The region of Darjeeling and the Dooars have always been perceived merely as a source of revenue even when the nation’s borders were being drawn in 1947. The inclusion of Darjeeling and the Dooars in present day Bengal stemmed more from the desire for revenue prompted by colonial traditions rather than nationalist feelings. As narrated above, socio-economic devastation was wrought upon the area due to a sub-colonial policy pursued by all the Governments that came into power in Bengal. Decision making, located as it is five hundred kilometres away ensured that no project or plan could be implemented without incessant delay and bureaucratic bungling. Even critical projects for potable water were bungled with unceasing regularity.

This region has very little to do with the state of West Bengal in terms of geographical features, natural resources, socio-cultural pattern and livelihood system. A separate state comprising of Darjeeling district and Dooars region will be economically most viable and the people will ensure this once the new state is created. This new state could also usher in a comprehensive military, environmental and human security.

The people of this region have realised that the West Bengal Government would not be able to do any by way of substantive development activity for them. Instead the State Government has ruined the entire forest resources, cinchona plantation, tea industry, opulent biodiversity, opulently endowed water resources, rich human resources and most importantly all traditional institutions. The economy of this region remains in tatters and unmanageably scattered.
A new State will be a very viable entity on five very significant grounds. Firstly, this new state will be the only state in the country to have four international borders viz. with Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (through Sikkim) and Nepal. International and regional trade through land customs at Phulabari, Phuntsoling, Jelep la and Pani Tanki/Pashupati respectively on a regulated framework would could earn millions of dollars. As the regional and global trade scenario becomes increasingly liberal and the cross border connectivity improves with the implementation of international projects such as the Trans-Asian Highway, these trade routes are likely to become more and more robust and vibrant in very near future. Unlike in the past the trade linkages could now count not only on goods and products but on services like tourism, health, education, communications, banking and insurance.

Secondly, this will be the only state where two topographically varied plantations and agricultural systems will be available. Tea , cinchona, floriculture, horticulture and direct access of these farm items to both national and international markets mostly towards the South East and East Asia through even ports like Chittagong and Mongla in Bangladesh and Sittway in Myanmar could have no parallel. For instance, Darjeeling and Dooars together constitute 20% of the total land under tea cultivation in the country. These two regions contribute almost 7 percent of the total world tea production (3577 million kgs in 2006) and earn over Rs. 301 crore annually from the exports of tea alone.

Some of the developmental possibilities in the new state would be:

1. Agri-Export Zone: On the event of formation of the proposed new state, the region would be promoted as an Agri-Export Zone (AEZ) for a number of agro-horti produces, viz., Darjeeling orange, large cardamom, exotic vegetables and floricultural products. It will increase agricultural exports from the country and fetch remunerative returns to the farming community in a sustained manner.

2. Organic State: Agro-horticultural scenario of the region is mostly traditional and the concept of farming itself remains organic. The new state as a whole would be developed and promoted as an organic state which eventually would help increasing the exports from the state.

3. Establishment of an Agricultural University: There is a need for establishing an Agricultural University as agriculture will be the major component of the economy of proposed new state. The modern agricultural technologies were initiated at the Farm started by the colonial British for the supply of vegetables and cereal crops to Dr. Graham’s Homes (school) in Kalimpong started by a missionary Rev. Dr. John Anderson Graham during pre-independent India was handed over to the Department of Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal by the school authorities in 1950. Agriculture Department utilized the farm by converting this unit into a District Seed Farm for the supply of quality seed materials to the farmers and established the Zonal Adaptive Research Station (ZARS) for solving the local problems of farmers. The same unit under Department of Agriculture was handed over to the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyala (BCKV), Mohanpur, Nadia for setting up of a Regional Research Station for the Hill Climatic Zone in 1991. The entire establishments of Agriculture Department viz Block Seed Farm, Pedong (28 acres); Temperate Fruit Research Station, and Tropical Fruits Research Station, Dalapchand (60 acres); ZARS and the District Seed Farm, Kalimpong (80 acres) were transferred to the BCKV. There was All India Coordinated Research Project on Tropical and Sub-Tropical Fruits in Pedong which was shifted to Kalyani in 1998 for the benefit of the plains people depriving the simple, ignorant people of the Hills. The university added one Krishi Vigyan Kendra in 1993. Further, West Bengal government bifurcated the BCKV in 2001 to start a second State Agricultural University named Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya with its headquarter at Pundibari, Coochbehar. All BCKV establishments located at Kalimpong, Dalapchand and Pedong were transferred to the newly established UBKV. The existing infrastructure like land, buildings, human resources and road connectivity are all available which is sufficient to initiate an Agricultural University and

4. Gene Bank: A Gene Sanctuary has to be established to conserve and exploit a vast gene pool of indigenous crop plants available in the region.

5. Developing Efficient Post-Harvest Processing and Marketing System for Agro-Horticultural Products: Despite having very high potentiality of producing agro-horticultural crops in Darjeeling hills, the region is lagging behind in comparison to other places due to following reasons. Firstly, there is inadequate transport and marketing facilities which compels the farmers to sell their products locally. Secondly, due to poor socio-economic condition, the small and marginal farmers are forced for distress sale. Lastly, there is lack of adequate grading, storage and processing facilities.

6. Establishing National Institute of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry.

Existing institutions related to agriculture:

1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Regional Station, Kalimpong: Indian Agricultural Research Institute, headquartered at New Delhi, established one of its regional stations in Kalimpong in 1956. This regional station was mandated to carry out the research work on virus and virus-like diseases of economically important crop plants & extension work.

2. Regional Research Station (Hill Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong:
Regional Research Station (Hill Zone) was established under Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya in 1991 which subsequently came under the purview of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya since 2001. The station conducts basic and applied research on location specific problems for the farmers of the zone.

3. Darjeeling Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong: Darjeeling Krishi Vigyan Kendra was established in 1993 under the aegis of erstwhile Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (now under UBKV) is for the dissemination of technology on agriculture and allied sector to the farmers field to uplift their socio-economic status. The technology is transferred by trainings and demonstrations. The latest technologies are also given to the extension functionaries for further dissemination to the farmers.

4. Regional Sericultural Research Station, Central Silk Board, Kalimpong: Sericulture in Darjeeling hills dates back to 1879 when Rev. W. S. Sutherland introduced the same in school curriculum at one of the schools here which later took the shape of the Regional Sericultural Research Station under Central Silk Board. The station is dedicated to look after the research and development activities and proliferation of improved technology in the region.

5. Citrus Dieback Research Station, Kalimpong: It started to operate at Kalimpong in 1983-84 in the form of ad hoc project on citrus dieback mapping and control under Government of West Bengal. This station was mandated to map the dieback, to determine the causes, to generate technologies and to train the orange growers for rejuvenating the declining orange orchards of Darjeeling hills. After completion of the dieback mapping, determination of the probable causes and documentation of proper management practices, the station has taken up the programs to rejuvenate the degenerating orchards by imparting training to the farmers, organizing demonstration in farmers’ field and production of nucellar seedlings of Darjeeling orange. This enterprise could have been developed into a research institute of great repute but presently it remains almost non-functional due to the lack of proper government support and interest.

6. Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce, Government of India), Kalimpong: The Spices Board has established one of its offices at Kalimpong since 1979 and is primarily involved in improving quality and increasing acreage and production of large cardamom in the Darjeeling hills. The Spice Board promotes large cardamom cultivation through its various schemes, viz., (i) Extension Advisory Scheme for dissemination of scientific know-how to the growers, (ii) Certified Nursery Scheme for producing healthy, high yielding planting materials, (iii) Replanting Scheme for rejuvenation of diseased, senile and uneconomic plantations.

7. Plant Quarantine and Fumigation Station, Kalimpong: One small Plant Quarantine and Fumigation Centre under the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. Of India is operating at Kalimpong. It looks after the inspection of plant, being exported and imported, as per plant quarantine regulation.

8. National Research Centre for Orchids, Darjeeling Unit, Darjeeling: Darjeeling Unit of National Research Centre for Orchids, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Sikkim, carries out research on Orchids in Darjeeling hills.

Soil and Water Conservation:

Since, the area is characterized with steeply sloping topography, unstable and weak geological formation, high rainfall and poor socio-economic conditions, there is potential danger to the ecosystem through excessive land degradation problems in hilly region. Increasing human and livestock population pressures have resulted in denudation of forest land and its conversion for cultivation purposes leading to high soil erosion. The problem is further aggravated due to landslides, torrents, road constructions, new house building, faulty cropping pattern, and mining activities. The precious top soil is being eroded in an enormous quantity and the 2.5 inches thickness of such soil takes thousand of years to form while it takes few hours to get eroded. Integrated soil management practices have not been properly followed these days which shall be given top priority in the proposed state of Gorkhaland. Though the region receives 3000-3500 mm of annual rainfall, there is an urgent need for devising suitable water harvesting and runoff storage structures for irrigation purposes to use during lean periods for sustained productivity. The gigantic soil erosion problems on arable and non-arable lands call for serious effort to take up soil and water conservation measures for enhanced biomass production and ecological stability.

Apiculture:

Both Darjeeling and Dooars are covered by huge area of forest where Apis melifera (Putka) colonies are found and are domesticated. The honey they make is of high quality and is sold at a premium price. The scientific rearing of this species has not yet been standardized but even in the traditional system it yields 250 – 500 gm per season from a colony. There are other species like Apis indica and A.dorsata which are reared by the farmers both in traditional and scientific rearing hives. These are not yet exploited commercially either for honey harvest for pollination purposes to enhance the yield of crops like Oranges, Peach, Pear, Oilseeds, and other cross pollinated crops.

Fisheries:

The Himalayan region of Darjeeling has good scope of Trouts farming which can be initiated and exploited in the higher hills in this region. The trouts have high nutritional properties. The people of Bhutan and Nepal have been farming them since past many years. The normal fish farming is already there in the hills with all required infrastructure and manpower at Block level This infrastructure can be utilized for trouts farming for better economic return which will have export potential .
The fish farming in Dooars region is commercially viable and many types of fishes can be cultured for the economic benefit of the farmers in the region.

Dairy Farming:

The most interesting feature of Darjeeling Hills is low temperature, which is conducive for high milk production. The best temperature for a lactating cow is 10-180C. Since the average temperature is low, this region may be converted into good milk shed area provided genetic potentiality of cattle is utilized and the availability of nutritious feed and fodder assured beside adequate health cover. The Siri breed animals having Jersey blood are a common sight in this region and both the artificial insemination and natural service through Jersey bull are in vogue in this region. The total milk production in this region has been estimated to be 95,000 tonnes which is 3.6% of the total milk production of West Bengal. The entire region is connected with the network of Himalayan Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (HIMUL) for collection, processing and marketing of milk and milk products in North Bengal.

Agrotourism:

There is a tremendous opportunity in agro tourism in both Darjeeling Hills and Dooars region. There are some firms working on this line. The tourists come and enjoy the natural beauty with fresh agri -products from the field. The region is still virgin and needs to be exploited. However, the infrastructures like air connectivity, good road, electricity without disruption, clean drinking water, market access and other required facilities in the area or vicinity is required to be developed immediately for the betterment of agro tourism. West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd. and some private enterprises are involved in this business since last few years in this region. But there is much more to be done in this line where hundreds of farmers can make additional income from this sector. The agro tourism can provide employment to hundreds of rural youths if promoted properly.

Sericulture

Sericulture in Darjeeling dates back to 1879 when Rev W. S. Sutherland introduced the same in school curriculum at Scottish Mission institute.Topography and climatic condition of Darjeeling district offers excellent opportunity for rearing high yielding silk worm. Darjeeling hills has the largest area under mulberry and muga cultivation. Being agro-based, labour intensive and more economically competitive than other industries, sericulture fits very well to the socio-economy structure of rural life of the peoples of Darjeeling hills. The total area under sericulture in Darjeeling hills is about 380 hectares. Out of this muga silk is cultivated successfully in 2 hectares of land and supplies the seeds of muga to North East and plains of West Bengal.

Annual production of – a) mulberry reeling cocoon - 10 lacs number
b) mulberry seed cocoon - 8 lacs number
c) Muga seed cocoon -10 thousand numbers

Sericulture

Items Total land under sericulture Cocoon reeling (numbers) Seed Cocoon (numbers)
Silkworm (bivoltine) 10 ha 2631.57/ha 2105.26/ha
Muga Silk 2 ha - 5000/ha

Prospects of sericulture industries in proposed state of Gorkhaland

1) Area under sericulture can be further be extended by utilizing available wastes land

2) Marketing and Reeling centre can be develop in the area itself so that the producer can get
good price of there produce

3) Seed preservation centre (cold storage) if could be developed at least one in the sub division level so that the farmer can avail the materie

Mineral Wealth and Coal

The district contains valuable mineral deposits. The coal bearing rocks were reported for the first time by Sir J.D. Hooker in 1849 from Pankhabari and Gorubathan (Dalimkot). During 1896-1900 A.D. a total of 7231 tonnes of coal was raised from Gorubathan until the enterprise was closed (Banerjee 1980).

Among the minerals, copper occurs in Kalimpong Peshok, Mirik and Gorubathan, Graphite occurs as embedded in mica schist along Darjeeling-Peshok ridge, Ghaiyabari, Mungpoo, Rakti valley, lower Singalila range and Labha. Iron ores varying from strong ferruginous clay to an impure hematite are reported from Samalbong and Seokbir (Kalimpong) and Lohagarh (Kurseong Terai). Three Iron ores varying from strong ferruginous clay to an impure hematite are reported from Samalbong and Seokbir (Kalimpong) and Lohagarh (Kurseong Terai). Three sources of lime viz. Dolomite, limestone buds and calcareous tufa have been reported from numerous zones, chiefly the junctions of Gondwana and Tertiary. Senchale ridges, Pankhabari, Yangmakum and Great Rangit are important among these. The positive indications of occurrence of uranium have been traced by the Geological Survey of India in 1980-82, from Yangmakum-Tik ridge.

Thirdly, this entire region is declared as one of the 25 the biodiversity hotspot identified and located in the world. Given this and the fabulous mountain ranges, this will be the only state in the country where bio-diversity and scenic beauty led eco-tourism could be blended with educational and health services of a diverse range. Sidrapong power house the first hydel power project in Asia built in 1897 and the entire Darjeeling teas industry mostly initiated in 1860s could fetch additional revenue as heritage infrastructure, Darjeeling will be the only place where in such a small geographical location it would be possible to have three sites (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway built in 1881) in the World Heritage list of UNESCO. This would lead to a huge foreign tourists influx. The schools and colleges in this region have attracted both national and international patronisations for more than a century now and even today students from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Thailand flock to these areas for education.

Fourthly, the new state of Gorkhaland where hydel-power resources have not been commercially harnessed in a big way. There are a range of local, national and international rivers (including Teesta, Mechi, Rangeet, Balsun, Soonkosh) that flow through this region. Hydel power could be exploited as a tradable item to sell power to the national grid and to neighbouring countries also. There is ample scope for mini hydel projects.

Finally, the new state will be the gateway to the entire North East region of India and of course an instrument to harness the opportunities triggered by India’s Look East Policy aimed at integrating with the South East and East Asian countries. The North East region will be free from the clutches of hartals, bandhs, resistance to industrialisation and other labour relatied bottlenecks that characterises modern day West Bengal.

As a new state, Darjeeling and Dooars will complete the geopolitical shape of the North East region. If Assam and Sikkim are a part of North East region there is no reason why contiguously adjoining Dooars and Darjeeling should not be similarly treated. Fulfilment of the statehood demand will also bring a wholesome address mechanism to the Indian Himalayan regions as today Darjeeling and Dooars are the only Himalayan regions which do not constitute a self-contained state unlike Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

APPENDIX A

Police Station, Mouza and Area of the new State of Gorkhaland

Total No. of Police Station- 21 (13 in Darjeeling District, 8 in Dooars)

Total No. of Mouza - 1060 (718 in Darjeeling District, 342 in Dooars)

Total Area- 1543411.20 acres= 2411.58 miles =6246 sq. Kilometers

Block & Police Station No. of Mouza Area in acres

1. Darjeeling (town) 28 25822.67
(40.34 sq. miles)

2. Pul-Bijanbari 21 32753.54
(51.17 sq. miles)

3. Sukhia Pokhri 47 96584.08
(150.91 sq. miles)

4. Rangli-Rangliot 29 71846.1655
( 112.26 sq. miles)

5. Kalimpong I&II 91 150694.72
(235.46 sq. miles)

6. Gorubathan 38 109644.55
(171.31 sq. miles)

7. Kurseong 67 85186.3845
(133.10 sq. miles)

8. Mirik 15 23357.58
(36.50 sq. miles)

9. Siliguri & Matigara 88 43027.8550
(67.23 sq. miles)

10. Naxalbari 105 51273.39
(80.11 sq. miles)

11. Phansidewa 113 76328.23
(119.26 sq. miles)

12. Khoribari 76 35753.15
(55.86 sq. miles)

13. Dhupguri 42 62593.07
(97.80 sq. miles)

14. Kalchini 45 220599.38
(344.69 sq. miles)

15. Kumargram 33 98203.85
(153.44 sq. miles)

16. Madrihat 50 94111.87
(147.05 sq. miles)

17. Mal 107 135587.57
(211.86 sq. miles)

18. Mateli 31 50637.96
(79.12 sq. miles)

19. Nagarkatta 33 68314.34
(106.74 sq. miles)

20. Rajgunj 1 11091.14
(Dabgram) ( 17.32 sq. miles)

Total 1060 1543411.20 acres