Goalpara District is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. It was created in the year 1983 with two Sub-divisions, Goalpara (Sadar) sub-division and North Salmara (Civil) Sub-division. In 1989, Goalpara Sadar Sub-division was upgraded into a district and North Salmara Sub-division was merged with newly created Bongaigaon District. Therefore, present Goalpara District consists of only one Sub-division. The district headquarters are located at Goalpara. Goalpara district occupies an area of 1,824 square kilometers. There are four Assam Legislative Assembly constituencies in this district: Dudhnoi, Goalpara East, Goalpara West, and Jaleswar. Dudhnoi is designated for scheduled tribes. Dudhnoi is in the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency, whilst the other three are in the Dhuri Lok Sabha constituency.
History of Goalpara District
Goalpara District was a princely state ruled by the Rajbongsi Kings. The Britishers originally formed the district in 1876. On 1 July 1983, two districts were split from Goalpara viz Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Presently the district has been divided into Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, and Goalpara. Koch Rajbongshi mostly inhabits it. The widely spoken language is Goalpariya language. This is the main language that is spoken the common masses. On 1 July 1983, two districts were split from Goalpara viz Dhubri and Kokrajhar.
Demography of Goalpara District
According to the Population Census Report in the year 2011, Goalpara District had population of 1,008,959 of which male and female were 514,162 and 494,797 respectively. The population of the Goalpara District constituted 3.24 percent of total population of Assam. The population density of Goalpara district for 2011 is 553 people per sq. km. The average literacy rate of Goalpara in 2011 was 68.67 percent. The male and female literacy rates were 72.67 percent and 64.53 percent respectively. The total literates in Goalpara District were 579,038 of which male and female were 311,986 and 267,052 respectively.
Tourism in Goalpara District
Located on the foothills of Meghalaya and on the Bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River; Goalpara district is endowed with its scenic beauty. The evergreen forests on low hills with its undulating landscape, if harnessed properly, will attract tourists of all hue to this district. Some of the tourist spots are Hulukanda hill, located at the heart of Goalpara town on the bank of the river Brahmaputra, Sri Surya hill situated about 12 kilometers. East of Goalpara town, Sri Tukreswari hill situated 25 km. away from Goalpara Town, Paglartek Baba at Barbhita, Urpod beel of Agia, Dhamar risen beel of Lakhipur. Various kinds of water birds, indigenous and foreign are found in thousands in the Urpod beel at Agia and Dhamor risen beel at Lakhimpur. There are some other water bodies such as Hashila beel, Kumri beel near Goalpara town. There are also some religious spots like Shamrai Satra, Banabashi Than, Dadan mandir, Narashimabari Than, Buraburi Than and Mazars of Muslim saints which have historical importance.
Tea Gardens: - There are two tea gardens in the district. These are namely Moijonga and Simlitola Tea Estates. The total area of these tea gardens is 1,422-Bigha-2 Katha- 5 Lessa and 2,866 Bigha- 2 Katha- 12 Lessas respectively.
