Urbanization in Kalimpong Municipal Area: Trends, Challenges and Future Prospects

Abstract

Urbanization includes the processes of change and its consequences, when a society gets transformed from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy, and from small homogeneous to a large heterogeneous society. The present trends or pace of urbanization in Kalimpong town in comparison to past decades is quite fast. The creation of Kalimpong town as the district headquarter, favorable climatic condition, availability of different services from administrative to entertainment and from health care facilities to higher education acting as pulling factor not only from remote areas of the district but from the other parts of the country as well as from foreign countries. Change is obvious and time is dynamic. Change brings consequences on its way. It may be positive or be negative. Fulfillment of one demand leads to create another demand. While in the process of fulfillment of his demand and desire people do not think about the outcome of his activities. The construction of high-rise skyline, growing number of vehicles, population not only leads to the urbanization but also pose certain threats to the environment. The town is at the altitude of about 1250 m from MSL, located in the steep slope ridge, and within the high rainfall region as well as in the earthquake zone which has to be considering while on the process of development. The progress in the field waste management, improvement of healthcare facility, educational institution, and progress in the small scale industries, transport and communication obviously will be positive impact factors for the socio-economic and cultural life of people of Kalimpong.