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| subdivision_type = CountryIndia}}| subdivision_type1 = State| subdivision_name1 = West BengalList of districts of India>DistrictJalpaiguri district>Jalpaiguri| established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = Municipal Corporations in India>MunicipalityPanchayat Samiti Malbazar Municipality|Malbazar Panchayat Samiti}}| leader_title = Municipality Chairperson| leader_name = Swapan Saha| leader_title1 = Sabhapati| leader_name1 = Vacant(since 8 June 2023)| unit_pref = MetricWEBSITE=MALMUNICIPALITY.ORG, 26 November 2020, | area_rank = | area_total_km2 = 3.50| elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = Bengali language>BengaliFACT AND FIGURES>URL=HTTPS://WB.GOV.IN/PORTAL/WEB/GUEST/FACTS-AND-FIGURES;JSESSIONID=JZDD9RHB7AMY5ESZPTCSIVLYACCESS-DATE=14 AUGUST 2019, 52ND REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES IN INDIA>URL=HTTP://NCLM.NIC.IN/SHARED/LINKIMAGES/NCLM52NDREPORT.PDFPUBLISHER=MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRSPAGE=85ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20170525141614/HTTP://NCLM.NIC.IN/SHARED/LINKIMAGES/NCLM52NDREPORT.PDF, 25 May 2017, | demographics1_title2 = Additional officialEnglish language>EnglishIndian Standard Time>IST| utc_offset1 = +5:30Postal Index Number>PIN| postal_code = 735221| registration_plate = Human sex ratio>Sex ratiomale>♂/femaleHTTP://WWW.CENSUS2011.CO.IN/DATA/TOWN/801639-MAL.HTML, Mal Municipality City Population Census 2011-2022 | West Bengal, | blank2_name_sec1 = Lok Sabha constituencyJalpaiguri (Lok Sabha constituency)>Jalpaiguri (SC)| blank3_name_sec1 = Vidhan Sabha constituencyMal (Vidhan Sabha constituency)>Mal (ST)| blank1_name_sec2 = Literacy rate| blank1_info_sec2 = 88.68%| website = www.malmunicipality.org| footnotes = }}Malbazar, also known as Mal, is a town and a municipality in Jalpaiguri districtAdministrative setup of Jalpaiguri district {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208201633jalpaiguri.gov.in/MAP2.htm |date=8 December 2008 }} from official website of Jalpaiguri District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Malbazar subdivision. It lies about 65 km from Jalpaiguri and 55 km from Siliguri. It lies on the bank of river Neora.

History

Before 1947 Malbazar was a very small place, mainly known for its tea gardens mostly owned by British people. Those tea gardens had a few Bengali white collar employees and the work force consisted of tribal people.After independence of India as well as partition of Bengal refugees from the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) started to settle here by cutting down forests. By that time, Narayan Chandra Bannerjee, Dr Amalendu Biswas (came from Pabna), Debaprasad Ghosh(Patal Babu),Dr Tarak Mukherjee, Nripendra nath Choudhary who came there from Dhaka established this city. Bannerjee had earned a lot of respect for his effective medical treatments and social services. He took initiatives to get the refugees settled there in an organised way. As a result, some colonies came up.Later, due to efforts of Bannerjee, Amalendu Biswas, Nripendra nath Choudhary, Debaprasad Ghosh (Patal Ghosh),Sarat ch Ghosh, Dulal Sengupta, Makhan Bose established Adarsha Bidya Bhaban (a boys’ high school). Narayan Chandra Bannerjee and Bipin Bihari Bandyopadhyay established Subhasini Balika Vidyalay (a girls’ high school) in the 1950s. The Government Mal Grameen Hospital was established. Biswas contributed a lot as the only dentist of Malbazar. Nath Choudhury had helped the refugees get settled. Soon, the police station was shifted to Malbazar from nearby Kranti.During that time, Jogesh Chandra Dutta was closely associated with Narayan Chandra Bannerjee, Amalendu Biswas, Nripendra nath Choudhary and others. Jogesh Chandra Dutta was the only practising ophthalmologist in that area. He was also closely associated with development of Mal RR Primary School.In the 1970s Malbazar got its fire service station. Later, a street was named after Narayan Chandra Bannerjee. The street is called “Dr. Narayan Banerjee Sarani” just behind Subhasini Balika Vidyalaya and Mal Adarsha Bidya Bhaban.

Geography

{{OSM Location map height=350| zoom=10260880 float=left|caption=Places and tea estates in Malbabazar subdivision (including Mal, Nagrakata and Matiali CD blocks) in Jalpaiguri districtCT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, N: neighbourhood, NP: national park/ wildlife sanctuary, TE: tea estateAbbreviations used in names – TG for Tea Garden (town/village), TE for Tea Estate, JRS: junction railway stationOwing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly2618853 label-pos1=top numbered1=CTChalsa, India (CT)>label-color1= #800000 mark-size1=12shape-color1= #A40000label-offset-x1=226308810 label-pos2=top numbered2=CTshape-color2=blacklabel-color2=black 2668816 label-pos3=bottom numbered3=CT| mark-title3= Mangalbari (CT)2668857 label-pos4=bottom numbered4=CT| mark-title4= Lataguri (CT)26498844 label-pos5=right numbered5=CT| mark-title5= Matialihat (CT)26208817 label-pos6=left numbered6=CT| mark-title6= Odlabari (CT)2620881 label-pos7=right numbered7=CT| mark-title7= Dakshin Odlabari (CT)2657884 label-pos8=left numbered8=RBagrakote (R)>shape-color8= #A4222226208843 label-pos9=bottom numbered9=RBatabari Tea Garden (R)>shape-color9= #A422222610881 label-pos10=top numbered10=RDam Dim (R)>shape-color10= #A42222265888 label-pos11=left numbered11=RGajoldoba (R)>shape-color11= #A4222226338839 label-pos12=left numbered12=RGurjangjhora Tea Garden (R)>shape-color12= #A42222 26128855 label-pos14=right numbered14=RNagrakata (R)>shape-color14= #A4222226248842 label-pos15=left numbered15=RSamsing (R)>shape-color15= #A4222226528823 label-pos16=right numbered16=RSulkapara (R)>shape-color16= #A4222226308814 label-pos17=left numbered17=RZurantee Tea Garden (R)>shape-color17= #A422222613883 label-pos18= left numbered18=TEMeenglas and Leesh River Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color18=#87A96B26348821 label-pos19= left numbered19=TEMeenglas and Leesh River Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color19=#87A96B2608810 label-pos20= bottom numbered20=TEHope and Jiti Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color20=#87A96B26548839 label-pos21= right numbered21=TEHope and Jiti Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color21=#87A96B26478859 label-pos22= left numbered22=TEChalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color22=#87A96B2608810 label-pos23= right numbered23=TEChalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color23=#87A96B2638815 label-pos24= right numbered24=TEChalouni, Aibheel and Chalsa Tea Estates (TE)> shape-color24=#87A96B2620880 label-pos25=bottomlabela25= National numbered25=NPGorumara National Park (NP)> shape-color25=#228B2226208818 label-pos26=bottomlabela26= Wildlife numbered26=NPChapramari Wildlife Sanctuary (NP)> shape-color26=#228B2226408840label27= Teesta River label-angle27=60 label-size27=10 mark-title27=none260880label28= Gatia River label-angle28=-45 label-size28=10 mark-title28=none260880label29= Jaldhaka River label-angle29=80 label-size29=10 mark-title29=none270880arc-textA= BHUTAN arc-angleA=20 arc-radiusA=0.4}}

Location

Mal is at {{coord|26.85|N|88.75|E|}}.WEB,maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=26.85017&lon=88.74724&zoom=14&q1=mal%252C%2520west%2520bengal%252C%2520india, Yahoo maps of Mal, Yahoo maps, 29 November 2008, Malbazar is one of the more important towns in Dooars.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} It is strategically located in the eastern part of the Dooars region. The town itself is rather an economical hub and a doorway to Dooars than being a tourist spot. tourist destination of Eastern Dooars – Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Reserve, Jhalong, Bindu, Samsing, Suntalekhola etc. could be accessed through the town.There is a government tourist lodge in Malbazar apart from a few private accommodations. An annual flower show is held, visited by people from places far and near.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

Area overview

Gorumara National Park has overtaken traditionally popular Jaldapara National Park in footfall and Malbazar has emerged as one of the most important towns in the Dooars. Malbazar subdivision is presented in the map alongside.WEB,northbengaltourism.com/malbazar/, Malbazar, North Bengal Tourism, 13 July 2020, WEB,www.north-bengal.com/dooars.html, Dooars Tour, North Bengal Tourism, 13 July 2020, It is a predominantly rural area with 88.62% of the population living in rural areas and 11.32% living in the urban areas.WEB,jalpaiguri.gov.in/district-profile, Jalpaiguri, District Profile, District administration, 13 July 2020, WEB,wbpspm.gov.in/publications/District%20Statistical%20Handbook, District Statistical Handbook 2014 Jalpaiguri, Tables 2.2, 2.4b, Department of Planning and Statistics, Government of West Bengal, 13 July 2020, Tea gardens in the Dooars and Terai regions produce 226 million kg or over a quarter of India’s total tea crop.WEB,www.indiatea.org/tea_growing_regions, Tea Growing Regions, Dooars and Terai, Indian Tea Association, 13 July 2020, WEB,www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/MTA=, Dooars-Terai, Tea Board India, 13 July 2020, Some tea gardens were identified in the 2011 census as census towns or villages.WEB,censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting-housing-WB.html, 2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables, West Bengal – District-wise, Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, 13 July 2020, Such places are marked in the map as CT (census town) or R (rural/ urban centre). Specific tea estate pages are marked TE.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.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of India, Mal had a total population of 25,218 of which 12,814 (51%) were males and 12,404 (49%) were females. There were 1,161 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The total number of literate people in Mal was 20,354 (84.61% of the population over 6 years).WEB,censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting-housing-WB.html, 2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables, West Bengal – District-wise, Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, 2 July 2020, In the 2001 census, Malbazar had a population of 23,212 out of which 12,111 were males and 11,101 were females. Decadal growth for the period 1991–2001 was 13.81% for Malbazar, against 21.52% in Jalpaiguri district. Decadal growth in West Bengal was 17.84%.WEB,web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_2.htm, Provisional population totals, West Bengal, Table 4, Jalpaiguri District, 23 August 2007, Census of India 2001, Census Commission of India, dead,web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_2.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20110719040713web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_2.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20110719040713web.cmc.net.in/wbcensus/DataTables/02/Table4_2.htm, 19 July 2011,

Government and politics

The chairperson of Mal Municipality is Swapan Saha and vice chairperson is Utpal Bhaduri.WEB,wbdma.gov.in/htm/DIS%5CMUNI_ULB_Mal.htm,www.wbdma.gov.in/HTM/DIS/MUNI_ULB_Mal.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20160312094524www.wbdma.gov.in/HTM/DIS/MUNI_ULB_Mal.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20160312094524www.wbdma.gov.in/HTM/DIS/MUNI_ULB_Mal.htm, dead, 12 March 2016, Mal municipality, Official website of the Department of Municipal Affairs, West Bengal, 29 November 2008, NEWS, জল্পনা কল্পনার অবসান ঘটিয়ে, মাল পুরসভার নাম ঘোষণা,khabarindiaonline.in/2022/03/16/announcing-the-name-of-mal-municipality-putting-an-end-to-speculation/, 31 March 2022, Khabar India Online, 16 March 2022,

Transport

Railway

File:Board Showing New Mal Junction railway station.jpg|thumb|New Malbazar Junction railway station ]]File:Malbazar Railway Station Board.jpg|thumb|Old Malbazar Railway Station Board ]]There are two Railway Stations which serves Malbazar, they are Malbazar Railway Station (station code MLBZ) and New Mal Junction (station code NMZ).Malbazar railway station (MLBZ) is a small station where only local and DEMU trains are available whereas New Mal Junction is the major junction from where many Express trains, Intercity trains, and local trains are available. New Mal Junction is connected by the newly converted Broad Gauge of the New Jalpaiguri–Alipurduar–Samuktala line, whereas Malbazar Railway Station lies on New Mal–Changrabandha–New Cooch Behar line. The 1st railway line leads from the forests of North Bengal to the foothills near the India - Bhutan border, whereas the 2nd railway line originates from Malbazar and terminates in Changrabandha, which lies in India - Bangladesh border.

Roadways

Malbazar is well connected by road with cities like Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. Since it lies on the route towards Jaigaon, so Jeep/Taxi services are available towards Jaigaon, Hasimara, Birpara, Binnaguri, Gangtok, Kalimpong, Rangpo, Singtam, Jorethang, Pakyong, Namchi, Pelling, Darjeeling, Panitanki, Bagdogra, Mainaguri, Dhupguri, Falakata, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar etc. Some long distance buses connecting Siliguri to Guwahati, Shillong, Jorhat etc also runs via Malbazar. Malbazar became popular to tourists as a gateway to many more spots like Gorumara, Chapramari and Chalsa.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} There is a short route between Malbazar to hill stations like Labha, Algarah, Pedong, Kalimpong, Rhenock, Mansong, Aritar via Gorubathan by State Highway 12 and National Highway 717A.NEWS,www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/may/28/doklam-effect-sikkim-to-get-new-all-weather-highway-1820559.html, Doklam effect: Sikkim to get new all-weather highway, 28 May 2018, The New Indian Express, 19 February 2022, Frequent Bus services are available from Malbazar to P.C. Mittal Memorial Bus Terminus, Siliguri.Also many buses are available from the town to Birpara, Hasimara, Jaigaon, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri etc.

Airways

The nearest airport is Bagdogra International Airport 74 kilometres away. Vistara, IndiGo, Go First, Akasa Air, AIX Connect, Air India, SpiceJet and Druk Air (Bhutan) are the major carriers that connects Bagdogra Airport to Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Paro (Bhutan), Guwahati, Kolkata, Dibrugarh and Bangkok (Thailand).

Education

• Caesar School (CBSE, English)(H.S.)
• Mal Adarsha Bidya Bhaban (WBCHSE, Bengali)(H.S.)
• Parimal Mitra Smriti Mahavidyalaya

References

{{reflist|3}}{{Jalpaiguri district}}{{Municipalities of West Bengal}}{{Jalpaiguri topics}}