Darjeeling district (দার্জিলিং) lies in northern West Bengal, India, extending from the eastern Himalayan hills to the plains around Siliguri. It is known for Darjeeling tea, mountain scenery and views of Kanchenjunga. Darjeeling town is its hill headquarters, while Siliguri is a major commercial and transport centre.
The district has diverse communities, including Nepali-speaking Gorkhas, Lepchas, Bhutias and Bengalis. Tea cultivation, tourism, trade and services support local livelihoods. Monasteries, temples, churches and festivals reflect its varied cultural traditions. Prominent landmarks include Tiger Hill and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Common civic concerns include reliable drinking water, road maintenance, traffic congestion, waste management and access to healthcare and education. Landslides and heavy monsoon rain can disrupt travel and essential services. Residents also debate tea workers’ wages and welfare, employment opportunities, tourism’s environmental effects, and questions of regional identity, autonomy and local governance.