Brief About Bankura
District
Location and Extent
Bankura is located in the western part of the State
of West Bengal. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State
and included in the area known as "Rarh" in Bengal.
It ranks 4th according to Population and literacy rate of 2001
Census in the State. The District Bankura is bounded by latitude
22038’ N and longitude 86036’ E to 87047’ E.
River Demodar flows along the northern boundary of the district.
The adjacent districts are Bardhaman in the north, Purulia in
th west and Paschim Medinapure in the south. The Survey of India
(SOI) toposheets covering the districts are 73I, 73J, 73M and
73N.
Municipalities
| Sl. No. |
Name |
No. of Wards |
| 1 |
Bankura |
23 |
| 2 |
Bishnupur |
19 |
| 3 |
Sonamukhi |
15 |
Agriculture
Climatic condition depending upon rainfall , temperature , humidity
and altitude accompanied by various complex land form hydrology
soil combination has greatly influenced the farming system of
Bankura District. In Bankura District two Agro Climatic Zones,
namely Undulating Red & lataritic in Sonamukhi , Joypur, Bishnupur,
Ranibandh, Gangajalghati , Borjora, Saltora, Onda, Taldangra,
Simlapal, Mejhia, Raipur, Sarenga, Chhatna, Indpur, Khatra, Hirbandh,
Bankura-I and Bankura-II blocks and Vindhyan Alluvial Zone in
Patrasayer, Indus, Kotulpur blocks, are exist. Climatically Red
& Lataritic Zone is within tropical dry sub-humid having rainfall
ranging from 1100 to 1400 mm and Temperature maximum 450C and
minimum 100 C normally. This region primarily undulating with
mounds and valleys and exhibiting different grades of laterisation
process in soil formation . Soils are well drained, susceptible
to soil erosion due to rapid external drainage or run off, soil
reaction ranges from acidic in ridges and near neutral in valleys.
Organic carbon Content, phosphate and patas are low. Agriculture
in this region is mostly rain depended. Ground water is not easily
and economically tappable. Prevalence of moisture stress on standing
Kharif Crop in late monsoon period is very common. In Vindhyan
Alluvial Zone, Soil in general are deep, texturally medium fine,
mostly acidic in soil reaction, moderately well drained, ground
water deeply placed, low in bases, organic matter, phosphate and
medium in patas. Major part of the region harvests more than one
crop utilizing canal irrigation as well as ground water.
Bankura District is located between 22.38 latitude
and 86.36 to 87.38 longitude. The tropic of cancer passes almost
through the middle of the District.
Net cultivable area of the District is 4.30 lakh
ha. and nos. of Cultivator is 4.47 lakhs and per cultivator availability
of net shown area comes to 1.02 ha. Due to continuous division
and fragmentation of cultivated land Agriculture is becoming less
remunerative.
About 46% of the net cropped area is under Irrigation
. The gross cropped area is about 6 lakh ha. and cropping intensity
is 147%.
Rice, Wheat, Oil seeds and Vegetables are the
Principal Crop occupied major of the gross cropped area. Most
of the Pre-Kharif and Kharif rice are grown in rainfed condition
. H.Y.V. crops occupied about 9% in this district considering
100% in summer rice.
Wheat is second most important cereal crop in
the district and crop is cultivated in assured / limited irrigated
areas.
Among different Oil seeds, Rape & Mustared,
and Sesamum are two important oil seeds grown in this district
Sesamum is cultivated in 3 seasons while Rape & Mustard is
cultivated during Rabi season.
It is paradoxical that though Bankura lies in
sub-humid zone having total Annual Rainfall of 1300 mm to 1400
mm. Agriculture is largely dependent on the vagaries of monsoon.
Drought constitutes a major hazard in the district . Intermittent
gaps of in precipitation and moisture stress during the monsoon
gives rise to serious set back in production during the Kharif,
which is the main stay of Agriculture in the district.
The farmers of the district know Agriculture
to be one of the riskiest of all enterprises. But life demands
food. The farmers under the guidance of the extension personnel
as friend and philosopher have established the saying “Where
there is a will there is a way”. This firm determination
of the farming community guided by extension workers associated
the blessings of nature has raised production in the district
to contribute to a sizeable quantum for feeding the population
other than this district.
Land Use / Land Cover
The land use pattern differs in a pronounced manner from west
to east with varying soil conditions. The eastern alluvial tract
is well cultivated and most of the area is double cropped. Uncultivable
wastelands are not usually found in this part, except in the slopes
and banks of drainage channels, which are not suitable for cultivation
due to sheet and gully erosion. Baid type of land occurs at a
lower level than the gullied waste lands and covered with sandy
loam soil on which paddy is grown. Kanali lands are at still lower
level lands in the alluvial tract on which paddy is grown extensively
with moderate to good yields. Sol or Bahal type of lands with
loamy or clay soils and with ample surface moisture is best for
cultivation of paddy and summer vegetables. Lands with laterite
or lateritic soils are generally covered by Sal forest except
for cultivated patches within them.
Climate
The seasons in Bankura are generally distributed as ‘hot
summer’ (April-May), ‘monsoon’ (June-September)
and ‘Cold season’ (November-February). The humidity
is usually medium to high throughout the year and the rainfall,
though not heavy, is usually well distributed. The average annual
rainfall to the district is around 1300 mm. The rainy months are
generally July and August.
Tourism
The Local attraction for tourists is marvelous for various sights
under the district :-
Northern Zone : Durgapur Barrage, Gandoa Dam
& Koropahar.
South Zone : Mukutmonipur, Jhilimili, Sutan, and ECO Park at Taldangra,
Talberia, Terracota Project at Panchmura etc.
Western Zone : Susunia Hill & Beharinath Hill.
Eastern Zone : Temples of Bishnupur, Joyrambati.
Special Features of
tourist plots
Susunia
Susunia hill is quite popular as treakking spot both
inside & out side of Bankura district. It is also an important
tourist spot for the people who visit the place to see "Dhara"
(Natural Spring) & Silialipi
Bishnupur
Bishnupur is famous for temples with terracotta art and
large water area and there are approximately 16 temples in the
Bishnupur. Most of the temples made in the decade of Mallaraja
namely Jore Banglow, Rsmanch, Madanmohan Mandir, Shyam Roy Mandir
(Panchcura) & Chhinnmasta Mandir etc.Bishnupur is famous for
it own musical gharana (Classical Music) Dalmadal Kaman
Biharinath
Biharinath Hill is on the north of Saltora Block, tallest
in the district (448 metre) stands guard on the north-western
edge, a famous place of tourism and at the foot of the hill a
small tank mesuring 0.50 ha. can be accommodated with a anglins
facilities for recreation of the touring people near by a temple
Joyrambati
Joyrambati the Birth place of Sree Sree Maa Sarada Devi
is a holy visiting place. The famous temple of Singha Bahani Devi
is an special attraction. Mayerepukur, in font of the residential
house of Ma-Sarada is also a visible sight
Mukutmonipur
Mukutmonipur- Jhilimili circuit has became the most attractive
tourist site in Bankura District The second biggest earther Dam
of India, Mukutmonipur is 55Km away from Bankura District Head
Quarter and situated in the confluence of river Kangsabati and
Kumari. Green forest surround the vast bluish tract of water,
Hillocks are essentially a dream come here. The place is very
much famous for its superb natural beauty. The undulating terrain
along the southern edge of the Kangsabati Water Reservoir spreads
as a three-dimensional necklace of green and Terracotta colour.
The stand-till water of the reservoir look like a large blue tinted
glass mirror reflecting the vast expanse of sky over it. The vastness
of the lake stretches as far your eye can reach. The view of the
sunset with the lake on the four ground is breath taking . You
must also experience the moonlit night around the reservoir .
The surface of the static water turns into a shiny silvery plate
gifted by God.
Jhilimili
Jhilimili is situated 70 Km away from Bankura Town of
us beauty of an undisturbed dense natural forest. A travel from
Ranibund to Jhilimili offers a wonderful exposure to spectacular
forest of varying heights on both sides on the route, and finally
reaching Jhilimili mounted on the top of a hillock. The sparkle
of micaceous soil adds to the beauty of the environment.
FORESTRY / WASTELAND
Introduction
Forest land of 148177 ha. constitute 21.5% of total geographical
area of the district, which is below national average of 33% forest
coverage. Latest land use patterns indicate that culturable wasteland
stood at 11703 ha. fallow land, other than current fallow at 11101
ha., Current fallow at 16480 ha. and 36692 ha. of Barren and uncultivable
land. This land may be made suitable for taking up forestry/ waste
land development.
From the geographical , socioeconomic & environmental
consideration, the district offers lot of scope for development
of this activity . In view of Govt. supports for development of
this sector, long term potential for development through credit
may be estimated at 2500 hect. for next 5 years with annual phasing
of 500 ha.
Infrastructure
The district is covered under the programmes of National
Waste Land Development Board. IWDP is being implementation in
7 blocks viz. Indpur, Chhatna, Saltora, Khatra, Hirbundh, G.Ghati
and Ranibandh.
State Govt. has implemented social forestry project
in the district covering roadside, riverside, railway embankment
plantation etc. West Bengal forest development corporation, pulpwood
development corporation are also working for forest and wasteland
development in the district during the past years. Govt. has stressed
for biotic plantation distribution of seeding etc. in the district.
Forest of the district is divided into three
divisions. On an average of 20% of forests are barren of degraded
. Under State and Central sponsored programmes, rejuvenation and
or re-plantation are taken to an average of 1500-1600 ha. per
year. In coming five years 2000 ha. is also expected to be developed
with non-timber forest. However bank credit may flow to the privately
owned land only and no private land is categorized as forest land.
PLANTATION / HORTICULTURE
The agro climatic condition of the district is suitable
for plantation / horticulture crops such as Mango, Guava, Cashewnut,
Jackfruit, Banana, Papaya, Lime and others. Cultivation of most
fruit crops are taken up as backyard plantation rather than commercial
venture. There is also scope for development of floriculture,
medicinal and aromatic plants in the district. Total area under
horticulture crops in the district is around 4775 ha.
The integrated wasteland development programmes
is under implementation in the district with effect from 1993-94
to utilize wasteland and generate employment opportunities in
rural area. It is a Govt. assisted programme, which aims at undertaking
plantation activities of tasser host plantation (Arjun), horticultural
development , energy plantation (non edible oil), medicinal and
Silivipasture etc. in the district. Execution of plantation activities
etc. done through Panchayat bodies. A commercial activity is need
of the hour. Due importance is being attached by the SG. An agreement
has been reached with a Israeli partner to develop planting materials
of suitable species of PH corps. Arrangements are also being made
to produce high quality planning materials in another farm at
Joyrambati.
Infrastructure required
/ available / gap
There are seven seed farm, one model farm, one horticulture
research center (Taldangra) and 250 seed dealers in the district.
Fruit crops development nurseries at Bankura , Taldangra, Kotulpur
and Sonamukhi have been taking initiatives to popularize the activity
. However it is observed that difficulties are there in getting
timely supply of planting materials and other non credit inputs
like technical advices for commercial exploitation. The marketing
arrangement in the district also very poor. The farmers may be
made aware of the post harvesting technology for fetching remunerative
prices. Transport system in the district need further improvement,
non availability cold chain adds to its misery. There is no fruit
processing industries in the district which could give encouragement
to undertake the activity also on marginal land .
NABARD is also collaboration with SG. Trying
to promote plantation crop of dryland variety to diversify agriculture
activity in the district
