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About Kalimpong

Kalimpong


Kalimpong is a quaint hill station situated in the Indian state of West Bengal and is at an average elevation of 1,250 metres. The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong district and also the home to the Indian Army's 27 Mountain Division, which is on the outskirts. Known for its many educational institutions established during the British colonial period, this hill station was a gateway in the trade between Tibet and India before China's annexation of Tibet and the Sino-Indian War. Along with this town the neighbouring Darjeeling town were major centres calling for a separate Gorkhaland state in the 1980s, and more recently in 2010.  It is also the home to different ethnic Nepalis, indigenous Lepchas, other ethnic groups and non-native migrants from other parts of India, the town is a religious centre of Buddhism.

Municipality of Kalimpong


Being the headquarters of the Kalimpong district, this town is a semi-autonomous Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which had been set up by the West Bengal government in 1988. This municipality administers both districts as well as the Darjeeling Sadar and Kurseong subdivisions. The town elects eight councillors to the DGHC, who in turn take care of Public Health, Education, Public Works, Transport, Tourism, Market, Small scale industries, Agriculture, Agricultural waterways, Forest (except reserved forests), Water, Livestock, Vocational Training and Sports and Youth services. District administration of Darjeeling remains to be the authoritative body for the departments of election, panchayat, law and order, revenue etc. It is responsible for the interface of communication between the Council and the State Government. Three community development blocks Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II and Gorubathan are covered in the rural area and comprise of forty-two gram panchayats. Three is a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) presiding over the Kalimpong subdivision. The police station here serves the municipality and 18 gram panchayats of Kalimpong–I CD block.

Established in 1945, the Kalimpong municipality is in charge of the infrastructure of the town such as potable water and roads. It has twenty-three wards and The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited (WBSEDCL) provides electricity while Public Works Department manages the road connecting the town to the National Highway–NH-31A.

Geography of Kalimpong


Overlooking the Teesta River, this tourist destination offers magnificent Himalayan beauty and proximity to popular tourist locations in the region. The temperature here is on the cooler side too. Horticulture is important to Kalimpong and there is a huge flower market notable for its wide array of orchids; nurseries, which export Himalayan grown flower bulbs, tubers and rhizomes. All of these contribute to the economy of Kalimpong.

History of Kalimpong


It was till the mid-19th century,  that Kalimpong was ruled in succession by the Sikkimese and Bhutanese kingdoms and was known as Dalingkot. In 1706, the king of Bhutan won this territory from the Sikkimese monarch and it was renamed Kalimpong. The sparsely populated was later frequented by the indigenous Lepcha community and migrant Bhutia and Limbu tribes. Around 1780, Gurkhas invaded and conquered Kalimpong. Post the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1864, the Treaty of Sinchula (1865) was signed. As per the treaty, the Bhutanese held territory east of the Teesta River, which was ceded to the British East India Company. In 1866, Kalimpong was added to district of Darjeeling. After the war, it became a subdivision of the Western Duars district and was merged with the district of Darjeeling. Close to Nathu La and Jelep La passes, this became an important trading zone and immigrants started to flow in here. With the Scottish missionaries coming, many renowned schools were set up here. In 1947, Kalimpong became part of the state of West Bengal and in 1962, the permanent closure of the Jelep Pass happened post the Sino-Indian War disrupted trade between Tibet and India. Around 1986 to 1988, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland and Kamtapur started and this problem has been cropping up on and off since then.

Shopping in Kalimpong


Tashi Takgye
This is a great Souvenir, Art & Craft Store located at 10th Mile. They sell paintings, glass & crystal items, Thankas & wall hangings, masks and lot more.
Phone: 03552-256897, Cell: +91-9434007076
 
Kalimpong Art Gallery
A great place to pick up some artwork

Haat Bazaar
Address: Between Relli & RC Mintri Rds

Hospitals in Kalimpong


Kalimpong Sub Divisional Hospital
KD Pradhan Road, Tripai Road, Kalimpong, West Bengal - 734301

Sewa Sadan Hospital

Kalimpong Town, 10th Mile Road, Kalimpong, West Bengal - 734301

Adarsh Nursing Home
Shahid D B Giri Road, Kalimpong HO, Kalimpong, West Bengal - 734301

Jamgon Kongtrul Eye Centre
8th Mile, Lower Bridle Road, Kalimpong, West Bengal - 734301

Medical Stores of Kalimpong


Nandan Medical
Address: Medicine Stores
Strawberry, Alipurduar Rd
Phone: 03552 255 024

Medicine Corner
Address: Main Road, Near Police Station, Kalimpong
Phone: 099324 53358

Sachin Medical
Address: D.S.Gurung Rd
Phone: 03552 255 047

M/S Radha Krishna Medical Stores
Address: Shahid Dal Bahadur Giri Rd
Phone: 097330 77736

Police Station in Kalimpong

Kalimpong Police Station
Address: 9, Dr.Ongden Rd
Phone: 03552 255 268

Fire Services in Kalimpong

Address: SH12, Kalimpong Khasmahal, Kalimpong, West Bengal 734301



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