Chapter – Ii General Back Ground of the Study Area

CHAPTER – II GENERAL BACK GROUND OF THE STUDY AREA

2.1. Introduction: The name Koch Bihar is compound of two words- ‘Koch’ and ‘Bihar’. The term ‘Koch’means “a group of people (race) inhabiting in a large tract of country in the north-east of Bengal (undivided) and ‘Bihar’, derived from ‘Vihara’ denotes ‘abode or sport’. Taking the first sense of the second word, it means land of Koches, an indigenous people while in the second sense; the compound meaning is ‘land of sporting with the Koches’. “The district of Koch Bihar was called only after Koch kings had come into power into the beginning of 16th century. After the independence of India, Koch Bihar still remained a feudatory state in political relations with the government of India” (Chowdhury, 1903). Later in January 19 0, Koch Bihar was merged as a district with state of West Bengal. The administrative set up are is explain in the table-2.1. Table-2.1. Administrative Set Up Towns Total No Sub- No of of Divisio P.S. C.D Block Inhabited Municipal Census Town inhabited ns Villages villages 1.Sitai 1.Sitai - - 53 1.Bhangri Dinhata 2.Dinahata-I 1.Dinahata 130 299 2.Dinhata PrathamKhanda 3.Dinahata-II - - 119 1.Tufanganj 1.Tufanganj-I 1.Tufanganj 1.Kamat Phubari 72 Tufang 2.Chhota anj 2 .Baxirhat 2.Tufanganj-II - 54 Laukuthi 126 1.Mathabhanga- 1.Mathabhan 1.Mathabhanga - 102 I ga Mathab 2. 2.Mathabhanga- hanga - - 92 Ghokshadanga II 260 3. Sitalkuchi 3.Sitalkuchi - - 67 1.Mekhligan 1.Nagar 1.Mekhliganj 1.Mekhliganj 140 Mekhli j Changrabhanda ganj 2.Kchlibari 2.Haldibari 2.Haldibari 58 198 3.Haldibari 1.Kharimala 1.Koch Khagrabari 1.Koch Bihar-I 142 143 Bihar 2.Guriahati Koch 3.Dhaliabari 1.Koch Bihar Bihar(S 1.Baisguri Kotwali adar) 2.Chakchaka 2.Koch Bihar-II 3.Takagach 111 116

4. Baneswar 5. Khagrabari 5 11 12 6 12 1140 1140 Source: District Census Hand Book, 2011

Map-2.1. Administrative Map of Koch Bihar District

2.2. Physical Setup: 2.2.1. Topography: “Koch Bihar is a flat region with a slight southeastern slope along which the main rivers of the district flow. Most of the highland areas are in the Sitalkuchi region and most of the low lying lands are in Dinhata region” (DL & LRO, Koch Bihar, 2011). According to physiographic division, Koch Bihar is under the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal. This zone comprises the plains of districts of Jalpaiguri, Koch Bihar and Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district. “Koch Bihar basically is a flat region with a slight southeaster slope towards the south-east along which the main rivers of the district flow”. (Hunter,W.W., 1876). H A large network of rivers and rivulets traverse the district from north-west to south-east direction creating a number of bills and ox-bow lakes. Being very near to the foothills the rivers often spill their banks after a heavy shower. Most of the highlands are in Sitalkuchi and Sitai region and most of the lowlands lie in Dinhata region. The average height of Koch Bihar is 60 m at mean sea level (Map-2.2). There are neither mountain peaks nor hills; physiographically there is a very little diversity in relief and surface configuration of the district. The extreme horizontality of monotonous aggradational plains is its main characteristics. There are a large number of marshy lands in the district and in many lowlands, flood water stays for a long period.

Map-2.2. Relief Map of Koch Bihar District

2.2.2. Geology: “Koch Bihar District is quaternary structure” (GSI, 1999).From the geographical point of view, the district belongs to the Himalayan foothill region and formed by the depositional work of the seven major river system – Sankosh, Raidak-I, Raidak-II, Torsa, Kaljani, Jaldhaka-Mansai, Teesta. Geologically North Bengal Himalayas can be sub-divided into three zones (Banerjee, 1964). These are as follows-

Table-2.2. Geological Division of North Bengal

Sl. No. Types

1 Outer belt of Siwalik range – low hills rarely exceeds 900m.

2 Medium range of Damuda range – low lying range, rarely exceeds 750m. 3 The inner range of metamorphites – usually about 1000 to 2500m constituting lesser Himalaya

Generally, outer and medium parts constitute the sub-Himalayas. In Dooars, the outer zone is occupied by Buxas. However, the study area, Koch Bihar is entirely underlain by Quaternary alluvium laid down by the southward mountainous streams and rivers. No older alluvium formation has been found anywhere in the district within the explored depth of 304 m. below ground level. It is likely that Siwalik and other tertiary sequences, if present, occur below this depth. The soil is generally light friable loam ranging in depth from 0.15 to 1.00 meter and is superimposed on a deep bed of sand. A seismic survey conducted by ONGC

(1956), indicates that the basement of igneous and metamorphic rocks under the district lies in between the depth of 1000 – 1500 meters and as a result, the basement surface has a northerly slope.

2.2.3. Drainage: The main river of Koch Bihar District are Torsa, Kaljani,Teesta,Jaldhaka, Raidak I, Raidak II, Sankosh, Shaltia, Sutunga, Ghargharia, Dharla and Gadadhar (Table-2.3). The Rivers in the district of Koch Bihar generally flow from northwest to southeast. “Six rivers that cut through the district are Teesta, Jaldhaka, Torsa, Kaljani, Raidak, Gadadhar and Ghargharia” (DL& LRO, Koch Bihar, 2011).All the rivers are perennial in nature. Some streams (nala) are non- perennial. The rivers are generally braided and shallow in the dry season but in monsoon become very turbulent as well as destructive. “The ordinary velocity of rivers during the rainy season is about 5 miles/hour and during floods, it often attains 10 miles/hour” (Chowdhury, 1903). The river system of Koch Bihar plays a significant role in her relief, soil, agriculture, as well as in irrigational situation. This river were carrying huge amount of sand, pebble and cobble. Most of the river become meandering after enter into the District and flowing towards Bangaladesh. Numbers of wetlands, ox-bow lake are observed in the District. This occurs due to meandering nature of the river. A comparative study of length of the river and catchment area are shown in the table-2.3.

Table-2.3. Distribution of Major Rivers of Koch Bihar district Total Name of the Length in Sl.No. Name of the Block catchments River km area in sq km 1 Torsa KochBihar I & II 340 4350 2 Kaljani Tufanganj I,KochBihar I & II 95 1250 3 Teesta Mekhliganj & Haldibari 232 10205 4 Jaldhaka Sitai, Mathabhanga I & II 192 4092 5 Raidak I Tufanganj I 90 1820 6 Raidak II Tufanganj I & II 55 175 7 Sankosh Tufanganj II 280 10159 8 Gadadhar Tufanganj I & II 85 550 9 Sutunga Mathabhanga I 65 110 10 Ghargharia KochBihar I & Tufanganj I 60 120 11 Dharla Mekhliganj & Mathabhanga I 120 200 12 Shaltia Mathabhanga II, Koch Bihar I & Dinhata II 60 180 Source: District Disaster Management Plan, Koch Bihar, Government of West Bengal, 2016

Map-2.3. Drainage Map of Koch Bihar (Source –SRTM)

2.2.4. Climate: The district of Koch Bihar has a moderate type of climate characterized by heavy rainfall during the monsoon and slight rainfall in the month of October to mid-November. The summer season is from April to May with April being the hottest month with a mean daily maximum of 32.5 °C and means adaily minimum of 20.2 °C. The winter season lasts from late November to February, with January being the coldest month with temperature ranging from 10.4 °C to 24.1 °C (Fig-2.1). The recorded minimum temperatureis 3.4 °C and maximum is 39.9 °C. The atmosphere is highly humid throughout the year, except the period from February to May, when the relative humidity is as low as 50 to 70 per cent. The rainy season lasts from June to September. The district’s average annual rainfall is 3201 mm, highest rainfall recorded in the month of July (68.8 cm) and lowest rainfall recorded in December (0.5 cm). From the table-2.4, it is observed that maximum rainfall occurred during May, June, July and August. Very few amount of rainfall occurred during September to March. In this period rabi crops were cultivated through irrigation (Table-2.4). Table-2.4. Average Maximum, Minimum Temperature and Rainfall of Koch Bihar

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Avg. Max Temp (o C) 27.2 30.3 34.8 35.1 35.5 35.4 35.3 35.6 35.1 33.9 31.2 28.8

Avg. Min Temp (o C) 6.9 9.0 12.3 17.3 19.9 22.1 23.8 23.5 22.6 17.5 12.1 8.2 Avg. Rain Fall (cm) 1.1 1.4 4.4 17.5 30.1 59.4 68.8 42.6 41.6 19.1 0.4 0.5 Source: IMD, Kolkata, 2013

35.0 40.0

30.0 35.0

30.0

25.0 25.0 20.0 20.0 15.0

15.0 Rainfal in cm Rainfal

10.0 oCTemperature 10.0 5.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Avg Rain Fall (cm) Avg Max Temp (oC) Avg Min Temp (oC)

Fig-2.1. Rainfall and Temperature of Koch Bihar District

2.2.5. Soil: Soil of the study area is alluvial which are formed in quaternary period. The soil of the study area is formed by alluvial deposits and is acidic in nature.“It is friable loam to sandy loam ranging in depth from 0.15 to 1 metre. Except for some village (especially in the banks of Karatoya) clay lands are rare” (Chowdhury, 1903). Being close to the eastern Himalayan foothills, after the rains in the catchment basin of each of the rivers generally attain strong current and then flood hits in the adjacent area and as a result, turbulent water carries sand, silt, pebbles which causes many problems in productivity as well as hydrology (Map-2.4). The soil is generally acidic in nature, because of heavy rainfall. The moisture holding capacity of the soil is very low. Silty-loam and sandy-loam soil are found in the northern portion of the district. The sandy-silt soil is formed along the flood plain of the major rivers. Older alluvium soil is found far away from river courses. Newer alluvium soil is found near the river. Every year this newer alluvium is deposited over the low-lying areas. “The soil has a low level of nitrogen while potassium and phosphorus levels are medium. Deficiency of zinc, calcium, magnesium and sulphur is quite high” (DL& LRO Report, Koch Bihar, 2011). Sandy-loam soil is found in Mekhliganj, Haldibari, Mathabhanga-I and Sitai Block. Loam Soil is found in Mathabhanga-I, Koch Bihar-I, Koch Bihar-II, Dinhata-II, and Dinhata-I. In Koch Bihar District about 53.4 per cent area has been covered with deep fine loamy soil (Fig-2.2)

Table-2.5. Types and Geographical Coverage of Soil Sl. No. Types of Soil

Major soil Area (in ‘000 ha.) % of total soil 1 Sandy 4.91 1.4 2 Coarse loamy 106.13 31.3 3 Deep to very deep fine loamy 181.20 53.4 4 Fine 26.03 7.7 5 Miscellaneous 20.43 6.2 Source: District Disaster Management Plan, Koch Bihar, Government of West Bengal, 2016

Sandy

Coarse loamy

Deep to very deep fine loamy Fine

Miscellaneous

Fig- 2.2.Geographical Coverage of Different Types of Soil

Map-2.4. Soil Map of Koch Bihar District

2.2.6. Natural Vegetation: The Koch Bihar District has 3 small reserved forests- Patlakhawa, Rasikbil, Baro Salbari. Actually, the district has no big forest. “There is no forest worth the name; only a small area in Teldhar, and a few others patches of land here and there, have clusters of Sal trees on them. In recent, Teak and Shishu trees have been largely planted and are seen mostly along the roads” (Chowdhury, 1903). Thus, the character of the forest in the district is an admixture of deciduous and evergreen type (Map-2. ). “The forests are comprised of protected forest, un-classed forest and khasmahal forests. As the forests are an admixture of evergreen and deciduous, both hard and soft stem trees are available in these forests” (IMEFS, 2011). Highest forest cover observed in Tufanganj-II i.e. 2030.9 ha followed by Koch Bihar-II (798.9 ha), Tufanganj-I (701.1 ha), Mathabhanga-II (329.2 ha) and less forest cover observe in Sitai (1 ha) and Mekhliganj (31.3 ha) and no forest cover was found in Haldibari (Fig-2.3).

Table-2.6. Types and Geographical Coverage of Natural Vegetation

Name of the Block Forests in Ha Haldibari 0 Mekhliganj 31.3 Mathabhanga-I 83.7 Mathabhanga-II 329.2 Koch Bihar-I 68.8 Koch Bihar-II 798.9 Tufanganj-I 701.1 Tufanganj-II 2030.9 Dinhata-I 25 Dinhata-II 13.2 Sitai 1 Sitalkuchi 278.1 Total 4361.2 Source: District Census Hand Book, 2011

Haldibari Mekhliganj Mathabhanga-I Mathabhanga-II Koch Bihar-I Koch Bihar-II Tufanganj-I

Fig-2.3. Block Wise Distribution of Forest Cover, Koch Bihar District, 2011

Map-2.5. Natural Vegetation of Koch Bihar District (Source: Landsat, OLI-8)

2.3. Cultural Setup: 2.3.1. Land Use and Land Cover (LULC): Land resources of any region are influenced not only by geographical area but also by the pattern of land uses for various purposes. The district has 77.65 per cent of agricultural land, 1.59 per cent of forest land and 17.03 per cent of land is not suitable for agriculture, 3.35 per cent is fallow land and 0.38 per cent is vacant land. Total forest land in the district is 5405.00 hectare. Among the total forest land, 2990.32 hectaresis protected forest, 2155.79 hectares are unprotected forest and rest of 251.89 hectares are under others category. The district has 9000 hectare wetland. Other wetland areas like ponds are 891.42 hectares. 60790 hectares is used for the settlement of houses, schools, hats and markets. Uncultivated land is 14,368 hectare, cultivated land is 246,491 hectare. The district has 99,163 hectares irrigated the land. Rapid urbanization (10.3 per cent) is changing the urban land use pattern in this district (Table-2.7). Tufanganj, Koch Bihar, Mathabhanga, and Mekhliganj towns are vulnerable for flood as immigrants from rural area mainly encroach the river embankments and river banks, which changes the land use pattern and weaken the strength of embankments (Fig-2.4).

Table-2.7.Blockwise Land Use Pattern of Koch Bihar District Name of the Area under Culturable Block Forests Non-agricultural Net Area Sown Total Waste Land

Uses

Area in Ha of % Forests Area in Ha of % Non Agriculture Area in Ha of % Cu. Waste Area in Ha of % NSA Area in Ha of % Land Haldibari 0.0 0.0 3027.1 19.9 179.2 1.2 12032.1 79.0 15238.4 100.0 Mekhliganj 31.3 0.1 6893.1 23.0 2093.2 7.0 20989.5 69.9 30007.1 100.0 Mathabhanga-I 83.7 0.3 7173.7 22.5 1992.1 6.2 22690.1 71.0 31939.6 100.0 Mathabhanga-II 329.2 1.1 11161.4 36.0 1054.4 3.4 18453.4 59.5 30998.4 100.0 Koch Bihar-I 68.8 0.2 6764.6 19.4 763.5 2.2 27350.1 78.3 34947.0 100.0 Koch Bihar-II 798.9 2.2 5942.0 16.1 1737.6 4.7 28332.4 77.0 36810.9 100.0 Tufanganj-I 701.1 2.2 4771.7 15.2 1834.5 5.8 24139.2 76.8 31446.5 100.0 Tufanganj-II 2030.9 7.7 3798.4 14.3 2378.4 9.0 18293.4 69.0 26501.1 100.0 Dinhata-I 25.0 0.1 4157.9 14.9 1402.0 5.0 22235.5 79.9 27820.4 100.0 Dinhata-II 13.2 0.1 5069.2 20.5 803.6 3.3 18811.5 76.2 24697.5 100.0 Sitai 1.0 0.0 2791.6 17.4 485.8 3.0 12803.7 79.6 16082.1 100.0 Sitalkuchi 278.1 1.1 4917.3 18.7 737.2 2.8 20318.2 77.4 26250.8 100.0 Total 4361.2 1.3 66468 20.0 15461.5 4.6 246449.1 74.1 332739.8 100.0 Source: District Census Hand Book (DCHB), 2011

Map-2.6. Land Use Map of Koch Bihar District (Source: NRSC Bhuvan)

Fig-2.4. Land Use Pattern of Koch Bihar District, 2011

2.3.2. Demography: The average density of population in the district was 407 persons /sq km (Map-2.7). According to 2011 census, the total population of the district is 2819086 persons. Among them 1451542 are males and 1367544 are females (Table- 2.8). The population density as of 832 persons/sq. km. and the decadal rate of population growth over 2001 – 2011 was 13.71 per cent. The district has a sex ratio of 942 females for every 1000 males & the literacy rate is 74.78 per cent. The district has very low urbanization rate i.e. 10.3 per cent and hence the livelihood condition more or less agro-basedon nature (DCHB, 2011). Another important feature of this district is that high proportion of the population in Scheduled categories. As per Census 2011, Koch Bihar has recorded 50.17 per cent and 0.67 per cent concentration of population under SC and ST category respectively. So, there is a degree of socio-cultural and socio-economic differentiation in terms works participation and livelihood in the district.

Table-2.8.Block Wise Population of Koch Bihar District (2011) Name of the Block Area Sq Km Male Female Total Density km/sq km Koch Bihar – I 375.32 1,68,185 1,58,373 3,26,558 870 Koch Bihar – II 362.36 1,79,591 1,64,310 3,43,901 949 Dinhata – I 250 1,47,602 123935 2,71,537 1086 Dinhata – II 293.11 1,26,663 1,17,403 2,44,066 833 Haldibari 200.7 52,851 51,118 1,03,969 518 Mathabhanga - I 312.96 1,12,497 1,05,694 2,18,191 697 Mathabhanga - II 313.84 1,17,100 1,10,297 2,27,397 725 Mekhliganj 292.42 80,052 75,198 1,55,250 531 Sitai 151.25 56,016 54,317 1,10,333 729 Sitalkuchi 261.6 94,277 91,076 1,85,353 709 Tufanganj – I 328.62 1,28,415 1,20,180 2,48,595 756 Tufanganj – II 328.62 96,222 90,504 1,86,726 568 Source: District Census Hand Book, Koch Bihar, 2011

Koch Bihar District is a rural dominating area where about 92.19 per was rural population and only 7.81 percent was urban population. But in 2011 urban population rose 10.27 per cent and rural population de seas to 89.73 per cent.

Map-2.7. Population Density Map of Koch Bihar, 2011

Table-2.9.Temporal Variation of Population Year Population Koch Rural Population % to district’s Urban Population % to district’s Bihar total total 1991 2171145 20,01,648 92.19 1,69,497 7.81 2001 2479155 22,53,537 90.9 2,25,618 9.1 2011 2819086 25,29,652 89.73 2,89,434 10.27

Fig-2.5.Temporal Variation of Rural and Urban Population, Koch Bihar District

Table-2.10.Koch Bihar District at a Glance Description 2011 2001 Actual Population 2,819,086 2,479,155 Male 1,451,542 1,272,094 Female 1,367,544 1,207,061 Population Growth 13.71% 14.19% Area Sq. Km 3,387 3,387 Density/km2 832 732 Proportion to West Bengal Population 3.09% 3.09% Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 942 949 Child Sex Ratio (0-6 Age) 948 964 Average Literacy 74.78 66.30 Male Literacy 80.71 75.93 Female Literacy 68.49 56.12 Total Child Population (0-6 Age) 344,645 387,130 Male Population (0-6 Age) 176,940 197,118 Female Population (0-6 Age) 167,705 190,012 Literates 1,850,504 1,386,965 Male Literates 1,028,733 816,196 Female Literates 821,771 570,769 Child Proportion (0-6 Age) 12.23% 15.62% Boys Proportion (0-6 Age) 12.19% 15.50% Girls Proportion (0-6 Age) 12.26% 15.74% Source: Census of India, 2001 & 2011

2.3.3. Literacy Status: It is presently 75.49% in 2011, which is 1.59% less than the state average. The low level of literacy indicates the backwardness of the district. The male- female literacy level also shows great variation; the male being much lower than the female.(Table-2.11).

2.3.4. Religion and Caste Composition: The high concentration of SC population (50.2 per cent) and negligible proportion of ST population (0.60) shows the nature of ethnic composition of the district. Koch Bihar district

44 contains the largest number of SC population in West Bengal. The table-2.11 shows that over the years there is a trend of rise in SC population, while the proportion of ST population is decreasing. Rajbanshis – the single largest social groups of Hindu religion, following the Namasudras are the majority among scheduled caste population. The majority of tribal population is constituted of Oraon, Rabha, Munda, Santal, Bedia and Garo. Muslims constitute the second largest religious group in the population.

Table-2.11. Religion and Caste Composition

% to % to % to % to % to Year SC ST Hindu Muslim Others total total total total total 1991 1123719 51.76 13273 .60 1,659,733 76.44 506728 23.34 4684 .22 2001 1242374 50.11 14246 .54 187,1857 75.50 600911 24.24 5648 .23 2011 1,414,336 50.2 18,125 .60 2,087,766 74.06 720,033 25.54 7033 .27 Source: Census of India

90 80 70 60 50 40

Per cnetagePer 30 20 10 0 SC ST Hindu Muslim Others

1991 2001 2011

Fig-2.6. Cast and Religion Composition, Koch Bihar District, 1991-2011

2.3.5. Occupational Structure: Occupational structure is known as the distribution of working force into the different sectors of economic activity. Working force refers the population engaged in various productive activities in an economy.The main workers are those who are engaged in the economically productive activity for a major part of the preceding year (at least six month or 183 days), whereas marginal workers define those who worked for sometimes (less than 183 days) (Census 1981). In 2001, there were 9, 66,705 total workers (36.03 % of total population) of Koch Bihar District was and increased to 11, 27.977 (40.01 % to total population). The data and chart of the different types of worker of Koch Bihar District in

2001indicate that the maximum worker engaged in agricultural activities i.e. cultivators (40.51 % of total worker) and agricultural labourers (31.95%), others worker carried 31.36 %, household industry (4.39 %) whereas in 2011 the agricultural labourer has declined to 32.34% and cultivators increases to 32.34 %, other workers 29.32 %, household industry 3.6 % respectively (Map- 2.8 and 2.9). Table-2.12.Block Wise Different Worker of Koch Bihar, 2001 and 2011 Percentage of Agricultural Name of the Cultivators Household Others Workers Labourer Block 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011 Haldibari 30.74 37.91 39.38 37.92 40.99 44 2.02 1.31 17.61 16.71 Mekhliganj 37.61 41.12 40.18 48.22 30.18 34.04 0.8 1.7 19.84 16.03 Mathabhanga-I 45.6 44.94 52.5 47.24 27.73 31.21 0.9 1.71 18.86 19.84 Mathabhanga- 39.8 39.79 39.77 34.25 34.59 39.06 3.48 2.64 22.15 24.05 II Koch Bihar-I 32.09 41.21 34.04 23.01 27.71 32.37 6.05 5.44 30.69 34.34 Koch Bihar-II 37.8 37.31 34.28 21.35 27.86 33.77 3.9 3.04 33.97 41.85 Tufanganj-I 34.25 40.49 31.47 24.69 26.53 34.95 12.88 9.94 29.12 30.42 Tufanganj-II 37.07 39.87 37.38 28.7 29.22 33.82 0.52 5.77 28.21 31.72 Dinhata-I 38.62 39.73 36.27 30.49 34.48 39.07 3.23 3.64 26.02 26.8 Dinhata-II 48.47 39.69 37.58 33.51 39.58 51.06 4.26 1.34 18.58 14.09 Sitai 42.91 45.67 45.77 41.96 41.27 44.92 1.07 1.67 11.89 11.45 Sitalkuchi 42.33 39.53 56.15 56.59 30.5 29.94 1.02 1.96 12.33 7.42 District 36.03 40.01 40.51 32.34 31.95 34.74 4.39 3.6 31.36 29.32 Source: District Census Hand Book, 2001-2011

Map-2.8. Occupational Structure of Koch Bihar, 2001

Map-2.9. Occupational Structure of Koch Bihar, 2011

2.3.6. Industrial Scenario: Koch Bihar has made a slight progress in the field of industrial development with the establishment of most sophisticated Downstream Haldia Projects (DHP). Cold Drawing steel plants & casting units are in operation in the district recently. Units for Unconventional & Industrially used products are now being constructed in the area. The industries in Koch Bihar, instead of being an independent one are the subsidiary units supporting the industries with the raw materials and the processing of their finished products.

Table-2.13. Industrial Scenario of Koch Bihar Sl. No. Head Unit Particulars 1 Registered Industrial Unit No 43 2 Total Industrial Unit No NA 3 Registered Medium & Large Unit No 892 Estimated Avg. No. of Daily Worker Employed in Small Scale 4 No 2624 Industries 5 Employment in Large and Medium Industries No NA 6 No. of Industrial Area No 1 7 Turnover of Small Scale Industries (2010-11) In Lacs 116121154 8 Turnover of Medium & Large Scale Industries In Lacs NA Source: District Statistical Hand Book 2011

Table-2.14. Selected Characteristics of Factories by Industry Group in the District for the Year 2010-11 Invested Man days No. of Fixed Capital No. of Industries Capital (Rs. In employed (in factories (Rs. In Lakh) Employees Lakh) thousands) Manufacture of Food Products 5 1011 1889 322 95 Manufacture of Textiles 4 14 135 907 267 Manufacture of wood and products 2 4955 6642 1674 569 of wood and cork, except furniture manufacture of articles of 12 372 1685 394 112 straw and plaiting materials Manufacture of other known- 1 10 25 10 3 metallic mineral products Warehousing and support 10 1960 1973 320 81 Activities for transportation. Warehousing and support 34 8322 12349 3627 1127 Activities for transportation. Source: District Census Hand Book, 2011

Nevertheless, the district has a good potential of Jute based industries as raw materials are available in abundance. Further, there is a good scope of food processing industries especially maize-based industries as the production of maize is rising day by day in the district and can even be exported to neighbouring states as well as countries. However, small-scale cottage industries like bamboo craft, traditional mats (Shital Pati) etc. have good potential and could provide women with work on a sustainable basis. Apart from this, Koch Bihar is the largest tobacco producer in West Bengal. So there is a great possibility of dye industries as well as beedi industries which can eradicate the unemployment of both rural men and women as well specifically to those who are landless.

2.3.7. Connectivity & Accessibility: The district Koch Bihar has a good transport system as it is well connected by roadway and railway. An airport is also found in the district but due to the lack of passengers and political unrests, it remains closed. A section of National Highway (NH-31) traverses by touching the district headquarters town Koch Bihar. The railway is now well connected from Bamanhat to New Koch Bihar, New Jalpaiguri, and with the neighbouring state Assam by the good governance of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). Recently, Tufanganj and Mathabhanga subdivision comes under the Railway connectivity whereas Tufanganj Railway has interlinked with Assam via Dhubri and Mathabhanga with the capital of West Bengal via

New Jalpaiguri Junction. Very high road density observed in Koch Bihar-II, Dinhata-II and Tufanganj-II (Fig-2.7). Table-2.15. Road Density Map of Koch Bihar District, 2011 Road Length in Road Density in SL No. Name of the Blocks Area in Sq km Km km/km2 1 Mekhliganj 305.95 142.32 0.47 2 Haldibari 153.83 68.92 0.45 3 Mathabhanga-I 322.76 113.21 0.35 4 Mathabhanga-II 309.99 169.9 0.55 5 Sitalkuchi 262.51 68.66 0.26 6 Koch Bihar-I 369.46 244.97 0.66 7 Koch Bihar-II 386.38 219.09 0.57 8 Tufanganj-I 320.75 157.37 0.49 9 Tufanganj-II 265.75 189.15 0.71 10 Dinhata-I 284.22 120.81 0.43 11 Dinhata-II 276.98 179.15 0.65 12 Sitai 160.82 41.3 0.26 Total 3419.4 1714.85 0.5

Average 0.49 Source: DCHB, 2011 SD 0.15 Source: District Statistical Hand Book, 2011

Map-2.10.Road Density Map of Koch Bihar, 2011

Fig-2.7. Road Density Km/Km2, Koch Bihar District

2.3.8. Economy of the Study Area: The economy of Koch Bihar is solely agriculture based. The inland marketing of the agricultural products mainly supports the economy of Koch Bihar. Predominantly an agrarian district, Koch Bihar is industrially backward. “However, to supplement the agriculture-based economy, some measures have been taken up to ensure growth in the industrial sector” (Economic review, 2011). Almost all the Government offices are situated near the vicinity of Sagar Dighi. Koch Bihar is a home to a number of districts level and divisional level offices and has a long government employee workforce. Business is mainly centred or retailed goods. The main centres lie on B.S. Road, Rupnarayan Road, and Keshab Road and at Bhowanigan Bazar. Farming is a major sourceof income as well as of livelihood. The StateGovernment is now promoting Koch Bihar as a tourist destination.

2.4. Conclusion: The present chapter highlights the general background of the study area. The general background of the study area are mainly divided into two parts i) physical background of the study area ii) Cultural background of the study area. Koch Bihar a number of rivers and wetlands. The district is a flood prone area. The soil is sandy loamy nature and climate is favourable for agricultural activities. Higher precipitation and perennial nature of the river also helps in replenishment of groundwater in Koch Bihar District.

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