Darjeeling district is the northern most district of west Bengal. It is located on the lap of the Himalayas adjacent to and surrounded by small Asian countries like Bangladesh, China, Nepal and Bhutan. This beautiful Queen of the Eastern Himalayan Region' is not only one of the very important tea producer centers of India but is also enriched with natural beauty. The district comprises of four subdivisions namely, Darjeeling Sadar, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri while the first three subdivisions of the district are on the top of the hills, the Siliguri is mainly situated on the Terai and foothills of the district. The area covered by Darjeeling Himalaya is about 1721 Sq. Kms.
Darjeeling Himalaya consists of a portion of the outlying hills of lower Himalayas and a stretch of territory lying along the base of the hills known as the Terai. River Teesta is the principal stream in the area while the Rammam and Rangit are the two important tributaries of the Teesta. Besides, numerous rain fed rivulets in the hills become the most dominating factor of environmental control during rainy season. Tourism and tea plantation are the two main industries of which tourism is a climate-based industry while tea plantations that earned fame for Darjeeling Himalaya is also dependent on the climate. The complex geological and associated slope patterns play important role in shaping the land use pattern of the region. Steep slopes, heavy rainfall and high altitude characterize the Darjeeling Hill area. Here natural vegetation plays an important role in protecting the hill slopes from erosion. The forest land in the hill areas are encroached upon for different purposes, as it is done in almost all hilly areas in the country. But, in Darjeeling Hill area, this has created some vulnerable patches, which have become susceptible to frequent landslide hazards.
At recent past due to unprecedented growth of population. unplanned development in the hill areas, there has been massive deforestation in the hill areas for which frequent landslides, soil erosion, loss of property and life have become common feature.
Darjeeling is popularly known as the "Queen of the Hills" and is one of the most beautiful hill stations of India. The cool and pleasant climate provides a delightfully different experience from most of other parts of India. At approximately 2,130 meters, the Darjeeling town itself nestled on the lap of the mighty Kanchenjunga Mountain, is a mixture of old colonial charm and modern urbanization.
Darjeeling Hill area is unique from eco perception. The relief varies from 100 meters above sea level to mighty Kanchanjungha. There are different climatic zones with distinctive attributes with endangered rare plant species along with numerous orchids and high value medicinal plants available in this hilly region. From the humble beginnings in the early 1800s, Darjeeling has transformed itself into one of the India's premier hill stations frequented by tourists across India and the world. The town itself has become overcrowded barely coping with the growth of population and the influx of tourists but still boasts of modern hotels, eateries, cinema halls and shopping centers. However, till today just a few kilometers from the town one can experience lush green tea gardens, terraced farms and a slower pace of life.
Dr. Campbell had reported that the population of Darjeeling Himalaya was 1900 in 1850 and 2200 in 1869. But there after the years that followed saw the rapid growth of population in the region. Since last few decades, people belonging to various castes, tribes, religions and speaking various languages have migrated from the adjoining places in this 'queen of the hills. Today one can find Darjeeling as an ethnographic museum and a cultural meeting point. Darjeeling Hill Area is an excellent example of growth of population stemming mainly from immigration from outside.
The real history of Darjeeling started with the establishment of a hill station by the British East India Company in 1835. Captain Lloyd visited the Darjeeling Hill area along with Mr. J.W.Grant, the Commercial Resident at Malda. There after Lord Bentinck took initiative to establish a sanatorium in Darjeeling.
The sloping terrain and the composition of the soil found here were suitable for the establishment of tea plantations, and the British started to implement the idea in 1840, when Dr. Campbell started the first experiments with imported tea bushes. Between 1852 and 1857. the first four tea gardens near Darjeeling were started. During 1866, the number reached to 39, and within the beginning of 20th Century about 150 tea gardens came into existence. The overwhelming success of the experiments gave immense scope for the cultivation of fine brand of tea and soon the entire region was covered with a number of tea estates, which attracted migrants and laborers from the nearby areas, especially from Nepal for working in the tea estates.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which came into existence in 1881, proved a landmark in the development of the region, and the Darjeeling city began to expand quicker than before. Meanwhile the contribution made by the missionaries in the field of education had created a new aspect of the city. The establishment of high quality schools in the towns like Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong had brought the Darjeeling Hill Area in the education map of the country. Apart from the establishments of schools, the missionaries also played important roles in the construction of welfare centers and development of other basic amenities.
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