Chapter-11

CHAPTER-II
SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING OF THE STUDY AREA

Agriculture has been an important human activity right from the First
Neolithic revolution. Over these many millenniums, it has undergone many
transformations. Various forms of agricultures representing different stages in the
evolutions of mankind as social and economic animal. existing side by side are
still visible in many parts of the world. There are areas and communities that are
still practicing most primitive form of slash and bum agriculture in some part of
India and there also are farmers that are practicing most advanced form of gene
agriculture. Apparently, these represent two diametrically opposite facets of
agriculture but they are similar in more that one ways. It is particularly true when
seen in the context of the factors that control agricultural practices.
Agriculture, even today, continues to be largely determined by natural and
social factors more than the technological ones. The nature of agriculture.
selection of crops. patterns of agriculture etc. are closely controlled by the physical
factors of an area or region. The regional physical set-up on an area acts as a
platform for any kind of agricultural development and economic activities. In fact.
terrain, slope, altitude, temperature, precipitation, sun shine, wind speed, soil
quality and fertility, micro organism, drainage, ground water table etc. are vital
determinants of agricultural activities and cropping patterns in an area. Besides
these. there are numerous socio-cultural, economic, political, technological and
infrastructure factors, which also determine the agricultural land use, cropping
patterns and other agricultural practices. Of these factors, land tenancy relations,
system of ownership, size of land holdings, availability of labour and capital,
community participation, level of technological development, accessibility to the
market, irrigation facilities, agricultural research and extension services, price
incentives, government plans and international policies too have close impact on
agricultural activities.
Keeping the above-mentioned facts in mind, this chapter is devoted to the
geographical background and socio-environmental setting of the study area. It
deals with topography, geology, drainage system, climate, soil characteristics.
natural vegetation, population structure. agriculture, language. transport network.

40
industry etc .. which have significant role in the emergence and development of
Small Tea Plantations in the region. Some of these factors directly or indirectly. set
limits to the growth of Small Tea Plantations in one way or the other. Therefore. it
would be worth to discuss some of the important socio-environmental factors in
some details particularly in the context of emergence of Small Tea Plantations.
employment conditions and their impact on the household economy in lslampur
subdivision.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUBDIVISION
As depicted over the map, Islampur, is located in the northern part of the
state of West Bengal. Administratively it is included in the Jalpaiguri Division of
the state. The total geographical area of the district is 3140 sq. km with an urban
occupancy of 44.36 sq. lon. The district headquarter is at Raiganj. It has two
subdivisions of Islampur and Raiganj with an area of 1751.81 sq. km and 1388. 19
sq. km respectively. The Islampur subdivision has two towns of lslampur and
Dalkhola, and in the same manner Raiganj subdivision too have two towns:
Raiganj and Kaliaganj. The Islampur subdivision consists of five community
development blocks of Chopra, lslampur. Goalpokhar-1. Goalpokhar-11 and
Karandighi while Raiganj subdivision has four community development blocks of
Raiganj, Hemtabad, Kaliaganj and Itahar.
The present Uttar Dinajpur district was once part of the larger West
Dinajpur, formed in 1786 in an undivided Bengali. On 1 51 April 19922 the West
Dinajpur was divided into two parts i.e. Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur.
West Dinajpur is different from the other neighbouring districts owing to its
strategic position in the region. It was formed as a separate district only after
partition of Bengal in August 1947. In 1947. at the time of partition of the country.
the Dinajpur district was divided into two parts: major portion of the Dinajpur
district covering the subdivisions of Dinajpur and Thakurgaon and four police
stations of the Balurghat subdivision were included in East Pakistan. (now
Bangladesh) and the remaining ten police stations covering the Balurghat
subdivision were included in West Dinajpur. West Bengal. During July 1948 the

1
Census of India, 1991: West Dinajpur. District Census Handbook, Part XIII-A.
Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, p. xv
2
District Gazetteers of India (Eastern Zone). 1998: The Calcutta Gazette, Extra Ordinary.
dated 28 111 February 1992, p. 987

41
area of the West Oinajpur district was divided into two subdivisions; Balurghat
and Raiganj. Presently, the Raiganj subdivision of West Dinajpur forms the Uttar
Dinapur district while the Balurghat subdivision forms the Dakshin Dinajpur
district of West Bengal.
The history of the origin of Islampur subdivision is an interesting one. It
was basically a part of the state of Bihar before Independence. Between 194 7 and
1956. a large tract of East Pakistan (presently Bangladesh) and province of Bihar
had common borders with each other and West Bengal had two separate regions
within it. The Northem region was comprised of districts Daijeeling, Jalpaiguri
and Cooch Behar and in the south had all the other districts of the south
(Appendix-lll shows the Map ofWest Bengal based on 1951 Census). This caused
a lot of administrative inconveniences. Thus it was thought that if Islampur
subdivision is transferred to West Bengal from Bihar then only the state of West
Bengal will become a contiguous administrative unit. Consequently. this area was
included in West Bengal in 1956. At the time of its inclusion it formed the eastem
part district Pumea. Presently. these areas are comprised Phansidewa police
stations in district Daijeeling and Chopra. lslampur. Karandighi and Goalpokhar
under Islampur subdivision in district Uttar Dinajpur. With the transfer of these
areas from Bihar to West Bengal. a district road link was created between the
northem and southem portions of the state in the form of a corridor avoiding
Bangladesh. The link was provided in 1956 under the Bihar and West Bengal
Transfer of Territories Act, 1956. Thus it resulted in the formation of the West
Oinajpur district in West Bengal3. Originally, the entire land transferred was
attached to district Daijeeling by the State Govemment in 1956 but within a gap
of one day the territory consisting of 906 villages in 3 police stations were again
transferred to the district West Dinajpur (Table-2.1). Subsequently, in 1959, part
of the transferred territories which lay to the north of river Mahananda were
transferred to the district Daijeeling so that the river Mahananda formed the
northem boundary ofWest Dinajpur presently known as Uttar Dinajpur.

3 Census of India. 1991: West Dinajpur, District Census Handbook, Part XIII-A.
Directorate of Census Operations. West Bengal. p. xv

42
 TABLE-2.1
TRANSFERRED
- AREAS FROM BlliAR TO WEST BENGAL
Name of Area in Sq. km Name of Pollee Nwnber of Population
Revenue [As per Bihar Station Vlllages As per 1951
Thana records] Census
lslampur 336.40 Thakurl!anj 12 14357
Chopra 124 52858
Islam pur 120 57317
Kishanganj 249.79 Kishanganj 286 63743
Goalpokhar 94 35226
Gopalpur 149.69 Karandig_hi 270 47165
Total 732.88 Five 906 270666
Source: District Census Handbook. West Dlnajpur 1961

I
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Geographically, the state of West Bengal can be divided into five broad
regions. viz.. Northern HUly, North Bengal Plain, Central Plain. Coastal Plain and
Western Undulaling Terrain4. The first two regions i.e. Northem Hilly and North
Bengal Plain cover all the six districts i.e. Daijeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar.
Uttar Dinajpur. Dakshin Oinajpur and Maida form the north Bengal region. The
Islampur subdivision too is a part of district Uttar Dinajpur, North Bengal Plains.
Its geographical extent as shown in the table-2.2 indicates that though it is
relatively a small area yet it has some marked intra-regional variations in terms of
the follm.ving parameters:
TABLE-2.2
GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF WEST BENGAL
Items Geographical Region Study Area
Name of Region North Bengal Plain lslampur Subdivision
Physical Extension 24° 40' N to 26° 50' Nand 25° 40' N to 26° 35' N and
87° 48' E to 89° 53' E 87° 45' E to 88° 32' E
Source: Compiled from District Census Handbook and Soils of West Bengal, 19855

1. GEOLOGY:
Geologically speaking, Islampur subdivision is a rather featureless plain
consisting entirely of alluvium. The area is formed by the great Barind or
Pleistocene (older) alluvium, which is the largest of the alluvial units of the Bengal
Basin. The alluvial plain covers approximately three-fifths of the total area of the

4 N. Mitra (ed.). 1985: Soils of West Bengal {A Modern Classiftcation}. Directorate of

Agriculture. Government ofWest Bengal, Kolkata. p. 8

5 Ibid .• p. 9

43
state concealing the older rocks under variable thickness of sediments. The
thickness of these alluvial fonnations is not clearly known. It is generally agreed
that the area of which this subdivision fonns a part is a gap between the Garo
hiils in the east and Rajmahal hills in the west. popularly known as the Maida
Gap. which was filled up by alluvium in comparatively late geological times. This
narrow strip of land that connects the northern portions of West Bengal to the
Maida pouch is called as Mahananda Corridor6 (Figure-2.1).
The Bari.nd consists of well-oxidised. massive reddish colour argillaceous
formations. which are weathered yellow at the surface. The Kankar and
ferruginous concretions are commonly found in these fonnations. The alluvial
fonnations are grouped into Bhanger or older alluvium of Pleistocene age 7
occupying comparatively higher grounds in the northern part of the subdivision
and generally of course. reddish colour having calcareous and limotic concretions.
The Khader or new alluvium is of the sub-recent to recent ageS. occupies the lower
grounds of the southern part of the subdivision. It consists of alternate beds of
clay. silt. sand. marl, peat bed and some forest beds and merges into deltoid flood
plain.
The river action has imparted undulating character to the Teesta flood plain
comprising Cooch Behar, Uttar Oinajpur. Dakshin Oinajpur. Maida and part of
Japaiguri districts. The closely spaced streams from the mountain discharge the
load and make the piedmont alluvial fans of boulder beds, gravels. sand, silt and
clays. Some of rivers like Mahananda and others have fonned a broad piedmont
alluvial plain, which overlap the Barind in the north. These intra regional
variations in the geology of the region have significant impacts upon the relief.
physiography. drainage and soil characteristics of the region, which in tum have
direct impacts upon the agricultural practices.

6
S.C. Bose. 1968: Geography ofWest Bengal, National Book Trust. New Delhi. p.12
7 N. Mitra (ed.). 1985: Soils of West Bengal (A Modern Classijication), Directorate of
Agriculture. Government of West Bengal. Kolkata. p. 11
8 Ibid., p. 11

44
 Geographic Regions of West Bengal

_::KI~M
l3 }f,
Northern nt ~ 1' ~ tv
atns

Not to scale

Source: S .C . Bose (1968)

Figure 2.1
2. TOPOGRAPHY:
The agricultural pattems of an area are strictly dependent on the conditions
of terrain or topography and altitudes. Paddy cultivation requires leveled fields: tea
plantation performs relatively better in a well drained undulating topography
where water does not remain standing for a longer time. The tract of land between
the Mahananda River in the North and Nagar River in the south is about 70-80
km long, but its width rarely exceeds 15 km at any points. This corridor is linked
with the rest of the district through Raiganj subdivision.
The general appearance of the landscape is flat sloping gently southwards
as it is shown by the flow of the rivers and streams. In the north and on the
eastem margin along the Bangladesh border this subdivision has curious
formation known as Bari.nd9 , geologically classed as old alluvium. The Bari.nd
topography in Jslampur subdivision locally called the Dangis and in these areas
Small Tea Plantations are practiced today. This is an undulating area interspersed
with ravines. Though, the elevations are nowhere worthy of the name of hills as
the highest ridge not exceeding thirty meters yet these make a considerable
alteration in the appearance of the area, which elsewhere consists of the flat
alluvial plains - characteristic of the Gangetic Plains. The maximum slope is about
four per cent. The ravines vary from shallow stretches of low land suitable for
growing rice, to deeper depressions bearing a resemblance to old riverbeds and
sometimes contain water. These depressions are locally called Kharis. These areas
are locally termed as the Nichanparas in Islampur subdivision and jute and rice
are the common crops produced in this zone. The ridges are commonly covered
with scrubs, jungle and stunted trees. Another marked feature of the region is the
presence of tanks Oocally known as Pokhari), especially numerous in the south.
These vary in size from splendid stretches of water, which might justly be called
lakes or meres to small and insignificant ponds. There are also a number of
marshes or bils formed by the overflowing of the rivers.
In the absence of hills it is hard to trace the natural divisions. but there are
many differences between the northem and the southem parts of the subdivision.
Although a number of streams transverse the subdivision. these do not act as

9 J.C. Sengupta (ed.). 1965: West Dinajpur: West Bengal District Gazetteers,
Govemment of West Bengal, Kolkata. p. 6

46
boundarie£ of any natural divisions. A typical feature of the region is the slightly
raised banks of old leached alluvial soil from which numerous small streams
originate, which wriggle in slightly incised and intricate meanders.
3. RIVER SYSTEM:
As mentioned before, the subdivision appears to be a relatively flat area. but
it has a gentle slope from north to southJo. This is also evident from the course of
the rivers flowing through Islampur subdivision. The ultimate destination of all the
main rivers is the river Ganga. Heavy rains in exceptionally wet years can make
the river water overflow their banks thus causing floods. The channels of the rivers
are well marked and are almost constant. Of course, there are evidences to prove
that in the past sometimes the courses of the main rivers underwent some
changes. In the rainy season the main rivers are navigable by country boats in
most part of the subdivision. but during the greater part of the year they are either
dry or dwindle to a string of pools. The rivers and streams in Islarnpur subdivision
are. therefore. of little use for the purpose of communication during the greater
part of the year. However, some geologists and hydrologists have brought some
evidences in support of the view that the riverbeds are getting shallow through
deposition of silt.
As shown over the map (Figure-2.2) the smaller streams, namely Berrong.
Douk. Raba. Dalucha. Soriano. Pitano. Sudano and Bolhakaur, form the main
drainage channels in the Islampur subdivisionll. Among the major rivers, the
Mahananda forms the northern boundary of the region whereas the Nagar River
forms its south-eastern boundary. Most of the streams forming the local drainage
network in the area are seasonal or ephemeral in nature, which is the result of the
prevalent climatic and physiographic characteristics. These two together are also
the main controlling factors in the development of tea cultivation in the region.

1
° Census of India. 1991: West Dinajpur. District Census Handbook. Part XIII-A.
Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, p. xvi
11 Census of India. 1991: West Dinajpur. District Census Handbook. Part XIII-A.
Directorate of Census Operations. West Bengal. p. Map of district West Dinajpur

47
 River System in Islampur Subdivision

Dat)....,hng

BANGLADESH

N-Nala
R- River

0 10 20 30 Kms

Source: District Census Handbook, Figure 2.2

1991, West DinaJpur
4. CLIMATIC CHARATERISTICS:
Of all the physical factors. climate is quite significant that determines the
land use and agricultural patterns of a region. The climate of West Bengal is
generally tropical. hot and humid. monsoon type. except in the northern
mountains where the altitude becomes the controlling factor. The physiographic
and climatic variations in the state are closely associated with each other and
consequently the boundaries of the sub-regions (mentioned under physiographic
divisions) broadly coincide with each other. The lslampur subdivision falls under
the group of North Bengal Plain region. Table gives the climatic characteristics of
the region. Climatically. it may be called as Tropical per Humid Zone.
TABLE-2.3
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF NORTH BENGAL PLAIN REGION
(All fi.f'!:ures are mean of Annual Normal)
Geographical Weather Factors Weather Characteristics of Major
Region with Seasons
Physical
Extension
North Bengal Season Summer Rainy Winter
Plain Months Mar- Ma_y Jun- Oct Nov- Feb
24° 40' N to Rainfall (mml 371.6 2134.0 42.6
26c 50' N Temperature o C Max. 32.3 31.3 26.0
and Temperature o C Min. 20.5 24.5 12.8
87c 48' E to Relative Humidity in % 60.0 81.0 70.0
89° 53' E Dew Fall L.S. N.S. v.s.
N.B.: V.S.- Very Significant. S.- Signlficant. L.S.- Less Significant. N.S.- Not Significant
Source: Soils of West Bengal, 198512

On the basis of the climatic data shown in the above table-2.3. it can be
said that the climate of Islampur subdivision approximates more that of Bihar
than that of the central districts of West Bengal. The climate of the area is tropical
per humid with mean annual temperature of 24.4° C and mean annual rainfall of
3628 mmt3. Islampur town in the north receives an annual rainfall of 2585 mm.
with maximum and minimum temperature of 35° Celsius and 12° Celsius
respectively. and Dalk.hola town in the south receives about 1422.13 mm rainfall
annually 14 . The most important characteristic is that the annual rainfall amount
decreases from north to south in the subdivision. Hot summer, profuse rains and

12 N. Mitra (ed.), 1985: Soils of West Bengal (A Modern Classification}, Directorate of

Agriculture. Government of West Bengal. Kolkata. p. 9
13 Ibid .. p. 17
14 Census of India. 1991: West Dinajpur, District Census Handbook, Part Xlii-A.
Directorate of Census Operations. West Bengal. p. 282

49
humid atmosphere all through the year characterize the climate. The hot weather
begins with strong westerly winds. practically from March and continues till the
middle of June. May is the hottest month of the year and is the harvesting season
for most of the fruits locally produced. This is also the time when the area
experiences scarcity of moisture and farmers are forced to irrigate their crops. The
humidity is higher in the northem part than the southem part. The hot summer
ends when there are occasional thundershowers accompanied by high speed wind
coming from west, hot and interrupted by squalls. rains and often by hails of great
magnitude, which are known as Kalbaisakhi's. The force of the gale on such
occasions sometimes becomes so violent that it demolishes huts and similar frail
structures.
The rainy season generally sets in by the middle of June when the monsoon
commences. The heaviest rain usually falls in July and August. sometimes even as
early as the middle of June. This season may be called as productive season as far
as agricultural is concemed: otherwise the weather becomes damp and unhealthy
in this season. The heat is tempered by easterly winds, which spring up towards
sunset and lower the temperature during the night. This is also the most
productive season for the tea cultivation.
As the monsoon withdraws in October, day and night temperatures
decrease steadily. From the middle of October the nights become appreciably
cooler though the days remain hot. The cold weather may be said to be actually
setting in early in November and continues up to the end of February. January is
the coldest month in the region. In general, the cold weather of winter months is
the most comfortable period in the area but less productive as far as tea
plantation is concemed. This is designated as the pruning months in the tea
plantation. Days are bright and sunny and the sky remains crisp and clear.
During the cold season the subdivision experiences a very little rainfall with the
exception of light showers towards the end of December and a thundershower or
two in February. Occasional appearance of fog is also experienced in winter.
The data on the climate of the region as given in the following table reveals
some interesting features about the climate of the region. Climate. which is an
important factor in the agriculture operations in the region. has not been taken

15
In Bengali this stonn is called Kalbaisakhi, the dt>adly wind of the month of Bnisnkh.

50
seriously as is evident from the absence of authentic and continuous data on most
of the climatic parameters.
Table-2.4 shows the data for some of the climatic parameters at traditional
tea garden in the district Darjeeling. The total annual rainfall is 4833.9 mm and
the distribution of rainfall is almost all the months of the year except January and
February. As opposed to this. the Table-2.5 and Table-2.6 show the data of
climatic parameters in the newly developed Small Tea Plantations at Chopra and
lslampur in the district Uttar Dinajpur. The total annual rainfall at these locations
is 3540.8 mm and 2354.6 mm in Chopra and Islampur respectively. At Chopra.
non-rainy months are November to March, on the other hand. at Islampur it is
November, January, and February.
TABLE-2.4
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRADITIONAL TEA GROWING AREA
(AT GANGARA.M TEA ESTATE. DARJEELING)
(1999)
Months Max Temp Min Temp Rainfall Sunshine
(In o C) (In o C) (In m.m] Hours
January 23.9 10.1 Nil 5.8
February 26.8 14.0 Nil 7.5
March 32.3 17.7 48.1 8.0
April 33.2 23.1 129.8 8.2
Mav 31.8 23.4 390.1 7.5
June 32.4 24.6 506.3 8.2
July 30.4 24.1 506.3 4.2
Aue:ust 32.2 24.1 1289.4 6.1
September 32.3 23.5 1101.1 6.6
October 32.1 21.8 550.7 7.0
November 31.3 17.5 284.7 7.5
December N.A. N.A. 27.4 N.A.
Total 4833.9
Source: Unpublished data collected from Tea Research Assoc•abon. Terat Branch,
Bengdubi. Darjeeling

The number of rainy days is more in Chopra as compared to lslampur. It is

revealed in table-2.5 and table-2.5 below. Chopra receives 101 rainy days in a year
and Islampur has only 91 rainy days. The number of rainy days along with local
topography also can be related with the development of Small Tea Plantations. The
Chopra block has the highest number of Small Tea Growers in Islampur
subdivision (detail in Third Chapter).

51
 TABLE-2.5
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS AT DALUA, CHOPRA
120001
Months Max Temp Min Temp Rainfall Rainy Days
(In 0 C) (In 0 C) [In mm)
January 26.0 16.0 Nil Nil
February 28.0 24.0 Nil Nil
March 35.0 28.0 Nil Nil
ApriJ 36.0 30.0 137.2 3
May 31.5 28.5 453.8 ] ]
June 37.0 26.0 631.8 16
July 34.0 28.0 741.0 21
Au~ust 35.0 28.5 858.0 24
September 34.0 23.0 498.0 17
October 34.0 23.5 221.0 9
November 31.0 26.0 Nil Nil
December 27.5 27.0 Nil Nil
Total 3540.8 101
Source: Unpublished data collected from Block Seed Farm, Dalua. Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur

Table-2.6
CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS AT BARHAT, ISLAMPUR
12000)
Months Max Temp Min Temp Rainfall Rainy Days
(In 0 C) (In 0 C) (In mm]
January 29.5 8.5 Nil Nil
February 31.0 11.5 Nil Nil
March 32.5 17.0 5.4 1
April 33.0 18.0 113.3 5
May 38.0 21.0 140.3 7
June 37.0 22.0 536.4 16
July 36.0 21.5 725.0 20
August 34.0 22.0 381.8 21
September 33.0 23.0 392.4 16
October 32.0 20.0 10.0 I
November 31.5 29.5 Nil Nil
December 30.5 28.0 50.0 4
Total 2354.6 91
..
Source: Unpublished data collected from Sub diVISIOnal Adoptive Research Farm,
Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur

Table-2. 7 shows the rainfall distribution over the years in the Small Tea
Plantation dominated areas in Islampur subdivision. If one compares Table-2.4
(traditional tea growing area) and Table-2. 7 (non-traditional tea growing area). it is
found that Small Tea Plantation areas receive just half of the total amount of
rainfall received by traditional tea growing areas. In addition to that the table also
reveals that in Small Tea Plantation areas the distribution of rainfall is uneven
over the years. The amount of rain during November to April varies from 55 mm to

52
221 mm. It is during these months. Small Tea Plantations require huge
investment to irrigate the plantation fields. It has serious impact on farm
production as well as drought related diseases. It has been rightly stated by the
Convener of United Forum of Small Tea Growers' Associations that most of the
land used by the growers for tea cultivation are basically second grade landl6. This
point can be further corroborated by taking other parameters like soil etc.
TABLE-2.7
ANNUAL RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION AT CHANDAN TEA ESTATE

May-Oct
.
DASPARA ISLAMPUR
Nov-April Percentage of Distribution
Year Rainfall Rainfall May-Oct Nov-April
(In mm] [In mm]
1992-93 1332 187 87.70 12.30
1993-94 1565 132 92.30 7.77
1994-95 1324 125 91.37 8.63
1995-96 2386 114 95.44 4.56
1996-97 1888 96 95.17 4.83
1997-98 1882 221 89.50 10.50
1998-99 2924 55 98.16 1.84
Source: Unpublished data collected from Tea Research Association. Terai Branch.
Bengdubi, Darjeeling

5. SOIL CHARACTERISTICS:
In any agricultural operation soil is of the utmost importance as it is the
cradle for all crops and plants. The top soil having an average depth of about 15 to
20 em on the face of the land is the natural body of soil on which plants grow and
the farming activities flourish. The standard of living of the people depending on
agriculture is often determined by the fertility and productivity of the soils.
Therefore. soil plays a vital role in the very existence of mankind.
The soils of lslampur subdivision fall under the group of Teesta Alluvium.
Out of the total 34.57 lak.h hectares of alluvial tract of West Bengal, Teesta Alluvial
occupies 5. 67,657 hectares alonel 7 . According to the physiography of the land,
the soils of Teesta Alluvial are divided into various sub-groups of soil association.
viz.. high land or upland. flat land. riverine land, and low land. According to
genetic character, high or upland soils occur on old flood plains (Dangis). while
soils of flat lands occur on newly formed flood plains (Nichanparas). Riverine lands

16 B.G.Chakraborty. 2005: Small Tea Growers of North Bengal. The Assam Review and
Tea News, October. p. 19
17 N. Mitra (ed.). 1985: Soils of West Bengal CA Modern Classification), Directorate of

Agriculture. Government ofWest Bengal. Kolkata. p. 5

53
occur on very recently formed flood plains, and low lands occur at depressions of
abandoned river courses and marshy lands.
According to National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land use Planning.
Nagpur the soils of lslampur subdivision represent Gitaldaha1 11 soil groups which
have developed on mixed alluvium on flat land at an elevation of 40m to 45m
above mean sea level19. Soils are deep, moderately well drained and have brown
colour, very strongly acid, fme in texture, A hoiizon grey to pale brown. medium to
slightly acid sandy loam B horizon over sandy C horizon.
In the northem part of the subdivision and on the banks of some of the
principal rivers in the south, the soil consists of sandy loam, whereas towards the
north mixed with gravel. This goes by the local name of Palflo. The sandy soil due
to its high porosity and with pH varying between 4.5 to 5.5 is most suitable for tea
cultivation21. Apart form this, presence of organic matter: particularly humus in
the soil is also important for the cultivation of tea. Natural vegetation and others
organic substances decomposed by the decomposers are the main source of
humus in the soil. The North Bengal is very rich in this attribute of the soil. And
this may be one of the important reasons for the development of tea in the region.
6. NATURAL VEGETATION:
The total forest area in the subdivision is 720.3 hectares22. The forest cover
in lslampur subdivision is distributed over three blocks only i.e. Chopra. Islampur.
and Karandighi with an area of 576.8 hectares, 13.5 hectares, and 130.0 hectares
respectively (Table-2.8). Campared to these, Goalpok.har-1 and Goalpokhar-11
blocks of have very small area under natural vegetation. In the forests Sal. Segun.
Hijal, Sishu and Palash trees are available. Teak has also been found in the
natural setting of the region. The common trees found in the region are the Mango.

18 Gitaldaha group of soils is agriculturally important. They have fairly good air-water

relationship. This group of soils has been placed under Dystrochrept at great group level
as per modem United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) system of soil
classification.
19 N. Mitra (ed.). 1985: Soils of West Bengal (A Modern Class!fication), Directorate of
Agriculture, Government of West Bengal. Kolkata. p. 17
20 J.C. Sengupta (ed.}, 1965: West Dinajpur: West Bengal District Gazetteers,
Government of West Bengal. Kolkata. p. 12
21 The most suitable soilfor growing tea is as follows: Depth of soil-Pervious up to 5 to 6
feet: PH of soll-4.5 to 5.5: Soil temperature-not less than 2011 C: Physical properties of soil-
Deep. porous, no hardpan even in the sub-soil. and soil should be light medium tex-tured.
22 Goven1ment of West Bengal, 2001: Uttar Dinajpur, District Statistical Hand Book,

Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics. Kolkata. p. 132

54
Jaclifruit, Jam. Guava. Banana. Simul and Palash. The most abundant vegetation
is brunboo groves. which can be seen all over the region. The Bw1yw1. Peepa.l.
Neem. Krishnachuda and Babla trees also found in the area. The Palmyra or Tal
trees are usually found in good numbers around the tanks. Varieties of Reeds are
found in the marshes. Since. approximately 75 per cent of the total area in the
subdivision has been brought under cultivation; the area under natural vegetation
is restricted to small patches. However. it is generally accepted that forest cover.
and moist climate of the region contribute in maintaining the balance of the local
climate which is necessary for the cultivation of tea. Therefore, it is worth to
mention here the land use pattem in Islampur subdivision and their block level
variation.
7. LAND USE:
Land is the most important resource in the rural areas. It is applicable to
plantation as well as the non-plantation labour households because of the
availability of the village common property resources. It is a well-known fact that
the village commons like the pastures, forests. culturable wasteland. water bodies
etc. play significant role in the overall economy of the house holds in the rural
areas. Meaning thereby, villages endowed with higher proportion of its land under
commons will have positive contribution in the household economy in terms of the
major and minor products that can be procured from these commons.
The total net sown area in Islampur subdivision is 129897 hectares out of
total geographic area 175181 hectares. meaning thereby approximately 75 per
cent of the total geographic area of the subdivision is under cultivation. Similarly,
the total area under pasture and orchard is 2514 hectares and Islampur block
with an area of 1100 hectares has the highest area under this is category. There is
marginal presence of forest cover in the subdivision with a total area of 720.3
hectares and its block-level distribution shows that it is 576.8 hectares in Chopra
block. 13.5 in Islampur block, and 130 hectares in Karandighi block. It is a
reflection of local topographic variation between the Dangis and the Nichanparas.
It was mentioned previously that tea plantation requires moderate climate
conditions and forest cover in an areas has significant moderating impacts on the
tea plantation. But. at the same time the forest cover also helps in providing
various types of household inputs to the neighbouring villages. Similarly. a

55
culturable waste land covers an area of 3227 hectares in the subdivision and this
category of land use provides the grazing fields and village commons. It has a
serious impact upon the labour households in the lslampur subdivision. Again,
the proportion of area not available for cultivation is relatively high in the
subdivision with a total area of 38822.7 hectares and the block-wise distribution
of this category land is highest in Chopra block with 13890.2 hectares. It should
be mentioned here that the number of tea growers and area under Small Tea
Plantations is also highest in Chopra block (detail discussion in Chapter Three in
Table-3.18). This category of land use has been fully replaced by pineapple and tea
cultivation due to advancement of knowledge, technology and market-based
information. It also requires to be mentioned again here (discussed in Third
Chapter in North Bengal section) that the growth of Small Tea Plantations are
found in four types of land. These are; virgin land, crop replaced land. marginal
land, and unsuitable land23. The above-mentioned land use pattern and their
distribution clearly prove the existence of Small Tea Plantations.
TABLE-2.8
LAND USE IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
12000-200 I I
!Area in Hectares)
Net Area Cultlvabl Forest Area not Total
Name of the Area under e waste land available Geographical
Block under pastur land for Area
cultlvat e& cultlvatlo
ion orchar n
d etc.
Chopra 22260 313 800 576.8 13890.2 37840
Islam pur 26000 1100 816 13.5 6589.5 34519
Goalpokhar-1 29500 450 100 Nil 7230.0 37280
Goal pokhar-I I 23076 200 502 Nil 2862.0 26640
Karandi~hi 29061 451 1009 130.0 8251.0 38902
Total 129897 2514 3227 720.3 38822.7 175181
Source: District Statistical Hand Book, Uttar Dinajpur, 2001
Besides these physical factors, human environment also reflects the levels
of development of the study area. Therefore. it is imperative to study socio-
economic aspects of the area, which ultimately have an impact on socio-cultural
dynamics. agricultural and irrigation. employment and quality of life. labour
absorption capacity in the secondary sector, work participation rate etc. All these
parameters will help in understanding the dynamics of marginalized and
23
B.G.Chakraborty. 2005: Small Tea Growers of North Bengal. The Assam Review and
Tea News, October. p. 18

56
vulnerable sections in the study area as well as the labour household economy
which main focus of the present study (detail discussion in the Fifth Chapter).
II
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
Similar to the natural environment the human environment also
influences agricultural practices in various ways. The socio-cultural, economic.
political, technological and infrastructure facilities determine the agricultural land
use. cropping pattem and agricultural practices. The land ownership, size of land
holdings. availability of labour and capital. community participation, accessibility
to market, irrigation facilities and other institutional and technological input etc.
have a great impact on agricultural activities. Therefore. it is worthwhile to give
background of the human environment of the study area. so that it can help in
understanding the development of Small Tea Plantations in Islan1pur subdivision
as well as in North Bengal.
To understand the impact of employment in the Small Tea Plantations on
'Labour Household Economy' in Islarnpur subdivision, a critical enquiry of
differences arising between the Dangis and the Nichanparas with respect to social
attributes i.e. number of household, household size. sex ratio, total population.
level of literacy. share scheduled caste and scheduled tribe population. work
participation rate and occupational diversification etc. has special significance in
the study. This secondary information certainly helps to identify the nature of
impact of employment on Labour Household Economy in the region.
1. ASPECTS OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT:
It was mentioned previously that the Islampur subdivision occupies a
unique geographical location, which in tum has significantly impacted upon the
history. culture, demography and economy of the area. The table-2.9 gives details
about some of the other demographic and social parameters. The total area of
Islampur subdivision is 1751.80 sq. lon. and out of this 16.11 sq. km. is urban.
Thus. the subdivision is predominantly rural. There are five community
development blocks i.e. Chopra. Islampur, Goalpokhar-1, Goalpokhar-11. and
Karandighi. There are two towns i.e. lslampur and Dalkhola in Islampur
subdivision with population of 52738 and 13895 respectively. Both the towns are
commercial centres engaged in transaction of jute and related products. Islampur

57
town has 14 wards and Galkhola has only 1 ward. The total number of moujl'..as in
Islampur subdivision is 757. The number of inhabited villages as per 2001 census
is 741 with a total population of 1308494 persons. The share of urban population
in Islampur subdivision is 5.09 per cent. The total number households are
240609.
TABLE-2.9
NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL WARDS AND VILLAGES, AREA AND POPULATION IN
ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
(2001(
Block I Mouza I Inhabited Number of Area Population
Subdivision Village Village Households (In sq k.m)
Chopra 119 118 41721 378.40 223022
Islam pur 101 101 46118 331.20 241951
lslampur (M)• Ward 14 9735 13.99 52738
Goalpokhar-1 153 144 45266 372.80 245430
Goalpokhar-11 170 168 40849 266.40 226472
Karandi~?;hi 214 210 54440 386.90 304986
Dalkhola (NM)•• Ward 1 2480 2.12 13895
Islam pur 757 741 240609 1751.80 1308494
Source: District Statistical Hand Book. Uttar Dinajpur. 2001

2. SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES OF ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION:

District Uttar Oinajpur is placed at the bottom of the list showing literacy in
the state of West Bengal. Literacy rate in the district is 48.6 per cent in 2001.
which is much lower than 68.2 per cent for the state of west Bengal as a whole 24 .
The level of literacy in the study area is again depressing and it has only 29.59 per
cent literacy (Table-2.10). The variations within the subdivision are also equally
discouraging. In fact. with the exception of the two urban centres. literacy rate in
the subdivision is below 29 per cent. The low literacy clearly indicates abundance
of unskilled workforce in the study area, which has less chance to be absorbed in
the formal sector. And by remaining in agriculture and unorganised sector. the
labour households in the study area is more vulnerable and marginalised and
have an adverse impact on the household economy and quality of living. The
average size of the household is 5.43 persons; and the sex ratio is 939 in the study
area. which is above the state and national average i.e. 934 and 933 respectively2 5 .
But it is discouraging to know that the sex ratio in both the towns are worse and it
is 874 in Islampur and 883 in Dalkhola. It may be due to sex-selected migration

24
Government of \Vest Bengal. 2004: West Bengal Human Development Report 2004,
Development and Planning Department. Kolkata, p. 148
25 Ibid., p. 12

58
from rural areas to these towns in tertiary sector like services and education. The
density of population is 746 persons per sq km in the subdivision and it is
substantially low as compared to the state average of 904. Under this severe
conditions. the emergence of Small Tea Plantations have thrown some ray of hope
and aspirations particularly in the labour households in lslampur subdivision by
engaging manual. unskilled workforce in the tea gardens.
TABLE-2.10
LITERACY, SEX RATIO, DENSITY OF POPULATION, AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE IN
ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
12001)
Block I Household Literacy Sex Ratio Density
Subdivision Size (In%] (Per sq km.]
Chopra 5.34 32.92 938 589
Islam pur 5.24 29.18 947 730
lslampur (M)* 5.41 61.51 874 3769
Goalpokhar-1 5.42 24.24 941 658
Goalpokhar-11 5.54 26.26 940 850
Karandi~hi 5.60 27.48 950 788
Da1khola (NM)** 5.60 57.38 883 6554
Ishunpur 5.43 29.59 939 746
• M - Municipality Town, •• NM - Non-municipal Town
Source: District Statistical Hand Book. Uttar Dinajpur. 2001

3. SOCIO-RELIGIOUS COMPOSITION:
Approximately 27 per cent population is scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes in Islampur subdivision. Rqjbanshis are majority among scheduled caste
population in the study area as well as entire North Bengal. It should be
mentioned here that Rajbanshis constitutes the single largest Hinduized social
group in the population of the North Bengal2G. The second largest component in
the population is composed of Muslims, and the overwhelming majority of the
Muslims belonged to a differentiated cultivating or peasant society. adhiars
forming large proportion of that society27 Among the scheduled tribes, Mushahars
are basically local tribes and scattered over different places in the subdivision;
Santhals, Oraons. are basically migrants and live on government-distributed land.

26 R. Das Gupta. 1992: Economy, Society and Politics in Bengal: Jalpaiguri 1869-
1947, Oxford University Press. Delhi, p. 12
27 Ibid., p. 18- 1 9

59
 TABLE-2.11
SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF POPULATION IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
(2001(
Blocks I Towns Schedule Schedule Total
Caste Tribe Population
Population Population
Cho_pra 41315118.52) 15825 (7.09) 223022
ls1ampur 42589 (17 .60) 5833 (2.41) 241951
1s1ampur (M)• 93 18 (17. 66) 613 (1.16) 52738
Goalpokhar-1 35137 (14.31) 9273 (3.77) 245430
Goalpokhar- II 52449 (23. 15) 14086 (6.21) 226472
Karandi~hi 94610 (31.02) 23335 (7.65) 304986
Da1kho1a (NM) .. 3192 (22.97) 63 (0.45) 13895
Islam pur 278610 (21.29) 69028 (5.27) 1308494
• M -Municipal Town: NM -Non-Municipal Town
Source: District Statistical Hand Book. Uttar Dinajpur. 2001

The major religious groups are Hindus. Muslims. and ChristiWls and among
them Muslims form the majority of the population in the subdivision. It should be
mentioned here that all the scheduled caste population are Hindus and scheduled
tribes mostly are Christians. and Muslims come under general category. All these
three groups are dependent on subsistence agriculture (recently in pineapple and
tea) and vulnerable to the open economy as all of them are basically unskilled
workers. The introduction of Small Tea Plantations has impacted their lifestyle
and standard of living and consequently household economy. Any effort to rural
development in this area must include these marginalized groups for their
empowerment and social security.
The distribution of religious groups is shown in table-2.12. The Muslims are
majority in all the blocks except Karandighi. The percentage share of Muslim
population in Chopra. Islampur. Goalpokhar-1. and Karandighi is 61.10. 68.93.
67.71. and 47.25 respectively. The second religious group is Hindus and
Karandighi block has highest number of Hindu population with a percentage of
52.42 per cent. The Christians have a very little share and their highest
concentration is found in Chopra block. and consists mostly the Adibasi migrants
working in tea plantations. It should be mentioned that unlike the Adibasis. the
local Hindus and Muslims are employed in tea plantations only after the
introduction of Small Tea Plantations.

60
 TABLE-2.12
DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION BY RELIGION IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
11991 I
Block I Hindus Muslims Christians Others
Subdivision
Chopra 37.55 61.10 1.29 0.06
lslampur 30.84 68.93 0.21 0.02
Goalpokhar-1 31.69 67.71 0.49 0. I I
Goalpokhar-1 I N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
Karandighi 52.42 47.25 0.21 0.12
Islam pur
Source: District Statistical Hand Book, Uttar DmaJPur. 2001

4. LANGUAGE AND DIALECTS:

Bengali is the principal language of the subdivision and is the mother
tongue of majority of its population mainly in urban centers. The agricultural class
of rural mass speaks a kind of dialect locally called as Suryapuri. which is
characterized by free use of a number of Urdu and Hindi words and also some
similarities with Assamese language. Locally, the Suryapuri speakers are called as
Desht'2B. Muslim community and the Rqjbanshis. scheduled caste people of Hindu
conununity form the majority of the population in the rural areas in Islampur
subdivision. The most interesting part of language composition of population in
the entire Islampur subdivision and also in the North Bengal was represented by
falsely and there is a dilenuna in this regard. This is based on personal experience,
extensive participation in the field and some local information. In the North Bengal
Region. the Bengali speaking population is considered as refugees or migrants
from East Pakistan. Rqjbanshis and Muslims are two of the communities
considered as local inhabitants and sons of the soil. They are the tillers of the soil
and form the rural mass in the entire 'North Bengal Region· (excluding the
Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council Region29). Locally these people are called Deshi in
the entire region. This is easily reflected by the emergence of Kamtapur

2s Deshi is term is used for the people of the sons of the soil - they are tillers of the land
which include Muslim community and the Rajbanshis, scheduled caste people of Hindu
community who are cent percent living in rural areas, and they consider the Bengali
people come from outside - some from East Pakistan. some from Assam, and others from
south Bengal. It is also considered that these Bengali speakers are basically refugees.
Therefore, Muslims and Rajbwtshis have better interaction than Bengalis in day-to-day life
in the lslampur subdivision as well as entire North Bengal Region. The emergence of
Kamtapur movement in North Bengal Region is tht> reflection of such kind of social
disorder and unrest.
2 9 It covers of three subdivisions of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong of Darjeeling
district of West Bengal.

61
Movement:'0 . The language issue has gained a momentum in recent years and has
produced a kind of unrest and disorder in the entire North Bengal Region. There is
a general feeling among the people particularly in the rural areas of the region that
their language and culture is being marginalised by the majoritarian politics of
urban-educated-Bengali people. Therefore. the 1991 census shows that there are
considerable numbers of non-scheduled language speakers along with some Hindi
and Urdu speakers in the region (Table-2.13). But the main point to be noted here
is that in the previous censuses the Muslims presented themselves as Urdu
speakers while Rqjbanshis presented them as Hindi speakers. It is a typical case
of false representation and forced identity. This is particularly true with the
literates of both the communities. The other striking picture of the story is that the
illiterate mass of both the communities present themselves as non-scheduled
language speakers. It is due to the fact that they give this information to the
census enumerator, and they speak in Deshi language and their mother tongue is
Deshi. Finally. the census enumerator takes them into the joumey of non-
scheduled languages. In this way the distribution speakers of different language is
full of undesired arbitration - realities are yet to be chalked out. It is also
unfortunate that during the 2001 census. enumerators were beaten in many
localities due to their unwillingness to unfold this hidden story of the region. It
should also be mentioned here that in the Cooch Behar district. there was a
mutual agreement between the District Magistrate and the local people to notifY
the Kamtapuri as mother tongue of the people. Then the problem was solved
locally and people allowed the enumerators to cany out the census operations.

30
The Kamtapur-Uttarakhand is a regional movement consisting all the six districts of
North Bengal i.e. Coach Behar. Jalpaiguri. Darjeeling. Uttar Dlnajpur. Dakshin Dinajpur.
and Maida. and there is a local demand for the formation of a separate state considering
its unique culture and local language.

62
 TABLE-2.13
DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION BY SCHEDULED AND NON-SCHEDULED LANGUAGES
IN N(\RTH BENGAL
(19911
District I State Number Number of Percentage Percentage
scheduled non- of scheduled of non-
language scheduled language scheduled
speaker language speaker language
speaker speaker
Cooch Behar 2165067 6078 99.72 0.28
Jalpai~uli 2590406 210137 92.50 7.50
Darieeline: 1219159 80760 93.79 6.21
West Dinajpur• 2876099 251554 91.96 8.04
Maida 2493102 143930 94.54 5.46
North Bengal 11343833 692459 94.25 5.75
• This mcludes Uttar and Dakshm Dmajpur dtstlict at present
Source: Census of India, 1991

5. ASPECTS OF ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT:

The Subdivision is predominantly agricultural. It is primarily due to the
favourable land that agriculture prospered. The main crops are paddy and jute
(Table-2.14) in the Nichanparas. Jute is the main cash crop of the Islampur
subdivision. Previously pineapple was an important plantation and commercial
crop grown in the area but in recent years it has been replaced by tea in the
Dangis. Tea cultivation is popular in the northem blocks of Chopra, Islampur and
Goalpokhar-1 of the subdivision. Apart from these Green vegetables. chilies.
ginger, garlic till, rape and mustard, etc. are also cultivated to a large extent
besides household consumption. But, most of these are sold at the local hats in
the weekly market. With the local level economic activity and topographic variation
between the Dangis and the Nichanparas have really impacted the level of
employment in the study area. It was observed that generally people in the
Nichanparas out migrate in search of employment during the months of November
to March and it is in this period people face food insufficiency (detail in Fifth
Chapter). As opposed to that. in the Dangis this phenomenon is uncommon.

63
 TABLE-2.14
AREA AND PRODUCTION OF MAJOR CROPS IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
12000-200 1I
Name of the Crop Area Production
(in '00 hectare] (in '00 mt.]
Am an 1021.6 1889.6
Boro 459.0 1379.5
Jute 335.1 2302.2
Wheat 178.1 363.3
Potato 44.0 932.4
Maskali 12.0 5.0
Til 70.2 38.6
Mustard 149.3 123.5
Linseed 22.4 5.4
Source: District Statistical Hand Book. Uttar Dinajpur. 2001

6. IRRIGATION:
As per available data. in 2000-2001 in West Dinajpur (Uttar and Dakshin)
area under canal irrigation is only 6000 hectares out of 463,809 hectares
cultivable area3•. This gives a clear picture of conspicuous absence of canal
irrigation in the area. Tank irrigation, river lift irrigation, deep tube well. and
shallow tube well are the different sources of irrigation in lslampur subdivision.
The area irrigated by tank, river lift. deep tube well and shallow tube well are
5.316. 1.008. 1.136. and 18.998 hectares respectively. The net area under
cultivation in Islampur is 129.897 (mentioned above in land use table-2.8) and the
total irrigated area under different sources is 26.458 hectares. This picture itself is
indicative of lack of overall irrigation facilities in the study area. which in tum
have an adverse effect on Small Tea Plantations. It is mentioned above that the
Small Tea Plantations occupy mostly second grade land and requirement of
irrigation in the tea field is lengthier than the traditional tea gardens as the former
receives less rainfall with less number of rainy days. The crop production in Small
Tea Plantations is related to irrigation. particularly the period from February to
June (as December and January are pruning months coinciding with winter
season). These months are also considered to be windy months: occurrence of
droughts etc. Thus. controls the production level. Therefore. farm management
and watering fields affect profit margin of the tea growers and employment
conditions of the workers.

31
Government of \Vest Bengal. 2002: Statistical Abstract 2001-2002, Bureau of Applied
Eeonomics and Statistics. Kolkata. p. 82 &. 224

64
 TABLE-2.15
AREA UNDER IRRIGATION BY DIFFERENT SOURCES IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
12000-200 II
IAn·a in Hectares)
Name of the Tank R.L.I. DTW STW Total
Block
Chopra 1500 144 1662 3306
Islam pur 2300 120 304 1450 4174
Goalpokhar-1 420 192 288 3534 4434
Goalpokhar-11 536 312 192 5084 6124
Karandil!hi 560 240 352 7268 8420
Total 5316 1008 1136 18998 26458
IR.L.I.-River Ltft Jmgatlon; D1W-Deep Tube Well; SIW-Shallow Tube Well)
Source: District Statistical Hand Book, Uttar Dinajpur, 2001

7. LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

The livestock and poultry birds are common in the households in Islampur
subdivision. One important thing to mention here that there is no commercial
farming of lh·estock in the region but. poultry birds are used for commercial
purpose and to serve the market demand. Overall, livestock farming is a
subsistence type in the Islampur subdivision. The cattle are reared mainly for
milk, while buffalo is used for transportation in agricultural fields and all these i.e.
cattle and buffalo are commonly reared in the cultivator households as well as
labour households. Goats are reared mostly for enhancing household income and
it is commonly practiced mainly of the labour households. The distribution of
livestock and poultry birds is shown in the following table. There are 407.118
cattle. 24.804 buffalo, 276,577 goats. and 633.511 poultry birds in Islampur
subdivision. The distribution cattle and goats are lowest in Karandighi block as
most part of the block covers under the Nichanparas. It should be mentioned here
that there is no Small Tea Plantations exist in Goalpokhar-11 and Karandighi
blocks and the topography mostly consists the Nichanparas (discussed the
distribution of Small Tea Plantations in Table-3.18 in the Third Chapter in
Islampur section). As opposed to this, abundance of the Dangis in Chopra,
lslampur and Goalpokhar-1 blocks have led the pineapple farmers to switch over
tea cultivation.

65
 TABLE-2.16
NUMBER OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
12000-2001 I
Name of the Cattle Buffalo Goats Poultry Birds
Block
Chopra 68516 3665 62272 150525
Islam pur 55620 4533 52345 105692
Goalpok.har-1 82342 6245 57364 155310
Goalpok.har-11 151205 4137 76243 193452
Karandi!!hi 49435 6224 28353 28532
Total 407118 24804 276577 633511
Source: District Statistical Hand Book. Uttar DmaJpur. 2001

8. INDUSTRY:
The infrastructure for industry on a large-scale is absent in the subdivision.
As such no large-scale industry is located in this area. However. few Rice Mills are
available and these are regarded as registered factories in the area. The other
industries are Cotton Weaving. Pottery. Bamboo and Cane products, and Silver and
Gold omamenfs32_ Recently few petrol filling stations have been set up along the
National Highway No. 31. One Food Processing Unit at Kalibari near Islampur town
and one Chemical Feti.lizer Unit at Ramganj are under progress33 • Besides these.
currently. 12 Bought-Leaf Factories34 have come up in lslampur subdivision and
these factories are fully dependent on the supply of green leaf from the Small Tea
Plantations in the study area. It was also observed during the field survey that the
villages adjacent to the BLFs have been exposed to the outside world and there is
gradual shift of workforce from agriculture to secondary sector. Consequently. it
has an impact on labour household economy and level of living and consumption
pattem.

32 Census of India. 1991: West Dinajpur, District Census Handbook, Part XIII-A.
Directorate of Census Operations. West Bengal. Part XIII-A. p. xvii
33 The researcher noticed these two large-scale industries during the field survey.
34 These factories are of recent development and the lnfom1ation of the number of such

factories Is based on field visits.

66
9. WORK PARTICIPATION RATE AND OCCUPATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION:

The total number of workers in lslampur subdivision is 472743 and the

work participation rate is 36.12 per cent in 2001. The number of main workers35
and marginal workers3G are 366543 and 106200 respectively. In the 1991 Census.
the total number of workers was 324 764 and the work participation rate was
32.85 per cent. The number of main and marginal workers during the same period
was 311511 and 13253. While this is a measure of underemployment. obviously it
would be an underestimate. since even those with more than 183 days of work
could be underemployed. This kind of shift from main work to marginal work
among workers suggests that fewer days of employment are generally available
and that more secure forms of employment are being replaced by less secure
forms. As a result. the pattem of job creation has shifted towards more casual.
marginal. part-time and insecure contracts or self-employment. It should be stated
here that the extent of non-agricultural employment has been almost constant or
reduced in the Uttar Dinajpur district from 18.5 per cent in 1991 to 18.3 per cent
in 200137.
TABLE-2.17
NUMBER OF MAIN AND MARGINAL WORKERS IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
Blocks I Towns Total Main Marginal Total Main Marginal
I Subdivision worker worker worker worker worker worker
1991 2001
Chopra 53079 51496 1583 70093 60262 9831
Islam pur 54674 53699 975 79208 65206 14002
Islampur (M)• 12507 12454 53 15858 14690 1168
Goalpokhar-1 64612 63612 1000 108170 77715 30455
Goalpokhar-11 58086 54532 3554 75368 58029 17339
Karandi!!hi 78943 72859 6084 120332 87216 33116
Dalkhola (NM) .. 2863 2859 4 3714 3425 289
Islrunpur 324764 311511 13253 472743 366543 106200
Source: Data complied from Census of Ind1a 1991 and 2001

The percentage distribution of main workers has declined in the study area
as well as in all the blocks over the decade from 1991 to 2001. but the interesting
picture to observe that in the year 2001. the percentage of main workers is

35 The Census defines main workers as those whose main activity was participation in

economically productive work for 183 days or more in the previous year.
36
The marginal workers are those whose main activity was participation in economically
productive work for less than 183 days.
37
Government of West Bengal. 2004: West Bengal Human Development Report 2004,
Development and Planning Department. Kolkata. p. 99

67
relatively high in Chopra and lslampur block (highest concentration of Small Tea
Plantations) as compared to Goalpokhar-1. Goalpokhar-11 and Karandighi block. As
a consequence. the proportion of marginal workers is high in Goalpokhar-1.
Goalpokhar-11 and Karandighi block.
TABLE-2.18
COMPOSITION OF WORKERS IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
(In Percenta~e)
Marginal Work participation
Blocks I Towns I Main workers workers rate
Subdivision
1991 2001 1991 2001 1991 2001
Chopra 97.02 85.97 2.98 14.03 32.03 31.42
Islam pur 98.22 82.32 1.78 17.68 29.54 32.73
lslampur (M)• 99.58 92.63 0.42 7.37 27.65 30.06
Goalpokhar-1 98.45 71.85 1.55 28.15 33.30 44.07
Goalpokhar-11 93.88 76.99 6.12 23.01 34.49 33.28
Karandighi 92.29 72.48 7.71 27.52 35.97 39.45
Dalkhola (NM)•• 99.86 92.22 0.14 7.78 26.88 26.72
Islam pur 95.92 77.54 4.08 22.46 32.85 36.13
Source: Data compiled from Census of India 1991 and 2001

Table-2.19 and 2.20 show the occupational diversification of main workers

and their decadal variation. There is gradual increase in the share of non-
agricultural workforce in the study area from 1991 to 2001. Another remarkable
trend worth noticing is that the share of non-agricultural workforce is declining as
we move from north to south. i.e. Chopra block in the extreme north and
Karandighi block in the south. This kind of spatial variation can be linked to the
expansion of Small Tea Plantations in Islampur subdivision. As mentioned earlier.
the highest number of the Small Tea Growers exists in Chopra block followed by
Islampur and Goalpokhar-1 block. Growth of tea plantation has also contributed in
increasing the general economic condition of the villages. which in tum has
generated demands for modem services and facilities at the local level. To meet
these new demands a new set of activities like small-scale trading. petty business
like fertliser. pesticides, essential day-to-day needs. transportation facilities.
services at Hats (rural market centers) etc. have come up in the plantation villages
and these are conspicuous by their absence in the non plantation villages. It is
indicative of the fact that most of these new activities take the form of self-
employment rather than paid labour.

68
 TABLE-2.19
OCCUPATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION OF MAIN WORKERS IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
Cultivators Agricultural Non-agricultural
Blocks I Towns I Labourers workers
Subdivision 1991 2001 1991 2001 1991 2001
Chopra 22351 16546 18798 15496 10347 28220
Islam pur 27618 24925 19666 23547 6415 16734
lslampur (M)• 1885 494 1470 526 9099 13670
Goalpokhar-1 31221 34612 24601 27483 7790 15620
Goalpokhar- I I 23025 20335 27568 26456 3939 11238
Karandighi 30837 25362 33022 35965 9000 25889
Dalkhola (NM) .. 171 55 284 68 2404 3302
Islam pur 137108 122329 125409 129541 48994 114673
Source: Data compiled from Census of Ind1a 1991 and 200 I

It is shown in table-2.19 that the numbers of cultivators. agricultural

labourers. and non-agricultural workers in Islampur subdivision are 122,329.
129,541. and 114,673 respectively. The proportion of agricultural labourers is
higher than cultivators and non-agricultural workers. It should me mentioned
here that he highest percentage of agricultural labourers is found in the district
Uttar Dinajpur (39. 7 per cent)3B. The Islam pur subdivision also carries almost the
same proportion of 35.34 per cent in 2001 (Table-2.20). This indicates the
pressure on land and local level labour absorption in agriculture. and a total of
68.71 per cent of main workers are involved in agriculture. Therefore, introduction
of Small Tea Plantations provides a relief to the workforce by giving them quality
employment as compared to traditional monsoon agriculture (discussion in Fifth
Chapter).
TABLE-2.20
OCCUPATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION OF MAIN WORKERS IN ISLAMPUR SUBDIVISION
IIn P ercental!eI
Cultivators Agricultural Non-agricultural
Blocks I Towns I Labourers workers
Subdivision 1991 2001 1991 2001 1991 2001
Chopra 43.40 27.46 36.50 25.71 20.09 46.83
Islam pur 51.43 38.23 36.62 36.11 11.95 25.66
1slampur (M)• 15.14 3.36 11.80 3.58 73.06 93.06
Goalpokhar-1 49.08 44.54 38.67 35.36 12.25 20.10
Goalpokhar-11 42.22 35.04 50.55 45.59 7.22 19.37
Karandi.(!hl 42.32 29.08 45.32 41.24 12.35 29.68
Dalkhola (NM) .. 5.98 1.61 9.93 1.98 84.09 96.41
Islam pur 44.01 33.37 40.26 35.34 15.73 31.29
Source. Data compiled from Census of lnd•a 1991 and 2001

38Census of India, 2001: West Bengal, Primary Census Abstract, October 2004, Series
20. Vol. II. p. lix

69
 In the foregoing discussion it can be stated that the study area is
predominantly agricultural. There are significant differences between the Small
Tea Plantations and the traditional tea estates. This only goes to prove that the
estate farms have occupied the most favourable locations in the past and the
small gardens are coming up in areas that are considered less suitable for the
cultivation of tea. The Small Tea Plantation areas receive less amount of rainfall. It
enhances the period of irrigation and drought-prone diseases. The micro-level
topographic variations i.e. the Dangis and the Nichanparas; and economic activity
particularly tea cultivation in the Dangis and tradition rice and jute cultivation in
the Nichanparas play major role in employment and out migration of the
labourers.
The level of literacy in the study area is again depressing. It is about 29.59
per cent. As mentioned that overall literacy in Uttar Dinajpur district is 48.6 per
cent. which is much lower than 68.2 per cent for the state of west Bengal as a
whole. The low literacy clearly indicates abundance of unskilled workforce in the
study area. which has less chance to be absorbed in the modem formal sector.
The agricultural class of rural mass speaks a kind of dialect locally called as
Suryapuri. which is characterized by free use of a number of Urdu and Hindi
words and also some similarities with Assamese language. Locally the Suryapuri
speakers are called as Deshi (mentioned above). Muslim community and the
Rqjbanshis, scheduled caste people of Hindu community form the majority of the
population in the rural areas in Islampur subdivision.
In the backdrop of traditional economic setting few rice mills. with the
advent of Small Tea Plantations. new types of agro-based industries like BLFs
have found their place in the local economy along with food-processing units.
chemical fertilizer units etc. All these have immense impact on rural areas
particularly labour households by generating new forms of employment and
quality living. The number of main workers is relatively high in Chopra and
Islampur block as compared to Goalpokhar-1, Goalpokhar-11 and Karandighi block
and it coincides with the existence of Small Tea Plantations. Growth of tea
plantation has also contributed in increasing the general economic condition of
the villages. which in tum has generated demands for modem services and
facilities at the local level.

70