Bhalka Forest - Kumargram, Alipurduar
Bhalka Forest is a village situated in the Kumargram subdivision of Alipurduar district, West Bengal. It is located approximately 14.4 km from Kumargram and around 133 km from Jalpaiguri . Chengamari serves as the Gram Panchayat for Bhalka Forest village.
As per Census 2011, the village code of Bhalka Forest is 307196. The village covers a total geographical area of 3729.6 hectares and falls under the 736202 pincode. U.kamakhyaguri is the nearest town, located about 23 km away.
Bhalka Forest village is governed under the Panchayati Raj system, with a Sarpanch serving as the elected head.
Population of Bhalka Forest
As per Census 2011, Bhalka Forest village has a total population of 1,438 people, consisting of 731 males and 707 females. The village has 327 households and a sex ratio of 967 females per 1,000 males. There are 185 children in the 0–6 years age group. The village has 812 literate and 626 illiterate residents. Additionally, 21 people belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and 1,089 to Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Detailed gender-wise population figures for Bhalka Forest are given below:
| Category | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 1,438 | 731 | 707 |
| Child Population (0–6 yrs) | 185 | 94 | 91 |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 1,089 | 562 | 527 |
| Literate Population | 812 | 461 | 351 |
| Illiterate Population | 626 | 270 | 356 |
Nearby Villages of Bhalka Forest
Bhalka Forest is surrounded by several neighbouring villages in various directions. The table below lists these nearby villages along with their approximate aerial (straight-line) distances and directions from the village:
| Nearby Village | Direction | Approx. Distance (Aerial) |
|---|---|---|
| Hemaguri | West | 3.85 km |
| Dakshin Haldibari | North | 4.44 km |
| Paschim Chengmari | West | 5.42 km |
| Radhanagar | South-West | 5.88 km |
| Lalchandpur | North-West | 6.63 km |
| Narakhata | West | 6.67 km |
| Kumargram | North | 7.01 km |
| Dhantali | North-West | 7.56 km |
| Barabisa | South-West | 7.65 km |
| Jaydedpur | North-West | 8.53 km |
Transport and Connectivity of Bhalka Forest
Bhalka Forest is connected by an all-weather road, and public transport is mainly available through shared van services. The nearest railway station is Jorai, while the nearest airport is Cooch Behar Airport, situated at an approximate aerial distance of 37.5 km.
| Connectivity | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus Service | No | Available within <5 km |
| Private Bus Service | No | Available within <5 km |
| Railway Station | No | - |
In addition to basic transport facilities, distances and travel times help define overall connectivity. The road distance from U.kamakhyaguri to Bhalka Forest is about 23 km, with a usual travel time of around 30-60 minutes. Similarly, the road distance from Jalpaiguri to Bhalka Forest is about 133 km, with the usual travel time around ~3.8 hours. Actual travel time may vary depending on road conditions and mode of transport.
Banking and Postal Services in Bhalka Forest
Banking and postal services are essential for daily financial transactions and communication. The availability of these facilities for Bhalka Forest village is detailed below:
| Service Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | No | Available within >10 km |
| ATM | No | Available within 5-10 km |
| Post Office | No | Available within 5-10 km |
Health Facilities in Bhalka Forest
Healthcare facilities play an important role in providing basic medical services to the residents. The details regarding the nearest health centres and hospitals serving Bhalka Forest village are given below:
| Facility Type | Status | Nearest Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Health Sub-Centre (HSC) | No | Available within >10 km |
| Primary Health Centre (PHC) | No | Available within >10 km |
| Community Health Centre (CHC) | No | Available within >10 km |
FAQs about Bhalka Forest
Where is Bhalka Forest located?
Bhalka Forest village is located in Kumargram Subdivision, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India.
What is the gram panchayat of Bhalka Forest?
The Gram Panchayat of Bhalka Forest is Chengamari.
What is the pincode of Bhalka Forest?
The pincode of Bhalka Forest is 736202.
What is the population of Bhalka Forest?
Bhalka Forest has a total population of 1,438, including 731 males and 707 females.
How many households are there in Bhalka Forest?
There are 327 households in Bhalka Forest.
What is the literacy rate in Bhalka Forest?
As per Census 2011, the literacy rate of Bhalka Forest is 56.47%. Male literacy is 63.06% and female literacy is 49.65%.