Jhargram district

In southwest Bengal (including the forests of erstwhile West Midnapore Division), the history of forest and its management can be traced to the 16th century, when forests were free for use by local villagers for household purposes and cleaning for cultivation. During the Mughal period, under the land revenue system introduced by Todar Mal, local zamindars had to pay "Ruba", a quarter-share of revenue to the Mughal Emperors for their protection. In 1773, the East India Company went for the permanent settlement of forests (and the landed properties) with zamindars as proprietor. In 1890 to 1905, Bengal-Nagpur Railways opened railway lines, which helped the cheaper transport of forest produces to faraway places with ease and less cost. That was followed by two world wars, which took a heavy toll of forest resources.

The forests of the division were included in Jungle Mahal which was held by zamindars (local chiefs), who maintained their respective forests in a feudal tenure system. With the coming up of Bengal-Nagpur Railway lines from Kharagpur to Jamshedpur via Jhargram, the forests of the area became accessible. The forests came to be recognised as a source of earning mkre return for the zamindars. Most forests of the division were owned by the Nawab of Murshidabad, the Raja of Mayurbhanj, the Raja of Jhargram, the Raja of Chilkigarh and the Midnapore Zamindar Company. The forests were in an advanced stage of degradation because of ruthless exploitation by the zamindars on a rotation period of 4–5 years. The mismanagement of the forests continued until 1948, when the government of West Bengal started exercising control over the management of forests under the West Bengal Private Forests Act, 1948, but the situation was little improved.

In 1953, the Estates Acquisition Act came into force, and the forests, which had been long owned by private owners, have been vested to the government since 1954 or 1955. They became free from all encumbrances for scientific management and control. Subsequently, they became owned by the Forest Department, which gradually depended upon the availability of records, evidence, and court orders.

After the state took over the forests, they were brought under scientific management. However, the productivity of the forests had gone down to such a level that they could not meet the growing demands of forest produces from the ever-increasing population of fringe areas and the county as a whole. The problem was further multiplied by the growing unemployment in the forest fringe villagers and lack of enough resources in the rural areas to end the situation.

Administrative measures and policing efforts to thwart the biotic pressures on the forests resulted only in more conflicts and led to complete alienation of the fringe population from the administration. The protection of the forests became hazardous. The administration had almost failed to tackle the situation and was looking for a solution.

A pilot project was launched in 1971-1972 by the Divisional Forest Officer, Silviculture (South) Division at Arabari of East Midnapore Division. Its objective was to involve the people living on the fringes of forests in protecting forest resources by the improvement of their socioeconomic conditions.

In 1985-1986, the pilot project was reviewed, evaluated and analyzed. The entire project area had apparently been restocked with nearly 700 ha of sal coppice forests and 300 ha of plantation crops. In fact, the pilot project had proved to be a success.

That formula of involvement of the indigenous people in forest protection and management has been repeated in other areas including West Midnapore Division since the mid-1980s very successfully. The state gave recognition to the system of management of forests, popularly termed as Joint Forest Management, by issuing an order in 1989 and amendments in 1990 and 1991. The division has 480 Forest Protection Committees. Since 1 April 2006, the West Midnapore Division has been reorganized and been renamed as Jhargram Forest Division. Chandabila, Nayagram, and Kesorekha Ranges have been transferred to Kharagpur Division with all establishments. Therefore, the area of Jhargram Division is now about 620 km².

Jhargram district covers an area of 3037.64 Sq. km. Out of which 268249 hectare is agricultural land and 59497 hectare is under forest coverage. The district is a part of Chota Nagpur Plateau which gradually slopes down towards east, hilly terrain occurs in the north-western part of the district. Kakrajhore area is having the highest altitude of about 300 metres. This area is covered with unfertile hard laterite soil/rocks. The altitude of southern areas of the district belonging to Nayagram, Gopiballavpur-I & II blocks are having the altitude of about 65 mts, the soil is comparatively alluvial in these areas. The altitude of Jhargram town is around 80 mts. [3]

Jhargram district has 10 police stations, 8 community development blocks, 8 panchayat samitis, 79 gram panchayats, Lodhashuli Gram Panchayat one of them, 2,996 mouzas, 2513 inhabited villages, 1 municipality and 1 census town. The single municipality is at Jhargram. The census town is Shilda: The only subdivision, Jhargram subdivision, has its headquarters at Jhargram.[6][7] The state Cabinet has given its nod to form 2 more sub-divisions. The three sub-divisions are supposed to be headquartered at Belpahari, Gopiballavpur and Jhargram.[8]

The 8 community development blocks are:

• Jhargram
• Jamboni
• Binpur-I
• Binpur-II
• Gopiballavpur-I
• Gopiballvapur-II
• Sankrail
• Nayagram

Jhargram district had a population of 1,136,548, of which 67,436 (5.93%) live in urban areas. Jhargram district has a sex ratio of 977 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 235,506 (20.11%) and 333,848 (29.37%) of the total population respectively.[9]

Religion

Religion in Jhargram district (2011)[10]
Hinduism			86.60%
Sarna			9.83%
Islam			2.46%
Christianity			0.45%
Other or not stated			0.66%

Religion in present-day Jhargram district

Religion	Population (1941)[11]: 76–77	Percentage (1941)	Population (2011)[10]	Percentage (2011)
Hinduism	294,391	68.74%	984,194	86.60%
Tribal religion[lower-alpha 1]	125,883	29.40%	111,767	9.83%
Islam	5,506	1.29%	27,967	2.46%
Others [lower-alpha 2]	2,465	0.58%	12,620	1.11%
Total Population	428,245	100%	1,136,548	100%

The main economy of this area is business & cultivation. Some people are government employees, School Teachers and employed in other private sectors. There are many textile and agriculture based industries. Tourism is also one of the important factors for the economy of this district.

Jhargram is home to many dances such as Chuang, Chang, Chhau, Dangrey, Jhumur, Panta, Ranpa, Saharul, Tusu & Bhadu.

Besides the culture, the regular Bengali festivals like Durga puja, Saraswati puja, Diwali and Kali pujas are well attended. Other common pujas in the worship of Shitala, Jagaddhatri, Dol Purnima, Ratha Yatra, Janmashtami, Bhima Puja, etc. also takes place.

A lot of fairs and carnivals take place in Jhargram. The famous fairs in Jhargram are Jungle Mahal Utsav, Jhargram Mela & Yuva Utsav, Rong Maati Manush, Shrabani Mela, Baishakhi Mela, Milan Mela, boi mela, silpithirtha, dog show, sramik mela, sabala mela.[13]

Jhargram Palace

Chilkigarh Rajbari, Chilkigarh

Sebayatan Satsanga Mission, Jhargram

There are several tourist-attracting places throughout the Sub-Division.

• Jhargram Palace
• Chilkigarh Rajbari, Chilkigarh
• Deer Park (Jungal Mahal zoological Park)
• Savitri Temple
• Rabindra Park
• Sitala Mandir, Chandipur
• Chilkigarh Raj Palace
• Kanak Durga Temple
• Jungle Mahal
• Medical Plants Garden (Kalaboni)
• Dherua (for the banks of Kansai river)
• Sevayatan is known for Kechenda Bandh (lake) & surrounding forests
• Tribal Museum
• Alampur
• Kendua (to see migrating birds)
• Rohini Raj bari ( Rohini gorh jomidar bari )
• Kakrajhore Forest
• Rohini: This is a historical village situated on the bank of Dulung River. Birthplace of famous Vaishnav saint Rashikanandaji Maharaj. Now it is visiting spot.
• Gidhni
• Dholkat Pukuria Bharat Sevashram Sangha
• Hatibari Forest Bungalow
• Jhilli Pakhiraloy
• Gopiballavpur Eco Park
• Ghagra Water Falls, Belpahari
• Sitala Mandir, Dahijuri
• Shiv Mandir, Cheraboni
• Shiv Mandir, Balarampur
• Bandarboni, Kangsabati Riverside

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• Official website