I ) ~ ( . I I ~)rolt:sLi~~g Illat l l ~ e tl;~ta collection Tor Uic socic!-ccono~nic segnlcnt of Ihe IlIA was no1 conduclcd prol~rly. t\llil l sludcnls. \vlio co~alucletl ~ I I C socitrecono~nic survey were not lransparcnt wilh the rcspontlents wilh regard Lo llic ~ i ~ l i o ~ ~ i r l ~ : 01 llle sun:e\., so the!! obviously did 1101 get aulhcntic data.

I ' t i ~ n s l ~ w c ~ i c ~ is al)solr~tely vital to TuICil pcol)le's right to i~~li)nnalion. .[,ill tlale, Ilic I<IA h:ls tiol been 1111dc n ~)t~Olic tloctln~er~l Ic:I\.c nsitle 111e process adopled in conduclir~g IIle H A . 'l'lic NI II'C represenlalivt~s during Ule par~el *.li:;ctlssio~~ 011 21" .lul\. 2002 i11 Nepali Sd~ilyn Sanlclan l3h:1wur1, llc~rjceling pro~nised that the copy oTtlic ICIA \\ill bc 111:1(lc p1l)lic I) \ keeping a copy oT il :it tlic 1)istricl Magislralc's ollice. 'l'\vo mo~rtlis i~Rer the ICIA is madc publ~c, NID'C \ \ I I I col~~luct n I'uhlic Ilemuig lo disct~ss the L:112 with the pcol~lc behrc 11s projecl is in~plc~ne~lLcd. AJI adtlition Lo Lhe Iil~'k of tli~nspi~le~ic\ i:i llic lilcl that the nolificalion Rcf.Nu: NWTLDPISLGIF-2111 uf 15/03/2002 \\us postal in the NI II'C' \ ~ c l ) s ~ t e -- ! ~ w ! v . ~ ~ l ~ l ~ c i n d i a . c o ~ ~ i i r ~ lh: b ids /n i i rce l l ;~~~ro~~s seclio~r. l 'he lalesl i r ~ the nun-lrar~sparcncy is Lhe l ~ ~ \ . i l : ~ l i o ~ ~ li)r I ' rc( l~~i~liI ici~l io~~ (In:e~-national Co~npetilive Uitlding) Tor Civil Works by NIIIDC (9"' August 2002, 'l'lie SI:I~I:SIII~II~) c\.en 1)1 ior 10 h e 1jIA l ~ i ~ ~ g I I I ; I ~ C p ~ ~ b l i c and the I'ublic I lcel.ing.

l l ~ e lC1A 110s an l:~~viro~uiienlal I~npacl Manage~nenl I'lan (r:lhll') wliicl~ essentially Ineatls l l~at Lhc projecl does II:I\W : ; ( I I I I ~ nc~!:~livc i~l i l~i~ct . A seclion oC Ihe ilLh4I' hos a compensnto~y i~ff(>rcstnlion programme whcrc it 1)rnposcs Lo I . I ) I I I I I ~ I I S I I ~ ( I I C ~~1h111cr~ed Ii~rcsL ilria:l h\ :III all'orestolion I)rogr;tillrlle elsewhere. 'l'l~e question is wvlielher or 1101, it is ~ ~ ~ s i l ~ l c lo conipel1s;lLc :I subnlcrgetl hiodi\,crsity tl~nt 10c1 ;I biodi\:erstiy hotspot, elsewl~ere. 11 is also proposed (ha1 thc sc~l)n~crpctl scclions of l l ~ c Nil3 1 A IR dixrled I h n ~ u g l ~ Lhc Mahana~da Wildlilk sat~clua~y which is totally opposed Lo the ~ ! I ( ' c ' I I I I I I ; I ~ ! ~ ufllle ~)rolcct.

8 0 ' l l ~ e dam siler lie in the rnisl~~ic zor~c IV lo V (V k i n g the I~igl~est prchbility unle) and an earthquake of giant

~)rul)orlion w~l l lw: caloslrophc to sny the least. Accvrding to I'rofessvr Sub~r Sarknr, NI31J, Siliguri ilnd Jnlpiguri d scct~ons of 13angladesh will be waslwl awny if the daw breaks. l l i e mnlruversial reservoir i n d d scs~niciiy is of m relicfi~s the dil~n sites lie abvve actice hull lines. 'l'hc J~IIII site tIra 1~1s burn desi&ited u n k r landslide prone area zone IV, the luglwsl zone, which w~l l odd to the silt ud Ooulder loud lo the river shortening the proposed 50 yeon life span of the dmn. 'Ihe u)nutructio~~ p n n s s of the h n rmd its a l l ~ c J sl~uctures will illvile further Iiu~dslides. According to I'rolirsstr Subir Sarklu., N131J the Itiver I'~wstn has the highest scdu~~enl rille UI the world. Thus 50 ? e m lilk-span of tlie d a ~ n is I~iyhly questionable. Ln case o l i~ cloudburst like l l ~ e I Y68 one, the l'eesta can cany a silt l a d of I0 yeills iivel.age ill one instant nrul silting the dam at alarming rales. 'I he Ilcnd of 4'" (ktober IY08 at Antlerson 13ridge gi~ugc/dischi~rge sile on Itiver 'l'eestn in the Sub-l4i1nnlayan 1tegio11 of West I3engi1l is the highest l l d rcwrtl ill India. I ( atlainctl 18. l 111e1res above danger le\cl at tl~is site.

'l'he rehahilitation pcknpe is also not clear rind is q~~est imable. It is restricted to Ihe dan~ s ~ t c unly aid the collscquent to i rn~~~ediate d n n ~ mnstruction and its suhn~erge~~ce and d t ~ not focus on Ihe long-term cn'wls of the dams. l'hu 1)eople hnvc I m n pro~nised e~nployment, and lkcililies like education, water, house, p)sl ollices. Sadly, espenellcc t i l l di~te hi~ve I)een otl~erwise. I t has heen swn Chut pro~oises prior to cons t~ue t io~~ and ~ r a l rehubil~tat~on haw bcen poles uparl. I,crcul ernployrnenl is not a reality as no st of l l ~ c Iwlu~ical person~wl and even Inlwurers \\,orking on the duns will 11ot bc of local origin. Already a workers scltle~ncnl is k i n g p r v p o d llo Ix established in h e Mungpn) Cinchvo~~u I<stnte Iia~tl. I2'% of the eleclricily generated is suplx~sedly for the WDSliU discwtio~~. Pnst experiences hove leR u lriller vilstc as boll1 I ( i ~ n u n a ~ ~ ~ and Joltlnkliu generate eleclricily for people olher (han those livug in the ticiuity of the project n ~ w .

Accordil~g lo Chninnan, West I3engnl Slate lileclricily Ilourd, the lransn~issicn~ ia~d dislribulion loss in West I3cngnl is 40%. while the jusliiinble tecluiical losses are aboul 15%. If we curl bring d o w our Irnnsirussion and J~str ibut~on loss lo IS'%. then we Inay gain 25% power. A m ~ ~ ~ p a r i s o n as to Uie iunou111 or pv\vcr (rn tcrnls of hlW) gained hy reducing trans~nissicrn and distribution loss visi-vis co~obined generation mlmciry (~rcywsed) oC s l a p Ill and IV. reveals (hot the reasibilitv of the project is questionable. 11 the tmns~nission and tlistrihution uppadation had k n taken up. these two propvsed hydrcrprojects would 1101 have heel1 r e q u i d .

'l'lius considering all the jwi~~ts it is i~nperntive tlu~t the cost benelit a~mlysis of the project be iuideriahen beforc i~nple~ne~~tat ion 'fransl~aren~y and people's p,u(icil)ation is or ut~nost i~npo~lance and the prviect should no1 be for wnlr a1 the huge cost ofothers. It sl~ould also consider inter and intra generational equity and our coln!noli future.

CHECKLIST FOR ENVLRONMENTAL PUBLIC tIEARLNCS fManiIJ Menun and Kanchl Kul~lQ

Some points to keep in minci before, during and aller the public hearing takes place: Mrli~-c /Ire IIeur.itre:

1 . Ask for a cvpy of the co~~iplcte lilA, son~eli~nes you may find it UII lhe refe~er~ce slslf of the Pcrllution Control Board library. Check h r the baseline data. Chances at-e h a t the t<IA will only haw one s a w n dati~. Dnnimd a co~nl~rehe~~sivc EIA, which should have infon~~ntior~ of the pnst 12 ~ n o ~ ~ l h s to I8 r~~onths Cl~cck the intrc)duclion, and the application fonn that the project proponent has to fill nl~. 'lhis f o n ~ ~ c o ~ ~ l i ~ i n s intonnation about tlie project. Verilj if the ctata given by lhe~n is accurate and coasislcnl.

2. '1'1y to procure the executive slumnaq. The public notice will slmiFj in wluch places the docu~ncnt IS avi~ilable. 3 . Aller you get a copy of the EWexecdive slunmary, try translating it into Icxal Inngt~age and distribute it in lhc

locality. It is ~~iar~datory for the executive sulnlnaq to be available for anyone But this is not the case nit11 the I:lA report. I1i)wever. it ~niglil be shnred hy the I'ollulion C'o~~lrol Bvartl oflice li)r rcferencc.

4 I'he exact location of the prqject will be availnble in the esecuti\e surmnaly. Please obtain this inforn~ation on thc esnct 1vcatiun i~nd 111oke an inunedinle sile invesligation.

5. 'l'ry and lix a ~ n c ~ k public hearing at least 7 days in advance. so that you plan whi~t questions are gou~g to bc raised and by \vhoni.

6. 'fry conununicating tlie nlessage of tlie pulilic hearing to as lllarly people ns pssiblc and 111os1 or all lo the people living closest to the project site and who ore going to be directly nH'ected by the projccl.

7. Fitid out from the Pollution ~ o n t r d Board ofice andor the DC's office as to who arc UIC rnc~ube~-s on thc I'ublic IIearing Panel. Famataka has a full listing of the panel n~e~nbers l i ~ r each district. Assiu~~ night h ~ v c sometlu~~g si~nilar. If you collie b know of tlie list you can c o ~ n ~ ~ ~ u n i c a t e wit11 the l m ~ c l ~nembers beforc hru~d.

X. Check iCllie venue of the Public I-Iearing is conve~~ient to Project A l k l c d Persons. 9. Check on which date Ule Puhlic Ilearing Notice was issued. Was there sutlicient notice (niuiinilun 30 days)

given Ibr written suggestions ant1 objections? Is tlie date of tlie hearing 30 days ~ R e r \vl~en the nolice Wits issued'! 'This is rnondabq.

D!oirrp llrr Ilearing: 10. Keep a watch during the hearing, if ollicial minutes of the prowdings ale I x i ~ ~ p r~xordcd. as they should bc.

'fhe ~ninutes should be made available at lei~st within the next 90 days to all tl~ose who war~t to sec chcnr.

I I . C'hech if all thc rnc~nbers of Ule 1'1lblic 1 laring I'or~cl arc I)leserrl on tllc dais. Also check Tc>r anyone olr l l~e dias \vho is not a ~)c~nclist.

I ! 'I'llc ~)rocccdings sl~oultl be video lalxd. I'hosc c~llcnding tllc Ilcuril~g can orgru~izc llre lil~~rillg 10 I1c ilot~e 011 t11cir o\v11 'flley ccur also ask for ;In ollioiul copy Ibr cloc~u~~cnltrlior~ ~ ~ u r ~ ~ ~ s e s .

1.1, 1\11!. orul ol?jcc(ions llrnt nre I-uiwd du~.ing lhc hcru illg could ellso be given in writing to llrc 1)C \~ l lo is Ihc cl~nirl)ersvn ofthe I'ublic I learing Conlu~iltm. Make sure that Ule objections raised urc rccvrdcd ~~~inutc ly .

:llicr. 111C l ~ ~ l l r i r l ~ : I . I . ' I r \ nlnl prtxurc 111e ollicial lninutes of Ihe public henruig.

Dnrjcellng NGO Nctworli, E.0.

SEED, S U M I nuilclisg, KHI~IIII)OII~. lrrlcl

D~lrjeellng L i ~ d ~ ~ l l i r RIIPII P1.erl111, RCDC Htrycle~r Hull, Durjccling.

Bioloeicrl Divel-sih &'olrr,cc: U i o t i i ~ ~ c r ~ s i ~ v . ~ l s s c s s ~ t ~ a i r urrl C'orrsrr~~wlrorr

l'lutrnirru. Kat~clrcrriut~va Alutrrrtairr Conlu1e.v.

Spccirs Itirl~ncss: . - . - - - - I)arjccli!~g sul~l)orts npprosir~~atcly 4000 flo\\~eru~g ~)lar~t species, ir~clucliltg 28 rl~odode~~~l~-ons and 322 orcl~ids.

I;illy-ll~~cc or Ihe orcl~id species are listed as r:ue or cndangcretl. At lens1 144 of the ~)lanl sl)rcies :Ire elrderl~ic Lo Lhe c:~sli!n~ I lill~:ll:~y:~s ant1 29 nre cndernic lo Daliwling.

OIIC I I U I I ~ I C ~ I i~rrd Illirly one sl~wies or n~nr~uni~ls me recorded irr L)ar.jeclir~g, i~~cludir~g red pnntl:~, Ilin~ulavnn I>l:lcL Iicnl.. clor~clctl leolalril, tiger. Ilin~nli~yan l?lu., goral, gaiu-, and p~l~golin. Gully I-ecvrds list 550 bird spccics. At least I ?I; lil.;ll\\:rtcr 1-ISII ill111 .5 l !(!l)Iilc ilnd 25 i~lt~l)l~il)ian SI )CC~CS are ;IIXC) rec~rclcd lj.0111 Illis alcn l io~:~:~sj . .~.~l j !~si l ic i~t iorr i111cI Nla!~;~genre~rt:

I):~ljcclil~g's liilcsls a1.r cla~sil i~tl a~cording lo six tlilt-ere111 lypes, segregnled I)y elevi~liol~. ICach ol' these 1)rilnaly li)rcst Ivl~cs 111ay be lirrll~er 1livic;tul ulto rilore specilic cnlegories, accordirrg to ~noisti~re avnilabilily, soil. and I~islol?. ol'(li::lr~tl)i~~~w I'he si\ ~)rilnaly tyln-s ilre Jescribml as follows. 1 ) I era1 a~ld Ion-cr l~ills Lo 300111 2) 'I'ropii::~l I:oresl, 300-900111 1 ) Snhlr opic;ll 1;orcst. 900-1 800111

:I ) I , O \ Y ~ I ~I'cr~~~)crnlc l;oresl, 1800-2400111 5 I 1 J I I I I C I 'l'cr~~l)em(c 1:orcsl. 2400-30001n 0 ) SI I I I : I I I~~I I~ t;orcst. 3(lOO-.l000111

I I:~~jccling's IOrcst ale ~lral~i~gcxl as resclve Forests (1 IGRkrn2). psotecletl Corest ( i 7 )un2). ~lalio~lal parks (167 ~ I I I ' ) . \\,ilillifc s;~nctuaries (197 km2) untl ullclassified slate forcsts (I I kln2). BlXective forest manngemenl is csl)t:(:i:~lly i1111n)l ( ; I I I ~ 11t.1.c l>ecnuse l)nrjeclir~g's I I ~ I I I I ~ I I I 1)0pulntio11 density is Iugh (4 13 gcrso~~sl hru?) alld growing 1 ; 1 ~ l ( l i I \ ~ , . .

Exis l iu I'rotcctcd Area Svstclu: I )ilrjrcling's prolccted are:! s y s t c ~ ~ ~ includes fi\c national parks and wildlile sculctuar-ics Ihal covcr I I% of the

I I ~ ( ; I I ; I I ~ ; I of (he Di~r;jcclilrg District. Each is described briefly in the rollowing Ixees. SENCIUL WLLDLLFE SANCTUARY: (.I9 krrr: 1100-2600111 rk~wt ion, eslnl~lislreil 1940)

1 his ~>rotcctctl aren senres as a soull~ward estelision oi' Singlralilu Naliolral Perk and is one ol'L)arjeclir~g's older scl~~clura~ics. In ;~ddilion to I)iotlrvcrsity conscr\'alion, this unit contains a reservoil. ;md serves to prolccl l l~e caltclunent 101- I ) ;~ljccli~~g Cil),'s ~ ~ ~ u r l i c i p ~ l aralcr sul)ply. Moist Lcrnperale l'urest col~lprises thc rnail~ vegetcllion Lype nrid the S:II I I ; ( I I ; I~\ SIIJ)I)OI~S large I I I ~ I I I I I I ~ I ~ S incl~~ding goral, serow: Ilimalnyan I)lsck bear, arid pnngolin and hlrking deer. I3cc;111:;e rtialls and ~>ul>lic tlroroupl~brcs I,enetratc the sclrlctita~, degradation ol' wildlife habitat is an ongoing III : I I I : I J : I . I I I~ . I I I proble111. A lk\v of Lhe rriorc i~np l~amt scierrlitic rcscnrch pro~ecls in Senchel Wildlife Sancluary irclude: ( 1 ) , ; ~M:~~M:~ : (~ I I IBI I I~~ . s111Jics of ti)rcst villages clyditctcd hv [Ire 1)epartmerlt or 170rcsts, (2) IJl~ylwsociological studies of the \ ( - ~ ~ I ; I I I O I I :I( 'I'igcr I-1111, Se11c11t:l.

MAHANANDA WLLDLIFE SANCTUARY (129 ha. law elevation):

i h i s prokcledarea is located on the WWI bank of the T e a river in the low-lying lerai won of Dqeel iq . Forest types include riverine grasslands, Acacia-Darlbergia ("'khair-sisoo0> riparian forest, Bombar-Albizia ("simal- sins '7 f l d p h forest, and Shorea robuta ("sal") forest. In g m a l . mixed evergmm forest omrr near h e riwr where soils are moist all year round and droughtdeci&ous h l l forest wnununitiea occur on d n a slopes at hghu elmtionr Important mammals include serow, b e l a y a n black bear, gaur, chid . sambar. elephant. bahng deer, wild boar. jackal. wdd cats, civets, rhesus macaque, Assamese w q u e , and common langur.

Illegal fuelwood and timber cutimg, as well as cattle ha- are common in the sanctuary. In order to be effective, mannprs of the resave will need to m h an underslandlng with the residents of forest villages (kharmo/) adjacent to the sanctuary who illegally cullivable land and graze cattle in the sanctuary.

Important research studies conducted her include: (1) a survey of floral and faunal resomaes in collaboration with the Nature Environment and Wildlife Sanctuary; (2) a study on control of illegal trade in the Mahannnda Wildlife Sanctuary in collaboration with the Wildlife Protection Society; (3) reinlroduction of spotted deer @rey baxe of the tiger); and (4) a Tiger Census conducted by Depnrtment of Forests.

SJNGWLILA NATIONAL PARK (core zone 79 h2, buffer zone 30 ha, 2400-3600m elevation. established 1992)

This national park supports four vegetation tyes, lower tempaate e&green broadleaf forest, upper temperate Tsuga dmosa forest, subalpine conifer forest, and bamboo, which tends to coloniLe slopes where h e forests have been destroyed by fire. Important mammals include red panda, Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard Cak Barking Deer. Serow. Yellow lhroated Marten, Great Estern IIorseshow-Bat, As- Macaque, wild pig, and Clouded Leopard. Importan1 bird species incluie several pheasants and partridges including Satyr, T r a p o w Kaleej Pheasant, Blood Pheavrnf Common Hill Partridge, and Red-breasted B U Partridge.

Singhalila National Park is bounded by Rabongla Khola, SiLkim in the north, and Nepal in the west and soulh The lengthy western boundary dehed by the border of Nepal has a motor road that extends fiom Mane Bhanjyang to Phalut. In addition, sewel human settlements are found in and around Sinhalila National Park. Tlus area is also popular for lrekkintg and the number of tourists v i s i t q S~nghalila National Park has increased in recent years.

Important research studies here include an ecological study of red panda and satyr hatopan in S~nghalila National Park and its adjoining areas, funded by the Department of Forests in collaboration with the P.G. Department of Zoology. Darjeeling Government College.

NEORA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK (88 km', middle elevation):

This unit c o n m a relatively inaccessible patch of latesuccessional (old-growth) forest that ~nludes four main forest communities subtropical mixed broadleaf forest, lower temperate evergreen forest, upper temperate mixed broadleaf forest, and rhododnedron forest. Nmm National Park seans to be rich in mammal species. Elephant, Red Panda, goral, serow, Himalayan Thar, tiger, Sponed Leopard. Clouded Leopard, Leupmd Cat, Assamese Macaque and numerous squirrel species have all been reported. Human pressure withln the national park is limited Adjacent areas support plantation of tea and Cinchona (a tree used to produce quinine).

Important research inlcudes a study of the bio-cmlogical resources of Neora Valley National Park, funded by the Department of Forests and implemented by North Bengal University.

JOREPOKHARI SALAMANDER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (0.04 kmz, middle elevation):

The four hectare sanctuary consists of a small lake that provides necessary protection to Tylorn'ton wnucossus, an amphibian species protected in India under schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1992. f i s Salamander of Himalayan Newt, is a stnlung black and orange species, rare but widely distributed form western Yunnan to northern Th land and as far west as Dar~eeling. It has not been reported in Nepal. Habitat for tlus sensitive speaes is under sewre pressure fiom human activities like fish aquaculture organic pollution, draining of wetland areas for conversion to agriculture.

hnportant research includes two studies on the ecology and habitat of the Himalayan Salamander Ihe first study was performed in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Darjeeling Government College. The second study is being conducted in collaboration with the WWF-Eastern Region and Northestem Hill University.

I Government aeencies involved in congervation of biodlversitv and natural mources: --

The ~ ~ m e n t of Forests has a key role, whch looks after the welfare of the forest and biodiversity. The Department has the following branches (1) Divisioinal Forest Office, and Silviculture (HIUS) Division prepare forestry research, supply quality seeds and administration of h e Loyd's Botanical Garden. (2) Working Plans (North) Division: prepare for the management of forests and n~onitoring the implementation of the same. (3) Kurseong and Kali~npong Soil Conservation Divisions: cany out soil conservation work in forest areas. (4) Forest Village Development Divison (Jalpaiguri): monitors welfare of forest villages in North Bengal (including Darjeeling). (5) Minor Forest Produce Division (Shguri): conduct in te~ cultivation of ago-forestry products in the forest plantations in the north Bengal (including) Darjeeling and develop marketing plans. The West Bengal Forest School, Dowhill (Kurseong), imparts foreslry training to deputy foresters and rangers. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park undertakes activities related to conservation and breeding of endangered Hunalayan fauna and for creating awareness among the public for conservation of nature. Eastern Forest Ranger's College, St. Mary's (Kurseong), imparts forestry training to Forest rangers. The Regional Research Station, Sukna, conducts research stuhes sponsored by the Government of India. The Wildlife Division manages and administers National Parks and Wildlife Sancturaries. Darjeeling Natural History Museum a d m s t e r s deer parks, animal rescue centers and interpretation centers.

I The Zoologcal Survey of India and Botanical Survey of India are involved in faunal and floral studies. I pan-Governmental aeencies involved in conservation of biodiversitv and natural resources:

Federation of Societies for Protection of Environment. established in 1991. There are 3 1 similar organizations afXliated with this society, with 350 individual mnembers. This NGO has taken-up various i s s w relating to environment and conservation Some of the activities include (1) awareness programs in collaboration with the Forest Department; (2) plantations and awareness p r o p n s ; (3) a two-year joint forest management program; (4) watershed management at Yamakhung; (5) awareness program on AIDS and (6) a program on the development of the minority communities. Earth Group. Established in 1998 under the West Bengal Society Registration Act, the main objectives of the group are to protect the environment and canyout sustainable development. One of the major goals of the group's activities is to promote community involvement in the protection of the resource bas through the Joint Forest Management System. SERVE (Save the Environment and Regenerate Vital Employment). In 1993, Professor Gunter Faltin, who started marketing Daqeeling tea in Germany, initiated a reforestation,project. SERVE was formed to evaluate the program. In 1996, the project was handed over to WWF-India. Eastern Region Office. The main activities that are carried out are nurseries, tree planting in degraded areas, bee-keeping, mushroom cultivation, salamander habitat preservation and conservation awareness. Region Community Development Committee (R.C.D.C.). Established in 1993 by the Dar~eeling Jesuits of North Bengal, it has a mandate to evolve and implement sustainable human development models for Daqeeling and its adjoining hills. It has grassroots activities and also provides support senices to other organizations. Environment Protection Society: Established in 1986, it is a voluntary association of scientists, social activists, teachers, students and people in villages at the grassroot level. Some of the activities of this organization involve creating awareness among the rural people through audio-visual and eco- development programs and public hearings. It is also involved in joint forestry management (JFM) schemes and other income-generating activities using natural resources. A journal, 'Humlayan Paryawaran' of the Society started in 1993, highlights the environmental and development issues of the hmalayan region

O~oortunities to Fill G a ~ s and C o ~ e c t Existine Protected Areas. Review ofthe distribution of plants, animals, existing forest cover and protected area in Darjeeling suggests that

there are two key areas in which ERBC initiatives could be particularly beneficial: ( I ) the area that separates the Neora Valley National Park and Mahananda and Senchel Wildlife Sanctuaries, and (2) the area that adjoins Singhalila National Park Both of these areas have considerable ecological importance in their own right. Furthermore, conservation measures taken in these canhdate areas will sipficantly increase wmectivity among existing protected areas. It is

93 important to emphasise that because people mhabil these areas, consavstion effats should attempt to secure bidvcrsity through progressiw, community based management, not simply extending existing parLs.

A m a r y of the resulb of gap analysis for these two candidate area is presented here. A S E W C O N N E C m

Forests in Ruka, Chichu, and Mo, east of Nwra National Park. all contain high biodiversity and call for a paw level of protection with emphasis on wildlife conservation. Similar form protection is &ed in R h o k . Rhaser, Phankasari, Ambeok, and Dalrngkot on the western boundary of Neon1 N a t i o ~ l Park. Given their hgh proportion of land under forest coverage, the forests of Mai, Pogu. Lehti, R a m h , Churanthi. Lish, Mongpong. Panbu, and Sulling could serve to wmect Neora Valley National Park to Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. a sfmight-line QslanQ of 28 h.

The Mongpong Reserve Forest in an irnpninnt elephant corridor. Tlus area was protected as a wildlife sanctuary horn 1937 Lo 1946, but it has not been treated as such in wxnt times. If protection were Lo be u p g d d , Mongpong, Panbu, and Sulling would serve to effectively buffer the eastern part of the Mahananda Wildlire Sanctuary. In Mangpu, a large Cinchom plantation adjoins the northwest boundary of the Sanctuary. Although it is not known how well Chinchoncl plantations support the procsses of inlact ecosystems, it is reasonable to assume that they may provide migration corridors for the same of the mammals to disperse into nearby forest areas.

The Cinchona plantation mendoned above shares its northwest boundary wih Senchel Wildlife Sanctuary. To the south of Senchels WS, Chattakpur and Mahakawn forests are important canQdates for conservation mauagemenl as they are situated less than 1.5km born Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. and -led fiom Mahnnanda by a lea estate.

SINGHALLLA EXTENSION The reserve forest around Singhalila National Park has high floral and faunal diversity; wtuch warrants

increased protection. Connectivity between Senchel Wildlife Sanctumy and the Smghalila Range will probably remnin incomplete, however, because larger settlemen& exist in Jore Bungalow and because forests in degraded to serve as ecological corridors. This is unfurtunate, because such connectivity could extend the protected area of the S~nghalila Range to over 200 kd. ' h e possibility does exist, however Lhat S~nghalila National Park could be connected to Lhe Jorepokhan Salamander Sanctuary.

Ditribution of rhododendron s~ecier in Daricelioe Distrcib

Some of the Orchids soecies recorded from Darleeline llnformation collected from oubllcations of Pradhan (1976 & 1979) and from the herbarium of Llvods Botanical Garden. Darieeling

95 L .manni L. duthiei L.perusilla Tainia waryam Coelogyne fimomxm widlflonrm Dendrobium cahcartii

Porpari fibuliofmnis

Dqeelmg at 350m Tecsta Vnlley (300-1000m) Smchel(ZD0-2600m) Teesta valley (350-500m) Near kdim~onn at 1300111

Bulbophyllum'ebulbum B. gnmblei

. -

DarJeeling (600-Boom)

DarJeeling (600-800m)

~ o s t o p h l l u m bmipes

Tipalaria josephii

Euloplua geniculata

Cymbidium mumonianum

Endemic d y in Dqeeling Found only in

Sevoke (500m) Ghoorn (1 650m)

Peristylus pseuclophrys Goodyera fumata G. hemsleym

DarJeelmg

Endemic to Dqeeling

Darjeeling (500-700m)

DarJeeling (3500-500rn)

Dqeelmg (300-500m)

Darjeeling (500m)

Hodgson's Brown toothed shrew

Indian long tailed shrew House shrew

. - and SiWum Endemic to DarJeeling and SiLhm Unique species found in Dqae l~ng aod Slkhm Endemic to Darjeeling and Sikkim Endemic to SiLlum,

Daqeeling (1 800m) Rambi Darjeeling Dar~eeling (300-3500m)

Scarce Endemic to Dqeeling

Soriculus c. caudatum

Soucus leucops Suncus murimus caerulenscens

1958) Mungpoo (Lister, 1879) sandakphu (Khajuri% 1958)

96

None ' Nepal!Bat

None ' Intermidiate Bat or hairy faced bat None

Tadarida teniotis insignis Myotis mystacinus nipalensis Myotis silgorensis Myotis annectans

Myotis sicariius

Dqeeling (Anon, 1970) Darjeeling (Elwes, 1871)

lodgon's bat Myotis f. formars rlone Eptesicu talei DarJseling (Sbmvill. 1853) qoctule Nyctalus & labintru Daqaling ( S t o l d . 1871),

(Bapt~ste. 1916) ndian Pipistrelle Pipistrillus c. comorondra Oopaldhara Nimbong, Peshok. Pedang

(Baptists, 191 5, 1916). CiaubaIhau. (Chowdhury, 1980) Tukdhm

?egu Pippestrelle Pipistrellus pegurnis Qw~eeling Dial. Smha, 1990) k b u Pippestrelle PipislreUa babu Paperkheti near Gorubatha

Ihom Pippestrelle 3 d e d Pipstrelle 21th fooled bat

Pipstrella mordax I - Tyloncytris pachypus I Dqeeling (Stoliczka. 1871).

~ -

fulvida ~alirn~o&. Peshok (Baptish, 191 5). Sivok (Crump, 191 5)

Eastern Barbestrella Eiarbersteh leucornelas Da~~mllnp ( h d e ~ ~ ~ 1869). dqelingnesis Nimbong (Baplisla, 1916)

Harlequin Swtomanes o, omatus Deqeeling (Alkinson. 1870) Pashok (Baptists 191 5). Sivok (cmmp, 191 5)

Lesser vellow bat Smtmhilus k. kuhli Long eared bat I Plecotus auritus haomchrous I D q a l i n g (Shenvill, 1953) - Long winged bat MurineLeucogasterrubex - White bellied tube nosed bat Murina hutoni huttoni Sangser (Baptists, 1 9 16) Peters' Tube nosed bat Murina tubinaris Smlly's Tube nosed bat Murina c. cyclotis Round eared tube nose bat Harpiocephalus harpia

Hevy winged bat

Red panda 1 Ailwus f. I I Sandakphu, Phalut, Upper Gorkhrey

Stone martin Martes fcaia intermedis Joributi. Rechila (Biswas el al.. 1999)

Yellow throsted martin Martes flavigula flavugula Gairibans, Kaiyakatta, Kalimpokhan, (pradhan 1998), Joributi. Rechilla

Yellow bellied weasel

( (Biswas et al. 1999) Muslela k. kathinh

98

999) Singhalila National Park

Pistrlbutlon of some Avifaunnl soecies recorded f m @ a r i w i s t r i q

squirrel

Malayan Giant squirrel

Crestless Himalayan porcupine Mllard's rat or Large toothed rat tIouse rat House rat

Himalayan rat

Wtute bellied rat Chestnut rat Little himalayan rat House mouse

Sandakphu, Sukhapokhn, Takdha,

Raufata bicolor gigantea

Hystrix h. hdgsoni Da~nomys m. millard Mus brunneusculus Rattus ranus ti-

Rattug n. nittidus

Nivimter niviventer Nivimter f. Mv- Nivimter eha aha Mus musculus humourus

Peninsular crested serpant eagle Indian Black crested Baza

Bith's or the Northern Brown Baza

Boneli's Hawk eagle

Buzzard Himalayan Redbreasted

(Ghose, 1974, 1977, 1980). hmdama - danda, Thcaum Rcchila ( B i m d al. 1999) Narbong, Sivok Rungbee (Crump. 191 5). TarLhola (Kbnjwia, 1958). BhandarJorn (Anon, 19%). Joributi (Biswas et al., 1999)

Kalimpong, Nimbong, Peshok. Pedong, Sangsser (Baptista, 191 6, 191 8), Narbong (Crump, 191 5) Batasia, Ghoom, SukhmpoLhan (Crump, 191 5) Ghoombhanjyq (Ghose, 1974)

Palmajua. sandakphu Knhpcmg, Narbong, PeshoL, Pedang,

Spllornis cheela melanotis

Baza 1. Ieuphites

Baza jerdoni jerdoni

Nisaetus fasciatus

Buteo sp. Microhieran c. cadescus

99

Stnnsing (Choudhury, 1980) Nagri, Glenburn, Twmsoong, (Inglis, 1040) Longvlew, Sukna, Kurseong Dowhill, Mungpoo (Inglis, 1940) Rhenok, Rishet (Mukhpadhya el al., 1999) Rechila Teesta (Mukherjee,

Sparingly distributed

Rare (Inglis. 1940)

100 Falanett 1 I 1%3) Order Phasinidae: (Pheasants, Partridges and Qualis) Rufous throated Hill 1 Arbomphial r. rulogularis [ Daqeeling I Partridge Grey Partridge I Francolinus pondicerianu9 I Punding (Anon, Uncommon

Black backed Kaleej Pheasant

Sikkim Blood Pheasant 1996) Sandakphu (Khaling 1 997) Rajma (Inglis. 1927). Chibans, Gorkhey, Rammam W i n g , 1997). Joributi, Alubari (Mukhapadya et al.. 1999) Garibans, byakatla. Kalipokhan, Bikhebhanj yang W i n g , 19981, Throughout Neora valley National park, (rnukhapadhaya et

Ithiaginis cruentus

I h., 199-9) -

Family bucerotidae: Hornbills Eastern Lareevellow I Picus flavinucha 1 Shunabhati

Darjeellng Pied woodpecker

(Chowdhury, ghose, 1985), (Samsing.

Kalipokhari, Joributi area (Mukhapadhya.

1 1999) Himalayas Crimson 1 Picoides c. cathparius 1 Rechilla I Darjeeling District

Picoides canicapillus I Gish River

Chysocolaptes lucidus guttarcistatus

Gorubathan (Biswas, 1950), Mukherjee (1 955). Chowdhw

1 Nunlal I Collared pygmy owlet I Glaucidium brodiei I Rechila, Reshok,

Stirgidae: Owls Spotted Swps Owl

I (Khaling. 1998) Fulvolls fronted m o t I P. f u l v i h

Otus spilocephalus

Himalayan Owl Burmese Collared Scops Owl Family: Muscicapidae Brown Parrot bill

bill Wetland birds of Mahannnda Wildlife Sanctuary (Anon, 1996) Pond Heron I Ardeola gray1 [ Golghat

Alubari, Joributi, Mungpoo, Sureil,

Shix alum Ohrs Baktammoena

Paradox orinos uniwlor

Mungpoo Joributi Kalijhora (Das, 1979), Thurbo T.E.

Gairiban and lower altitudes of Singhalila National Park

-

-

101

Am~hlblao fauna recorded from Darieelinn Diltrict

Moths, Butterflies horn Dajeeling District. The following list and information on moths and buttedig have been coll

Before dealing with the topic Forestry ilself it becomes essenlial to I d at the hislory of Forestry and the Forest legslation of West Bengal and Dar~eeling in parl~cular, because in the light of t h e only will one be able to understand the preva~ling scennrio of Fore*.

Prior to the cormng of the British in India. the Forests were managed by the people -ding to their customs and traditions, where Lhe r e l a t iohp between the Forests and the people were harmonious. Bul with Lhe c o w of the British the whole relationship was put into jeopardy, because the British looked upon Forests as valuable good-goods which needed protection and proper distribulion. The implication was that there existed a d i c t between the people and the forests and that Lhe codic t had to be managed. And in accordance to h s they passed forest laws. The Grst forest law was passed in 1865. The corning of the British had a profound affect on tbe.1ive.s and especially to the fomt because the British cleared up large amounts of Forests to set up tea gardens and railway lines. And even today the landuse pattern is indicative of the British system, whlch they leA behind.

At the time of their acquisition by the British, the Darjeel~ng h l l areas (then called British SMiirn) were largely uninhabited and covered with forests. Faest to the east of the Tlsh were found to be in relatively poor condiliun due to the greater degree of rural settlement there by the indigenous Lepcha people who followed swidden (shlftmg) agricultural practices. Extensive forest Cues were often reported in the outer hills and along the Tista and Kangit valleys whch often originated in the uncontrolled spread of 'slash and bum' f m . The British notificiation of reservation of foresk in the Dajeeling Division under the fmt Indian Forest Act of 1865 arose out of the need for cclnservation of timber and also to eliminate Ihe prevalent practice of swidden agriculture. By virule of a gazzcted notification in 1871-72. 186.48 s q . h (72 sq. mi) of lull forests were notified as Reserve Forests, and 1986.52 sq.km (767 sq.mi) of primary sol (Shmea robus&) forests in the ceded Bhutan Duars were notified as Open Government Forests.

The Darjeehg and Jalpaiguri Forest Divisions, comprising of areas of 274.54 sq. krn (106 sq. mi.) and 334.11 sq. h-. (129 sq. mi.), respectively, were constituted under Dr. W. Sch~Ich who took over as Conservator of Forests in 1872-73. An inspection tour of the Singalila forest extending upto 12000 R. was made by Gamble, who suggested the retention of natural forests there for stabilisation of climate, water sources and to preKnt landslips born occurring on the highdegree slopes. Addition of the Apalchand Resems to Jalpaiguri Division and reservation of nine forest blocks to the present Kalimpong Division over 1875-77 expanded the areas of the Dajeeling and Jalpaigui Divisions to 4166.99 sq. km (161 sq. mi.) and 1010.10 sq. km. (390 sq. mi.) respeclively. The M a n Farests Act (1927) subsequently designated a part of the forest areas as protected forests. Since 1879, the areas notlfied under forests have remained more or less stable, although marginal additions took place under the Estate Acuistion Act (1953) and transfers of khasmnhol forests and surplus forests on tea-leased lands. Under the British and for some time afler their departure. the primam ofiicial pumose for w o r k i ~ fore~ts in the two Northem Divisions was the ~ t v d ~ ~ t i 0 0 of timber for railwav sleeoers. which averaeed over 2000 tom annuallv between 1874-1960.

Since Indian forestry was a relatively new institution at the time of ils inception under Bmndis in 1864, the initial methods of working the forests involved the sale of inidvidual trees e x d n g a specified guth under the pennit system. The imoact of the svstem was decimation of all the best soecies and conseauent accumulation of defective or otherwise Door aualitv species and soecimens in ~mduct lon forest areas. quite the antithesis of sound silvicultural (mowine. and tend& of bees as a branch of foreshy) ~ractice. Exploitation of the Darieeline Forerts commenced in 1884 orimarilv to s u ~ o l v railway timbers and to meet the fuelwood needs of the tea labour. '

With the establishment of sounder forest mmmernent under recommendations of Bmndis in 1878 as lata modified by Schllch, the workmg practice in h l l forests-gadually changed over to selective felling at altitudes a h z 7500 It. and mostly clear-felling below these levels. Mooculture ~raduallv entered as the omctical solution for imorovement of commercial forest aualitv. and soelt the doom of broadleaf stands in many nabrallv fo . . .

rested areas. ((clear examole11 I s s . it is a Jamnese s~ecies. a fast growing sothvocd. aownl~lanted for the Durwse of timber/commercial use only and does not unne into the use of the community. The disadvantaees of monoculture is that it does not allow the growth of other flora and fa- hence disturbinp the ecolow. It vromotes soil erosion and does not conserve water.)The principles of 'econon~ic' forest management evolved, since Independence were to provide forest-bad industry with forest resources as inputs and to develop foreslry suppod for the rural economy. A major change in forestry practice in t l~e Dajeeling hlll areas as compared to the colonial penod was its reorientation towards production forestry aimed at maximistion of revenues.

The low ratio of forest cover in West Bengal to burgeonmg timber and fuelwood demands in the state sparked off another major reversal of British forestry practices in the hgb altitude forests by opening them for production forestry through West Benga1,Forest Development Corporation [W.B.F.D.C.] whch had been established for the purpose under the S.S. Ray ministy on 2 November 1974, and to which an area of 832 sq. km. Of forests was transferred on Government lease kopl the Dajeeling and Kallmpong Forest Divisions. The intenlion behind the transfer was to bring around 4500 ha of W t i t u d e forest reserves under a 30-year production cycle primarily to serve the needs of wood- based industry in West Bengal which then faced an estimated shortfall of between 39-48 thousand cum. The principles to

104 bc: followed were those of comrnerical foreshy, with the corporation also being charged with reforeslation/afforestation ol'production areas and other wastelands. Because of the bieher commercial offtaks envisa~ed. the focus now shifted form hardwood to softwood extraction. A conseauence of the shortenine of the ~mductlon wcle from 50-60 vean for timber harwood soecles like teaks and sal to 30 vean for auick arowlnn softwood soecles like eucalv~tur tq serve the needs of olvwood and matchwood Industries was a restockinn of o r o d u c ~ r e s t areas with non- endemic tree species. (See 'monoculture' preceding paragraph) Another factor in deforestation resulting Erom Ihe expanded worlang of h l l forests was consistent failure to meet replantation and reforestation targets, as evinced in several annual reviews on the Darjeehg Hill Areas Annual Plans in the Seventies and Eighties, with shorlfnlls ranging born 50-75 percent of targets. The usual plea for such poor perfomumce was the Iinancial constraint on implementing a largescale replantation programme followmg accelerated felling, because of hgh establishment and operation costs govemq the working of the corporation. &fan and Forests in the Darieelinp Himnlavo: review in^ Settlemenl- Fuelwood EauationsSachari Rqv Mukherieeee: HIMALAYAN PARYAVARAN ~01.51

The Dar~eellng Himalayas comprises of the three h l l subdivisions of Dajeeling district-namely Darjeeling. Kurseong, Ka l impg with Siliguri as the fourth subdivision whch is the terai or the plains. Darjeeling district falls under the North Bengal zone wih a total geograplucal area of 241 7.3 sq km.

Darjeeling W a y a s has a forest cover of 38%, 18% is under tea cultivation, and 2% under cinchona. The rest i.e. 42% of the land is called the Khmmahal areas, wfuch is the area leA for the use of the people. This set-up i.e. the landuse pattern plays an important role in the concept of Forest Management, because the major portion of the land is alloted to Tea and Forest have leR little space for the expansionlsettlement of the people.

The forest areas of Dqeeling h11 are under different adrninsislrative authorities and they are: 1 .Forest Directorate 268.00 sq h 2. West Bengal Forest Development Corporation 457.38 sq krn 3. Wildlife Divisions 332.70 sq lan 4. Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council 69.50 sq lan

Though the Daqeehg hdls almost entirely come under the "autonomous" Darjeeling Gorkha f i l l Council, the adrmnistrative and management control of forest, cinchona and tea gardens is still outside the body's purview. Classification of Forests Protected-] 17.52 sq. lan (Protected forests are National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries) Reserved-4.24 sq.lan ( R m e d forests are those forests other than Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks). Unclassified - 91.03 s q . h (Unclassified forests are resumed forests. Leased area in Norht Bengal whch was reviewed and unutilized lands, generally with trees were resumed and handed over to the Forest Department for management). Forest under D.G.H.C. (Dqeeling Gorkha BU Council>70 sq.krn (D.G.H.C. forests are generally those forests whch were handed over to the D.G.H.C.by the West Bengal Forest Department).

Da rjeeling Forest Division (Hisory,-Location and Jurisdiction)

Darjeeling Forest Division was constituted into separate Forest Division under the title of Darjeeling Forest Division in 1878. The Divisioq which had a recorded area of Reserved Forest of 72,650. The Divis io~ whch had a recorded a r q of Reserved Forest of 72,650.00 acres (as per Vol-1 of 10" Worlang Plan of the Division for the period 1967-68 ot 1x7-77), has since undergone many changes as far as the Forest Adnurustration is concerned. The Division was brought iunder the control of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd. W.e.f. 2.11.74 and remained under its control till 30.11.92. During thls period the Division was bifurcated into Darjeeling (Spl) Division and Darjeeling (General) Research and Planning Division w.e.f. 26.75. These two Divisions were again amalgamated into Darjeeling Forest Division w.e.f. 16.8.86 which was finally reverted back to Directorate of Forest on 1.12.92. prior to the reversion horn West Qengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd. The areas under Singalila Range (now Rimbick Range) were transferred t~ Wild life Division-1 in the form of Singhalila National Park w.e.f. 31.5.92 in pursuance of the Government Order No. 3201-For-1 1M-331191-1, dt. 9.4.92.

The, Division is mostly situated within Sadar SubDivision of the Darjeeling District and only a small portion in the Tista Valley in Kalimpong SubDivision of the Da jeehg District. It is situated within 87O59' and 88"28' east longitude and 2696' and 27'4' North altitude and bounded by the Tista hver and Kahmpong Division to the East, the State of S i k h to the North, the state of Nepal to the West and forests of Wildlife Division-I to the South.

The Headquarters of the Division is at BarakakJhora, Darjeeling, the District Headquarter is located at an elevation of 6820 R.

The forest extends from an elevation of about 600' at hyang in the Tista Valley to nearly 12,000 A. elevation near Sandawhu C Phalut. The northern slopes of the tracts are drained by Ramam, the Oreat R w g t an the iittle Rangit all tributaries of the Tista River, while on the Southern slope, the important river are the Mahanadi and the Balasan. Besides these the tract is intersected by numerous rapid hill terrain fonning deep valleys. Many streams again break, the terrain forming tributaries to the main current. The forest thus form watershed of numerous streams and rivers either in part or whole.

105 Over a period of time many areas of h s hvision have been banded o m to various agerxia (sx classficatim

of forests and adrmrustrative aulhorities) 8t.U

The forest extends from an altitude of 600' feet to h u t 12,000 h. and as a result a number of p h y s i m , cha t i c , lnotic and aqualic k l o r s are met with. Consequently as a result of these factors a variety of types and sub- of forest are met with. A. RIVEJUAN FOREST

These exists in v q small patches in the bed of the Greal Rangit river in the Tista Valley Rnnge and corresponds to Champion's seral type Is-2 of bopical Dry ewrgrem forest. The main p i e s found are Siris (Alblme sps.) and Dadbage (Garuga pinnala). The undergrowth consists of h e r b u s annuals, shrubs and graqses, the commonest species being Assamlata (Euparoriwr Odorarum) and Saccharum sponlaneum. These Forest are generally bee born climbers but occasionally acacia pinnab, Milletia awiculata and Muclmo pturietu are met with. B. bQWER HILL FOFNST.

These occupy the Tistn and Rangit valleys where sevual subtypes are often found intimately mixed and mergmg gradually into one another. The distribution of the species in these forest is extremely compliceted owing lo the great variation in the soil, aspect and rainfd. One characteristic feature is the presence of Choya bans (Dendrocalamus harmltonii) in Uus area. Three main sub types are described below:- 3. Sal Forest:- These corresponds more or less to Champion's sub type 3b/C2/DJ(a> wet Lull ssl of Narthem tropical

moist deciduous Forest. Sal is confined to the ridges, spurs and on & southem asprrt in Lhe Tistn and Great Rang11 valleys. Sal reaches higher altitude on the Southemly a s p t than on the Northerly ones. Except on the ridges, spurs and well drained flat lands, sal occurs as isolaled trees, and those found on the pocke of the valleys are best in quality. Its principl associates are Chlane f lchim Wallichii). , Bahua f l e rmi~ l ia belerica). Pakasaj (Termi~i ia ceremulalo), Parari (SIereos~etmum chelonoides) with small percentage of Mama fletrameles nudihra). Sidha &arperstromio oarciflwa) and odal (Srerculia villma). In Badamtam block Sal is found g r o w gregariously alongvnth Chrpine (Pinus lonplolia) is found to form pure crop. In the Sal forests the undergrowhts are sparse and d y consists of Amlisa ghvsanolderu awosti& Coflea bengalensis. As~omlata along with Chop baru (Dhendrocolamus hamiltonii).

2. Drv Mxed Forests:- These forests are mainly decidious and found on the dner ridges, spurs and slopes. The composition of the crop corresponds Lo Champion's type 3blE6 Hunalayan Mois Deciduous forest of Northern Tropical Moist Daidwus Group. The species found in this SubType are numerous and intimately mixed and the most common and important ones are enumerated below. Common species found are Moina flestmmeles nudilloral. Chiple Kowla Wachilus nammieonn), Odal (Sterculia vilosaL P a h a j flerminalia menulda). Parari flireosoetmum chelmoides), Sins (albizzia SDD.L Dabdabe ( G a m uimulto), Phaledo (Erythnna indim). S i m l (Salmlia malabarica), and Malara (Macaranea sou.). A small quantity of mandane (Acrocar~l~~fkr in~fol iw) , Lompale (Duobanpa sonneratioideg), Gokul (&lionthus _wandis), Chibasi (Chukosia tclbularis), Gamari ( G m e l i ~ arborea), are also met with. The undergrowth m d y consists of Amlisa (Thvsanddena awostis), Assamlofa (Euoafonum odorarum). Tanka ( P d a n w furcafur). Kamle (Boehmeria SDD.), Tagar (Tabernemontam coronaria) and Chqwl barn (peoed-ocalomus hamiltmii). Ths type of forests is mainly represented in Badamtam Blocks. 3. Wet Mixed Forests:- These occurs in the sheltered pockets in the valleys along jhoras and are semi-evergreen in chmacter. The composition of the forests corresponds to Champions type 3b.2S4-East Sub Hunalaya~ Wet h4ixed Forest of Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous group. These forests are characterised by the presence of Panisaj flerminolia mwiocar~a), Lohasune (Ammo rohiiukq), Lali (Amaora wallchii), Champ (Uichelia champaca), Tarsing (Beibchmiedia &, the undergrowth are dense, o h &om inpenetratable thickets and mainly consist of Bepan (Ostodespanicu~atusl, Choya -), Hatisara ( A l o i ~ mum], Kamle w) an another herbaceous annuals and shrubs. There are considerable areas in Sombng and Peshok block where Chqw Bans (Debncakanvs hamiltonii) occurs almost pure with a few scattered trees, e.g. Gamar (Gmelina arbmea), C h i h e (Schim wallichii) and Pakasoj (Termilia creulata). Climbers are numerous and form inpenetratble masses in the Wet M x e d forests and the commonest ones are Acacia pinnata, Mileltia auriculata, Mucuma pruriens Spatholobus raxibwghii and Tinospora cordi/oia. C. MIDDLE HILL FORESTS 13.000' feet to 5.000' feetk These forests are not well represented in these Division because much of Ihe forests within these altitud~nal range have been given over to the Tea Estates or for cultivation purpose in the past. T h s type of forests is met wilhm the upper portion of Sombong and Reyang blocks and a typical represented in Slm Block The composition of lhe aq is more or less similar to champion,^ type 7bIC1-Bengal Sub-tropical hill forest of Northern Sub-tropical Wet H~l l Group. The forest is a h e krni-evergreen type with tree of good height and diameter. The crop consisls of Chilcmne (Schimo wallichii), M a w a (Enalhardria s~icafa), Musre kahcs (Cas&noosis ~n'boloides), Dalne kahcs (Castano~sis indica), Sour (Betula cvlindrmtacIn,s), along with Tarsing (Beilschmiedia SDD.), AMgre (Phoebe atemad, at lower altitude. At hgher altitude the specibs like Lekh chilanne (h'vssa sessiliflora), Urish (Machilus adulis), and Tite Champ (Alichimenlre cathcartii), are faund. The under storey consists of Jiingini (Eurva la-~onica). Kharane (swnplocczr theifolio). Bepari

106 (Ostodes ueniculat~~s) and Malata (Uacaranpe sun.) and the undergrowthss are Strobilenthis spp. Stiinu (Girardinia &, Bohemeroa spp. and fern. D. UPPER HILL FORESTS 15.00~ n to 8.000~ nl The forest zone is the most important in tlus Division as it occupies the bulk of the forest areas of this Division. The composition of the crop vary within the increase in altitude and variation in aspecl and rainfall and also confihn, with biotic and edaphc facton. The most conspicuous trees of these zone are Oaks. Laurels, Mapolhs , Alders, Maples, Birches, and Bucklandia. The composition of the crop more or less corresponds to Champion's type 10WCl-East Bmalayan Wet Temperate forest of Northern Wet Temperate crop. Three altitudinal zones m y be distinguished characterised by the predominance of Lauraceae, Qurcus lamelosa and Quercus pchyphylla respectively occupying very rougNy the zones of 6,000 feet respectively though they very often over lap each other with variation on topography and exposure.

In the lower most region the important species found are Kants (Castonopsis indica). Lekh dabdabe (Meliosmu wtrllichii), Phaledo (Evthrim indicaJ, Lepcha h l o (Machilus edulid, Mustre kants ( C a stano~sis tribuloides), Mauwa @npetharadh's S U M , Pipli (Buckland populneaJ, Lekh chilanne fljssa sessiliflora), Walnut (Ju~lanus re& with an under storey of Jhingni (Eurva iauonico), K h a n e (Sumplocos theiblia), Malata (Macardan~a SLIP.), Hownia dulcis and Arupare (Purnus newlensis), A good number of Pipli (Bucklandia w u u . Trees, some of them reachmg about 12 feet g~rth, and Utis trees are found in lower portion of Selinbong block A good number of well shaped and big sued bees like M w e Kants (Castano~sis indica), part~cularly in Kanlabong-10, Natural Pipli (Bucklandia populne4) and Walnut (Juelam reeiaJ, are also iticeable h little Rmg~t block. Walnuts are also found in Lopchu block and big trees of Podocarpus nerijblia, although not healthy, are noticeable in Lopchu block.

In the zone between 7,000 feet to 8,000 feeL Oaks occupy the top canopy. Among the constituent species are buk (Quercus lamellosa), Phalant (Quercus lineata), Kapmi (Acer comubellii). Katus (Casranousis hvstrix), h l i h l a @lachilus odaratisima), Champ (Michelia excelsa), with an under-storey of litsaea elmgata, Khanahpa (Evodoa SLID.). Jhongmu (Eurva iawnica), Kharane (Svmplocos theifolia), this type of forest are well represented in Kanlubong, Selimbong North Rmbick. South Rirnbick

Buk (Quercus w, and Phalant (Querclls lineata), attain huge dimensions although some of them may be defective due to overrnaturity. Maling bamboo (Arundinaria malingl starts appearing as undergrowth in this zone along with Kimbu (Slrobilanthes Spe,), Aselu fRubas, Asare (VVmum erubescem). Kagote (paphne cannabind, ferns and other herbaceous annuals.

In the zone between 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet Sungur kafus (Quercus ~ a c h m is found in good proportion along with Oaks, viz. Buk, (Quercus lamellosa), Phalant (Quercus lineata) and Arkawal (Quercus lkmestratea). In addition to Oaks, Lali kawla (Machilus ohrarissima). Kapasi (Acer camubellii), Musre katus (Castanousis tribuloides). Ghoge champ (Uamolia camubellii). Lekh dabdobe (Ueliosma wallichii) with a quantity of c h p (Uichelia excelsa) are also noticeable, the species in the understorey are Cinnamom obntsfolium, Pieris ovaligolia, Acer hookeri and Nessa javonica The undergrowth m a d y noticeable are Kimbo (Stroblianthes sou.), Asare (Vibum erubescens), Kagate -, Plygonum spp. Kapasi (Acer ca&& gets its best expression near about an altitude of 8,000 feet in Kankibo4 block where there are mgmficent specimens of this species. In Tonglu block another species e.g. Tenga (Sorbus cus-uidata) begin to appear above 8,000 feet. Yew (Tams baccata) appears in Kanlubong block but they are found m a d y scattered and are in malformed and sickly state. Hemlmk (Tsupa brimpmoana) are noticeable w i h thls zone on the ,ridges in South IZlmbick and Ramam blocks. Sungure Katus (Quercus ~achuhvlla) and Hemlock ( T T bnmmniana) @so extend into other type of forest mentioned blow. E. OAK-HEMLOCK FORESTS 18.000' feet to 10.000' feet): This type of! forests is met with an upper portion of Singhalila Range and correspond to Champion's type 1 llcl O - Eastern OaQHemlock forest of fimalayan Moist Temperate Group. The forests consists of ma~nly Sungure Kafus (Quercw pochphvlla), Bhujpclt (Betula utilisJ. Tenga, Musre kurus (Cas~onousis tribuloided and Rhodcdendron spp. With groups ;of Hemlock (Tsu~a brunoniana) appearing on the higher ridges. The middle storey is composed of Pahenle (2itseae elonpolo), Sih'mur (Lindera neesiam) etc. The Hemlock (Tsupa brononiam) gradually gives way to Silverfir (Avies densa) at the hgher altitude of the wet temperate forests. There is a very dense undergrowh of Arundinaria oristram,, Arundinaria racemosa along with Kagote (Damuhne cannabinas), Berberis aristata and piptanthus nepalensis.

Hemlock is found mastly on the ridges and good specimens of this species are noticeable all along the ridge tiom Ranam to Saberkum. Here it forms practically puire croop extendmg upto 10,000 feet. This area contains rather over mature stems of Hemlock &PII brunoniana) some of whch are in decaying condition. Elsewhere it is found in Siri Saber- Phalut and Ramam Blocks but its distribution is rater sparse. Regeneration of hemlock is absent due to grazing and as a result of b a m b undergrowth

Silverfir (Abies densa) trees starts growing tiom about 9,500 feet elevation and its higher limit may extend upto 12,000 feet. It forms more or less pure crop on spurs and ridges and elsewhere it is mixed up with Hemlock (T- brunonia~) , Rhododendrons and Birch (Betula alnoides). In its lower limit Silverjir (Abies dewa) is generally mixed up with Hemlock (Tsuea brum'am) . Various species of Rhododendrms spp. viz. R Grande, R. barbafum, R.

1 07 arbwewn, along with h l o nigalo (&unddimna aristuta) are present. a s f a d type morc a leas ccmsponds to Champion's type 1 lIc38 - Easlem Oak-Fir Forests of Hunnlayw Moist T a n p a t e Forests.

In these areas h e swept over b q e areas in the past and as a result S i k r j i r (- and sewral bees huve been exterminated causing opening in the he canopy. As a result pum bamboo brakes, consistmg of one a morc species of Arundinaria, viz. A. oris&& and A.racemaul results with practically m he g r o w thus a sucassion results and Champion recorded this as a serial; type and called it Temperate Bambm Brakes unda Himalayan Moim Temperate Group -1 112~14.

I:. ALPINE FOREST (10.000' feet to 12.000' feet): In the lower areas Silwr f ir (- is found in moderate quantity with its associates e.g Birch m. . . Broad-laved Lree species is mostly absent exoepting sconered b k h and Leak kahu -. In places the areas is blank or c u d with ewxgeen forest sometime so daue as to be dficult to penetrate. This type of forest corresponds more or less to Champion type 3lC2-Birch Rhododendron forest. Various species of Rhododendrm are present but the most irnpor(ant ones are Rhododendrm arbwnun, R c m p u l a h u n . R.barbatum, R.cinnabanmwn, RhojMoni, R.grande, Rfdcmeri, R.mmpanuclhtu is often found in pure crop in patches above 11.500 fee?. Silverfir (Abies derua) in crooked form extends right upto 12.000 feel and a few Lekh dhupi (Junimrw oseudwbim) are noticed in Sandakphu and Shn blocks. Accidental fires have caused many areas to become blank in lhese forests and Lhey are either bare or covered with Arundinaria oristaro or A.racemaro. The undergrowth is spam and mostly consists of Barveris aristata, Raaw sericea, Gaultheria gr~flthiam and Cononester spp.

. . . . . Source: D- D I W J I O ~ : A d Fmsr D r ~ s m . 1998-99 Forest De~letion in the Darieeline Himalayas:

Source: Growina Dilemmas: Fuel &!Fodder Access R i h b in the H i m o h . Sanchan Rov MuNJleriee &Gaindo Chowdhw. Dorieelinp Himalayan Pamnwranm

The forests of Darjeehg district have been dnunistered under the Dqeeling, G p o n g and Kurseong Forest Division ewx since the turn of the century. Of these, the first two are entirelly h l l divisions, a l e the Uurd includes the substantial belt of resewed forests that still survives along the terai. Tea cultivation in the district is confined almd entirely to lands transferred on lease h m the Dajeeling and Kurseong hvisons, indicatmg Lhat substantial felling activity has occurred there in the past. Most surviving forests in lhese two divisions are converted forests growing conifers at temperate elevations, and teak and sal in the terai.

Classified Forests in the Da jeeling Hirnalaya (including Leased Lands) 1901 -1991 -

Forest Total Forest Area Area Forest

Area Darjeeling K ~ . ~ ~ ~ ? ~ g Kurseong over all

Division (sq. km,) Division Divisions (sq.krn) (sq. krn.) (sq. krn.)

1901 469 61 1 474 155.17

1991 380 586 399 1364.95 Source: Extracted from District Census Data for Da jeeling District, various years.

The table 'Classified Forest in the Darjeeling Himalaya' reveals long-term changes in classified forest a v e r /which have occurred in Darjeeling district. The most substantive change over this extended timehorizon is seen to have !taken place between 191 1-1931, with leasing of considerable tracts of forest land to the tea gardens, pmkularly after iIFA 1927 (Indian Forest Act), became law, being accompanied by parallel extension of KhasmaM settlement. Among the three forest division in the district, hill forests in Kalimpong have however consistently accounted for hgher forest ,cover, a feature! attributable mainly to the absence of tea gardens in that region. Although all forest &visions show

108 decline in forest cover over the century, the fall has been much sharper in the Dqeeling and Kurseong divisions and moderate in the Kalimpong division. Substantial loss of forests in the district between 191 1-1 93 1 was followed in [act, b). marginal recovery of forest cover between 194 1 - 1 %I, attesting to largescale forest conversion activity during that period. Lands which had been cleared of mixed forests over earlier period were converted both to tea and to monoculture of coppice sal and teak in commercial forests. The deforestation trends over the first half of the century thus appear to have been shaped primarily by the revenue motive. While forests in the region were being clearfelled ulmost continuously as a result, the losses in classified forest c o w represent land transfers outside commercial forestry and tea, i.e. to direct revenue use. The brief recovery between 1961-71 was followed by another downlrend in lorest cover in all three forest division between 1971-1991. It is h o w interesting to note hat classified forest cover in Kurseong division was stationery for nearly five decades be- 193 1 and only afler 197 1 commenced another decline that appears to be related the growth of urban settlement in the terai, parllcularly in Siligun.

It should be remembered howmr that the existence of classified forest wver in the land settlement records in itself does not vouchsafe the preservation of fonxt canopy over an equivalent area. Satellite imageries, for inslance, show broad swathes of listed forestland which are now c o v e d by open forest and scrub. Conversely, numerous small patches wmpnslng both orchards and khasmahal forests dot the areas whch are under revenue settlement, particularly where agriculture is the mainstay of the hill population. The miao features of this situation should therefore be assessed in tlus light.

The Table 'C-ng Natural Forest Cover in the Darjeeling Hills (excluding Municipal Areas) 1981-1 991 presents a breakdown of cnsus figures on decadal changes in the forest-to-population relationship over different police skdion IPS] areas in the hill region of Dqeeling district. Thls region comprises the three hlll sutdivisions of Darjeeling, Kahmpolg and Kurseong, with constituent areas as under. However, the municipal areas under Dqeeling, Kalimpong and Kursmng townshps have deliberately been excluded so that attention can be focused on the extent of rural population dependence on local forests. Inclusion of town populations in the table would severely distort this assessment.

Two other points of caution need to be obsaved in the interpretation of areal forest figures in the table . firstly, the tables 'Classified Forest in the Darjeeling Himalaya' and 'Changing Natural Forest Cover in the Dajeeling I-hlls' are strictly not comparable because the plains forests of Kurseong forest division whch wrne under the Siligun administrative subdivision are excluded kom the latter table. Secondly, forest cover as reported in the table 'Changing Natural Forest Cover in the Darjeellng Hills' excludes other forms of vegetative cover such as tea, etc. and therefore provides much better indication of the actual state of forests in the region. However, the village-wise forest figures whlch have been aggregated into the table 'Changing Natural Forest Cover in the Darjeeling Hills' are not aloway consistent between censuses, because of partial lacunae in the reporting process. In several block forests in Kalimpong subdivision for instance the 1981 Census reports 100 per cent forest cover over the entire block; on the other hand. figures in 1991 Census greatly reduce forest figures in these areas to indcate only p m t d cover. Despite such difficulties, much better idea of the locational spread of forests and deforestation in association with the recent growth of population may be gained born the breakdown figures in this table.

Population density in the Darjeellng f i l l areas stood at 281 persons per sq.hn in 1991, having grown by an

Changlng Natural Faest Cover In the [laijeellng Hllls (exdudlng Munldpal area)

1981 -1 981

~nnd IWI-gi 1991 1981-a lssc rsel isel -a 1 m 1981 % 1981-a Rural IPS Arms Area PcpJalion Mi Fwests F m t s Change Waest Forest

seh.

Mrik 100.48 11- 11- 409 115 18.7 18.7 4.88 25.10 19.93 5.17

JOTM HU REGION 2438.6 684818.0 133431.8 281 55 927.2 927.2 -224.87 29.42 3.84 4.42

w: Dimtt -s. M, 1981 6 1991: Ftinry Csmm A&&$

average 55 persons per s q . h between 1981-1991. The breakdown of the density increment however shows considerable

109 variation over PS areas. Among relatively settled meas, the sharp& increments having occurred in Dqeellng and Mi* both located in predominantly lea-growing regions where mpid urbanisation is also t h n g pl-. Pcrpulation wd density increments in Kalimpong U and Gorubnthan, both relatively W U e d arum. have on the other hand been negligible. Tbc table thaefore indicates deepening polmitation in the d e m e n t profile be- eastern and vestan parts of che district.

The Table 'Classified Forest in the Dqeeling Himalaya' had noted earlier that the decline of classified forest cover between 1971-91 had maKimurn areal impact on Dajeelmg and Kalimpong forpst &vision. Buff= forest areas have traditionally reccaded a lugher presence at the eastern and western extremities of the district h u s e of altitudmel hctors and the proximity of international borders. Pulbaim and Kalimpong 1 have a d r n g l y shown forest wver, verging on 60 percent till 1981. Kalimpong U and G o r u b U also under extensive forest uner upti1 then, me both alos located in the relatively less populaied east of the dislrict. On the other hand. the Dqecling PS area wi& one of the tughest concentrations of population in the Himalaya had nearly inconsequential forest cover of j u t o m 10 percent in 1981. Forest cover was also relatively low in other teadominated areas such as Mnk, Sukhlapokim and Rangli Rangliot. The most alarming feature brought out by the table is the sharp reductim in forest c m thet has axwed over most lull areas in jut one decade following 1981, Gorubthan and K m g providing the only exceptions. Wtule the decline of forest in the Pulbazar and Dajceling PS areas h as been around 19 permt and 5 percent respectively. the fall is far more precipitous in the Kalirnpong IBtII areas, even aAer adjustrng for possible lacunae in reporting forest areas in the 1981 Census.

Comparison of forest cover to increments in population over PS areas during the deade 1981-91 d r a ~ 3 attention to the population-forest dynamics of the Dajeelmg I-hmalaya. Intercmsl growth of population has been hghest in Dqeeling, Kalimpong I and Kurveong PS areas of the region Daqeeling PS however has witnessed the highest incremental population growth of 28054 persons over the smallest land a m lead~ng to the hghert degree of settlement concentration. This has raised non-municipal population density in 1991 to I I27 persons per sq.km, and with tlus proliferation of senlement, forest wver has also been halved, as evident liom the table. Kursaong, with W-hrghest intercensal population growth of 23735 persons in 1981-1991, shows much lower non-municipal settlement density of 292 persons per sq.km because of its larger land area. Intercensal growth in density has Ulerefe been 66 persons per sq.km., but since settlement is concentrated by the presence of tea and the area was relatively less settled to begm with, forest wver has in fact been augmented between the census. A sharp conbast is seen however in case of Kalimpong I. Here the intercensal increase in population by 25336 persons over the decde has taken place over a much more dispersed area, and the density increment on non-municipal population density or 236 persons per s q . h in 1981 has been by 42 persons per sq.km. It should however be noted that, in the absence of tea, h s population increase has to be absorbed by Khasmahal settlement, leading to a very high rate of forest depletion. Deforestation at these high rates has also been reswnsible for the recent recurrence of landslide in the area.

Source: Growing Dilemmas: Fuel &Fodder Access Riphu in the Himlaw. n' Rov Muhhhenee &Govinda Chowdhurr,

Forestrv and Joint Forest Manaeement

The Dajeeling W a y a s with a different climatic, biotic and aquatic conditions is different Gom the rest of West Bengal and is considered a part of the Eastern Hmalayas. Eastern Himalayas being one of the tea Global Biodiversity Hotspots in the world. Biodiversity Hotspots are areas rich in density and hversity of Biological species. Floristically, the total number of angioisperms is 8000 species out of the total 1700 species found in India whereas Ihe land area of Eastem Himalayas is only 12% of that of India. Out of the 8000 species, 3200 are endemic. About 800 species of birds are also found in the region (Banerjee A.K. 2000). In the light of these facts and figures the study into the workmg of JFM (Joint Forest Management) in the hills assumes significance and its effectiveness in protection and conse&tion the biodiversity of the region.

The origin of JFM can be traced to Anabari a small forest locatlon in Mdnapore Dislrict (West Bengal). Dunng the early 1970's, this placce saw the forest and its resources completely eliminated by illegal felling and vandahsm. People started to feel the pinch due to the loss of forest covers on which their livelihood had so h existed. The

' Divisional forest officer A.K. Banqee mentioning the gravity of the situation experimented with the s o c i ~ n o m i c forestry project which gradually evolved to Joint Forest Management. E M brings the State Forest Department and village communities together in the protection development and management of the Forest, in particular degraded forest. Tn turn both uarties share the res~onsibilities and benefits in the endeavour. - - - - - - . -. r - -~~

JOINT FOREST MANAGED~ENT IN TEIE DARJELING DLYISION JFM iri the Dajeeling Division was launched in 1992 the government of West Bengal issued the resolution for

'the formation of FPC in D.G.H.C. vide GO no 8555 dated 15 November 1991. htially 10 FPCs (Forest Protection Committees) were registered in three Ranges of the Division followed by formation of 17 Committees also in the

110 Here the backdrop of the situation of the forests and the Forest Department needs mention when the

decision for reversion of the Division was taken iq 1992; the siluation was serious with theAs and destruction of the forests rampant and unabated. As a first step to bnng Uungs under conlrol massive raids were conducted. According to the then DFO, S. Dhaundyal such actions were taken with the aim to hlng down the scale of illegal felling in the areas under Darjeeling Division and also to raise the sagg~ng morale of the Forest Department so that the writ of law might be re established in matters relating to management of forests.

Regular workshops and trairung pmgmmmes were also organised to enthuse the Forest Department personnel about the new concept of participatory management of forests. With this backdrop, the first seeds of JFM were sown in the hills of the Darieelins Division. - -

PARJELING RANGE Darieelim Range is one of the 8 ranges of the Darieeling Forest Division whch is headed by a Divisional Forest

aficer. The-~an& is ;the change of a ~ a G e Officer, ar;d t h e R 0 is the overall administrator of i s respective Range. The Rarge Officer is also the l~nk between the higher authorities viz. DPO. CCF and the FPC. 3nos Beat Officer (a Beat is the l o b s t unit of management). The Beat officer is to report to the Range Offlcer. The Beat Officer is aiso the secretary of the Forest Protection Committee concerned. 3 Forest Guards and 9 Ban Shnmuk comprises of Dajeeling Range the Forest Guards are required to do patrolling in the forest to detect and stop illlicit activities in the forest. Further thcy also do supemsion works in the field whle plantation and other forestry related works are carried out. Since they are Lrained workers they are supposed to share their expenence in the field with other daily wage workers. Ban Shrarmks arc workers in the FD like the Forest Guards and they undertake works relating to protection like partrolling, plantation supervision and also work as molis in the nursery.

'The Range Office has a ra&o transmitter far communication with the Division Ofice and has a well-stocked nursery ernploylng modem technique. A firewood sale centre is also located at the Range office. An impressive medicinal nursery and a Shrubbeny Park are also located near the Range Office. The Darjeeling Range Office is located at the hijunction of Ghoom Bhanjyang, Sukhiapokhn, Bijanban road. The other Ranges under Dajeeling Forest Divison are: 1. Rimbick Range 2. Dhotray Range 3. Tonglu Range 4. Ghoom Simina Range 5. Tukdah Range 6. Teesta Valley Range 7. BardamanRange

The jusrisdiction of Darjeeling Range is over an area of 1230.82 ha. The temperature ranges hom 15 degrees centigrade tp 11 degrees centigrade during the summers and 10 degrees cenhgrade to -2 degrees centigrade during winters. The altitude variation of Darjeeling Range varies bom 1666.6mts to 2181.81mts. Bhanjyang blwk is divided into 5 compartments for the p q s e of management. The Daqeeling Range comprises of 3 blocks whch are:

hslhat Block (area 373.05 Ha) Chatai Dhura Block (area 3 13. 95 Ha) Bhanjyang Block (area 543.82 Ha)

The total area of Daqeeling Range beign 1230.82 Ha There are 8 FPCs (Forest Protection Committees) under Darjeeling Range and they are I . Bhanjyang FPC 2. Lama Mmga FPC 3. Pubong Khasmal FPC 4. Pussimbong FPC 5. Risihat FPC 6. Batasia FPC 7. Barbotay FPC 8. Ghoom Bhangyang FPC GUIDELINES FOR WORKING OF FPC IN THE D.G.&C. AREAS

The follovnng are 9 e main text of the gudelines which hnve been distributed to the FPCs in the Daqeeling Gorkah H1l1 Council region. This has been translated to Nepali and the GO no. is 8555 dated 1511 1191. - Structure: -

i. People living in areas close t forests and those sharing a wmmon boundary with the forests shall be eligible to form the FPCs with the permission of the DFO concerned.

ii. Generally the FPCs will consist of people form the economically backward classes as members and beneficiaries but people also having inter& in protection and conservation of forests and women folk belonging to families near the forest may become members of the FPCs. . . . 111. If a husband acquires the membersfup of the FPC, h s spouse automatically becomes a member and can exercise

the voting rights and other FuncLions of a member.

111 iv. Councillors of the DGHC shall provide mcesmy help and support for the healthy hmctioning of the FPCs in their

respective areas. v. Each FPC shall form an executive body for execulion of responsibilities and tasks bestowed upoa th heFPC.

vi. Formation of the e x e c u t i ~ body shall be a9 follows: Member area councillor of DGHCI Number of the executive body members shall not exceed 6 in numbers. Number of ordinary members of the FPC and in each meeting the executive committee members shall nominate a chmrpemn for the same.

vii. The constitution of the FPC shall be constituted by the executive members of that FPC in consultation with the area councillor of the DGHC and ulll have to be passed by the DFO concerned.

viii. The RO shall supenise h e worhngs of the FPC in his respective range. ix. In case of any addition1 alteration that is found neceswy in the function of the FPC the executive body shall

recommend for ~ u c h chnnge to the DFO concerned. x. The BO in hls capacity as the secretary of the FPC shall call meetings of the executive body and the general body

of the FPC as and when required keep~ng in accordance with the wnstitution. xi. The duties and works regarding plantation of trees and the necessary arrangements shall be in acoordanc+ with UE

various prohibitions imposed form time to time which is done keeplng in mind the welfare of the wildlife. Functions: -

i. A renister containina all the details of the members of the FPC l~ke names. addresses. nee. n u m b of family has toe b;: maintained b'the committee. The details form of the FPC members k s e d bv the FD has to be attached to a similar register andihe same be submitted to the ofice of the Range ~ f f i c k w n & .

ii. The President of the FPC shall be the main signatory to the minutes and reports of the AGM whlch has to be maintained for record. The secretary is BO shall maintain and send such minutes and records to the office of the RO concemed.

iii. An AGM shall be held where members for the executive body shall be elected and matters relating to FPC shall be discussed and decided.

Duties:- i. To conserve the flora and fauna of the forest.

ii. To protect the flora and fauna of the forest. ... 111. To inform the personnel or officials of the FD of any illegal activities or of people lrying to ause harm to the

people of the wildlife intentionally or unintentionally. iv. To safeguard the forest from he , , encroachment, cattle grazing, theft, and tresspassing by others. v. To help FD personnel in arresting any persons found indulpg in the above mentioned activities.

vi. To complete all forest relaled welfare activities taken up by the FPC properly and in Lime. vii. To involve all the fellow members of the FPC in the works of protection and c o r n t i o n of the fo- an

wildlife. viii. To help FD personnel in choosing and employing right people in forest welfare activities.

ix. To help FD personnel in disbursement of revenue generated fiom the sale of Limber equally among ~e FPC members.

x. To stop any violation of the amended h h a n Forest Act, 1927 and the Indian Wildlife Act, 1972. xi. To inform the RO./BO of any illegal activities which causes harm to the forest and the wildlife by any members of

the FPC, for which hidher membership is liable cancellation. xii. To help the FD personael in dorcement of the Indian Forest Act 1927 and the Indian Wildlife Act 1972 amongst

the FPC members also who indulge in violation of these acts. Benefits: -

i To be eligible for any beneiits the FPC will ham to render at least 5 years of protection works to the forest and Mdlife.

The members shall without causing any damage to the seedlings and trees be given the permission to access of the following fiee of cost: i i. Collection of dead and dying twigs rmd branches, grass1 fodder, fruits, leaves, and mushroom but pemssion to I collect medicinal plants by the members of the FPCs situated in North Bengal will be restricted to non protected ii. Removal of trees while thmning takes place and when carrying out works of new plantations, 25% of the income

generated fiom the sale of such poles shall go to the FPC members. However poles other than Teak whose guth at 1 breast height are less than 90 cms shall be considered. For Teak poles those with guth of 60 cms shall be I wnsidered. iii. The income fiom the sale of big trees shall however not be shared. But the 25% of the income generated form the

1 sale of such.poles shall go to the FPC members. However poles than Teak whose at breast height are less than : 90 cms shall be considered. For Teak poles with p t h of 60 cms shall be considered. iv. Seeds of trees collected in year shall be deposited with the West Bengal Scheduled Tribes Welfare Co operative

Ltd. tho* LAMPS where it exists. The income shall be disbursed through such bodies to the members.

112 1 . Where the above mentioned works and responsibilities haw been fulfilled by the FPC the concerned forest officer

shall disburse a share of the revenue generated to all Ule eligible members. Dissolution of FPCICancellation of Membership1 Appeals etc.

i. The power to dissolve the executive body of the FPC and to cancel individual membership shall be vested with the DFO if the member violates the lndian Forest Acl 1927 or the h&an Wildlife Act 1972 according to the clause 2&3.

ii. The concerned DFO may on the recommendation of the Range Offcier dissolve the FPC. iii. The executive body of the FPC may be based on the above mentioned clause appmch the ROIBOIDFO for

cancellation of the membership of an in&vidual. iv. Any appeal against the legal actions of the RO/DO which goes agianst the workmgs of the FPC may be appealed to

the DFO umcerned. v. Any legal actions taken by the DFO and any appeal againsl such actions may be initiated through the area

councillor of the DGHC to the CCF and the decision of the CCF shall be f m 1 and binding.

FPCs and EDCs in the Darieeliw Himalavas Zone - Number of FPCs/ EDCs Area Protected m a ) 1 North Bengal D..G.H.C. 116 45974 Terai 24 1 105977 2Agn 7nne - Soil Cronoinn P a t t e q Bl ls Gneiss, Schlsts, Highly acidic 12% under Agn

10Yo h g a t e d 60% holdngs upto 1 Ha Cropping intensity 1 10%

EDCs or E w Developmentr committee are formed for participatory management in protected areas. Here members of each EDC are to be selected by the DFO concerned. EDC members shall normally be people living in the vicinity of the Sanctuary (protected areas) with provision for joint mantershp kom each household. L~ke the FPCs and EIIC is to have an executive committee to carry out the various acitvities gven to the committee.

Of late the realisation of threats to the ecology and environment of the region has emerged awareness and concern has begun to gather importance and the attention of scholars, researchers, activist and policy makers alike. Some of the major problems related to the Darjeeling Himalayas may be mentioned as foUows: (a) Deforestation (b) Loss of Biodiversity (c) Bgher rate of erosion of the fertile topsoil leading to increasing decline in agri productivity and production. (d) Desbuction of natural eco system due to eqansion of agriculture and other kinds of human activities. (e) Uncontrolled use of chemical fedisers and pesticides in Agriculture especially Tea leading to pollution and

poisoning of the soil and water system. (0 Poverty and a slow growth (g) Population growlh beyond the carrying capacity and sustaining capacity of the area. (h) ~x~loi ta t ion of Forest resources by the population of the Tea Gardens especially fire wood collection and hunting. (i) Unregu1;fted tourism in the area.

Source: JointForest Mana~ement in the hills, A case studv o f Ghmm Bhan~van~ iTC.2/12/2000

By: -Mr. Raiu Dawn Lama. W, W. F.. Proiecf Serve. Darieelinrr.

N.B.: - it is worth mentionine bere that an indepth research needs to be done on the workin~s of the JFM in the hills as a whole to assess whether it has worked in the Darieeline Context. Therefore the critiaue that follows has

t R o b n - thea. Althoueareh focused a sectionla small area this will in somewav outline the orus and cons of JFM in the Darieeline Hills.

ANALYSIS b~ FJNDMGS (OPINION OF TEE RESEARCHER) GO& by the resolution for formation of Foresl Protection Committee in the DGHC areas which goes into

details of stnrctures, functions, and duties of the Forest Protection Committee its comparison to the salient features of the larger JFM schemes. It is found that the benefit of planting trees of fuel, fodder as well as shrubs, legumes, and grasses does no1 find mention in the resolution for the DGHC areas. The benefits of peoples participation to village wmmunitiesj alone finds mention in both cases, however the limitation of benefits to the people and not to commercial or other interests has not been mentioned clearly in the resolution of the West Bengal Forest Department.

113 Wfule other fea- mentimed in lhe resolution of the West Bengal Fcuest Depertment for formation of FPCs

in the DGHC areas, more or less fits ilo the larger IFM. An importtlnt featw mentioned in the &ucture of the FPC resolution is the inclusion of Ihc area m l m of

the DGHC as a member of the executiw body. Although it lookn good in paper bld the practical dificultia of hvlng (he

area councilor in the Annual General Meettngs and other meetings of the FPC has to be considaed. The Bhwjyang FPC was formed in 1994, but on mkmg the President, Vice President md the members of the execldive the ap@v of the FPC body sitting with their area councilor has newr m a t e r i d d so far.

Furiher any limit on the numbers of executive body members has been mentioned brd my reservatims for women in Uus body does no1 fmd p l w whaas numerous articles and annual reports of the forest d m e n t mentions the emphasis it gives to womens qnwenhtion and participation in such bodies. But one of the most conkoversial md disbalancing feature of the resolution is the nomination of Ihe Beat Officer as the secretary ofthe FPC. Where it has been clearly mentioned that the secrelary shall tne the one who shall be responsible for calling the AGMs and other meetmgs.

The nominetion of the BO completely dsbalances the scales and tilts it in Eavour of the forest m e * as most of the powers are vested with the secretary. Most of the FPC members resent h s arrangement. The position of the BO as a secrelary is pivolal and it s ems more of that of a watchdog. An& drawbaEk of h s arrangement is that it robs the pople of pooular arrticimtim and places them at the mercy of Ihe Beat Officer/hqe Officer concerned. Thus the whole notion of muticimtorv faest -anent is defeated bv lhis merit.

The RO is mentioned to supmse the worlungs of the FPC in his respective range and the BO is also given the charge of the secretary. But d u n g the course of the study it was found that the RO practically plays no role as such and the FPC and BO interact more with each other than with any 0th officials of the FD.

With regard to functionaries of the FPC the holding of the AGM and other m e w regularly but in the case of Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC no AGM has been held so far since its formation in 1994 for reasons unknown and on fuihx query the members responded by saying that they have decided to call and AGM this year to bnng about change in the present slructure and posts of the FPC. However, the members seemed to be ignorant of the Fact lhat the AGMa and other such m e e l q s has to be called by the BO in lus capacity as the secretary lo the FPC. Agam due to this annngmenl of the BO as the secretary it has not been possible to exercise h s important function of holding meetmgs and other important matters relating to the functioning of the FPC and other important matters relating to the hctioning of the FPC and other important matters could be dscussed. Hence the members of the Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC are further pushed into ignorance and where the members and the forest could have gained by arousing their interest and partxipation through stimulating discussions. The people and the concept of JFM d e r as a result.

As far as duties of the FPC members thy have u n d d e n several measures towards conservation and protection of the forest of Bhanjyang block.

1. Patrolling: the members of the FPC regularly undertake patrolling duties in the forest (Bhanjyang Block) with the participation of the officials and staff of the Darjeeling range to delectj and stop any illegal activities by forest offenders.

2. Stop Grazing: all the households of Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC owning cows and other livestock practice small f d i n g and no household allow the anunals to graze in Ute forest.

3. Restoration of the forest works of afforestation: the majority of the members of the Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC engage themsel~s on plantation works thus earning h l y wage in the process. Out of an area 69.49 ha allotled to them a total of 49 ha has already been cleaned of weeds and planted with seedlings. A n o k 20 ha remains lo be cleaned of weeds and be planted with seedlings.

4. Soil conservation works: the members of the Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC have also undertaken works of soil conservation in Bhanjyang block. Recently an area approximately 1 ha has been subjecled to soil conservation works by doing brush wood palliadmg and shrub planting with the support of an NGO based in Darjeeling, Project SERVE. W. W.F.-INDIA. Although m r d i n g to the resolution for the FPC members to eligible for any benefits the FPC members will

have to render 5 years of protection works to the forests and the wild Me. Since it was fonned in the year 1994 the members are not eligible for any benefits however the Forest Department seems to have been rather flexible in Uus case and some schemes like fishery, lmitling have been granted to the FPC. Permission to collect dead and dylng twigs and branches, grasslfodder, h t s , leaws and mushroom is given to the members of the Ghoom Bhanj~ang FPC for their own use. But the biggest irony of thls resolution is with regard to the FPC members receiving 25% share from the total income generated from the sale of the poles when thinning operations are carried out. The researcher has doubts as lo whether most of the Dresent members of the Ghoom Bhnn~vang F K would live to see this dav due to the fact that Ih& rnOwth of trees at h s elevatio and under the conditions is d l v slow and it would take atleast 30-35 vears before such o~erations could beceome a ~sossibilitv.

The mention of dissolution of the FPC and cancellation of individual membership and any appeal against such decisions of the DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) of the Range OfficerIBeat Officer is the stick wluch the Forest beparlment officials weid against the FPC. Thus the resolution has a character of a carrot and stick. Where the carrot is the access to f o r v and usufructory benefits and the stick is Ule power to cancel individual membership and dissoluton of the FPC. Although there is a clause for appeal against such measures but it has also been mentioned that ultimately the

114 decision of the Chef Conservator of Forest is final and binding. Thus going by the relolution the researcher believes that the whole resolution is tilted in favour of the FD with the FPC and its members virlually at the mercy of the FD personnel. The researcher has doubts whether the FD has any belier in the people in general and the FPC in particular about its commitment towards the conservation and protection of the forests and wildlife. It is Uus suspicious attitude that is reflected in the resolution No. 8555 dated 1511 1194 for constitution of the FPCs in the DGHC areas. Although (his resolution is supposed to be the guidelines to the FPCs it is more of a document with less of grudelines and more of do's and don't's.

Where the broader JFM speaks of empowerment of the forest users and womenfolk, resolutions and arrangements of such character certady does not help in bringng about a change in the traditional forest management system where forest user groups were disadvantaged against the FD but instead of empowerment it further robs the

. . people of their dignity and self respect. Momver due to the ipnorance and b e levels of ~UlfBacv of the G h m -mere handouts of such booklets cannot teach the people about the capacity as the secretary is supposed to work witht the FPC members and help in the dissemination of information he is still looked upon as the provider of employment, schemes and above all as a po- figure. It is h s position and influence whch the Beat OfIicer and Road Oficer wields in their respective beat and range and which they fear will lose if JFM is implemented sincerely and the people are empowered. Unless the FPCs and the FD change the present status quo and become equal partners in the conservation and protection of the forest JFM will not be able to achieve what it can for the people and the forest.

The ~ositive amect of the JFM and FPC in Bhanjyang blwk is the attachment that has emerged between the people and the plantations. Since most of the Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC members participate in the plantation works as daily wage earners they seem not to cause any damage to the seedlings planted by them h l e collecting forewood and fodder in the brest.

Of the 27 households that consists of Ghoom Bhanjyang FPC the entire households use firewood as a major source of Fuel h c h is a non commercial source. Although there exists a firewood sale depot in the Darjeeling range office where firewood is sold @ Rs. 1.00 per kilo. But the firewood sale depot does very little business except when there are funerals in the areas and a dead body has to be cremated.

The bulk of the people of this particular M e t and Ghoom Bhanjyang are poverty striken and it is simply unpossible for them to afford any sources of Fuel which are commercial in nature. Although kerosene and some saw dust is used as fuel kerosene is used mainly to start a fire in the chula of light kerosene lamps and saw dust is used to lessen the burden of firewood collection which is becoming scarcer by the day. Hence their dependence on firewood as a major source of fuel which is collected both from the forest on a larger scale and their private lands in similar quantities.

Another feature accordmg to the information on monthly income of the 27 households it appears that the majority of the households have a respectable income by rural standards however the bulk of the money which comes &om the sale of milk is again ploughed back in the form of buying fodder and cattle feed. If the amount earned iiom the sale of mild were to be deducted the incomes of most of the households would consist of amount earned by worlung as a labour whch would be Rs. 975-Rs. 1050 approx talang th official rate o h Rs. 651- per day and availability of work for 15-17 days inamonth.

It must be mentioned tht in the process of the Findings of this study it was found that dairylng is not a profitable activity in the area. Inout: Pina 2 kg @ Rs. 8 = Rs 16.00 Maize cattle feed % kg @s. 7 = Rs.3.50 Salt 250 grams @ Rs. 3 =Rs.0.75 Outaut: An average cow eives 5 kg d k which is sold @&.8 oer ke. therefore when one takes into account of the input and the output of the activity it assumest the character of an mrofitable business. Total Input comes to Rs. 20.25 in the form of cattle feed. Rs.40 has be(en taken as d d y wage, whch goes into gathering of fdder, and Firewood. cleaning cow sheds and so forth, the total comes to Rs. 60.25 However thejoutput is only Rs. 40. Inspite of Uus shortfall people continue with this activity and one of the factors is due to the cowdung manure whch they require for their agricultural fields.

Fuelwood Demand Out of 2355 sq km of Darjeeling B l l areas, the total area of the forest is 1058.08 sq.km (41.41%). Whereas the

forest area under the D.G.H.C. is 69.50 sq lan wfich is (2.9%) of the total geographical are of the hill council. In 1951 the total population of the D a j e e h g District was 4.47 lakh and the areas being 3 149 s q . h the natural

resources like water, timber, firewood, fodder, etc available at that time seem adequate. Complete forest cover would b observed not only in reserved forest area but they could be prominently seen even in Government khasrnal land, tea gardens and: other private lands. With increase in 1951 population by almost 3 times in 1991 the pressure of the population on natural resources was tremendous.

115 There are 3.3 1 laLhs popuhticn (1991 Census) in and around fortst areas in the the subdivision of Dsqeling.

On h e Southern border of the Kalimpns Porest Division, a population d 95,000 rPri& in 18 u gardm and huo villages which rmne under the Jalpaiguri dislird. Similarly in 6 tea gardens and 26 KhaJmal villagw of S i l w

situated on the 6 u q p of the forest of Wildlife Division and K m e m g F m s t division, a total poplldon of 33,459 is directly dependant on forests. T h u the total population from w i t h d ouutside the h U arau dependan1 cm lorest are 4,59555 deducting 50% and 33% of the Lea estate and khesnal villages respectiveley now J w on tea pruned waste and agricultural waste.

The requirement of firel wood for Ihe population as calculated on the h i s of per capila consummon m & n g to wood balance study of West Bengal 1987 comes to 4.59.555 x 1.385 m3=6.22.623. m3 o h b l e hm annual felling of 1,245 ha (each hectare producing 500m3 of f i r ewd) . Out of 6.23 lakh m3 annual demand for f i h h farest d k l o r a l e produces annually 25,0001113 obtainable 6om 50 ha of clear felled area. Thus the balance whrch works out to be 1195 ha of forest is plundered annually f a firewood.

Dunng h e fmt deale of 1901-1910 the Forest Deparlmenl used to produce 82.000m3 of f i r e w d per year for the district giving 0.32m3 per capita firewad available. Dunng 193 1-1 940. the Fuewmd production wus 90,000 m3 with .26m3 per capita firewood. while dunng 1951 -1 960 the firewood production was 84.000m3. But due to i n m a in population the per capita lire wood available was 0.161113 only. Also most villages and tea gardens had their own land with forest which supplied their requirement of firewood. Dunq 1981-1990 however. the firewood production though remained almost same in previous decade at 86.0001113. with the cor re sponb risk in population the per capita fire wood dropped down to ,073.

The scenario of Darjeeling with respect lo Fuel and euergy needs is quite acute in the Dqeelmg hills as k u m e 70 % ol the rural population is still dependant on firewood for their energy need (Roy Chowdhury 1996). This is m e of the faclor leading to deforestation and has lead to serious lallouts which is being experienced in hd slides, water shortage, micro-climatic changes, loss of biodiversity and even destruction and e v u ~ destruction of crops of wld animals.

The problem of dependency on firewood is further compounded by the amount required per family wtuch 1s almost double of h t of the plains district. A study of forest department in 1984 showed thal the annual consump(ion of firewood per family in the Darjeehng District was 1.03 cum whereas it is 0.519 cum in J a l m u n and 0.364 cum in Cooch Behar (neighbouring plains d~stricts of WesU3engal). Based on h s repori the h l l subdivisions of the district consumes 1.03, 70% of 99758=71925.52 cum of firewood annually. This figure is questionable and the estimalion of it is that each family consumes a minimum of 10 cum per annum. l h s does not include the smaU w a d t i m k wtuch is quite substantial. With this figure the hU sub-division of the district consumesw 10' 70% of 99.758 =698306 cum of firewood annually. This is the least firewood consumption that is extracted legally or illegally bom the existing green wver and does not include the timba consumption The lugher consumption of f i r e w d of Dqeel~ng could be attributed to the use of firewood not only for cookmg, but also lo heat homes and for animal husbandry. A large source of firewood is used by the tea garden workers.

The people in the KhaPmahal areas extract fmwood from their own land and from the forest. But, in the tea gardens this is not so. Under the Plantation Labour Act 1951 and West Bengal Stale Rules 19% it is mandatory that the management supply firewood to the permanent workers only. Rior to the West Bengal Estate Acqustion Act 9153 wery tea garden had their own private forest horn wbre part of the firewood and small wood requirement of the garden was met. Today this system is no longer prevalent and the private forest has been converted to unclassified forest. The tea garden @emanent and casual workers) depend solely on the neArby foresls for their firewood and m d l wood needs.

All these factors are putting a tremendous pressure on the forest resources of Darjeeling and needs immdate attention. The extraction of Iirewood is something that can be minimised with proper manamagemen1 if proper alternatives are provided. It is also a crucial issue which needs to be addressed immediately. The ever increasing population requires firewood and unless alternatives are though of and provided the green cover depletion by firewood exh-action will increas~ngly continue leading to serious fallouts some of which the people are already experiencing.

It is worth noting here that some of the people in the m a l areas do not even own or use kerosene stoves, wtuch indicates that they have to depend solely on firewood as a source of fuellenergy.

Source: Loner submined ro the Gmmm of West Ben~a l .

$hri Viren J. Shah - -

bv the Darieeling N.G.O. Network

Timber Demand ne annual average timber production during which 1970 was approximately 1.43 lakh m3 wtuch in 1980's

came down to 1.25 lakh m3. Against this drning 1991-2000 the annual timber production by the four subdivision was a mere 12,500 m3 bdy 1O0h of which was in 1980's the total ban of felling of trees following the 1996 supreme court

116 order. There is practically no legal f e h g even to meet peoples genuine requkmenrt of timber. However, this has encouraged t i m k smugglmg resulting in quite extensive degradation of forest.

Even as the farmers had raised ago-forestry in their agricultural land, the requrement of h e landless had Lo be met 6om forests. They even collected timber and hewood for sellmg -in the market for their sustenance. This is seen to be a major factor for the &gadation of forests.

Lit of NGO members of the Darieeline NGO Network

1. Ajay Rasto@ ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (ATREE) Bungalow#2. Bhujiapani, Bagdopa-734 222 Tel*one No. 55093155 110 atm@te.vsnl.net. iq

2. Alphons Lepha, CONSULTANCY ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CORD) Goethals Siding, Plo. St Mary's W, Kurseong-734 203 Telephone No. (0354) 3 1 100.

3. AmmaFareed~, NORTH EASTERN RESEARCH CENTRE (NERC) St. Joseph's College, Dajeeling-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 53378

4. Amos Thsenng WORLD VISION Hunalaya ADP. 10" Mile. Lower Gumba Hatta, Kalimpong. Telephone No. (03552) 56795lFAX 56795.

5. Ant Sundas. JAWAHAR BUSTY GRAM SUDHAR SAMlTl Jawahar Busty, No. 1. Toong Soang Rond, Darjeeling-734 101

6. Ashok Shwna, CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT CONCERN (CDC) 41A Kailoo Lama Road, Plo. North Point, S-, Dqeelmg. Telephone No. (0354) 70401

7. Bbarat ffakafh Rai FWERATlON OF SOCIETIES FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (FOSEP) Red Cross Buildmg, Dr. S.M. Das Road, weeling-734 101. Telephone No. (0354) 58180

8. Bhuwan Thapa PROJECT SERVE Gymkhana Club Complq DarJwling Telephone No. (0354) 54881 . .

1f3hwl.com sedbhuwanMoo corn

9. Bi$halSharxna ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY (ATREE) Shh-Dha-Pa Tole, Plo. K m n g , Dist Dqeeling-734 203 ~ejephone No. (0354) 44 179

10. Bishnu Malla P L ~ N E R S ALLIANCE FOR THE HIMALAYAN & ALLIED REGIONS (PAHAR) Shsoesh P r a d ArChbts, RBsad Mausions, Chowrasta, Dqeehg-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 53905153036 pabar@ite.\d.net.in

1 1. Budhiman Pradhnn CONSULTANCY ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CORD) Goethals Sidmg, Plo. St. Mary's Hill Kumeong-734 203 Telephone No. (0354) 52661

12. D.S. Rasaily DARIEELING EARTH GROUP 622 Cart Road, Woodlands. Dajeeling-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 52961

13. Dmesh Shrestha DARIEELING SPARSH D q e l i n g Tea House, 15, Ladenla Road, Dqeeling Telephone No. (0354) 52961

1 4. Don Bosco Lepcha SEVA KENDRA Seva Kendra, Plo. Pradhan Nagar. Siligun-734 403 Telephone No. (0353) 5 12 154 skendra@.dte.vsnl.net.in

1 5. Dorji Tshering Sherpa SAVE PARYAVARAN N.B.U. Law College, N.B.U. Raja Rammohan Pur, Dist. Dqeeliog.

16. Dr. Jeta Sanskntayana NORTH BENGAL UNIVERSITY Department of Economic, Plo. North Bengal University. Dist. Darjeeling-734 430 Telephone No. (0354) 581585 (0) FAX (0353) 581 546 jeta s@hotmad.com

1 7. Dr. Kishore Thapa WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE-SMKIM Near Forest Secretaria\ Deorali, Gangtok-737 102. Slklum Telephone No. (03592) 81427lFAX 8 1427 lushore oo@yaho.wm

18. Dr. Nakul Chettri ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY (ATREE) Bungalow No. 2. Bhujiapani, Bagdogra, Wed Bengal-74422 Telephone No. 50093155 1 110 atree@dte.vsnl.net. - Q

19. Dr. Sarala Khaling CREATE Ih Cottage 1, T.N. Road, Dajeeling-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 54509 ~ ~ ~ f f j n a i l . w m

20. EdwinLepcha CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMEN T CONCERN (CDC) 4/A Kailoo Lama Road, Plo. North Point, Singbmm. Dajeeling Telephone No. (0354) 70401

2 1. Felix Yonzon GOETHAL'S YOUTH CLUB Goethalrs Sidmg, Plo. St. Mmy's Hill, Kumong-734 203 Telephone No. (0354) 70401

22. Fr. Cherian Nampeli SJ. W(AS KENDRA Kamjalia Bijanban, Dar~eehg -734 201 Telephone No. (0354) 60389 hcherian@satvam.net. in

23. Fr. Clement Tirkey SEVA KENDRA Plo. Pradhan Nagar, Siliguri, Dist. Dajeeling, Pin-734 403 Telephone No. (0353) 301039

24. Gouri Narayan F'radhan GOETHALS YOUTH CLUB Goethals Sidmg, Plo. St Mary's Hill. Kurseong,- 734 203 Telephone No. (0354) 3 1039

25. Joydeep Bhatachaqee CREATE St. Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling -734 1011 Sukan Tapally, Plo. Siliguri Bazar, Dist. Dajeehng, Pin- 734 405 Telephone No. (0353) 562550 (r) jovd~e~bhattachanee&edi&l.com

26. M a s h Radhan SIKKIM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Tashi Khar, Chungzal Complex, MG Marg, Gangtok- 737 101 sf&&&iMte.vsnl.net.in

27. L.B. Dewan FRIENDS OF TREES FORUM " B A R D D W Knshna Nagar, MI& Dist. Dajeeling - 734 2 14 Telephone No. (0354) 43278

28. Leela Thapa NARI BIKAS SANGATHAN Roka Bhawan Compound, Primtam Road, Kalimpong. Telephone No. (03552) 55078

29. M.K. Pradhan DARJEELING EARTH GROUP Bare Mangwa, Plo. Taklmg-734 312, via Teesta, Dist. Dajeeling

30 Maj K.P. Malla FORUM FOR REDRESSAL AND CONSUMER EDUCATION (FORCE) Red Cross Build= Dr S.M Das Road, Dajeeling -734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 56352 (0) 523319 (r)

3 1. Mqoj Kumar Kujur SEVA KENDRA Plo. Pradhan Nagar, Dist. Dar~eehg, PIN -734 403 f elephone No. 5 1 8 1 54 skeddra@dte.vsnl.net.is

32. Mashqura Fareedi SOCIALLY ACTIVE & CREATIVE YOUTH ASSOCIATION (SAC YA) Clo. R.C.D.C.. Hayden Hall, Dajeeling- 734101 Telephone No..(0354) 53378

33. N.S. Rai PROJECT SERVE Gymkhana Club Complex, Dar~eeling Telephone No. (0354) 54881 poiect serve@ediffhd.wrn

34. Navin Tamang REGlON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (RCDC) 42 Laden-la Road, Hayden Hall DaIjeeling-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 55894156643

35. Noella Edwards RESOURCE PERSON: LAW, DAIUEELING NGO NETWORK Glemy's, Nehru Road, Dar~eehg -734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 53355 noell@hotmail.com

36. Noreen Dunne HAYDEN HALL Hayden Hall, 42 Ladenla Road, Dqeeling 734 101 Telephone No. 53228/53166/FAX 54237 havden(iid.vsnl.net.in

37. Oath Bahadur Dass RED CROSS-KALIMPONG f i l l Top Road, Kalimpong-734 301 Telephone No. (03552) 55264 (oy 53361 (r)

38. Pemb Lama JAWAHAR BUSTY GRAM SUDHAR SAMm Jawahar Busty, No. 1, Toong Soong Road, Daqeeling -734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 52597

39. Prabha Tamang SOCIALLY ACTIVE & CREATIVE YOUTH ASSOCIATION (SACYA) Clo. R.C.D.C., Hayden Hall, Dajeeling- 734101 Telephone No. (0354) 53378

40. Prabhat Rana DIOCESAN BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DISHA) Clo. S.U.M.I., K.D. Pradhnu, Plo. Kalimpong-734 301 Telephone No. (03552) 57925 (o)/ 57178 (r) /FAX 56934 dishadehcnik9vahoo.com

4 1. Priyadarshinee Shrestha ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH IN ECOLOGY & THE ENVIRONMENT (ATREE) S .V. S.L., S. U.M.I., Kg Complex, Kalimpong Telephone No. (03552) 5521 3 /

42. Pukar F'radhan SAVE P A R Y A V M N.B.U. Law College, N.B.U. Raja Rammohan Pur, Dist. Dqeeling Telephone No. 79238 (r)/ 581 3 1 1

43. Pushpa Latta Prentice CONSULTANCY ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT (CORD) . -

Constance Villa, 54 M.V. Read. Plo. Kurseong, Dst. DaIjceling Telephone No. (0354) 443 151 (0353) 5486 12

44. Raja Dayan Lama PROJECT SERVE C/o. Gymkhana Club Complex, Darjeel~ng -734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 54881 davanlam@hotmail .corn

45. Rnju Shanna ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY (ATREE) Lower Dumaram, Plo. Kurseong, Dist. Dajeeling-734 203 Telephone No. (0354) 45086

46. Ramesh Gazmer NATURE & ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACTMSTS (NEPA) M m k Press, Mirik Bazar, Dist. Dqeellng - 734 214 Telephone No. 43 1 101 435 19

47. Roshan R ~ I REGION COMMUNlTY DEVELOPMENT COMMlTTEE (RCDC) 42 Laden-la Road, Hnyden Hall Darjeeling-734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 55894156643 rcdcdore@sanchamet.in rcdcdore@aneelfire. corn

48. Ruchi Pant ASHOKA TRUST FOR RESEARCH ON ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (ATKEE) BungalowU2, Bhujiapani, Bagdop-734 222 Telephone No. 55093155 1 10 &ee@dte.usnl.net. in,

49. S.D. Lama DARJEELING EARTH GROUP Opp. Sukna police Out. Post, Plo. Sukna, Pin. 734 225, Dist. Darjeeling Telephone No. 573259

50. S.Minz SEVA KENDRA SILIGUFU Seva Kendra, Plo. Pradhan Nagar. Siliguri - 734 403 Telephone No. (0353) 51 21 54 skendra@dte.vsnl. net.in

5 1. Smchan Roy Mukherjee NORTH BENGAL UNIVERSITY w e n t of Economics, Plo. North Bengal University, Dist. Darjeeling-734 430 Telephone No. (0353) 58143 (r) 1581485(0) sachan@dte.vsnl.net.in

52. Saroj Giri 2 18, Perivar, J'NU, New Dell1167 saroi eirihhahoo. com

53. Satyen Lama NORTH EASTERN SOCIAL RESEARCH CENTRE (NERC) St. Joseph's College, Plo. North Point, D q e e h g Telephone No. (0354) 7055517021 5

54. Shasheeeh Prasad P L W X ' S ALLIANCE FOR THE HIMALAYAN & ALLIED KEGlONS (PAHAR) S t d m s h P r w d Architects. RMad hrlenslcns. C d . DarJaluq - 734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 539051 53036

55. Sonia Bajoria PLANNER'S ALLIANCE FOR THE HIMALAYAN & ALLIED RWiIONS (PAHAR) Shasheesh P d Arch~lecls. P d W c m s . C b o w t a . DarJeelmg - 734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 539051 53036

56. Supratin (Raj) B m HELP TOURISM 143-HIU Cart Road, Post Box-67, Sihgun-734 410 Telephone No. (0353) 4336831535893lFAX 433683 touri&dte.vsnl.net.in. helutourim@satvam.net.in

57. Urmila Rumba NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS) Loreto College, Mall Road, DarJeellng - 734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 54238

58. Yusuf Simick SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL LANGUAGES (SVSL) Clo S. U.M.I.. K.G. Building, Kalimpmg Telephone No. (03552) 56717155874

59. Rohin D' Souza REGION COMhWNlTY DEVELOPMENT CENTRJ3 R.C.D.C., Hayden Hall, 42 Ladenla Road, DarJeellng - 734 101 Telephone No. (0354) 55894 recddora@sancharnet.in, rcdcdonz@aneel~.com

Source: g o c e e w qCthe 1' A-

AREA AND ISSUE PROFILE OF

SIKKIM

Da~.leeling Ladenla Ro'ld Prcln. I4 C D C Hayden tiLIII -1::. LL~clenl,l Hand D,IIJPC~IIICJ 73-1 1 C) 1

Researchers: ' d V t ! ~ i ~ ~ ~ l ~ ~ ~ < l l , IlldlJ

Ms. Smita Khanna I~IILIIIC (0354) 22558L1.~ E I I I ~ ) ~ ~ I ~ . ~ I , : ~ I ( > I ~ ~ ((1 <;>IIIL I I , I I I I~ ,~ - I.---

Contents

Title Paae No.

Introduction-Physical Features History of Sikkim Indicators of the Economy Integrated Child Development Schemes Why Protect Forests Natural Resources of Sikkim at a glance Area Statistics for Sikkim Forest Cover Circle wise Activities of the Department Afforestation Work Centrally Sponsored Schemes Statement of Revenue Realised During the year 1998-99 Training and Extension Afforestation Under 20 Point Programme Sikkims Contribution to lndias Billion Plus Financial Institutions of the State Government Voluntary Health Association of India Sikkim Development Foundation Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre Weekend Review 'aritcles' Pollution

List of Tables

Title Page NO.' Peaks and Passes of Sikkim 1 Staff Pattern I.C.D.S. 6 lndlcators of the Economy 5 Expansion of ICDS centres since 1975 7 Projectwise Immunization Coverage of Sikkim 1995-200 7 Projectwise Supplementary Nutriion Coverage of Pregnant Women for last 5 years 8 Projectwise Coverage of Supplementary Feeding of Nursing Mothers in ICDS for Last 5 Years 8 Projectwise Pre-School Coverage of Children in Sikkim 1995-200 9 Projectwise Coverage of Supplementary Feeding of Children 6 Month to 6 Years For the Last 5 years 9 Projectwise Population of ICDS Covered Villages Recorded in Village Survey 10 Education (As on 31st March 2000) 10 Teacher Pupil Ratio (As on 31st March 200) 11 Area Statistics For Sikkim-Total State (in Sq.Kms) 13 Area Statistics For Sikk~m-Total State (in Sq.Kms) 13 Area Statistics For Sikkim-Total State (in Sq.Krns) 14 Land Use Statistics For Sikkim-Total State (In Sq.kms) 14 Forest Cover Assesment (Area in Sq.kms) 14 Afforestation Work 17 Nurseries 18 Budget Allocation of Forests, Environment And Wildlife Department For the Year 1998-99 18 Centrally Sponsored Schemes 19 Statement of Revenue Realised During The Year 1998-99 2 1 Training and Extension 2 1 Afforestation Under 20 Point Programme 22 No. of Literate Person By Sex 23 Population and Number of Households 24 Decennial Change of Population at District Level (1971-91) 25 Area, number of tahsils, towns and villages (1991) 25 Distribution of Population by age and sex (1991) 25

Health (as on 31st March 2000) 26 Vital Statistics (Civil Registration System) for the year 1997 to 1999 26

Power as on 31st March 2000 27

Religious Institutions 27 Fisheries 27 Industries (As on 3lst March 2000) 28

Excise (As on 31st March 2000) 28

Co-operation (As on 31 st March 2000) 28

Working Capital (As on 31st march 1999-2000) 28

Agriculture 29 Estimeted production of Principal Crops in 000 Tonnes 29

Land Holdings (Agri Celisus 1990-91) 29

Veterinary Services 30 Census of Livestock Population 1998 30

lrngation (As on 31st March 200) 30

Communication (as on 31st March 200) 3 1

Banking (As on 31st March 200) 3 1

State Bank of Sikkim 3 1

Budgeted Expenditure 32 State Annual Plan (Sectorwise) 32

Transoort Statistics 32

INTRODUCTION

Wedged between the h g d o m s of Nepal in the west and Bhutan in the east lies a small stretch a rugged land just 115 lulornelres by 65 kilometres the Indian slate of Slklum.On its northem border towers the plateau of Tibet whereas it shares its southern border with West Bengal. On the world map it lies at an approximate latitude of 27 degrees North and longitude of 58 degrees h s t .

It has an area of 7096 sq km and surrounded by Uuee countries. Skkim has a 220 km long border with 'Tiber, 100 Ian wilh Nepal, 30 km with B h u h and 80 lan with West Bengal.

PHYSICAL FEATURES Siklu~n has a very rugged bpography and flat lands are difficult to come by. The two principal mountain ranges

are the razor edged Singalila on the western border hat defines the boundnry between Slkkun and Nepal and the undulatmg Chola on the East a part of the border between S L ~ and Tibet. These ranges form an almost impregnable bamer. l'he boundary between Sikkim and Bhutan is defined by the low altitude Pangolia Range in the south eastern part of the state.

Most of the pdcs above 6100 metres (20000ft) lie towards the western border of Siklum. On the western border lies the thlrd lughest mountain of the world- the Kanchenjunga (28168 A) high. Other peuks that stend at altitude of above 6100 metres are Kabru, Siniolchu, Pandim, Rathong, Kolthang, Talung,, Kanglaknang. Simvo and Jamsang. On the eastern border the most imposing peak is Paunhn, at w altitude of about 6700 metres (2200A). The other imposing mountains that are slightly less lhan 6100 metres are Masthonangye, Yabukjakchen, Narsing and lamaongden.

Through the mntre of S i k h runs another mountain ridge in the north to south direction. T h s mountam ridge separates the Teesla and liangit valley and end at the confluence of the two rivers. The penks of lbese ridge are Tendong at 8660R and Maenam at 106 12R.

There are many glaciers in S~kkun but the most unporlant ones are the Zemu glacier, Rathong glacier and the Lonak glacier in North S~klum.

On the eastern Chola range the most important passes ale the Nathula at14140tl and Jelopla at 14350A and Bhutan la at 15030 A-the first two lead to the Chumbi valley in Tibet and the thud to Bhutan. On Ihe western border between Slklum and Nepal lies the Chiwabbanjang pass at 10300 A and Kang la pass. In h e north the important passes are the Chorten nyimala at 191 00 ft and Kongra la.

PEAKS AND PASSES OF SlKKlM

Running from

Comrnenc From Separa- Kanchan- ing from Talungchu ting Height in ft. South to Junga separa-ting Lachen

from Zemu Lachung East Rangit from

9000-1 2000 12001 -1 5000 15001 -1 8000 18001 -21000 21 001 -24000 24001 -27000 27001 &above

state

Talungchu

Other Total

5 12

2 16 1 5 1 7

1 1

4 47 Source: DESMBE

LAKES: On the highway between Ganglok and. Nathula lies the serene Changu (tsongo) lake at an altitude of about

123 loft. Two other lakes nearby are the B'dang cho and the Menmacho Kechopan lake is another well known lake that lies on a bikcation of the route between Gyalsting and Yoksum. The hghest concentration of lakes is on the western border north of Chlwabhanjang towards the Base camp. Some of these lakes are Laxmipokhari, lanpokhan, Majurpokhari, tyin lakes of Ram-laxman, Dud Pokhan an Samiti lake. Gurudogmar, which is the largest and probably the highest in Siklum an Cholamu are some other beautiful lakes in Norlh Sikkun.

IUVERS: -- The river that flows right across the length of S ~ h m is the Teesta meandering through the deep gorges taking

tributaries as it goes. Its major tributary is the Rang11 which originabs &om the Rathong Glacier and meets at the border hetween Siklum and West Bengnl. The river Ramam, a tributary of Rangit an Rangpo chu a tributary of Tista define the Southern border between Siklum and West Bengal. Tista origmates from the lake Cholamu where it is hardly a stream. The rivers of Sikkirn are ~erennial. HOT SPRINGS: Slkkim has many hot springs known for their medicinal and therapeutic value. The most important ones are located at I'hutchachu (Kesh), Taranl-Chu and Yumey Samdong. All these hot springs have h g h sulphur content and are located near the rive; banks. The average temperature of the water in these hot springs is 50 "c. CLIMATE:

One would be surprised to learn that S i b possesses all the climates right fiorn the tropical to the tundras. On most park of the norhem, eastern and western borders the earth is blanketed with snow almost throughout the y w . On the southern border the altitude is as low as the sea level full of rich kopical forests. Even the climate on two opposite sides of a h l l can vary considerably. TEMPERATURE:

At the places of low altitude like Singtarn, Rangpo and Jorethang, the temperatures vary between 4Oc to 3S0c. I'laces l~ke Gangtok with moderate altitudes of about 6000A experience temperature between Ic and 25% whereas at altitudes above 13100 fl., the temperature never above 15"c and remains much below the beezing point during the winters and great part of the spring and autumn. WINFALL:

Siklum is one of the rainiest regions in India. Because of the proximity of Sikkim to the Bay of Bengal and the fact that the mountains of the state come directly in the path of the monsoon clouds, most park of S~klum experience torrential rains during summers.

The northern borders experiences comparitively low rainfall because the monsoon clouds dry out by the time they h t the northern barrier. For the state of comparison , Gangtok registers an average of 325 cm rainfall per annum whereas Muguthan in the extreme north experiences an average ramfall of only 60cm per m u m . LANGUAGE:

The language used for communication in S~kkim is Nepali. However everybody seems to know a smattering of Hindi. In major towns most people can communicate in English. Within okficial correspondences take place in English. l'ihebq Lepcha, Bhutia, and Sikkimese languages are also spoken here.

HISTORY OF SIKKIM

The hstory pertaining to Sikkim before the seventeenth century is not well documented but it is said that somewhere in the hrteenth century a prince named Guru Tash had a &vine vision that he should go south to seek his fortune in Dinzong "the valley of rice". As directed by the divine vision he along with h s family, which included five sons heeded in the southern direction. The family during their wanderings came across the Sakya kmgdom in which a monastery was being built at that time. The workers had not been successful in erecting pillars for the monastery. The elder son of Guru Tash raised the pillar single handedly and thereby came to be known as Khye Bhumsa meaning the superior of ten thousand heroes.

The Sakya king offered h s daughter in marriage to Khye Bhumsa. Guru Tashi subsequently died and Khye Bhumsa settled in Cjumbi Valley and it was here that he established contacts with the Lepcha cheftain Tetong Tek in Gangtok. Khye Bumsa was issueless and it was with the blessings of Tetong Tek who was also a religious leader, that Khye Bumsa was finally blessed with three sons. Out of gratitude Khye Bumsa visited Tetong Tek a number of times thereafter which ultimately c u h a t e d in a treaty of brotherhood between the two cheftams at a place called Kabi Longtsok. This treaty brought about new ties of brotherhood between the Lepchas and Bhutias.

Khye bumsa was succeeded by h s third son Mpn-Rab. The fourth son of Mipon-Rab was Furu Tash and it was he who shfied h s family and tribe to Gangtok. The Lepchas had meanwhle broken down into small clans and thereafter came under the protection of the descendants of Guru Tash.

The great grandson of Guru Tashi was Phunstok and events led to h s becoming consecrated as the first lung of Sikkim. Phuntsok was born in 1604. It would be now not be out of place to digress to events that were taking place in another sphere. The rifls between the Yellow Hat Sect and the Red Hat Sect of the Buddhsts in Tibet had led to the followers of the latter to flee southwards to Slkkim and Bhutan to escape prosecution.

Out of the Red Sect Saints who came to Sikkim in the seventeenth century was Lama Latsun Chembo. He felt that he had a mission to establish a Buddhist monarchy in the hdden country of Denjong. After a long journey he reached a place called Norbungang where he was met by two other holymen. They were Sempa Chembo and Rinzing C'hembo. The place where they met was later named as Yoksum meaning the meeting place of three superior ones. These tluee great holy men had the nlission to establish a Buddhst monastery in this country whch was made up of small clans. Rut whom should they choose as the monarch? They sent search party in the easterly direction. The search party

went in search for a man called Phunstok who was found at Ganglok. He is the same Phuntsek of uhm a mentim h been made earlier and was the great grandson of Guru T&.

Phuntsok left for Yuksom with his family and followers and was cornrated es the King of Sikkim in Lhc yesr 1642 with the title of Chogyal wtuch means the king who rules with riphteorusness. Phuntsok - also confemd the surname Nmngyal.

Phuntsok Namgyal and the three saints inunediately got to the task of sucassfully bringing the Lepcha trilPs under the Buddhist Cold. Politically, S i b expanded its territory which included Chumbi vnlley, Lhe present DerJeeling district and a part of presenl day Nepal and Bhutan The capital of Slklum was establishad in Yoksurn itself. Its was also then that Slkkun derived its name from "sun "M' whch m the Limbu lwgunge means "New HOW" signifivmg the new palace that the first lung constructed.

Phunlsok Namgyal was succeeded by h s son I'ercLing Namgyal in 1670. 'l'enimg Namgyal the capilal tiom Yoksum to Rabdanste near present day Gyalshmg. Tensung Namgyal married thnce. One of his wives was the daughter of the Limboo Cheflain Yo Yo Hang. His son Chakdor Namgyal frm the secorrd wik s d e d him in the year 1700. However h s half sister Pendeongmu, whose mother was 6om Bhutaq claimed that she was entitled to the throne. Because of Ihls fact. serious difFerence arose between her and Chakdor Namgyal had lo flee Slklum and the Bhutanese forces occupied the capital of RaManste. In the process, Kalimpong whlch was part of Siklum was lost to Bhutan. Kalunpong later became a part of British India following a war between Bhutan and the Bntish.

Chakdor choreographed many Lama dances especially the ones perta~ning to the Phang Labsol fes~lval. He also introduced the systenl of sending one son from each family to the monaslery When the Chogyal Chnkdor Ntngyal was ill at the Ralong hot springs in 1760, his half sister Pendeongmu had h m murdered. She was later caught and strangled to death. Gyurmed, Chakdor Namgyal's son succeeded ~JIU in 1717. Gyurmed N q a l reign was uneventful.

Gyurrned Namgyal was succeeded by h s illegitimate son Phuntsok Namgyal 1111733. Phunhok Narngyal was born posthumously. Bhutan tried to occupy S~kkun but the forces of that country were d r i ~ n hack. The Nepalis on the western border of Slklurn started beconung brazen in their imperialistic designs and made £requent attacks into S~kkuns territory.

Phuntsok Namgyal was succeeded by h s illegtinlate son Tenzing Namgyal in 1780. Dunng the reign of Tenzing Namgyal, Nepah forces occupied large chunks of Siklurnese tenitory. They attacked Ksbdanste and the Chogyal had to flee to Tibet. The Nepalis excursions emboldened them to penetrate even into 'Cibet. Th~s led to the Chmese intervention and Nepal was defeated. In the Sino-Nepal treaty. Siklum lost some of its land to Nepal, but monarchy was allowed to be restored in the country. Tenzing Naamgyal died in Lhasa and h s son Tshudphud Nmugyal wns sent to Slklum in 1793 to succeed him as the monarch. Rabda..de was now considered too insecure because of its proximity to the Nepali border and Tsudphud Namgyal shiRed the capilal to a place called Turnlong.

The defeat of Nepal by the Chnese did little to weaken the expansionist designs of the Nepalis. They continued to make attacks into the neighbouring British territories and Siklam. British India succesfdy behended S i b . The British felt that by doing so the expanding powers of the Gorkhas would be curtailed. Brilain also looked fomwd to establishng trade l~nks with Tibet and it was felt that the route lhrough Slklum was the most feasible one.

War between Nepal and British India broke out in 1814 and came to an end in 1816 with the defeat of the Nepalis and the subsequent signing of the treaty of Singauli. As a direct spin-off, British India signed another treaty with Sikkim in 1817 known as the treaty of Titalia in which former territories whch the Nepalis caplured were restored to S h m . H.H. Risley writes in the "The Gazeteer of Sikkim,l894",that by the Treaty of Titalila British India has assunled the position of lords paramount of Sikkim and a title to exercise a predor~~inanl mfluence in that Slate

The British became interested in Dajeeling both as a h l l resort and an out-post from where Tibet and Sllikim would be easily accesible. Following a lot of pressure from the British, Slb-kim finally gifled Dajeeling to British India on the understanding that a certain amount would be paid as nnnual subsidy to Sllikiu~. The glR dccd was siwed by the Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal in 1835. The British appointed a superintendent in the ceded territory. 'The British however did not pay the compensation as had been stipulated and this led to n qu~ck deterioration of relation between the two countries. There were also differences between the British Government and S~kkun over the slatus of people Siklam. Because of the increased importance of Dajeeling, many citizens of Sikkun mostly of the labour class slarted to settle there as British subjects. The migration disturbed the feudal lords in Sikkun who resorted to forcibly gening the mipants back to S i ~ m . This annoyed the British Government which considered t h ~ s acts of hdnapping of British citizens. The relations deteriotated to such an extent that when Dr. Campbell. the Superintendent of Dajmling and Dr. Hooka visited S~kkim The British issued an ultimatum and the two captives were released after a months detention. In Februuy,I 850, an expedition was sent to Sikkim which resulted in the stoppage of the annual grant of Rs.6000 to the Maharaja of Sikkim and also the annexation of Dajeeling and a great portion of Siklam to British India.

Tsudphud Namgyal was succeeded by his son Sidekong Namgyal in 1863. The British Govermnent started the payment of annual subsidy of Rs.60001- in 1850 for Darjeelmg. In an attempt to keep good relations with S ~ ~ L the British e n h a n d the subsidy to Rs.12000 per annum.

Chogyal Sidekong Namgyal died in 1874 issueless and was succeeded by his half brother Thutob ~mngyal.

SOME OLD SIKKIMESE LAWS AND CUSTOM

Marriane Customs of the Sikkklmese. If the eldest brother takes a wife, she is common to al l h s brothas. If the second brother takes a wife, she

is common to all the brothers younger than himself. The eldest brother is not allowed to cohabit with the wives or the younger brothers. Should there be chldren in the fust case, the children are named after the eldest brother, whom they call father. In case2, after the second brother & c. Three brothen can marry three sisters, and all the wives are common, but thls case is not very often seen In such a case the chldren of the eldest girl belong lo the eldest brother, & c. if they each bear chldren. Should one or more not bear chldren, then the chlldren are apportioned by arrangement. Two men not related can have one wife in common, but this arrangement is unusual. A man occasionally lends his wife lo a hend, but the custom is not general and uncommon.

If a girl becomes pregnant before marriage and afterwards marries the father of the chld, the chlld is cons~dered legitimate, but the Inan is fined a bull or its equivalent, which go to her relalives. Should the man by whom the girl was made pregnant not nlarry her, and should she afterwards marry another, the chld remains with the woman's brothers or relatives. A woman is not considered &shonoured by having a child before marriage. m a n o t h e r ' s wife or adultery.

The old law runs that if any one takes a Raja's or Lama's wife, he may be banished, have his hands cut off, or his penis cut off. He may also have to pay a weight in gold equal to h s penis and testicles. For violating woman of different position 30z. of gold have to be paid to the woman's relations and 4 gold srang to the Government, besides Inany things in kind.

For violating of a woman of the same position, 2 or 3 fold srang and several h d s of articles have to be paid. If the woman goes of her own accord to the man, he has only to pay 1 gold srang and three kinds of articles. Should one man's wife entice another married man to go with her, she has to pay seven things in kind. Should a man and wonlan cohabit on a journey there is no fme.

Ihe British meanwhile were malung concerted efforts to establish trade links with Tibet and also impose their influence. l'he Britishers started building roads in Slkkirn. This was viewed with suspicion by Tibet and in 1886, some Tibetan militia occupied Lingtu in Sikkim near Jelepa pass.

The Britishers appointed Claude White as the first Political Officer in Siklum in 1889 and Chogyal Thutob Namgyal was virtually under his supervision. Claude White played a pioneering role in bringing about rndical changes in the administrative setup as well as improving the economy of the state by introducing revenue earning agricultural methods.

Thutob Namgyal shfled the capital fiom Turnlong to Gangtok in 1894.

The varden ~ a r t v at the Cawtok Residencv in 1890 My fust party would have seemed very quaint to European eyes. I had invited the Maharaja and Maharani,

with the members-of council, and all Kazis and headmen with-their wives and fanilies. A goodly crowd assembled about four hours before the appointed time and lined the road just outside the Residency grounds, sitting about on the grassy edges until they were told they might come in, determined not to be late. Most of them had never seen, much less tasted Eurpean sweets or cakes, and when tea-time came they simply cleaned the tables of everythng, and what they could not eat they carried away in fiont of their voluminous glasses, and it all took place so quietly whle my wife and 1 were with the Maharaja and Maharani and more important guests in another tent. I hardly realised what was going on. The spoons and glasses, whch I thnk they wanted as mementos of the good time they had, were returned, on the Phodong Lama and Shoe Duane remonstrating, and they departed very happily, declaring they had hghly enjoyed their entertainment, and that all their heads were going round, a polite way of saying1 had not slinbd the dnnks. They were always a very chmful crowd and very pleasant to deal with, though indolent and improvident. After my house was finished, notlung pleased them more than to be allowed to wander round the rooms, especially the bedrooms. They never touched anyting but lked to see how we lived and what European furmture was lke . Almost every market day little bands of women dressed in their best clothes would arrive with few eggs, a pat of butter to make their salaams to my wife a request that they might be allowed to go over to the house, and their progress was marked with exclamations and gurgles of laughter at the strange of Sahib-log. While the house was building, the Maharam came several times to see how it was getting on, and told me I had built the walls much too thin and it would never stand. In their own houses and monasteries the walls are very t h c k kom 4 feet 6 inches, and have always a small chamber. However, later on I had the best of the argument when, in the earlhquake of 1897, the palace, notwithstanding its thck walls, collapsed entirely and had to be rebuilt, while the Residency, though badly cracked, remained standing.

Inteerated Child Develo~ment ServiceslICDSl Social welfare.

Women and Child Develo~ment Division. Children are the most precious of our resources. About 17% of our population consists of children and most of

them live in villages with inadequate facilities in terms of health, education and nutrition. Government of India adopted the National Policy for Children to ensure comprehensive chld developmerit

services on a National scale for overall development of chldren and uplifbnent of women in rural.tribal, city-slum and backward areas in the country. It was formally implemented ffom 2nd October 1975.

In Sikkim, one block was adopted for ICDS programme in h e same year, covering South and West Districts, ~mder the department of Health an Social Welfare. The fust project of Slklum. Namch-Gynlshing Roject had a sanctioned strength of 150 ICDS centres. After1978-79, all the four projects namely Singlam. Mangan. Namch and Gyalshmg had a strength of 75 centres each.

The Govt. of S~kkun created a full fledged Department of women and child w e h e froni 1995 and ICDS came under its p u ~ e w but lately it is known as Social Welfare Women and Child Development Division ICDS is cent percent centrally located. Qbiectives: Ihe uroeramme seeks to:-

-reduce the "incidence of low birth weight and severe malnutrition among children. -bring down the mortahty and morbidity rates among children 0-6 years old. -reduce school drop-out rates trough early stimulation programmes for chldren of 3-6 years. -provide the environmental conditions necessary for the mental, physical and social development of chldren.

To aclueve these objectives, a series of package are provided to the beneficiaries of ICDS through the anganwadi worker in the village at the anganwadi centre. Anganwadi worker is a local body selected as an honorary worker. The s e ~ c e s are:-

Supplementary feeding. Immunisation Referral services Health check-up Nutrition and health education Pre-school education

Women play a major role in cluld development under ICDS and the groups of women who get special attention are: Pregnantwomen Nursing mothers (fust 6 months) Adolescent girls.

staff pattern East North South West Urbanslum Total CPDO 1 1 1 1 1 5

supervisor 7 5 6 6 1 2 5 A W W S 149 87 110 110 2 5 496 Helpers 149 87 110 110 25 496

Officestaff S.A. 1 1 1 1 1 5 LDC 2 2 2 2 2 10 Peon 1 1 1 1 1 5 Driver 1 I 1 1 1 5 M . O . 1 1 1 1 1 5 ANM 6 6 6 6 4 28

Glossary: CPDO- Child Development Project officer A WWS- Anganwadi workers SA-Slatistical Officer MaMedical Officer ANM- Auxiliary Nurse mid-wife LDC-

Monitorine Motivation and Cootinuine Education. Monitoring motivation and continuing education of workers at the periphery are the most important activily of

ICDS. It has a built in system of keeping records of immunization, health check-up, birth and death, supplementary feeding, and pre-school activities at Anganwadi cenlre. And based on these records, the workers send an updated report every month to the -CP& through supervisors. -MO through lady health visitors.

G e r compilation, these reports are sent to D e h , Deparknmt of Wornen iind Child, Muustry of Hunun Itesource, Govl. of India and Central Techcal Cell, D e h respectively.

Expansion of ICDS centres since 1975

In 1975-76, one project was operating with 150 ICDS centres scattered all over backward, m a 1 and tribal areas of S~kkim. But withm a span of twenty years it has increased to five ICDS Projects and 496 ICDS centres.

P W . 1997-98 1 1

DUCATIONAL ENGG.

WHY PROTECT FORESTS Our experience shows that the rapid destruction of forest has been posing perpendicular as well as horizontal

problems direct& and indirectly effecting the weaker section of the society. The crux of the problem has culmlnakd into The earnings of the poor born the forest subslantially have decreased. Unemployment among rural people has mounted. Poverty has been increasing. Pauperization, margvlalisation and polarisation are other phenomena. Vast geograplucal area of the country has turned into desert. Environment has been destroyed and polluted. Eco-system shows imbalance and shakiness. Frequent visits by droughts and flood. More pressure on agriculture for livelihood. Flora and Fauna are vanishmg. Innumerable plant and animal species have been vanishing away born the surface of the earlh and others are in extinction threshold. Energy crisis has increased. Forest based industries are decreasmg. Revenue to the public exchequer has come down. Man has been to hard to nature. Longevity of the human life has come down. Nature is no more a treasure and source of pleasure, consolation for the poets, pilgrims, bereaved v n s . The Eco-system, environment and climatic condition has considerable change into toto.

NATURAL RESOURCES OF SIKKIM AT A GLANCE

Fauna Mammals Birds Butterflies Reptiles Frogs

Flora Orchds Rhododendron Flowering Plants Conifers Ferns Medicinal Plants

81 species 550 species 650 species 33 species 16 species

550 species(95 genera) 36 species(45 varieties) 4000 species 9 species 300 species Plenty(not enumerated)

and herbs

Mountains etc. Mountains and peaks 28 Number Glaciers 21 -do- Lakes 180 -do-

8 Rivers and Streams 104 -do-

RESTRICTED AND PROTECTED TREES Restricted Trees

Dar Khaman Tooni Panisaj Sisum Juniper Mol Bahuni Kath Rani Champ Jat Katus Protected Trees Malagiri Yew Tree Chirnal (all kinds) Gurans (all kmds) Chewri Tamala (Cinnamomum zylancium) Kmbu

8 Sml;auli Amala Hma Barra Bar (Ficus bengalensis) Pipal (Ficus religosa) Labar (Ficus elastics) Siltimbw and any other species which may be included bom time lo time.

LIST OF HIGH ALTITUDE ALPINE TIBETAN MEDICINAL PLANTS Cupressus torulosa

m Sophora florescens Rhodendron cephalanthum Savina recurva Pterocarpus hookeri Rhodedendron campanulaturn Arislolocha saccate Melothna heterophylla Setera glauca Meconopsis sp. Genliana tibetica Lancea tibetica Gentirna dahurica Rhodiola saera

24. 1 LAND SLIDE AREAS 25. 1 MISCELLANEOUS

TOTAL

5.37 6.93

5452.39

5.16 6.30

1643.59

10.53 13.23

7095.78

0.15 0.19

100.00

SOURCE: INDlAN REMOTE SENSING SATELIJTE L4 /ZSS i i ) DATA OF NOVEMBER. 1988

FOREST COVER-COMPARATIVE SflUATION (1 987-89) FOREST COVER ASSESMENT (AREA IN SQ.KMS.)

SL, 1 STATE1 1 1987lASSE- I 1989ASSE- I DIFFER- I CHANGE

CIRCLE WISE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT Territorial Circle. Territorial Circle deals with the implementation of Ind~an Forest Acl, 1927, S i k h Faests, Water Courses, Road Reserve (Protection and Reservation) Act.1988 and Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Prevention and conbol of forest fires, control of illicit felling of trees, control and regulation of movement of timber and other forest produce, ccmtrol and eviction of encroachment, issuing marlung orders, transit permils as well as afforestation are the activities carried out by Territorial Circle. Social-Forese Circle Social Forestry Circle implements the 50:50 Centrally Sponsored Scheme A m Onenled Fuelwood and Fodder Project in all the four dislricls. Creation of Awareness among the rural people for rais~ng fuelwood. f d e r and timber yieldng trees and grasses in the wastelands and in the hinges of the cultivated lands and distribution of seedlings to the villagers for planling in individual holdings are some of the activities carried out by th~s Circle. Land-use Circle T h s Circle carries out the activities mainly related to soil and water conservation in the state. Afforestation i d othere soil conservation activities such as wgetntiw engineering, dry rubble masonry work etc. is being carried out in 42 identified watersheds by Land-Use Circle. Wildlire Circle The Wildlife Circle looks after the activities whch are oriented toward ,protection and preservation of endangered flora and fauna in the state. The activities of the circle are widespread in the protected area network of the wildlife sanctuaries and the high altitude Khangchanbonga National Park ImplemmLation of Wildlife Protection Act. 1972 in all f o g district and management of the protected area network is the main fmcticm of h s circle. The protected area network comprises of the following National Park and Sanctuaries.

1. Khangchendzonga National Park 1784.00 Sq.k.m. 2. Fambonghlo WildMe Sanctuary 51.76 Sq.k.rn. 3. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary 31.00 Sq.k.m. 4. M o i m Wildlife Sanctuary 34.35 Sq.k.m. 5. Shmgba Rhododendron Sanctuary 43.00 Sq.k.m. 6. Barsey Rhcdodendron Sanctuary 104.00 Sq.k..m

Utilization Circle This is the commercial circle of the department. Extraction of Wind-fallen Trees, trees Gom project sites where

forest land is diverted lo the user agencies, extraction of poles horn thinning of old plantations and conversion into I timber, firewood and charcoal and sale of these foresdt produce is done by this Circle. The lWDP Division under the Utilization Circle implements the Integrate Afforestation and lkc+Dwelopment Project in Rangpuchu Watershed m , theEast District., W o r k Plan Circle

Thls isicreated to prepare Working Plans for all the four district of the State incorporaling all the aspects of the scientific management of the natural as well as plantation forests of the state. This Circle is in the advanced stage of

lwiting the W o r m Plan for Sikki~n for the next 10-20 years. The NFTP Division of this circle inlplemenls the 100YoCS Scheme of Non-Timber Forest Produce including Medicinal plants in the slate. !:orest Conservation Act. 1980 Cell

T h s Circle mainly Functions to obtain clearance of projects unda Forest (Conservation) Acl, 1980. Reahation of the Crop Compensation and the amount of money for compensatory afforestation is done by this Circle. lLoloev and l2rmonment C&

Treatment of the Catchment Area of Rangit Hydroelectric Project in Soulh and West Districts. Morutoring of Ilnvironment and Pollution of air and water Wetland Conservation, Eco-Development of Urban Areas, treatment of catchment areas of rural water supply, maintenance of Jawaharlal Nehru Botnnical Oarden, Pinatum, Arboratum and Germ Plasm Bank etc. is done by h s Circle. Research Education and Extension Circle

This Circle is in charge of all the research oriented activities related to Foreslry wildlife preservation, seed development etc. Th~s circle operates the Centrally sponsored scheme of Seed Demlopment whch includes the seed testing laboratory and the mist chamber. tiimalavan Zooloejcal Park Circle

The Hunalayan Zoological Park is established at Bulbuley which is about klometres fiom the main town of (iangtok for the purpose of providing recreation and education need of the local people as well as the visiting tourists in ex-situ conservation of wildlife. T h s zoological park provides the natural habitat to the animals. Currently, this park harbours the following animals:

Kmalayan Black Bear. RedPanda Goral BarkmgDeer. Wolves. Clouded Leopards. Civet Cats1 Monkeys. Monal Pheasant etc.

Planning and Administration Circle. The principal role of this circle is to assist the principal CCF-cum-Secretary.In all matters related to policy to

policy matters, planning the activities to be undertaken by the department, monitoring the progress of the schemes being implen~ented by different circles and reporting the progress of the state as well as central governments. T h s circle also denl wilh the works of management of IFS and SFS cadres, training of IFS and SFS officers, inter as well as intradepartmental meetings. Reply to Parliament Questions, Cases of the Department in the Supreme Court and Co- ordination with lhe different Muishies in the Government of Indea, Planning Commission, preparation of Five Year Plan and Annual Plans etc. is being taken care of by this Circle. Sericulture Directorate

The Sericulture Directorate is responsible for development of Sericulture in S~kkim. Till the end of the Eighth Five Year Plan, the activities of sericulture were at low profile but has picked up pace 6om the beginning of the Ninth Five Year Plan The state government has approved the project for Rs.5.00 crore for " Development and Extension of Sericulture in Sikkun" in the Ninth Five Year Plan. Although the activities are currently confined to the three districts viz. East, South and west, suitable areas of North District also will be taken in the later stage of the project. 115 villages and 1300 families have been earmarked to be covered during the project period of five years. The Central Board has also agreed to provide financial assistance for training of sericulture farmers and for infrastructure development of the project. The &rectorate is maintaining thee sericulture f m , one each in East, South and West District. The main objectives of the Sericulture Directorate are:

Rearing of improved variety of silkworms. Propagation of M u l b q seedlings Distribution of the seedlings to the villagers. Providing training, financial assistance, hhslructure and other inputs for silkworm cultivation in the state. Organising awareness camps in the villages.

Training for silkworm cultivation was provided to 12 farmers in the year 1997-98 and to 80 farmers in 1998-99. Each of the farmer (beneficiary) was given (i) Stipend Rs.5001- with kee fooding and lodging, (ii)Rs.5,000/- for low cost rearing house, (iv)Rs.550 for weeding and manuring, (v) Dala & Chandraki worth Rs30001- (vi) subsidy in mulberry saplings Rs.30001-. Hence each beneficiary was provided with Rs. 13,3001- in cash and in kind. The 12 beneficiaries 1997-98 and the 80 beneficiaries of 1998-99 who adopted sericulture farming, have started earning from silkworm cocoons produced by them. The department purchased cocoons worth Rs. 1 1,8281- 6om the 12 beneficiaries adoptedd in

the year 1997-98. In the year 1998-99, Rs.44.3321-was realised from the beneficiciaries being mst of saplings at JuMissd rates. Directorate of Fisheries

The Directorate of Fisheries is one of the Direcrorate under Forests,Envirment and Wildlife Department. 'Iha main objectives of thls directorate are:

Conservation and propagation of ~nland fishes. Production and distribution of fish seeds to the farmen ideresled in pisciculture.

8 ProviQng financial assistance and loens to the fanners for fish cultivation under Fish Fannm h l o p m c n l Agency. Conservation and propegation of Mahaseer in the main rivers of lhe state. Propagation of Trout in Memoitso and release h e f i l lqy in the fresh water lakes in hgh altitudes etc.

AFFORESTATION WORK AAbrestalion was the major activity of the deparment. Ova 8,000 Hectares of forest as well as non-foresl land

was covered by plantation dunng the year 199899. Aiforestation work carried by different circles/wings of the Deptulmnent are as follows.

&a a Name of C i r c l d S c b CsEm?d No. & 1. Tenitorial Circle 200 2. Social Foreslry Circle (through the respeclive Zilla Panchayat 400 3. Land use Circle 102 4. Environment and Pollution Control 20 5 Sericulture 3 2 6. Srimitivan Bulbuley, Gangtok 4 7. Catchment Area Treatment of Rangit

Hydro-Electric Roject 2262 8. Eco-Development in Fambonghlo

Wildlife Sanctuary 4 2 9. Integrated Wastelands Development

Project in Rongni Chu Watershed 667 10. Compensatory Afforestation 18 1 1. Integrated Afforestation and ED

Development Project in Rangpochu Watershed 1900

12. Integrated Afforestation and Ec* Development Project in Dzongu Watershed 790

13. Non-Timber Forest Produce inuding Medicinal plants 790 Total 7537

Apart horn the above, affurestation work of over 500 was also carried out by different Schools, non-government organizations, panchayats during World Environment Day, Vanamotsava. A substantial area of fallow land of individual farmers was also covered in all the four dislricts by the villagers by planlrng seedhgs of fodder, fuelwood and timber for their bonafide use.

NURSERIES Forests, Environment and Wildlife Department has been maintaining about 205 Hectares of nurseries all over the slate to meet the seed- requirements of seedhgs for distribution to public and olher agencies. l'be mud production of seedlings in these nurseries is over 100 lakhs. Details of nurseries managed by different CircleslI)lvisions and theu dislribution districts is as follows.

( 1 7) Regeneration of Conifer Forests (1 8) C o n ~ p s a t o r y Afforestation (1 9) Plantalion of Medicinal Plwls and Herbs (20, Logging (2 1 ) Tra~ning and Extension (22 ) Direction and Admuus(rat~on or Wildl~fe Cucle (23) Propagation and Conservation of Wildlife R d u c i s

(24) kvelopment of Olher Sanctuaries 6.00 (25) Development of Hmalayan Zoological Park Major Head

4406-Capital Outlay on Forestry and Wildlife 35.00 (26) Communica~im 1.00 (27) Building 1o.00

Sub-Total

0 Out of Rs.492.89 lakhs.Rs.26.62 lakhs is the amount realised kom Ihe user agencies for compensaloq atTorestation under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 againsi forest land diverted for different projects.

Centrallv S~onsored Schemes.

Amount Sl.no Name of Scheme Sponsoring Agency Rs. In

Lakhs 1 Seed Developmnt Ministry of Env.B Forests 9.65 2 5O%Central Share of fuelwood plantation do 68.52

3 Non-Timber Forest Produce including

do Medicinal Plants

4 Development of Moinam Wildlife Sanctuary do

5 ~ e v e l o ~ m e n t of Shingba Rhododendron

Sanctuary

6 Development of Kanchandzonga National Park do 12.51

7 Assistance from Zoo Authority of India Zoo Authority of India 8.87 lntegrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Ministry of Forests

Project in Rangpochu Watershed 207.00

9 Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development d o

Proiect in Dzongu Watershed - 10

Integrated Wastelands Development Project in Ministry of Rural Developmen, 35.00 Rongnichu Watershed

11 Integrated wastelands Development Project in d o 6.96

Naga-Kazor Watershed

12 Integrated Wastelands Development Project in Ministry of Rural Developmen, 13.74

Turung Namthang Watershed

13 Integrated Wastelands Development Project do 20.82

in Ringyang-Ramvang Watershed 14 Swarna Jayanti Kunj Plantation do 0.45

Sub-Total 565.61

'The Scheme was transferred to the Zilla Panchayat, West District in 1999-2000

Total State Plan 492.88

Total CSS 565.61

Total Under Forestry and Wildlife 1,050.50

Ibemand No.35: Soil and Water Conservatlon

Major Head: 2402 Soil and Water Conservation 1. Direction and Administration 36.00 2. Soil Conservation in Watershed Areas 92.00 3. Soil Conservation in other Areas 6.14 4 . Waler Conservation of Perennial Sources 3.86 5. Strengthening of Stale Landuse Board 2.00

Total under Soil & Water Conservation 144.00

Demand No.50: Other Scientific Research Major Head: 3435 Ecology and Environment

State Plan 1. Direction and Administration 2. Environment Education Training & Extension 3. Conservation Programmes 4. h4amtenance of J.N. Botanical Garden 5. Prevention of Air & Water Pollution

Sub-Total-State Plan 26.00

Centrnllv Soonsored Schemes

SI. No Name of Scheme

1 National Environment Awareness Campaign

2 Setting up of Pollution Awareness 8 Assistance Booths

Total CSS Total under Ecology and Environment Total Budgetry Provislon(plan) under Forests, Environment 8 Wildlife Department

Sponsoring Agency Amount Rs.in Lakhs

Ministry of Env. 8 Forests 1.91

do 6.00 7.91

STATEMENT OF REVENUE REALISED DURING THE YEAR 1998-99

DepartmenVoff ices Amount Roads and Bridges East 8 North Rs. 12,79,870.00 Roads and Bridges South &West Rs. 10,54,576.00 Buildings and Housing Rs. 5.64,236.00 Public Health and Engineering Rs. 29,387.00 Irrigation and Flood Control Rs. 14,37,081.00 Rural Development Department EastJNorth Rs. 3.03.080.00 Rural Development Department SouthWest Rs. 5,64,682.00 Education Department Rs. 86,653.00 Power Department Rs. 6,120.00 Health Department Rs. 17,740.00 District Collector, South Rs. 1,20,595.00 District Collector, West Rs. 39,744.00 N.H.P.C. Rs. 9,30,138.00 U.D. & H.D.. Rs. 3,49,522.00 Crop Compensation Rs. 42,84,033.00 Landuse 8 Environment(F0rest) Rs. 3,21,730.00 Utilization Circle(Forest) Rs. 1,78,020.00 D.F.O.(T) East Rs. 27,99,503.00 D.F.O.(T) South Rs. 3,68,803.00 D..F.O.(T) North Rs. 86,182.00 D.F.O.(T) West Rs. 2,21,477.00 Wildlife Circle (Forest) Rs. 11,273.00 C.F. Territorial Rs. 3,90,985.00 PCCFISecretary's Office(Forest Headquarters) Rs. 1,52,291.00 Working Plan Circle(Forests) Rs. 4.675.00

26 Social Forestry (East) Rs. 3,729.00 Total Revenue Realized during the Yearl998-99 Rs. 1,56,Of3,098.00 Target for the Year 1998-99 Rs. 1,40,00,000.00 ~evenue realized Target Exceeded by

Rs . 1,56,06,098.00 Rs. 16,06,098.00

TRAINING AND EXTENSION. Rekesher courses, short term traimngs and compulsory trainings are being attended by the officers of h s

Department regularly. Apart iiom these trainings, the department has been organiiing workshops, seminars and awareness programmes to educate the people about the importance of environment and forests, and their impact in sustau~ability of the living beings in Ulis planet. Following are some of the programmes organized by Forests, Environment and Wildlife Deparlment during the Year 1998-99

AFFORESTATION UNDER 20 POINT PROGRAMME Afforestation, Natural Regeneration, Pasture Development (Fodder Plantation), Plantation, of Bamboo other

Mmor Forest Produce as well as Medicinal Plants is Being carried out by Forests, Environment and Wildlife Department regularly. Area under both forest as well as private lands covered under plantation during the last 30 years is given below.

SI. Period of Gowrnmnt land Private Land Total Area Area No. Afforestation in M a r e s 1 1971 -80 7.463.00 1,317.00 8,780.00 2 1980-85 3,332.65 676.35 4,509.00 3 1985-86 1,6@3.25 558.75 2,235.00 4 1986-87 1,470.00 490.00 1,960.00 5 198788 1,511.25 503.75 2,015.00 6 1 98889 1,616.25 538.75 2,155.00 7 198990 1,852.50 617.50 2,470.00 8 1 m 9 1 3,416.25 1,138.75 4,555.00 9 1991 -92 4,622.47 1,580.82 6,163.29 10 1992-93 5,484.00 1,828.00 7,312.00 I I 1993-94 5,786.70 1,928.90 7,715.60 12 1994-95 6,900.00 2,300.00 9,M0.00 13 199596 7,189.50 2,398.50 9,586.00 14 1-7 7,500.00 2,500.00 10,000.00 15 1 997-98 6,356.56 2,610.30 9,966.86 16 199899 7,537.00 500.00 8,037.00

Total 73,271.82 20,713.07 9398A89

NO. OF LITERATE PERSON BY SEX Male No. 8600 58672 26923 22941 117226 Female No. 4565 37607 16332 13211 71714 Total No. 13255 96279 43254 36152 188940 LITERACY BY SEX Male % 63.64 73.10 63.18 54.92 65.74 Female % 40.69 55.66 43.7 35.26 46.69 Total % 53.47 65.13 54.08 45.62 56.94

S.T. Population No. 17301 37632 16670 19297 90901 %age of S.T. Yo Population 55.38 21.09 16.91 19.66 22.36

S.C. Population No.

1111 12482 5564 4927 24084 %ageofS.C. % Population 0.35 6.99 5.64 5.02 5.93

Total Workers No.

%age of Workers % 44.13 38.51 42.78 44.86 41.51 PROJECTED POPULATION(in 000) Years 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Male 299 307 31 5 323 33 1 338 Female 277 286 295 304 312 321 Total Population 576 593 61 0 627 643 659

Sikkim' s contribution to India's Billion Plus The provisional population totals released by the Director, Census Operations on 27" March 2001 puts S~kkun's

current population at 5,40,493, up 32.98 per cent from last time(1991). The national h d a l growth rate slands at 21 34 per cent.

Among the dislricts, East recorded the highest growth at 37.17 per cent with South and North recording 33.37 and 3 1.32 per cents respectively. Sikkim recorded its hlghest decadal growth between 1971-81 when Lhe population increased by 50.77 %. Interestmgly, the decade between 191 1-21 recorded a negative growth rnte of -7.05%. Experts believe this to be the result of an Influenza epidemic that had struck the then hmalayan Kmgdom.

Another interesting aspect revealed in the provisional population totals is the sex ratio whlch has gone down progressively for S~kkim. The latest figures show 875 females per thousand males. down slightly horn 1981-91's 878. The Director mentioned that the dip in sex ration is d y because of the increase in h e number of nugrant labour in the state.

The sex ratio in North district is 752, down from 1981-91's 828. West, boasts by far the healhest sex ratio of 930 females per thousand males.

m l e c~mmenting on the problems faced by Ule enumerators in Siklnm, the Director stated that while most Siklamese were helpful, the enumerators did face some problems due to the large number of nuclear farmlies in the urban areas. Such confurlion arose primarily horn the " confusing demarcation of boundaries (rural-urban)" in S~kkun.

Table Al-Po~ulation and number of households (1991) --

Total1 Population

Number of District Rural1 Households

Urban Persons Males Females

Total1 Sikkim

406,457 21 6,457 19,030 76,329 369,451 195,277 174,174 69,213

Urban1 37,006 21,150 15,856 7,116 Total1 31,240 17,090 14,150 6,658

North Rural1 District 30,437 16,582 13,855 6,489

Urban 803 508 295 169

East Total1 178,452 95,986 82,466 34,241

District Rural1 146,580 77,862 68,718 28,085 Urban 31,872 18,124 13,748 6,156 Total1 98,604 52,105 46,499 17,924

South Rural1 District 96,035 50,588 45,447 17,441

Urban 2.569 1.517 1.052 483

West Total1 98,161 51,246 46,915 17,506

District Rural1 96,399 50,245 46,154 17,198 Urban 1,762 1,001 761 308

Source:"Sikkim State District Profile,l991", Census of lndia,1991, Government of India

T a b l e A 2 - D e c e n n I a I c h a n g e o r p o p u l s t l o n a t D I s t r I c t l e v e l ( 1 9 7 1 - 9 1 )

D i s t r i c t P o p u l a t i o n A b s o l u t e P e r c e n t ~ l e A n n u a l i n c r e a s e i n c r e a s e g r o w t h r a t e

N o r t h 1 9 7 1 1 3 . 0 1 4 1 9 8 1 2 6 , 4 5 5 1 3 , 4 4 1 1 0 3 . 2 8 7 3 5 1 9 9 1 3 1 , 2 4 0 1 , 4 8 5 1 8 . 0 9 1 . 6 8 E a s t 1 9 7 1 8 5 . 6 2 1 1 9 8 1 1 3 8 , 7 6 2 5 3 , 1 4 1 6 2 . 0 7 4 . 9 5 1 9 9 1 1 7 8 , 4 5 2 3 9 , 6 9 0 2 8 . 6 0 2 5 5

S o u t h 1 9 7 1 5 3 , l 8 5 1 9 8 1 7 5 , 9 7 6 2 2 . 7 9 1 4 2 . 8 5 3 . 6 3 1 9 9 1 9 8 , 6 0 2 2 2 , 6 2 8 2 9 . 7 8 2 6 4 W e s t 1 9 7 1 5 8 , 0 2 3 1 9 8 1 7 5 , 1 9 2 1 7 , l 6 9 2 9 . 5 9 2 6 3 1 9 9 1 9 8 , 1 6 1 2 2 , 9 6 9 3 0 . 5 5 2 . 7 0

S o u r c e s . ( a ) R e g i s t r a r G e n e r a l o f I n d i a ( 1 9 8 1 ) " C e n s u s o f I n d i a , 1 9 8 1 , S e r i e s 1 9 , S i k k i m P a r t l l l , A & B , G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a . ( b ) R e g i s t r a r G e n e r a l o f I n d i a ( l 9 9 1 ) ' C e n s u s o f l n d i a , 1 9 9 1 , S e r i e s 2 2 , S i k k i m P a r t X l l - A 8 6 D i s t r i c t C e n s u s H a n d b o o k M , G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a .

Table A3-Area, number of tahsils, towns and villages(1991) Total area Number of Number of

District (in Sub Tows

Total Inhabited Uninhabited Sq.k.m.) divisions

Sikkim 7.096 8 8 453 447 6 - -

North District 4,226 2 1 53 53 East District 954 2 3 134 130 4 South District 759 2 2 145 144 1 West District 1,166 2 2 121 120 1 Source: "Sikkim State District Profile, 1991, Government of India.

Table Mstributiond Population by age and Sex(1991)

Totav Total

Popdation Y w l t t i o n in the qe g w mraV U r n

sex a n a r n ) 0 4 5 9 IS14 ' 1544 4558 60-79 801.

P e m 406 12.6 13.5 13.0 46.1 8.8 4.1 0.4 Total hllale~ 216 12.1 12.7 12.5 48.6 9.9 1.5 0.4

F e n d e ~ 190 13.3 14.5 13.6 45.6 7.6 3.8 0.4 person^ 369 13.0 13.8 13.1 45.2 8.9 4.3 0.4

Rural W e 5 195 12.5 13.0 12.7 45.4 10.0 4.7 0.4 Fernales 174 13.5 14.7 13.6 45.0 7.7 3.9 0.4

Persot'ts 37 9.4 10.9 12.1 55.3 7.7 2.7 0.3 Urban w e 5 21 836.0 9.7 11.2 57.2 8.7 2.8 0.3

Females 16 10.5 12.6 13.2 52.7 6.4 2.7 0.3

Soum: "Sikkim State Distrid Rofile. 1991", Census d India, 1991, Source: Directorate of Economics. Shtislics. Monitorim & Evaluation Plannim & De\.eloo~nel)t D ~ D L Govl. of S~klum. Ganbok.

- - HEALTH (As on 31 st March 2000) Par t i cu la rs U n i t N o r t h E a s t S o u t h W e s t S t a t e Hospitals (Inc. Manipal) P H C PHCS Beds (in position) (excluding Manipal) Dotors in position (r!xcluding M anipal) Auxiliary Nurses 8 Mid Wives (in position) (excluding Manipal) Staff Nurses (excluding M anipal) Paients treated indoor (excluding M anipal)

Patients treated outdoor (excluding M anipal)

Patient reffered Outside 838 838 S~lkk im for Treatment

Population per Doctor 2,888 17,326 4,401 6,305 2,679 (Inc. STNM Hospital)

Private Clinic 8 Doctors 12 4 1 17

Private Pathologies 8 Diagnostic Centres

5 2 1 8

Source-Dept t . O f H e a l t h a n d F a m i l y W e l f a r e

VITAL STATISTICS (CIVIL REGISTRATION S Y S T E M ) F O R T H E YEAR 1997 TO 1999

Particulars Uni t North East South West State Registration C No. 4 13 7 8 32 LIVE B I R T H REGISTERED Current No. 1640 9912 5069 4600 21221 Delayed Total 1 ,

D E A T H REGISTERED Adult N o. 219 1194 59 1 636 2640 Infant 8 ,

Total Source:S.R.S. Bulletin Apri1,.2000)

BIRTHS,DEATHS AND INFANT MORTALITY R A T E S SlKKlM I INDIA

YEAR B R D R IM RI B R D R IM R

1998 20.90 6.1 52 1 26.5 9.00 72 Source: Deptt. O f Health And Family WelfareIBirth & Death

1981 31 .OO 8.90 N.A. 1985 33.1 0 10.70 N.A. 1991 22.50 7.50 4 6 1995 22.50 6.90 4 5

33.90 12.50 N.A. 32.90 11.80 N.A. 29.50 9.80 8 0 28.30 9.00 7 2

POWER (As on 31st March 2000) Particulars Unlt North East South West State

Hydel Project No. 3 4 (operation) 5 12

Hydel Project under const. NO. 1 l(Ne) 2 Installed Capac~ty MW

(a) Hydel Project MW 4.30 24.90 3.80 33.00 (b) Diesel

MW Generator 5 5 Power Generated MKWH

(a) Hydel Generation MKWH 8.81 37.65 2.12 48.58

(b) Diesel MKWH 5.42 Generation 5 42

Town electrified % 100% Block (Revenue) % Electrified 100%

Source: Power Department

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS (As o n 3 l s t March 2000) Particulars Unit North East South West State

Monastries No. 2 1 29 23 15 88 Temples No. 16 77 51 47 191 Mosques No. 3 2 1 6 Churches No. 1 13 10 6 30 Mani Chakangs

No. 47 46 28 38 159

Chakangs and No, Tsam khangs

6 13 7 6 32

Guru Dwara No. 1 1 2 Sai Baba

No. 1 mandir

1

Source: Dept. of Ecclesiastical Affairs.

FISHERIES (As on 30st March 2000) Particulars Unit North East South Wt State Fish Prod Tonnes 30 40 30 40 140 Fish Seed Million Production 0.40 0.75 0.35 1 .OO 2.50 Fish Seed Farms

No.

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 Quantity Sold Tonnes 150 140 140 140 Revenue Rs. In Earned Lakhs 0.61 0.48 0.48 0.76

Source: Fisheries Wing

INDUSTRIES (As on 3 i s t March 2000) Particulars Unlt North East South West State Provisionally No. Registered 25 244 51 66 386 SMALL SCALE

UNIT 6 2 56 54 3 1 367 Cottage No. Industries 1 19 6 10 36

Medium Scale No, lndustries 3 3 PSUs No. 3 - 3 Joint Sector No, Underaking Non- functioning No. - units 3 6 5 10 9 87

Source: Deptt. Of Industries.

EXCISE (As on 31st March 2000) Particulars Unit North East South West State Country Liquor Shop Foreign Liquor Shop Bar Shop

Kutcha Gaddi Shop

Illicit Distribution NO. of Cases reported No. of Cases prosecuted

Total Revenue Earned

No.

Rs. In Crores 10.71 11.71 13.19

Source: Excise Department CO-OPERATION (As on 3lsr March 2000)

Particulars Unit North East South West State M.P.C.S. No. 5 18 27 23 73 C.C.S. No. 11 58 23 26 118 Number of Milk PCS 1 36 25 39 101 Dairy Milk

LPD Procurement 2,380.00 2853.00(s/w) 5,233.00 Membership of all Co-operative Societies 2014 11987 10746 10409 35166 WORKING CAPITAL (As on 31st March 1999-2000)

(I) M.P.C.S. RS. In lakhs 8.71 23.39 23.91 1 16.07 72.08 -

(ii) Milk Producers Co-Operative Societies 7 1.59 17.05 25.64

Source: Co-operation Deptt 8 M.P.C.S.

AORICULTURE Partlculars North East South West State Area under Principal Crops during 1999-2000( in 000 Hectares) Maize 3 0930 9.7000 13.3000 13.3000 39.3930 Rice 1.4086 6.7200 2 4000 5.3800 15.9086 Wheat 1.0400 2.5500 1.9600 2.5500 8.1000 Barley 0.1500 0.3400 0.2000 0.4500 1.1400 Pulses 0.8000 1.7400 2.3500 2.5400 6.7100 Estlrnated production o f Principal Crops In 000 Tonnes during

1907-98 1998-99 1890-2000 North 4 4400 2.2308 4.1614 East 14.1200

Maize South. 18.0500 West 19.1000 State 55.7100 50.8008 52.8344 North 1.6271 1.9170 2.0593 East 9.1000

Rice South 3.2700 West 7.4500 State 21.4471 21.9570 23.4393 North 1.3460 0.8262 1.6498 East 5.1000 2.3700 4.3100

Wheat South 3.0600 1.0200 2.5900 West 4.6940 2.2000 4.3000 State 14.2000 6.4162 12.8408 North 0.2070 0.2070 0.2070 East 0.5000 0.2700 0.5000

Barley South 0.1800 0.1400 0.3000 West 0.6230 0.6000 0.6700 State 1.5100 1.2170 1.6770 North 0.0700 0.0657 0.0661 East 1.5500 1,058.0000 1.5500

Pulses South 2.0200 1,067.0000 2.0500 West 2.3100 2.2800 2.2800 State 5.9500 5.5970 5.9461

Source: Agriculture Department. LAND HOLDINOS (AGRI CENSUS 1990-91)

Particulars Unit North East South West State Operational Holding No. 5124 20271 12854 1448 52967 Area operated Hectare 15444 34450 29336 32072 111302 Average Area per Holding " 3.01 1.70 2.22 2.28 2.11

Source: Agriculture Census 1990-91

VETERINARY SERVICES Particulars Unit North East South Wert State Veterinary No. Hospitals 3 4 2 3 12 Veterinary No. Dispensaries 4 8 6 5 23 Stockman Centres No. 9 16 15 16 56 Veterinary Doctors No. 6 35 9 17 67 Animal Husbandry No. Animal Vaccinated No. 17294 CENSUS OF LIVESTOCK& POPULATION( 1998 - (as per the 16th A.I.O. Livestock Census,1997-NIC) Cattle No. 12841 50431 37250 42502 143024 Buffalo No. 66 323 270 1134 1970 Sheep No. 2325 316 605 1777 5023 Goat No. 8375 24375 25469 24719 82938 Yak No. 2167 1751 - 8366 4781 tiorses No. Ponies No. 1322 1087 755 75316 5436 Pigs No. 3135 8784 6690 4750 26975 Donkeys 8 Mules No. 21 98 2 131 121 Poultry No. 22023 66066 58001 221403 Dog No. 1142 11856 5810 23558 Rabb~t No. 54 117 55 357

Source: Department of A.H. and Vet Services IRRIGATION (As on 31st March 2000)

Particulars Unit Year North East South West State No. of minor irrigation channels

NO. 1997-98 15 32 11 7 9 Operational No. 14 31 I 0 7 9 ~bn-operational NO. 1 1 1 - Potential created Ha 2892 9924 6616 8961 28689 Potential utilised Ha 2189 6869 4921 6088 20236 Total No. of minor NO. 1998-99 irrigation channels 7 2 10 Operational No. 7 2 - 10 Non-operational No. Potential created Ha 2982 9975 6771 8961 28864 Potential utilised Ha 2189 6914 5045 6088 20376 Total No. of minor NO. 1999-00 irrigation channels 3 5 2 10 Operational No. 3 5 2 10 Non-operational No. Potential created Ha 2982 9991 6905 8986 28864 Potential Utilised Ha 2189"" ' 6927 5152 6108 20376

Source : Irrigation 8 Flood Control

(Rs. In Crores) 2.62 1 4.54 1 3.85 Source: Lead Banks and S.B.S.

BUDGETED EXPENDITURE 1999-2000

25000.00 139260.67 162460.67

Source: Finance Department.

1998-99 19383.00

137094.17 156477.17

1997-98 22000.00

103444.05 125444.05

Particulars Plan Non-Plan Total

Unit Rs. In Lakhs

Financial Institutions of the State Government SIDlCO a d SABCCO are two financial iartitutions of the state govmment The lorma is coacaned wi(h

promoting small-scale industrial development in the slate and the latter with providing s u b s i d d financial support to backward classes for underiakmg incomegeneraling activities.

However, over the years poor Loan disbursement practices, inadequate mcmitanng, inadequate t e c h d and manngerial support to borrowers and not h q u e n t l y outright political non-performing loans with a wq narrow client make these institutions much more dynarmc and relevant in the de~lopment process. They are now seem to establish a workmg parmershp with NGO's and SHG's. Tlus they feel is necessary to significsntly increase and broaden th client base, to enhance proper screening and monitoring of applicanb and to be able to provide t e c h d and managerial support at the mass root level. -. - POLE OF NGO'S AS Sponsored by SIDICOISABACO Government of Sikhm G m k ~gcmised by Voluntary Health Association of Slklum and S& Development Foundaticq Ganglok Venue:- Hotel Rendezvous. Ganglok. Date: 7" Jan. 2000.

The participanb of various NGO's off~cials or Central Govt. institutions. oficials of S~kkun Development Investment CorporationISkknn All Backward Class Corporation(a Govt. of Slkkm undertalan) and officials of various financial institutions, mainly NABARD, RGBN, SIDBI arrived for the meeting at Hotel Rendavous.

SABACO is a joint undertalcin of the Central Govt. and the State Govt. with 5050 % share in it. Mr. D.K. Gajmer, Managing Director on behalf of SABACO, Govt, of Slklum emphasised that SIDICO and SABACO are desirous to take its activities to the real grass-root people through h e NGO's.

Mr. Loday Chungyalpa, Secretary, Slkkim Development Foundation outlined the followmg points as regards the current NGO scenario in Sikkun.

Hard to get ~nformation and to find out h e number of NGO's working. Difficult to identify whch NGO's are dormant or not. About1000 registered NGO's.

8 Most of these are Societies, Clubs, Religious Institutions. However, financial organisations are very less. Many of them thriving on funds received from Govt. sources only. Developmental activities initiated by the NGO's has to go fast from the grass-root 1-1. Some NGO's worlung exclusively on environment and Eco-Tourism and some on health. Only nine NGO's promot~ng Self Help Group (SHG) Mr.Chungyalpa also highhghted some of the important points of the outcome of Martam NGO's meet held on 16" &

17" Nov. and summarised the same as follows: National Foundation for India (NFI), New Delhi, a funding agency keen on supporting deve lopen~ l process in

Slklam organised a workshop for delineating the Developmental Agenda of Sikkim and to iden@ the NFI's role in it. At the outset of the workshop, it was felt that the developmental documenls and planning should come 6om the bottom and not the top. All the activities should m e economic growth with social justice. In all the developmental planning grass- root peopldrepresentatives, NGO's Panchayats should be involved. The strengths and wealmesses of the NGO's were listed as under by the various groups who took in the meeting. Weakness:

Lack of professionals in this line of work. Inadequate dormation regarding funding agencies. Non prioritising towards the objectives. Capacity of financidaccounhng recording to be unproved Lack of etKective wmmunication/information system. Lack of support ftom government/institutions. No proper orientation towards the long lasting sustainable projects. Lack of leadershp and Co-operation from the members. Transparency.

Strenpths: . ,

C m t m e n t , S~ncenty and Dedication of NGO's and SHG members. Potential-for growth. Keeness to take up economic act~vity. Cooperation from all village people including panchayats. Easy accessibility for the society and can reach out to larger people. Understanding the actual need of the targetted people. Good projects availaible. Setting up of a developmental oriented model to follow through Income Genemting Programmes Enlightened members.

O~oortinuties: Exposure Networking. Co~mel l in~ra in ing .

* Mcro village projects. Self sustainability income generating projects. Employment opportunities. Utilization of human resources.

* Innovation Contribution to state building. The various threats to the NGO's perceived in the existing local situtllion were also outlined: Ms-management. Communalism. Lack of ddcation. SocialICultural constraints. Government interference. Conununicalion gap. Vulnerability due to non-sustainibility/lack of credibility. Non-institutionalization of NGO's.

Source: Project R e ~ o r l made bv W A o f S ~ w . .

ORGAMZATIONAt STRUCTURE

General Body

1 Execut~ve body

I

Research Inveutigation Policy and Advocacy

Adrmrustrative Staff

Reproductive and Child Health Finance b 7 Tradtional Systems oEMedtcine I

School Health

HlV-AIDS and STD's

P a s onnel

Sales and Distribution

4 Local Fund Raising I

Community Health and DevelopmentPromotion

Women's Health, Empowerment and Development Promotion

Environment, Health and Sanitation

C 1 Informatioq Public Education and Campaign

Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

VOLUNTARY HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SMKIM IVEFA)

~ o & n Gyatso Marg (Tibet Road) Gangtok. P.O. Box 144. Pin,-7341 01, Phone: (03592>2605 Coqtact person: Dr. B.B.W.

Voluntary Health Association of S~klum was established in 1977 with the basic phlosophy and mission to promote the concept of community health and development. VHA of S~kkun is a State level federation of grass-root level (hganistions of the Sikkim State. It is a federal member of the VHAI, New Delhl. It is a non-profit m a h g regsbred organisation having a secular conmstitution with the aim of improving the health and quality of life of the people irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion and culture.

The ultimak goal of the Association is 'malung health a reality for the people of Skkim', with the people's health movement in the state.

ai b'e ves L:p:$t:o crz::?',"tr:th:re for building up a people's health and development tnovement Uvough effective

0 :

campaign and networlung. I'o promote low cost, appropriate, scientific and people oriented health and development programs in hannony with traditional knowledge and slulls of various communities who camprise our mul t i - ehc society.

To provide techrucal or professional support and gudance to the member orgamsations. To sbengthen voluntary initiatives in h e state through formation and support of grass-root level organisations. To promote community health, development and human rights related lo the provision and distribution of henlth services.

Staff Streneth: Dr. B.B. Rai. Executive Director. Mr. P.C. Rai. Programme Officer. Mr. K.K. Sharma. Accountant. Ms. Leena Chettri, Office Secretary. Ms Donka Lepcha, Office Keeper @art time) Mr. Bhm Kumar Riu, Driver4um-Attendant. Dr. Bela Cintury, RCH Consultant. Dr. H.Lepcha, President. Dr. B.B. Rai states that the associations efforts have been in the areas of HN-AIDSISlDs, RCH, Awareness

Canpaign, Networlung and Village Meeting, Health Exhibition, School Health, Tradibonal Systems of Medicicne, Income Generation Activities though Self Help Group (SHG) promotion and Capacity Building of N O S . He says "we are very much commited to expand our activity in other priority areas llke Environment, Health and Sanitation, Women's Heal* Empowerment and Development, Nutrition, Rational Drugs, Therapy and Consumer Education, Couununicable and Non-Communicable diseases, Research, Investigations, Policy and Advocacy.

Their mission is to improve their own capascity in order to be able to make VHA of S~klum an organisalion that plays an ever-growing role in the State in the best professional manner. And because their organisation is also h o w n as the 'Mother NGO' they believe that strengthening of VHA OF S~kkun nieans strengthening of the member organisations as well as all the voluntary agencies working in the field of community health and development at grass-root level in Slklum. However, the Programme Ofticer feels that if they could do away with some of the problems that they face such as transparency, lack of support from the State Govt. and inadequate dormation system, they will be able to achleve the objectives of their organisation completely.

The Association fur Social Health in India, S h Branch, situated in Dmlopment area, Gangtok was established in 1987 and was registered in the year 1990. The association is also known by the name 'Jagrit' whch provides treatment, prohibition and counselling for substance abuse and alcoholism. The Association is running Ulree main projects whch have been briefly described below:- (])Treatment, Prohibition and Counselling Centre for Substance Abuse and Alcoholism was started in Jan. 1989 to combat the growing menace of drug abuse and social stigma of alcoholism. The activities taken up by the centre includes educative and preventive awareness programmes and patient treatment programmes. The patients are detoxoified on O.P.D. basis and chronic cases are referred to the S.T.N.M. hospital, Gangtok for hospitalization. Emphasis is laid on counselling and the follow -up work is conducted in the form of Home visits by the social workers of the association. Thiscentre is funded by the &shy of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, New Delh. (2) The Family Counselling Centre is the second project that the Association has undertaken. The centre was started on 1" June1993, and is located at Development Area, Gangtok. It caters to families involved in marital discord and disputes in interpersonal life. The family cases are registered at the Centre's office and all the registered cases are dealt in a confidential manner with no legal hassles involved. (3) The Association has reopened its Short Stay Home named 'Mamtalaya' located at Upper Sichey which will be accomodating 30 women inclusive of children for a short penod. The Centre which was actually started in the year-- had to be closed down baause of lack of funds. It was re-opened from Feb.2001 and lays down certain conditions for those in need in order to avail the facilities of the centre. SIKKIM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

S~klam Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit, non-government, non-political and non-sectarian organisation with headquarters in Gangtok. It was established in 1999 by a group of citizens coming from different walks 01' life who got together to discuss the concerns they shared about the state of affairs in S h . It is registered with the government of Slkkirn, India under Serial No.1057 Volume No. 1

Ml~rlon. SDF exists to improve the living s(andard and qual~ty of Me far the people of Sikkim, perticularly fbr cctldren. minorities, handicapped and othm disadvantaged of mnrgmh4ed sediom of the society. To realise this mission SDF will;

Source: Annuol Report ofSDF.

Work tgwards cretrling aTimle of Geedom, equality, jutice, -, -lng oppor(unity in he atale, Pronlote enviromentally and econolnically sustainable, self-reliant community development projects in the areas of institution building, health, edwtion. agriculture, rural development, community m e and rmcro- anlerprise. . Ensure that the projects reflect Lhe needs and aspirations of the community and b elicit their partlciwion and ownership of the projects. . Work towards protecting and preserving the stale's immensely rich bidiverse enwOnment and promote responsible tourism. Educak our youth on the delrimerltal effects of drugs, molung, alcohol and AIDS to their health and society. Hold as well as attend ;seminars, workshops and conferences at regional, national and international levels to gain insights in new ideas and thoughts in the field of development. Raise funds fiom a!l legal sources 6om within the country and overseas to finance various projects.

SIKKIM DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

full time in their proffessional careers

information on Central Government schemes

OPPORTUNlTLES . Time ripe to forge partnerships with State and Central governments and national and international organizations Capitalize on existing relationsbps with KEEP & M A P . Establish good track record with current project funded by AFAP & AUSAid Work towards sustainability . Build up in house capacity to undertake more development activities

THREATS Lack of focus leading to dissiption of resources and energy Lack of infusion of new blood in membership State Govt. and Bureaucracy closing doors on NGOs due to perceived threats Erom thRn especially regardq issues of governance . Absence of self monitoring of NGOs NGOs competing with each other for funds in an unhdthy manner Lack of capacity of many NGOs to undertake development oriented projects

~lk)dm Development Foundatioq 'Takhi Khar', Ch gyal Comple~ r M. , . Mas, Gaqgtok-737101 Ph. YO.-+91 3592 2976 email-dsikkim~te.vsnl.net.in contactpers~n-Mr.L&y Chungyalpa.

-Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre. The Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre at Deorali neat SITCO, Gangtok is a second home for

eighteen chldren who suffer from Cerebral Palsy Centre is run by the 'State Council for Chld Welfare, Gangtok' and is afliliated to the 'Indian M t u t e of Cerebral Palsy, Calcutta'. It is funded a minimal amount in cash by the Stab Council lor Chld Welfare through Government grants. The health Department of Gangtok donated a bus to the Centre in 1996. This in turn helped to encourage students sutrenng 6om cerebral palsy to come 6om all over the town.

The Centre was started in 1993, by Dr. Bela Century, the then Director, department of Health, Govt. of Slkkim and the Centre was initially located in Development Area, Gangtok.

The Centre for Special Education is a day centre for the education and rehabilitation of children with CP and is open Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. - 2.30 p.m. It caters to children within the age group of 2 to IS years. Vision:

The Centre envisages at makmg these chlldren as independent as possible so that they can intgrate with h e society. The smmembers strongly believe that a chld with cerebral palsy is never too young to be helped, 'the younger the better'. Activities:

The physiotherapisf along with the other members gives chldren regular individual therapy sessions to improve their physical and functional abilities. The programme provided by the Centre includes training in basic communication, elementary studies, selfcare, colour identification and mobility skills. Weakness: --

The centre itself suffers 6om a number of handicaps. Mrs. Rai d o has been with the centre since 1996 feels that the most important thing the centre requires is a pmanent premises with an open space. In spite of regular pleas the government has been reluctant to grant any land or building for the same. The centre also lacks basic equipments like gaiters, wheelcham, calipers and collars. Lack of volunteers is also another problem. Strengths:

So one naturally questions how has the centre been functioning with such minimum funds and many handicaps. Anyone who has spent some time with the centre will know that it is the dedication and hard work of the staff members and their comparison and respect for these children whch has kept the centre going.

They are no miracle workers but they have seen miracles happening in the case of Deepa, Joseph and Pritam who were previously the students of the centre and were admitted to normal schools recently. Abimal who was brought to the centre two months ago wuld not move h s legs but now after regular therapy sessions, he staggers across the room. Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre, Near SITCO, Deorali, Gangtok-737101 Ph. NO.- Contact Person - Dr. B. Century.

Weekend ~ e v i e w . 2 0 - ~ 6 ~ ~ A~ri1,2001. T a l h g about monsoons, the initial activism for clean, clog free drains and jhoras seems to have died out. After each Norwester shower, the drains expulge whatever filth they had contained over the dry period. Everythmg fkokrn plastic, household waste and even rocks litter the streets. With the drain opposite the newly shfied District Adqunistration Centre at Sichey still clogged, it will perhaps take another landslide before the brooms come out againif the jhoras and drains were to just "drain" away water, there would be no problem. Water would find its own safe course, but because these amenities double also as garbage receptacles, they pose a danger. The capital might boast of a sewage treatment plant and a ,state-of-the-art garbage recycling plant, but the fact remains that the "rubbish truck" and UD&HD bins account for less lhau quarter of the garbage tonnage that Gangtoluans generate. All tlus finds hsposal at the jhoras at night and spills to the roads after a rain. These are affairs that need addressing immediately before the monsoon fury hits the hllls in full force.

SEASON Weekend Review 20-26m Apri1.2001 The capital requires 6 mdlion gallons of water per day, but the reservoir has capacity to treat only half the volume. The Power situation turned so bad that it triggered off a PIL. The bureaucracy got so spread out and directionless that analgamations were deemed necessary. Roads had become so poor that new ventures were put on hold till the existing nctwork w a s r ~ r e d . The employment roster is so flawed.thataJitigation fohows each time appointments are made. The Finances so poor that the State is actually thinlung of increasing its tax base. Employment strategies so haphazard that job avenues in "government service" have all but dried up. The education Idfastructure so inadequate, that only three have passed the Civil Services exams from the State to date. Health services so under utilised that almost every complication gets referred outside. Political maturity so nascent that elections are still fought on promises made twenty years back. The surprises, or rather the rude awakenings, that the institutions spring everyday would have been foreseen if only we had concentrated on issues instead of luckbacks in the decades that followed the merger. Thanks to those lost years when corruption became synonymous with govemauce, Sikkim mutated from the privelegedlpampered State (the envy of its

neighbows) to one that now provides fodder for scams and jokes with mendacity it Inad through the eighties. Sllrldm evokes visions of vulgar exwsses among its neighbours when it should have m l w d as the protdype of develop men^ It is the legacy pretence that S~klum will have to write off it it aspires to enler the new millenium with hope and pndc. An upllill task no doubt, only we are lo blame for having dug the ditch so deep.

POLLUTION MNGTOK; The area around any hospital is declared a silence zone, but Gangtok, the case is Ule exact opposite of what it should be. The hospital crossroads, popularly known as "Hospital Dark" is the busies1 and noisiest area in Lhc entire town which witnesses conslant plying of vehicles tiom monitoring till evening. Thls has been contributing greatly towards the concentration of polluting oxides l~ke Sulphur-di-oxide. Nitrogendiaxide and soot in the air. A r q r t on Pollution & it's Effecls, prepnred by Environment & Pollution Control Division of the Forest D e m e n t reveals that Lhc "si!ence zone" of Hospital Dara "was found to the most affected by noise pollulion". 'The culprit is obviously the ever-increasmg vehicular population of the capital. In fact in the absence of any industries, most of the air pollution in the Slate comes tiom the exhnust pipes of the vehcles. Studies conducted by State Pollution Board shows that the pollution caused by vehicular traflic is by far the hghest in Gangtok. The total number of vehicles regislered in 1994 was 6945 whereas the number hrs more lhan doubled to 14,688 by 1999. Whle here were 1122 nloinline and local taxis in the slate in 1993. recent s w e y shows that there are around 3.800 taxis in Sikkun with 2.805 taxis in G w o k alone. The Joint Secretary, Motor Vehicles Division cum the Secretary of Stale Transport Authority (STA), Ujjwal G ~ l g , however, ~nforms that STA will be holding a meeting nexl month where they hope lo come up wih solutions to stop velucles coming to Ganglok "As of now, the route permit is bang given only to those educated unemployed who are Sikkim Subject of Domicile holders" he adds. Besides this the department has also stopped the transfers of regislration numkr of v&ucles. Automobiles are the main contributors of air pollution The emission from vehcles depends not only un the number of vehicles plying on the road but also on traffic congestion, driving habils, mintenanre and age of *cles. Experts ~lumtain that the air pollution in Gangtok is so bad that its mhalation is equivalent to stnolung three cigimttes per day. A p ~ t from the congestion of roads due to the fact that there is hardly any spa= left in t o w to acconunodate all the vehicles md the creation of noise and air pollulion, the increasing number of taxis do little to creak avcnues for self- e~cp!oyrncnt. "The roads are already congested with vehcles and adding more lo it doesn't mnkc sense." Mr. Gurung ~ d d s whlle expressing his opinion that bnnging in any more laxis doesn't make any sense as it no longer serves as a means ol'self-emp1o)ment keeping in mind the large number of taxis that are already there. The fact that the vehicular population is bursting is apparent in the fact tha every anply space in the capital is gelling em~uiced lor parking lots instead of getting beautifid into parks that one would expect in tourist destination.