Sillery Gaon Explained

Sillery Gaon
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:India West Bengal#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates:27.14°N 88.58°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:West Bengal
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Kalimpong
Unit Pref:Metric
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Area Code Type:Telephone/STD code
Registration Plate:WB
Blank1 Name Sec1:Lok Sabha constituency
Blank1 Info Sec1:Darjeeling
Blank2 Name Sec1:Vidhan Sabha constituency
Blank2 Info Sec1:Kalimpong

Sillery Gaon is a village in the Kalimpong II CD block in the Kalimpong Sadar subdivision of the Kalimpong district in the state of West Bengal, India.

Etymology

There are many myths and legends associated with the name Sillery. It is said to be a portmanteau derived from the word sillery, which is a plant that grows in abundance in the region.

Geography

Location

Sillery Gaon is located at 27.14°N 88.58°W.

Sillery Gaon is situated at an altitude of 6000 ft. The area offers views of the Mt. Kangchenjunga and its allied peaks and the Teesta River. This area also abounds in cinchona plantation, which was introduced in the region by the British as a source of quinine used for the treatment of malaria.[1]

An attraction for tourists visiting Sillery Gaon is Sangchen Dorjee Monastery, which was built during the Bhutanese rule in Pedong.

Area overview

The map above shows the Kalimpong Sadar subdivision of Kalimpong district. Physiographically, this area forms the Kalimpong Range, with the average elevation varying from . This region is characterized by abruptly rising hills and numerous small streams.[2] It is a predominantly rural area with 77.67% of the population living in rural areas and only 22.23% living in the urban areas. While Kalimpong is the only municipality, Dungra is the sole census town in the entire area.[3] The economy is agro-based and there are 6 tea gardens in the Gorubathan CD block.[4] In 2011, Kalimpong subdivision had a literacy rate of 81.85%, comparable with the highest levels of literacy in the districts of the state.[5] [6] While the first degree college in the subdivision was established at Kalimpong in 1962[7] the entire subdivision (and now the entire district), other than the head-quarters, had to wait until as late as 2015 (more than half a century) to have their first degree colleges at Pedong and Gorubathan.[8] [9]

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Transport

Sillery Gaon can be reached by a motorable road from Pedong.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tourism. Sillerigaon . District administration . 2 April 2020.
  2. Web site: District Census Handbook, Darjeeling, Series 20, Part XII A, 2011 Census of India. Page 13: Physiography. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal . 6 April 2020.
  3. Web site: District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling . Table 2.4b . Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal . 6 April 2020.
  4. Web site: About Kalimpong District . Tea Gardens . District administration . 6 April 2020.
  5. Web site: District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling . Table 4.5 . Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal . 6 April 2020.
  6. Web site: Provisional Population Totals Paper 1 of 2011 : West Bengal . Statement-4 Ranking of Districts by Literacy Rate in 2001 and 2011 . Office of the Registrar General and & Census Commissioner, India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . 2012-06-20 .
  7. Web site: Kalimpong College . College Admission . 6 April 2020 .
  8. Web site: Government General Degree College at Pedong . GGDC . 6 April 2020 .
  9. Web site: Government General Degree College, Gorubathan . GGDC . 6 April 2020 .