Hingalganj Explained

Hingalganj
Settlement Type:Community development block
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates:22.4708°N 88.9773°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:West Bengal
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:North 24 Parganas
Government Type:Representative democracy
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:238.80
Elevation M:7
Population Total:175,545
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Bengali, English
Demographics Type2:Literacy (2011)
Demographics2 Title2:Total literates
Demographics2 Info2:119,630 (76.85%)
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:743435 (Hingalganj)
Area Code Type:Telephone/STD code
Area Code:03217
Registration Plate:WB-23, WB-24, WB-25, WB-26
Blank1 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank1 Info Sec1:Basirhat
Blank2 Name Sec1:Vidhan Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Hingalganj
Iso Code:IN-WB

Hingalganj is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Basirhat subdivision of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

Etymology

The name Hingalganj came after the name of Tillman Henkel, district judge and magistrate in Jessore district from 1781. He developed the settlement there.[1]

Geography

Surrounded by rivers on all sides, this small island, Hingalganj, is located at 22.4708°N 88.9773°W.

Hingalganj CD Block is bounded by Hasnabad CD Block in the north, Kaliganj and Shyamnagar upazilas in Satkhira District of Bangladesh in the east, Sundarbans in the south and the lower portion of the west, Canning II CD Block in South 24 Parganas district in the lower portion of the west, and Sandeshkhali I and Sandeshkhali II CD Blocks in the upper portion of the west.[2]

Hingalganj CD Block is part of the Ichhamati-Raimangal Plain, one of the three physiographic regions in the district located in the lower Ganges Delta. It contains soil of mature black or brownish loam to recent alluvium. The Ichhamati flows through the eastern part of the district.[3]

Hingalganj CD Block has an area of 238.80 km2. It has 1 panchayat samity, 9 gram panchayats, 124 gram sansads (village councils), 44 mouzas and 44 inhabited villages, as per the District Statistical Handbook: North 24 Parganas. Hingalganj and Hemnagar police stations serve this block.[4] Headquarters of this CD Block is at Hingalganj.[5]

Gram panchayats of Hingalganj block/ panchayat samiti are: Bishpur, Hingalganj, Rupamari, Dulduli, Jogeshganj, Sahebkhali, Gobindakati, Kalitala and Sandelerbil.[6]

Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is a flat lowland susceptible to the tidal waves along the 260 km shoreline of the Bay of Bengal. The total expanse of Sundarbans is about 2.05 million hectares (8,000 square miles). Of this, only 0.42 million hectares (1,629 square miles or 10,43,000 acres) are under the reserve forests including about 0.19 million hectares covered by creeks and channels. The area is prone to natural calamities such as cyclones, thunderstorms with occasional hail and floods. There are more than 63,400 km of embankments but the floods caused by high tidal bores, often wash away much of the embankments, already weakened and broken by earlier cyclonic storms.[7]

See also: Sundarbans settlements.

In May 2009, the district was hit by high speed cyclone named Aila and subsequent rainfall which continued for two days. This created a disaster in 20 out of 22 blocks of the district. 10 out of 27 municipalities of the district were also severely affected.[7]

Six CD Blocks of North 24 Parganas are included in the Sundabans area – Hingalganj, Hasnabad, Sandeskhali I and II, Minakhan and Haora.[7] The south-eastern part of the district gradually merges into the Sunderbans.[8]

Demographics

Population

As per 2011 Census of India Hingalganj CD Block had a total population of 174,545, of which 159,469 were rural and 15,076 were urban. There were 88,937 (51%) males and 85,608 (49%) females. Population below 6 years was 18,880. Scheduled Castes numbered 115,227 (66.02%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 12,743 (7.30%).[9]

As per 2001 census, Hingalganj block has a total population of 156,568 out of which 80,487 were males and 76,081 were females.[10]

There are two census towns in Hingalganj CD Block (2011 census figures in brackets): Hingalganj (8,179) and Bankra (6,897).[9]

Large villages in Hingalganj CD Block (2011 census figures in brackets): Durgapur Baylani (7,115), Bispur (6,643), Rupmari (4,717), Bhandarkhali (5,832), Sandelerbil (10,401), Mamudpur (8,942), Sahebkhali (5,792), Ramapur (6,357), Madhabkati (4,304), Patghara (6,270), Jogeshganj (7,082), Parghumti (6,581), Shridhar Kati (7,687), Malekanghumti (5,398), Kalitala (6,609) and Samsernagar (4,394).[9]

North 24 Parganas district is densely populated, mainly because of the influx of refugees from East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). With a density of population of 2,182 per km2 in 1971, it was 3rd in terms of density per km2 in West Bengal after Kolkata and Howrah, and 20th in India.[11] According to the District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas, “High density is also explained partly by the rapid growth of urbanization in the district. In 1991, the percentage of urban population in the district has been 51.23.”[12]

Decadal Population Growth Rate (%)

The decadal growth of population in Hingalganj CD Block in 2001-2011 was 11.60%.[13] The decadal growth of population in Hingalganj CD Block in 1991-2001 was 9.92%.[14]

The decadal growth rate of population in North 24 Parganas district was as follows: 47.9% in 1951-61, 34.5% in 1961-71, 31.4% in 1971-81, 31.7% in 1981-91, 22.7% in 1991-2001 and 12.0% in 2001-11.[15] The decadal growth rate for West Bengal in 2001-11 was 13.93%.[16] The decadal growth rate for West Bengal was 17.84% in 1991-2001, 24.73% in 1981-1991 and 23.17% in 1971-1981.[17]

Only a small portion of the border with Bangladesh has been fenced and it is popularly referred to as a porous border. It is freely used by Bangladeshi infiltrators, terrorists, smugglers, criminals. et al.[18] [19] [20] [21]

Literacy

As per the 2011 census, the total number of literates in Hingalganj CD Block was 119,630 (76.85% of the population over 6 years) out of which males numbered 66,858 (84.24% of the male population over 6 years) and females numbered 52,772 (69.17% of the female population over 6 years). The gender disparity (the difference between female and male literacy rates) was 15.07%.[9]

See also – List of West Bengal districts ranked by literacy rate

Language and religion

In the 2011 census Hindus numbered 153,550 and formed 87.97% of the population in Hingalganj CD Block. Muslims numbered 20,623 and formed 11.82% of the population. Others numbered 372 and formed 0.21% of the population.[22]

In 1981 Hindus numbered 90,128 and formed 86.00% of the population and Muslims numbered 14,671 and formed 14.00% of the population. In 1991 Hindus numbered 120,180 and formed 84.46% of the population and Muslims numbered 22,111 and formed 15.54% of the population in Hingalganj CD Block. (In 1981 and 1991 census was conducted as per jurisdiction of the police station). In 2001 in Hingalganj CD block, Hindus were 138,936 (88.83%) and Muslims 17,280 (11.05%).[23]

See also: North 24 Parganas: minority concentrated district.

Bengali is the predominant language, spoken by 99.64% of the population.[24]

Rural Poverty

44.50% of households in Hingalganj CD Block lived below poverty line in 2001, against an average of 29.28% in North 24 Parganas district.[25]

Livelihood

In Hingalganj CD Block in 2011, amongst the class of total workers, cultivators numbered 10,957 and formed 14.70% of the total workers, agricultural labourers numbered 39,809 and formed 53.42%, household industry workers numbered 6,996 and formed 9.35% and other workers numbered 16,783 and formed 22.52%. Total workers numbered 74,515 and formed 42.69% of the total population, and non-workers numbered 100,030 and formed 57.31% of the population.[26]

In more than 30 percent of the villages in North 24 Parganas, agriculture or household industry is no longer the major source of livelihood for the main workers there. The CD Blocks in the district can be classified as belonging to three categories: border areas, Sundarbans area and other rural areas. The percentage of other workers in the other rural areas category is considerably higher than those in the border areas and Sundarbans area.[27]

Note: In the census records a person is considered a cultivator, if the person is engaged in cultivation/ supervision of land owned by self/government/institution. When a person who works on another person’s land for wages in cash or kind or share, is regarded as an agricultural labourer. Household industry is defined as an industry conducted by one or more members of the family within the household or village, and one that does not qualify for registration as a factory under the Factories Act. Other workers are persons engaged in some economic activity other than cultivators, agricultural labourers and household workers. It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on.[28]

Infrastructure

There are 42 inhabited villages in Hingalganj CD Block, as per the District Census Handbook: North 24 Parganas. 100% villages have power supply and drinking water supply. 25 villages (59.52%) have post offices. 38 villages (90.48%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones). 30 villages (71.43%) have a pucca approach road and 14 villages (33.33%) have transport communication (includes bus service, rail facility and navigable waterways). 10 villages (23.81%) have agricultural credit societies and 4 villages (9.52%) have banks.[29]

Agriculture

The North 24 Parganas district Human Development Report opines that in spite of agricultural productivity in North 24 Parganas district being rather impressive 81.84% of rural population suffered from shortage of food. With a high urbanisation of 54.3% in 2001, the land use pattern in the district is changing quite fast and the area under cultivation is declining. However, agriculture is still the major source of livelihood in the rural areas of the district.[30]

From 1977 on wards major land reforms took place in West Bengal. Land in excess of land ceiling was acquired and distributed amongst the peasants.[31] Following land reforms land ownership pattern has undergone transformation. In 2010-11, persons engaged in agriculture in Hingalganj CD Block could be classified as follows: bargadars 5,024 (6.68%), patta (document) holders 26,534 (32.56%), small farmers (possessing land between 1 and 2 hectares) 4,200 (5.58%), marginal farmers (possessing land up to 1 hectare) 19, 578(26.01%) and agricultural labourers 19,921 (26.47%).[32]

Hingalganj CD Block had 70 fertiliser depots, 23 seed stores and no fair price shop in 2010-11.[32]

In 2010-11, Hingalganj CD Block produced 19,915 tonnes of Aman paddy, the main winter crop from 10,132 hectares, 1,236 tonnes of Boro paddy (spring crop) from 385 hectares, 5,501 tonnes of Aus paddy (summer crop) from 2,094 hectares, 335 tonnes of wheat from 124 hectares, 244 tonnes of jute from 12 hectares and 21 tonnes of potatoes from 1 hectare. It also produced pulses and oilseeds.[32] There were no irrigation facilities in Hingalganj CD Block in 2010-11.[32]

Pisciculture

In 2010-11, the net area under effective pisciculture in Hingalganj CD Block was 1,126.73 hectares. 12,243 persons were engaged in the profession. Approximate annual production was 33,801.9 quintals.[32]

Banking

In 2010-11, Hingalganj CD Block had offices of 1 commercial bank and 3 gramin banks.[32]

Transport

In 2010-11, Hingalganj CD Block had 8 ferry services and 1 originating/ terminating bus route. The nearest railway station is 16 km from CD Block headquarters.[32]

Local roads link Hingalganj with Sandeshkhali and Basirhat.[33]

Education

In 2010-11, Hingalganj CD Block had 127 primary schools with 10,150 students, 5 middle schools with 2,386 students, 16 high schools with 8,446 students and 7 higher secondary schools with 8,372 students. Hingalganj CD Block had 1 general college with 1,312 students and 377 institutions for special and non-formal education with 12,789 students.[32]

Hingalganj Mahavidyalaya was established at Hingalganj in 2005.[34] [35]

As per the 2011 census, in Hingalganj CD Block, amongst the 42 inhabited villages, 3 villages did not have a school, 34 villages had more than 1 primary school, 22 villages had at least 1 primary and 1 middle school and 19 villages had at least 1 middle and 1 secondary school.[36]

Healthcare

In 2011, Hingalganj CD Block had 1 rural hospital and 3 primary health centres, with total 18 beds and 9 doctors (excluding private bodies). It had 33 family welfare subcentres. 13,883 patients were treated in the hospitals, health centres and subcentres of the CD Block.[32]

Sanderbil Rural Hospital at Sandelerbil, with 30 beds, is the main medical facility in Hingalganj CD Block, there are primary health centres at Hingalganj (with 6 beds) and Jogeshganj (with 10 beds).[37]

Hingalganj CD Block is one of the areas where ground water is affected by arsenic contamination. In the southern part of the CD Block water from shallow tube wells is saline and so there are only deep tube wells with no arsenic. Aresenic is there in the shallow tube wells in the northern part of the CD Block.[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Different Issues in Boarder Area of Sundarban Deltaic Rural Area with Special References to Hingalgaj Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India . Bikash. Mondal . International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 2013 . 12 May 2018.
  2. Web site: North 24 Parganas District . Map Gallery – CD Blocks . North 24 Parganas district administration . 10 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160309211214/http://north24parganas.gov.in/n24p/page.php?nm=Map_Gallery . 9 March 2016 . dead .
  3. Web site: District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Page 13 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. 16 April 2018.
  4. Web site: District Statistical Handbook . North 24 Parganas 2010-2011, Tables 2.1, 2.2 . Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal . 16 April 2018 . 21 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook . dead .
  5. Web site: District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Map of North Twenty Four Parganas with CD Block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page) . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. 16 April 2018.
  6. Web site: Directory of District, Subdivision, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal . North Twentfour Parganas - Revised in March 2008 . Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal . 30 April 2018.
  7. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. p 250. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 18 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  8. Book: LSS O’Malley. Bengal District Gazetteers: 24 Parganas. p 1-4. 2009. Concept Publishing Company . 9788172681937. 12 March 2016 .
  9. Web site: C.D. Block Wise Primary Census Abstract Data(PCA) . West Bengal – District-wise CD Blocks. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India . 10 March 2015.
  10. Web site: Census of India 2001, Provisional Population Totals, West Bengal, Table - 4 . 2010-10-25 . North Twenty Four Parganas District (11) . Government of West Bengal . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927041813/http://www.wbcensus.gov.in/DataTables/02/Table4_11.htm . 27 September 2007 .
  11. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Intro P 6. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  12. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Page 259, Table 11.2.2. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  13. Web site: District Census Handbook: North 24 Parganas, Series 20 Part XII A . Brief Analysis of Inset Tables based on Primary Census Abstract 2011 (Inset Tables 1-35), Table I: Decadal change in population of Tahsils (Sub-district) by Residence, 2001-2011, Page 52 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 . 20 April 2018 .
  14. Web site: District Statistical Handbook . North 24 Parganas 2010-2011; Table 2.4A: Distribution of Rural and Urban Population by Sex in the district of North 24 Parganas, 1991; Table 2.4B: Distribution of Rural and Urban Population by Sex in the district of North 24 Parganas, 2001 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011 . 20 April 2018 . 21 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook . dead .
  15. Web site: District Census Handbook: North 24 Parganas, Series 20 Part XII A . Growth Rate, Page 45 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. 25 July 2017.
  16. Web site: Census of India 2011: Provisional Totals for West Bengal . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India . 26 April 2018.
  17. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Page 40, Table 3.2.1. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  18. Web site: Why BSF wants 81.7 km of Indo-Bangla border fenced urgently . Rediff.com. 21 August 2016 . 20 April 2018.
  19. Web site: Laskar helped fan Basirhat tension. Abhinandan. Mishra . Sunday Guardian, 8 July 2017 . 20 April 2018.
  20. Web site: Infiltrating porous Bangladesh-India border. Aljazeera . 20 April 2018.
  21. Web site: Bangladeshi Infiltrators – the Reality Check . The Pioneer, 27 June 2015 . 20 April 2018.
  22. Web site: 2011 . Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal . censusindia.gov.in . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  23. Web site: Block Level Statistics of North 24 Parganas District . Handbook 2004 . Government of West Bengal . 20 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160720152245/http://wbplan.gov.in/docs/Handbook_2004/24Pgs(N)2.pdf . 20 July 2016 . dead .
  24. Web site: Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal . www.censusindia.gov.in . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  25. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Page 259, Table 11.2.2. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  26. Web site: District Census Handbook North 24 Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Page 93, Table 33: Distribution of Workers by Sex in Four Categories ofEconomic Activity in Sub-district 2011; Page 84, Table 30: Number and Percentage of Main Workers, Marginal Workers and Non-workers by sex in sub-districts, 2011. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. 19 April 2011.
  27. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Pages 27-28. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  28. Web site: District Census Handbook North 24 Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Census Concepts and Definitions, Page 31 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. 19 April 2018.
  29. Web site: District Census Handbook, North 24 Parganas district, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Pages 103-104, Table 36: Distribution of villages according to availability of different amenities, 2011 . Directorate of Operations, West Bengal. . 19 April 2018.
  30. Web site: District Human Development Report: North 24 Parganas. Pages 66, 195. Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2010. 20 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205044900/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgs%20north.PDF. 5 February 2018. dead.
  31. Web site: District Human Development Report: South 24 Parganas . (1) Chapter 1.2, South 24 Parganas in Historical Perspective, pages 7-9 (2) Chapter 3.4, Land reforms, pages 32-33 . Development & Planning Department, Government of West Bengal, 2009 . 7 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161005044029/http://wbplan.gov.in/HumanDev/DHDR/24%20pgsSouth/s24prg_main.htm . 5 October 2016 . dead .
  32. Web site: District Statistical Handbook . North 24 Parganas 2010-2011, Tables 17.2, 16.1, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 20.1, 21.2, 4.4, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 (arranged in order of use) . Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal . 16 April 2018 . 21 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190121045803/http://www.wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook . dead .
  33. Web site: District Census Handbook North Twenty Four Parganas, Census of India 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Map of Hingalganj CD Block, Page 697 . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal . 30 April 2018.
  34. Web site: Hingalganj Mahavidyalaya . HM . 8 May 2018.
  35. Web site: Hingalganj Mahaviyalaya . College Admission . 8 May 2018.
  36. Web site: District Census Handbook, North Twentyfour Parganas, 2011, Series 20, Part XII A . Page 717, Appendix I A: Villages by number of Primary Schools and Appendix I B: Villages by Primary, Middle and Secondary Schools . Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. . 28 April 2018.
  37. Web site: Health & Family Welfare Department . Health Statistics . Government of West Bengal . 15 May 2018 . 28 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211028134305/https://qphs.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-99a499ee367f0c1530476c81086270c8 . dead .
  38. Web site: Groundwater Arsenic contamination in West Bengal-India (20 years study) . 18 March 2016 . Groundwater arsenic contamination status of North 24-Parganas district, one of the nine arsenic affected districts of West Bengal-India . SOES . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002938/http://www.soesju.org/arsenic/wb2.htm . 27 September 2007 . dead .