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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORTBrick Earth Mining & Other Mining
UNAKOTI
Second Edition - November 2019
Second Edition - November 2019
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORTBrick Earth Mining & Other Mining
SS
WEST
TRIPUR
Consultant/FaCilitor
WEst BEnGal,inDia Email : [email protected]
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 1
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE
This District Survey Report (DSR) of Unakoti district, Tripura, has been prepared by
Greenminds Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd., Howrah, West Bengal, India.
Any reproduction, direct or indirect other than for the specific purpose for which the report
has been prepared, should not be carried out, without prior written consent of Greenminds
Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd. and Govt. of Tripura.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 2
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We, Greenminds Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd., would like to express our special
thanks of gratitude to all the Government functionaries of the State of Tripura for their
guidance and for providing necessary information regarding the district Unakoti, Tripura
and also for their support in completing the District Survey Report. We also like to
extend our sincere thanks to all the local people of Unakoti district who have offered
their fullest cooperation unhesitatingly.
We have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible
without the kind support and help of many individuals and organizations.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
We are highly indebted to:
Department & Designated person(s) Designation
District Administration:
Shri Rabindra Reang, IAS District Magistrate (DM)
Shri Ajit Sukladas, TCS Addl. District Magistrate
All Officers District Administration
Forest:
Dr. Alind Rastogi, IFS, PCCF & HoFF
Shri Mahender Singh, IFS, DFO
Shri Tapojyoti Kishore Debbarma, TFS SDFO Shri Abhijit Dey SDFO
All Officers Forest Dept (H.O)
DSTE: Shri Animesh Das, IAS Director
All Officers Dte. of Science,Technology & Environment
TSPCB: Dr. Basant Kumar Agarwala Chairman
Dr. Mihir Kumar Das Scientist-C & SEAC, Secretary
All Officers Tripura State Pollution Control Board
Rural Development: Er. Shri Swapan Kumar Das Chief Engineer All Officers RD Department
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
INDEX
Sl. No. Contents Page Nos.
1. Preface 06-06
2. Introduction 07-08
3. General Profile of the District 09-28
4. Physiography of the District 29-29
5. Land Use Pattern of the District 30-33
6. Geology 34-38
7. Geological and Mineral Map of Tripura 39-41
8. Geomorphology 42-46
9. Soil types 47--47
10. Natural Hazards 47-47
11. Mineral Resources 48-48
12. Methodology of Brick Earth and Ordinary
Earth mining and Guiding Principles 48-48
13. Over view of Mining Activity in the District 48-48
14. Brick Earth Mining: Quantifications &
Recommendations 49-50
15. Ordinary Earth Mining: Quantifications &
Recommendations 51-51
16. Economic Impact of Mining: Brick Earth
Mining & Ordinary Earth Mining 52-52
17. Concluding Remarks 53-53
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Sl. No. List of Maps & Figures Page
Nos.
1. Map 1: Administrative Map of Unakoti District 8
2. Map 2: Location Map of Unakoti District 10
3. Map 3: River System Map of Unakoti District 17
4. Map 4: Drainage Pattern Map of Unakoti District 20
5. Map 5: Forest Map of Unakoti District 28
6. Map 6: Land Use Map of Unakoti District 32
7. Map 7: Forest Classification Map of Unakoti District 33
8. Map 8: Geological Map of Unakoti District 38
9. Map 9: Elevation Map of Unakoti District 45
10. Map 10: Drainage Network Map of Unakoti District 46
1. Fig 1: Bar Diagram of Average Rainfall, Unakoti District 14
2. Fig 2: Bar Diagram of Male & Female Population, Unakoti
District 22
3. Fig 3 : Pie chart of Male & Female population, Unakoti District 22
4. Fig 4: Pie chart of Male & Female population, Unakoti District 23
5. Fig 5: Bar Diagram of Literacy Rate, Unakoti District 23
6. Fig 6: Pie Chart of Literacy, Unakoti District 25
7. Fig 7: Bar Diagram of Cropping Pattern, Unakoti District 31
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
1. PREFACE:
On 15 January 2016, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of
India issued a notification and in which Para 7(iii) (a) and Annexure (x), purpose and structure of
District Survey Report has been discussed. District Survey Report (DSR) will be prepared in
every district for each minor mineral. The District Survey Report will guide systematic and
scientific utilization of natural resources, so that present and future generation may be
benefited at large. The guidelines of MoEF&CC will support that fundamental concept,
promoting environmental protection, limiting negative physiological, hydrological and social
impacts under pinning sustainable economic growth. It is really an enigma that all earth
materials are not used for making bricks. The rudiments of the subject lie within the
geology of soil characteristics. Mostly, the presence of clayey soils is the fulcrum of brick
earth industry. On this parlance, we can say that the abundance of clayey soil seems to tilt
the scales in favour of brick maker (Lessee). So, they should have a business acumen and
eye catching overall performances to do this plum job within a time frame of consecutive
five years.
This District Survey Report (DSR) will contain mainly data published and endorsed by various
departments and websites about Geology of the area, Mineral wealth details of the
investigated area, details of Lease and Mining activity in the District along with brick earth
mining and revenue of minerals. This report also contains details of Forest, Rivers, Soil,
Agriculture, climate and other geo-morphological units.
In the North-eastern part of Tripura, Unakoti district covers an area of about 686.97 km2.
This district was created on 21 January 2012 when four new districts were created in
Tripura, taking the number of districts in the state from four to eight. Unakoti hill,
literally meaning one less a koti in Bengali, hosts an ancient Shaivite place of worship
with huge rock reliefs celebrating Shiva. Kailashahar is its headquarters. The district was
part of North Tripura district earlier. The District and divided into two sub-divisions,
namely, Kailashahar and Kumarghat. For the purpose of developmental activities it is divided
into four Blocks namely Kailasahar ,Kumarghat, Pecharthal and Gournagar.There are
two major rivers viz., Manu and Deo flowing through the district.
Disclaimer: The data may vary due to flood, heavy rains and other natural
calamities. Therefore, it is recommended that SEIAA may take into consideration all its
relevant aspects/ data while scrutinizing and recommending the application for
EC to the concerned Authority.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
2. INTRODUCTION:
Unakoti District was created in the year of 2012 by bifurcating North Tripura and Dhalai
district.
Unakoti district of Tripura is located between 24°05′ N to 24°23′25” N latitude and between
91°55′ E to 92°12′ E longitude (measured from google earth). The district are bordered by Dhalai
district of Tripura on the western to southern side, by North Tripuraon the southern to eastern
to north-eastern side and by Bangladesh on the north. It shares a total international boundary
of about 50 kilometres with Bangladesh (measured from google earth). The district is
accessible with rest of Tripura including the capital city Agartala through National
Highway 44. The Headquarter of the district is located at Kailashahar, situated
beside the Bangladesh Border (about 1 km distance from bangladesh border.
In Tripura, the mineral resources are mainly glass sands, limestone, plastic clay and hard
rock; all of these materials are being used to a variable degree. However, the single most
important resources in the state is oil and natural gas. ONGC has initiated massive
exploration programme in the state.
The attempt has been made to make a District Survey Report for newly created Unakoti
district.
(ref: DISTRICT PROFILE, KHOWAI DISTRICT, 2016-17, OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE & COLLECTOR)
Bricks are made by Indian uneducated, unskilled and unemployed labours. Brick kilns are
largest temporary employment provider in Tripura as well as in our country and provide
employment to the poorest section of the population who are in a ditch of financial crisis.
The local villagers in and around the brick kilns are the key source of “Human Resource”
and they boost up the speed of the business of brick kiln industry tailoring their entire
manual effort just to alleviate their financial doldrums. The upliftment of socio-economic
conditions of these labours is dependent on the fate of the demand supply gap for pucca
bricks in local market. The overwhelming demand of bricks and fabulous response from
customers for purchasing bricks put the responsibilities on the shoulders of proprietor of
brick maker ensuring a good future of this business.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Map 1: Unakoti District Administrative Map
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
3. GENERAL PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT:
a) GENERAL INFORMATION:
Geographical Area: Located in the North-eastern part of Tripura, the District covers an area of
about 686.97 sq km. It is mainly located between two hills namely „Longtharai range‟ &
„Machhlithum/Sakhan Range‟. More than 70% area is hilly and forest covered. The terrain is
mostly undulating & hilly with small water streams (chharas) , rivers and fertile valleys
intervening.
Geographical Position: The District headquarters at Kailashahar is located at a distance of about
90 km NE from the State capital Agartala. Kailasahar airport is located at capital. The
District is bordered by Bangladesh on the Northern side.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Map 2: Location Map of Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Administrative Divisions (Sub-Divisions, Blocks): Unakoti district has four Sub-divisions
namely- Kailasahar and Kumarghat, comprising of four Blocks i.e. Kailashahar, Gournagar,
Kumarghat, Pecharthal.
DISTRICT SUB DIVISION/
MAHAKUMA
REVENEU CIRCLE TEHSIL BLOCK
UNAKOTI KAILASHAHAR KAILASHAHAR KAILASHAHAR, TILAGAON, GOURNAGAR,
SRIRAMPUR, BIRCHANDRANAGAR LAKKHIPUR
GOURNAGAR
CHANDIPUR
KUMARGHAT KUMARGHAT FATIKRAI, KANCHANBARI, KUMARGHAT
KUMARGHAT
PENCHARTHAL PENCHARTHAL, MACHHMARA, BAGHAICHHARA
PENCHARTHAL
(ref: https://jami.tripura.gov.in)
Population (As per Census 2011):-
Total population- 276506, Male population- 140210, Female population- 136296.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
b) CLIMATIC CONDITION:
The state as whole and Unakoti district in particular has a monsoon type of climate. There is
however, difference of temperature between the hills and plains, which ranges between sub-
tropical in the plains to temperate climatic conditions found in the hilly areas.
The topographic features seem to have influenced the climatic condition of the Unakoti
district, where the plains are hotter and humid in comparison to the hills, which have a
salubrious climate. The four main seasons here are- (i) Winter season (December to February),
(ii) Pre-monsoon season (March to May), (iii) Monsoon season (June to September), and (iv)
Post Monsoon season (October to November) (Bhatt and Bhargava, 2006).
Rainy season generally starts by about the end of May but thundershowers usually occur
from about April to the break of the monsoon. The rainy season continues up to September.
The maximum rainfall is usually recorded during the month of June – July. The months of
October and November constitute the post monsoon season.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
c) RAINFALL:
MONTH RAINFALL IN cms
JANUARY 1.44
FEBRUARY 2.66
MARCH 6.48
APRIL 14.91
MAY 22.94
JUNE 36.11
JULY 34.52
AUGUST 30.85
SEPTEMBER 22.62
OCTOBER 14.52
NOVEMBER 4.03
DECEMBER 0.99
Ref: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation & India Meteorological Department
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
0.99 2.66 1.44
4.03 6.48
14.52 14.91
22.62 22.94
30.85
34.52 36.11
AVERAGE RAINFALL IN cms
AVERAGE RAINFALL IN Cms
Fig 1: Bar diagram of average rainfall, Unakoti District
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
d) TEMPERATURE:
Tropical climatic conditions reign in Tripura. During summer the diurnal
temperature goes above 30 to 31 degree Celsius and in winter it can drop down
around 9 degree Celsius.
e) WIND DIRECTION AND PATTERN:
The secondary data of wind direction is not available from Meteorological
department of the State. So construction of Wind Rose diagram is not possible to
show the wind direction and its pattern.
f) DRAINAGE & IRRIGATION:
Irrigation system upon which agricultural activities depend is entirely controlled
by the local drainage system i.e., streams, rivers, canals, cherras and dug out
wells.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 16
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
g) TOPOGRAPHY & TERRAIN:
The topography of Unakoti district is traversed by mostly of rugged terrain with some
undulating surface. About 75 percent of the district geographical areas are characterized by
hilly terrain covered with dense forests and only about 25 percent are plains.
HILL RANGES- Two hills range i.e. Longtharai and Machhlithum/Sakhan range are partly
found here. All these runs almost parallel to one another in a north-south direction and in
between are the valleys. The elevation of these hill ranges is higher in the south and decrease
towards the north; however, the height of these ranges gains as one move from west to the east
direction (Saigal, 1978). These hill ranges are characterized with narrow ridges, knife edged
and steep slopes.
THE VALLEY / PLAIN AREAS- In between the hills range are the valleys characterized by
gentle slope and broken by intermittent small hillocks (Saigal, 1978). The valley / plain
areas in the district consist mainly of Manu plain and partly of Deo plain. Much of these plain
areas are under agricultural land due to its rich humus contents deposited by this river
from the hills range. Manu plains lie between the Longtarai Range in the west and Sakhan
Range in the east. It is primarily drained by Manu River.This plain consist partly of small hillock
and fertile plain areas where both shifting cultivation and paddy cultivation dominates. Deo
plain is partly cover Unakoti district and lie in between Machhlithum/Sakhan range in the West
and Jampui hill range in the East.
h) WATER COURSE & HYDROLOGY:
The main water courses of Unakoti District are Manu & Deo river. Beside this there are many
cherras viz., Kathal, Dem, Danga, Hamuk, Kuki, Longtarai, Baghai, Kanchan, Bet, Rata, Bara
Laljuri, Choto Laljuri, Demdum, Bara Sayada, Choto Sayada, Mora, Fatik, Dhanbilash, Bhutia,
Nageshwari, Baiphai, Bagna, Barai, Halai, Chhagaldema, Kalai, Lakshmi, Bursi, Nun, Deora,
Balu, Samru, Kaphna, Pabni, Suna, Dalu etc.
The flow characteristics of a river mainly depends on the slope of channel and annual discharge,
lithology, structure and geology of a region. It is difficult to establish any relation between
channel slope and annual discharge because weak lithology, sudden break of slope or gentle
slope and varying channel depth of different places. However, the general trend is of more
discharge in straight course than the meandering course. The total annual flows
generated by the rivers have been estimated from the flow measurements made by the
Department of Irrigation, Government of Tripura.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Map 3 : River system map of Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 18
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
i) GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT:
Hydro-geologically the area is a moderate to good zone for groundwater development. The
water table lies between 15 m and 20 m below ground level in the unconsolidated sandy
sediments of recent alluvium. Here the groundwater yield is good and can be developed
with the use of deep tube wells. The area and blocks water supply is augmented with dug wells,
shallow hand pumps and mini deep tube wells. Drinking water supply division,
resource water division has taken initiatives and has installed number of tube wells in the
area, which are in operation mode.
The tube wells are installed with water jet method and rotary rig method
(direct/reverse).Static water level is in the range of 10-15m below ground level. Numbers of
water ponds are also there which augments village water supply. Rainfall is high in the range of
1800-2000 mm annually. The study area is mostly dominated by dense vegetation. Paddy
cultivation is practiced based on the rainfall.
j) DRAINAGE SYSTEM (GENERAL):
Overall drainage pattern is dendritic. The comprehensive term 'pattern' includes the
special arrangement of streams. The drainage pattern of the area is controlled by structure,
slope elements and lithology.
The study area, Unakoti District, the North-East Tripura, is structurally similar to the
Chittagong hills of Bangladesh and Mizoram State of India.
The whole region mentioned here, forms part of the Tertiary folded belt conforming to
synclinal and anticline structures. The dips are roughly maintaining the east-west
direction while the ranges run parallel north to south. The main rivers are occupying
the synclinal valleys and their tributaries in short lengths coming down from the
anticline tops forming consequent drainage pattern. At few places, the main rivers have cut
through the ridges and changed their courses from valley to valley in transverse path.
The resultant drainage pattern with larger tributaries coming down along the valleys
joining the transverse path and takes a trellised form. This is experienced by the Deo river
basin of the study area.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 19
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
The Manu river basin also occupies a relatively flat vale by the west of the Sakhantlang -
Unakoti ranges. Like the Juri, the Manu (in the study area) has large number of marshy
tracts in its basin. Both the Juri and the Manu are characterised by meandering course
with dendritic drainage pattern. In the cases of these two rivers the valley floors are very wide
and practically flat. As a result, with heavy monsoon downpour in the upper catchment areas
and much faster run off the main channels overflow, causing vast areas of non- perennial
marshes.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Map 4: Drainage Pattern Map of Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 21
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
k) DEMOGRAPHY:
Tripura is the second most populous state in the North-East India, next only to Assam. Once the
indigenous Borok communities dominated the state, but at present the ST population
comprising of 19 tribes has become a minority in its own land due to the large influx of
immigrants mainly the Bengali-speaking people from Bangladesh (Debbarma, 2009).
According to cencus 2011 Unakoti district has Total 2,76,506, Male 1,40,210, Female
1,36,296, Overall literacy rate (%) 86.91, Male literacy rate (%) 90.92, Female literacy rate (%)
82.79, Female per thousand males 972 .
(ref: DIARY 2018. GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA)
PARAMETERS PARTICULARS
TOTAL POPULATION 276506
MALE POPULATION 140210
FEMALE POPULATION 136296
OVERALL LITERACY RATE (%) 86.91
MALE LITERACY RATE (%) 90.92
FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%) 82.79
FEMALE PER THOUSAND MALE 972
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
NO. OF POPULATION
FEMALE POPULATION
MALE POPULATION
NO. OF POPULATION
TOTAL POPULATION
0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000
MALE POPULATION
FEMALE POPULATION
Fig 2: Bar diagram of Male & Female population, Unakoti District
Fig 3: Pie chart of Male & Female population, Unakoti District
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
92 90 88 86 84 82 80 78
OVERALL LITERACY RATE (%)
MALE LITERACY RATE (%)
FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%)
MALE LITERACY RATE (%)
FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%)
Fig 4: Bar diagram of literacy rate, Unakoti District
Fig 5: Pie Chart of Literacy Rate, Unakoti District
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
l) CROPPING PATTERN:
Paddy is the main component in all farming systems of Unakoti, as rice is a staple food for
Tripureans. The farmers follow a unique system of paddy cultivation in which they use
„lunga‟ land, a low-land condition surrounded by„ “tilla‟ lands (hillocks) for growing paddy.
Under tilla land conditions, they grow beans, cowpea, brinjal etc. during rainy season using
field or household residues for nutrient recycling in vegetable crops. Among the fruit crops,
banana, papaya, citrus, mango, arecanut, litchi, etc. occupy their backyards.
(Ref: DIARY 2018, GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA)
PARAMETERS AREA IN Hectare (Approx.)
NET SOWN AREA (APPROX) 13304
SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 5048
DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 7376
TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 881
TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX) 22442
AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE 8257
TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA 18534.5
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
AREA IN Hectare (Approx.)
TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA
AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE
TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX)
TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
AREA IN Hactare (Approx.)
DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
NET SOWN AREA (APPROX)
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000
Fig 6: Bar diagram of cropping Pattern, Unakoti district
m) LAND FORM AND SEISMICITY:
Physiographically, the district can be divided into two divisions- (1) The hill ranges, and (2)
The valley / plain areas. The Khowai district comes under Earthquake prone Zone-V.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
n) FLORA:
The most important crops that are associated with this north-eastern state of India are paddy,
pulses, oilseeds, jute and different kinds of fruit and vegetables. (ref: mapsofindia.com)
The forests of Tripura are varied. On the basis of large-scale studies in other North-Eastern
States, Deb (1981) considered the classification of forest types suggested by Champion and
Seth (1968) as better suited for describing and correlating the forest types in India. Deb’s
description of the flora of Tripura has been followed here.
Based on climate (also altitude and longitude), the forests of Tripura are treated under tropical
forest types. They are grouped and described as follows:
Climate Types
Seral types
Subsidiary Edaphic types
Bamboo brakes widely in character and aspect cover very large areas in Tripura as in
Burma and Chittagong. Continuous bamboo forests are interrupted with scattered evergreen
treesor deciduous secondary stands. Sheltered hollows and other favourable sites are
dominated by bamboo. The vast preponderance of bamboo forest may be the result of
activity of man in his practice of shifting favourable for bamboo growth. It is also possible
that bamboo holds the ground as a primary edaphic sub-climax.
(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/flora)
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
o) FAUNA:
Wide variety of wild animals belonging to different groups are found in Tripura.
The richness of fauna could be attributed to its unique bio-geographical location
and zoo-geographical position. Literature shows that there were large populations
of rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, leopard, langurs and monkeys in Tripura (Gupta,
2000).
Seven primate species have been documented in Tripura out of a total 15 found in
India. Of these primates slow loris and stumped tailed monkeys have become rare.
Phayre’s leaf monkey (locally known as ‘Chashma Banar’), has a very restricted
distribution in India, and is found in Tripura. Hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in
India, and its population has been rapidly dwindling in Tripura.
Ornitho fauna comprise 342 reported species in the State. The migratory birds are
reported to be of 58 species. There is high diversity of birds of prey, frugivorous birds,
marsh birds and flower peckers. In the aquatic ecosystem 47 species of fish have
been recorded. Due to silting of river beds and filling up of wetlands, different species
of marsh birds and fishes are on decline.
Survey has revealed that about 10% of plant species, and 21% of mammals are
currently endangered. The cause includes habitat loss and fragmentation, invasion
by exotic, over-exploitation of resources and deforestation.
Apart from the rich diversity of mammalian species, Tripura could be regarded as one
of the unique habitats for a large number of varied bird species, reptilians,
amphibians, fishes and invertebrates very similar to the entire North-Eastern Region.
Mathur et. al., (1993) reported 341 species of birds in Tripura .Among other notable
species, a rare bird ‘Himalayan Sterling’. Which is killer of locusts is also found here.
Though exact accounts are not available but large variety of snakes such as cobra,
krait, viper, python, lizards geiko, frogs, toads and invertebrates are found in Tripura.
Domesticated animals and birds along with wild animals play an important role in
ecological cycle and economic lifestyles of population. In Tripura, 15 - 20
domesticated species are observed. Most of these species are indigenous, but over a
period of time, exotic varieties have been introduced mainly because of high
productivity.
(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/fauna)
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
Map 5: Forest map of Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
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4. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT:
The state of Tripura is known as “Hill Tipperah‟ due to its hilly nature of undulating
surface made uneven by inter-pressed low hills. The altitude of the region differs from 750 m
to 15 m from MSL. The physiography trends towards west. However, in some places the
terrain is inaccessible and highly undulating. The Ilinga (Longitudinal valleys) lands are
juxtaposed in between the numerous tilla (hillocks) lands that are fertile with agricultural lands.
It is seen that almost the entire North and Unakoti Districts are have high physiography.
High physiography areas i.e. the Baramura and Atharamura hill ranges are also observed in
the West and South Districts. The Blocks of Chhamanu, Oasda, Jampui Hill, Manu, Ambassa,
Salema, Tulashikhar and part of Padmabil, Mandai, Bagafa, Amarpur, Kila, Satchand,
Hrishyamukh, Satchand, Rupaichara fall in the high physiography zone.
The soil of the lowlands i.e. river valleys and at the foothills is composed mostly of alluvium
rich in humus content and range between sandy clay loam to clayey loam (Chatterjee, 1984 and
Saigal, 1978). The soils of the lowlands are extremely fertile and are enriched almost annually by
the deposition from the hilly tracks which is transported by the rivers with their small
tributaries originating from the surrounding hills range (Saigal, 1978). This rich organic fertile
alluvium soil supports agriculture where paddy cultivation dominates.
The area of Unakoti District is characterised by first order topography i.e. the anticlines form
the elongated hill ridges and synclines form the valleys. The system of folding plunges
towards north. Therefore, the anticlines narrow down and die out northward arid the
synclines form wide open valleys towards north. The drainage pattern is mostly controlled
by the lithological characteristics of the rocks and the structural fabrics; of the litho units over
which they flow. It is seen that the streams flowing over the Tipam sandstone assume dendritic
pattern whereas when they flow over Bokabil shale they form trellis pattern as they are mostly
controlled by bedding plane and joints.
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5. LAND USE PATTERN:
PARAMETERS
AREA USED IN
Hectare
(Approx.)
TOTAL FOREST 40369
RESERVE FOREST 18152
PROTECTED RESERVE FOREST 9737.1
UNCLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT FOREST 9784.8
PROTECTED FOREST 0
IRRIGATIONAL LAND 6675
TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA 18534.5
NET SOWN AREA (APPROX) 13304
SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 5048
DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 7376
TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 881
TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX) 22442
AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE 8257
LAND PUT TO NON AGRICULTURAL USE 10085
BARREN UNCULTIVABLE LAND 1127
PARMANENT PASTURE & OTHER GRAVITY LAND 441
LAND UNDER MISC. TREE CROPS & GROVES NOT INCLUDING IN NET AREA SOWN
3512
CULTIVABLE WASTE LAND 829
FALLOW LAND OTHER THAN CURRENT FALLOW 199
CURRENT FALLOW 250
Rest of the area used as built up and other purpose.
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Fig 7: Bar diagram of cropping Pattern, Unakoti district
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000
NET SOWN AREA (APPROX)
SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX)
TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX)
AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE
TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA
AREA IN Hectare (Approx.)
AREA IN Hactare (Approx.)
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Map 6: Land Use Pattern of Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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Map 7: Forest Classification Map, Unakoti District
Source: Unakoti District Profile
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
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6. GEOLOGY:
Regional and Local Geology:
As the study of geological structure is important for understanding the composition and
structure of rocks, which determine the characteristics of the topography, the drainage
system, soils, mineral resources etc., it becomes essential to have a brief understanding of the
geology of Tripura in general and the study area in particular.
Geologically the hill tracks of Tripura in general and Unakoti district in particular consists of
Tertiary rocks, which has been later covered by the alluvial deposits. The force of the
tectonic movement has caused the sub-stratum to raise up a number of parallel anticline
ridges. This perhaps started during the upliftment of the Himalayas during the Eocene
period (Geological survey of India, 2011). Bhuban, Bokabil, Tipam, Dupitila are the four
sedimentary rock Formations found here lying one above the other.
The Barail Series are composed mainly of moderate hard fine grained and yellow to pink
sandstones. However, according to the Geological Survey of India the Barail Group has
not been exposed, although the Barail sediment was deposited on the folded structure
they were not uplifted.
The Surma Group overlies the Barail Series and has two Formations i.e. the lower Bhuban
Formation (arenaceous assemblage) and the Upper Bokabil Formation (argillaceous
assemblage).
The lower Bhuban Formation is further classified into three Formations i.e., the Lower
Formation, which is not exposed totally; the Middle Formation that is exposed partially as
isolated small patches in the hill ridges; and the Upper Formation that forms the bulk of lower
Surma Group. The formation of Lower Surma Group is visible in the Sakhan and Longtarai
Ranges, as the north-south trending anticlines. The Bhuban Formation for most part
consists of massive calcareous sandstones, calcareous siltstones with yellow to buff
coloured fine grained sandstone and limestone. The prominent geomorphic unit on the
slopes of Sakhan hills is the limestone bands formed due to differential weathering
process.
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The Upper Bokabil Formation overlies the Lower Bhuban Formation. This Formation mainly
consists of huge thickness of laminated siltstone, silty shale with narrow bands of sandstone,
which are pale brown in colour and are composed of numerous hard calcareous
concretions and small broken fossils.
The Tipam Group overlies the Surma Group and the Bokabil Formation marks the boundary
between Tipam Group. The boundary is marked by ribbed sandstone with minor thin
siltstone bands. The occurrence of this ribbed sandstone unit in the Tipam base indicates
that changes have taken place in the depositional environment.
The mapping showed by Nandy (1973) and Chatterjee (1983) of the Tipam Group can be
divided into two Formations. Bhuban Formation is exposed into Jampui Hill Range. Tipam
and Dupi-tila Formation are exposed into Dharmanagar-Panisagar valley area and other
northern part. And Bokabil Formation is exposed into rest of the district.
From the seismological point of view, the entire district falls under the earthquake zone- V,
which points out that there is lack of stability in the arrangements of the rock
stratum.
Different types of landforms like structural hills, denudation hill, inter-hill valley, undulating
plains, flood plains etc. are found in the study area. The whole study area is mainly composed
of weathered sandstone, shale, siltstone and alluvium. Most of the rivers are flowing parallel
to sub-parallel with hill ranges with dendritic drainage pattern. The district is drained by
the river systems of Dhalai, Manu, Gomati, Khowai and their tributaries which are perennial
in nature. These river systems have originated from Atharamura, Longtarai and Sakhantlang
hill Ranges. In general, drainage pattern is structurally controlled and is in conformity
with the topography.
Structural scenario: Structurally the present study area bears a uncanny signature of
different deformational episodes accompanied by tectogenic events which ultimately
resulted folding, faulting, fractures and micro lineaments within the litho units.
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Stratigraphic Succession of Tripura:
Group Sub-
Group
Formation Rock type
Recent Recent
(Unconformity)
Unconsolidated silt, and clay with
decomposed vegetative matter and
gravels
Dupitila Dupitila
(Unconformity)
Sandy clays, clayey sandstone, ferruginous sandstone with pockets of plastic clay, silica and laterite.
Tipam Tipam Champanagar Sandstone, occasional sandy shale and abundant lumps of fossil wood
Manu Bazar Sandstone with laminated layers and lenses of sandy shale, siltstone and mudstone.
Surma (Contact transitional) Bokabil
Thinly bedded repetition of sandstone,
siltstone/shale, mudstone and ferruginous sandstone.
Bhuban Hard compact sandstone, olive shale, sandy
shale and siltstone repetitions
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LOCAL GEOLOGY:
The district is traversed by Surma Group throughout central portion. Surma Group
exposed in the fold belt is most extensively developed and divided into two
formations – Bhuban Formationand Bokabil Formation. Limestone and construction
materials are the main resources of this region. In the north-western site, the district is covered with Dupitila Group of rocks which are Pliocene to Pleistocene in
age. Tipam Group and Recent alluvium cover most of the portion of the districts in
western and south western part. Recent sand and clays are present in this region.
Encountered major litho-units are limestone, sandstone, grit, fresh alluvium
followed by sporadic distribution of low level laterites.
Stratigraphic Succession of Unakoti District:
Age Group Formation
Holocene
Khowai Formation Ghilatoli Formation Teliamura Formation Kalyanpur Formation
Quaternary Dupitila Dupitila Formation
Upper Pliocene to Pleistocene
Pliocene
Tipam
Upper Tipam Formation
Lower Tipam Formation
Surma Bokabil Formation
Micocene- Lr. Pliocene Upper Bhuban Formation
Middle Bhuban Formation
Lower Bhuban Formation
(Not exposed in Tripura)
Upper most Oligocene
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Map 8: Geological Map of Unakoti District
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7. MINERAL WEALTH (based on Geology and available
Minerals of Tripura):
The mineral resources of any state provide an avenue for economic development but the
process of mining may have extensive impact on land, soil and water resources. The mining
projects have as a consequence become a part of development sector requiring
environmental clearance under Environmental Protection Act, 1986, EIA Notification
1994. The varied geological base has become host to many important minor
minerals and major minerals. The central government of India has declared the
following minerals as minor minerals:
Sl.No. Minor Minerals
i) Boulder
ii) Shingle
iii) Chalcedony pebbles used for ball mill purposes only
iv) Lime shell, kankar and limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime used as building material
v) Murrum
vi) Brick-earth
vii) Fuller's earth
viii) Bentonite
ix) Road metal
x) Reh-matti
xi) Slate and shale when used for building material
xii) Marble
xiii) Stone used for making household utensils
xiv) Quartzite and sandstone when used for purposes of building
or for making road metal and household utensils
xv) Saltpetre, and
xvi) Ordinary earth (Used for filling or leveling purposes in
construction or embankments, roads, railways building) by
MoEF 2010
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Mineral Resource of Tripura:
Mineral Location Uses
Hard Rock Sandstone, Gritty Quartz
Jampui Hills Longatari Hill
Road metals
Limestone Sakhan&Jampui Range
Manpui area (990,000 t. reserve)
Not suitable for Cement, Suitable For inferior quality of Lime Puzzolana mix.
Clay All over the State generally in river bank deposit
Good clay deposit in West and South
region. Total 1.73 million ton deposit in
four zone out of six zones* [*Mohanpur-Bamutia- Kamalghat; Bisramganj-Bagma; Champamura-Baldakhal-Jogendranagar; Khowai-Teliamura-Ampi; Shantirbazar- Udaipur;Kumarghat and Baidyathakurpara- Anadanagar- Maheshkhola-Dukli-Sonamura area]
Sanitary ware Stone wares Sewerage pipes Electric insulator Refractory grade
Glass Sand Bishramganj (160,000t) Old Agartala (16,000t)
Many uses
Mineral Location Uses
Jogendranagar (3627t) Sekerkota (80,000t) Dasharambari (5330t) Mohanpur (97,875t)
Baidyathakurpara- Anadanagar Maheshkhola and Dukli (NA)
Total Reserve 3,62,832 tonnes
[Source: GSI Report 1982, 1999]
Of the total geographical area of Tripura, 76% can be marked as of “Tertiary” origin and
24% belong to Quaternary period; none of these contain any major mineral resource. A
GSI Report of 1982 provides a list of Non-metallic and metallic mineral vis-a-vis their
location or otherwise in Tripura (Table-14) indicating the poor profile.
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Mineral Resource potential in Tripura:
Sl. No. Mineral Status A. Non-metallic
1. Lime stone Commodity not located or absent
2. Dolomite Commodity not located or absent
3. Coal Commodity not located or absent
4. Clay Commodity not located or absent
5. Refractories Commodity not located or absent
6. Glass sand Good reserve, low grade
7. Graphite Commodity not located or absent
8. Fertilizer Commodity not located or absent
9. Gravel sand silt Good reserve, low grade
10. Building stone Commodity not located or absent
B. Metallic
11. Ferrous Commodity not located or absent
12. Non-ferrous Commodity not located or absent
13. Noble metals Commodity not located or absent
[Source: GSI Report 1982]
The current production of natural gas is estimated at one million cubic meters per
day. The available figure for 1990-91 to 1997-98 shows a fast increasing rate of production
from 70 million tonnes per year in 1990-91 to 2.7 x in 8 years reaching 196 million tonnes in
1997-98.
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8. GEOMORPHOLOGY: Regional and Local
Geomorphological sculptures of Unakoti district are carved by the major fluvial
agencies. The drainage pattern of the area is dendritic in nature. Drainage system
with description of main rivers or cherras;
S.NO Name of the River or
Stream
Total Length in the
District (in km)
Percentage area drained
in the district 1 Manu River 60 100%
2 Deo 107 100%
(a).
Name of the streams (Cherra) Manu River under
Tributary
Total Length in the
District (in km)
1. Kathal Cherra 13.80 km
2. Dem Cherra 10.70 km
3. Danga Cherra 5.70 km
4. Hamuk Cherra 2.70 km
5. Kuki Cherra 5.30 km
6. Longtarai Cherra 3.25 km
7. Baghai Cherra 3.40 km
8. Kanchan Cherra 14.10 km
9. Bet Cherra 5.80 km
10. Rata Cherra 12.00 km
11. Bara Laljuri Cherra 11.00 km
12. Choto Laljuri Cherra
4.50 km
13. Demdum Cherra 4.90 km
14. Bara Sayada 18.90 km
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(b).
Name of the streams (Cherra) under Deo
River Tributary
Total Length in Km
1. Dhepa Cherra 7.25 km
2. Karal Cherra 8.30 km
3. Iyachhin Cherra 4.00 km
4. Machhmara Cherra 26.70 km
5. Kuki Cherra 8.60 km
6. Pati Cherra 11.70 km
7. Dhani Cherra 12.50 km
8. Ukal Cherra 4.20 km
9. Baghi Cherra 13.50 km
10. Bara Andhar Cherra
10.30 km
11. Mara Cherra 11.70 km
12. Samuk Cherra 6.00 km
13. Choto Andhar Cherra
6.60 km
14. Sil Cherra 6.30 km
15. Pang Cherra 9.90 km
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Salient Features of important Rivers & Streams/Cherras:
S.NO Name of the River or
Stream
Total Length in the
District (in Km)
(Approx.)
Place of origin Altitude at
Origin
1 Manu River 60 Kohoisib peak
of Sakhan
Range
482m
2 Deo 107 Jampui Hill 1000m above
MSL
i. Place of origin of Manu River-Kohoisib peak of Sakhan Range, Deo River- Jampui Hill.
ii. Catchment area of Deo River & Manu River-1979sq.km.
Pictographic views of elevation and drainage pattern of Unakoti district are cited
here for convenience of understanding of relief of the area as well as drainage pattern
of the area.
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DATA SOURCE: DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK, UNAKOTI, TRIPURA, LANDSAT
SATELLITE IMAGERY, ASTER ELEVATION DATA, 2019
Map 9: Elevation Map of Unakoti District
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DATA SOURCE: DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK, UNAKOTI, TRIPURA, LANDSAT
SATELLITE IMAGERY, ASTER ELEVATION DATA, 2019
Map 10: Drainage Network Map of Unakoti istrict
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9. SOIL TYPES:
'Soil' means the uppermost layer of the earth's crust, which contains the organic as
well as mineral matter necessary for the growth of plants. Alluvial Soil and
Black Soil are the most important Soils.
The soils of the study area were classified as per USDA Soil Taxonomy into four orders viz.
Entisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols and Ultisols as per USDA Soil Taxonomy.
In general, soils of Khowai district are acidic in nature. The pH of soil ranges from 5.5 to 6 as
per Henderson’s equation (pH = -log [H+]).
Compositionally, the soils of Unakoti region contain low nitrogen and phosphates. Potash
content is of moderate to high; calcium, magnesium and sulphur are deficient in these soils.
Soils of Unakoti are Red loam and sandy loam; these are good for rubber and tea plantation.
Generally, four types of soils occur in Tripura. Out of these four types of soils,
Unakoti district is characterized by dominant presence of Ultisols and Alfisols.
In USDA soil taxonomy, Entisols are defined as soils that do not show any profile
development other than an A horizon. An entisol has no diagnostic horizons, and
most are basically unaltered from their parent material, which can be
unconsolidated sediment or rock.
Inceptisols are a soil order in USDA soil taxonomy. They form quickly through
alteration of parent material. They are more developed than Entisols. They have no
accumulation of clays, iron oxide, aluminium oxide or organic matter. They have an
ochric or umbric horizon and a cambic subsurface horizon.
Alfisols are a soil order in USDA soil taxonomy. Alfisols form in semi-arid to
humid areas, typically under a hardwood forest cover. They have a clay-enriched
subsoil and relatively high native fertility. "Alf" refers to aluminium (Al) and iron
(Fe). Ultisols are similar to Alfisols in having a subhorizon of clay accumulation but
have few bases, especially at depth. The ideal Ultisol has a subsurface horizon of
clay enrichment due to clay translocation from the surface horizons. Soils of
Unakoti region follow all the types of soils given by USDA soil taxonomy.
10. NATURAL HAZARDS:
Tectonically the entire Tripura region has a closed link with the extended fringe of
Arakan-Yoma Belt which is indicative of pervasive nature of natural disaster or any
other kind of calamities e.g. earthquake, flood, avalanche and landslides in major
scale. Tripura is situated in the earthquake prone zone –V. So, there is a probable
chance of feeling the tremor of earthquake activity in any time.
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11. MINERAL RESOURCES: Overview of Mineral
Resources and details of resources-
The topic has been discussed in Point no. 7 in this DSR.
12. METHODOLOGY OF BRICK EARTH AND
ORDINARY EARTH MINING AND GUIDING
PRINCIPLES:
Manual open pit mining will be carried out for excavation of brick earth. Depth of the
excavation will be limited to 2.0m from surface. 0.2m top soil will be resolved for future
use in agricultural purpose. A 7.5m wide strip of land along the periphery (i.e.,
statutory or berm area) of each plot of land will be left intact for safety of mining
operations and saving the nearby agriculture fields from inadvertent encroachment
while carrying out mining.
Mining will be carried out during day light hours.
Brick earth being soft in nature, requires no drilling and blasting, and therefore
no ground vibration will get generate.
Depth of the excavation from surface will be limited to 2.0m and this will be in
two stage of 0.9m each (First 0.20m will be top soil layer)
About 12 to 20 labours will be employed for excavation of brick earth.(Basically
it depends upon project capacity)
If it exists, the top soil will be scraped and kept separately for future use of restoring the fertility.
13. OVERVIEW OF BRICK EARTH MINING ACTIVITY:
As per attached as Appendix –A to this DSR.
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14. BRICK EARTH MINING: Quantification &
Recommendations
Brick earth is excavated by a method of slicing of top soil. Top soil up to 2m are
used for making bricks especially for clay bricks in brick industry. Needless to say,
profitability of a brick industry is highly dependent on the nature and engineering
properties (load bearing strength, porosity, permeability, cohesiveness and sticky
property of soil) of availability of sufficient brick earth materials followed by proper
accessibility to the area of proposed project site provided that the excavated brick
earth materials are to be collected without jeopardizing the stability of environment
and ecology i.e., a sustainable development is needed for successful completion of a
brick earth mining project. The common fact is that if the number of brick kiln
projects is increased, the total economic scenario of the region, in pilot scale, will be
changed automatically. So increase the area of mining of brick earth, higher will be
the frequencies of bricks from point of view of production. The proper quantification
of more and more running brick kiln factory must give an impetuous on the present
economy of Tripura ameliorating the standard of living in such way so that most of
the people in and around the project site can reach to the acme of progress
economically.
Some recommendations are to be followed strictly for proper running of brick kiln
project smoothly. The common hydrological regime here also plays a pivotal role
and it is defined by the tropical monsoon climate with alternating dry and wet
seasons. All the districts of Tripura, in this regard, give a best fit result without
showing any pitfalls. The spatiality of rain is also controlled by the orientation of
the axis of monsoon trough. In Tripura, due to excessive use of pesticides and
chemical fertilizers top soil are damaged and below thin veneer of soil cover (0.2m)
activity of brick earth mining is carried out up to a depth of 1.8m. It is an
established fact, obtained by field investigation that no land has become barren due
to excavation of brick earth in brick sectors rather it has helped agricultural activity
to sustain. The brick kiln owners themselves contract with the owners of private
lands or holdings to make it better for the farmers to improve their cultivation.
There is no harm to environment in exploitation of brick earth or clay from private
lands or holdings for moulding of bricks. In case of brick earth mining, feasibility
assessment form an essential part of the process of assessing a brick earth mining
project. Here geological study is followed by prefeasibility study and feasibility
study/ mining report are well defined. The degree of economic viability (economic or
sub-economic) is assessed in the course of prefeasibility and feasibility studies. But
it is to be kept in mind that a prefeasibility study provides a preliminary
assessment will lower level of accuracy than that of feasibility study by which
economic viability of brick earth mining is assessed or judged.
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Alterations or modifications of the said attributes may cause hazardous impact on
ecological equilibrium of riverine regime. Therefore, awareness campaigning is
inevitable and should be followed by all to make the environment clean and save
the environment eco-friendly.
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15. ORDINARY EARTH MINING: Quantification &
Recommendations
By ordinary earth mining, we mean haphazard and disseminated digging out of earth
materials which ultimately help to fulfill the desire of domestic purposes or in few cases to make river embankment or filling of low line areas or swampy lands or civil
construction purposes. Compared to that of brick earth mining, ordinary earth
mining doesn’t bear any cryptic signature to fulfill the economic thirst. But huge mining of ordinary earth at a time will impose an adverse effect upon the environment
regionally. So, quantification of ordinary earth mining is to be avoided as per generated
situation, just to trigger the brick earth mining activity.
Ordinary earth mining near or adjacent to a river or stream has a direct impact on the
stream’s physical characteristic such as channel geometry, bed elevation, substratum
composition and stability, in-stream roughness of the bed, flow velocity, discharge
capacity, competency of river, water laden sediment transport capacity, turbidity and temperature etc.
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16. ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MINING: Brick Earth and
Ordinary Earth Mining
Both brick earth mining and ordinary earth mining are the manifestation of
exploitation of minor minerals. The study of cash flow forecast gives positive result in favour of brick earth mining compared to that of ordinary earth mining. A
person who has no iota of knowledge about the differences lying between brick
earth mining and ordinary earth mining, he never can take a holistic and futuristic strategy to operate brick earth mining/ brick kiln factory. In case of brick earth
mining, the applicant is bound to spend some amount of money for the purpose of
community service. Although, the figures are tentative and are subjected to generation of profit. About 5% of the annual profit will be made available for CSR.
But for ordinary earth mining the picture is different to some extent. Brick earth
mining is sanctioned for five (05) years i.e., mine life is taken as five (05) years but
ordinary earth mining does not follow any time schedule and it is carried out as per need to solve the imminent problems raised due to natural activities followed
by manmade interferences. Brick earth mining’s provision is fixed to a particular
land having soils characterized by all the properties which are amenable for bricks making. For brick earth mining a close relation exists amongst site selection,
selecting mining method, invested money for the project, written money and
demand supply gap. Again in brick earth mining, the land is generally returned to the owner of land; deployed manpower will be reemployed elsewhere; therefore,
economic repercussion for closure of mine and manpower retrenchment will have
low impact upon this project. Again the abandonment cost will be zero as the mined out pits will be restored for agricultural activity by landlord. These
parameters are not valid in case of ordinary earth mining. More money is required
for ordinary earth mining as it is carried out to fulfill the objectives of emergency
cases. No compatible relation is found to be seen between ordinary earth mining and employment generation. The digging of ordinary earth material provides
temporary deployment of labourers for a short span of time.
For progressive advancement of brick earth project, the project proponent initially invests money just to provide the following amenities or facilities:
It generates direct and indirect employment
Provides provision for safe drinking water i.e., potable water
Safe, healthy and conducive working atmosphere
Provisions for first aid
Provisions for health check up facility once in a year
Haulage road construction as a symbol of connectivity from brick kiln site to
other sites
No such cost is taken into account for ordinary earth mining. So it is pertinent to
say that brick earth mining is of mammoth importance in economy of Tripura state and also to generate revenue for the Govt. of Tripura.
DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: UNAKOTI DISTRICT, TRIPURA
Page | 53
Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.
17. Concluding Remarks:
Mining of minor minerals, though individually, because of smaller size of mine leases is
perceived to have lesser impact as compared to mining of major minerals. However, the activity
as a whole is seen to have significant adverse impacts on environment. It is, therefore,
necessary that the mining of minor minerals is subjected to simpler but strict regulatory
regime and carried out only under an approved framework of mining plan, which should
provide for reclamation and rehabilitation of the mined out areas. Further, while granting
mining leases by the respective State Governments "location of any eco-fragile zone (s)
within the impact zone of the proposed mining area, the linked Rules/ Notifications governing
such zones and the judicial pronouncements, if any, need be duly noted. The Union
Ministry of Mines along with Indian Bureau of Mines and respective State Governments
should therefore make necessary provisions in this regard under the Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 and adopt model
Guidelines to be followed by all States (emphasis supplied)".
Brick earth mining comes under Category B2. For Category B2 mining, mining
area is up to 5 hectares. So the considered area is small and mostly confined to
agricultural fields. Mostly local people are employed in this activity. There will be
minimum adverse effect of this activity on the drainage system.
A brick is block made of clay burnt in kiln. It is one of the primary building
materials known to mankind. Overtime, bricks have appeared, gained prominence,
lost importance and then come to the forefront again with various styles of
architecture.
Besides to generate a number of direct employments, indirect employment will also
be generated in this area by this activity. This is also a source to generate revenue
to the Government. It can be concluded from the above facts that the mining of
brick earth from this area will not have any adverse impacts but would help in
improving the socioeconomic condition of the surrounding villages.
BLOCK_ID STATE DISTRICT MOUZA PROPONENT BLOCK_NAME LATITUDE LONGITUDE
A 24°17'26.67"N 92°0'16.43"E
B 24°17'27.00"N 92°0'22.69"E
C 24°17'24.17"N 92°0'23.57"E
D 24°17'24.21"N 92°0'22.56"E
E 24°17'25.72"N 92°0'22.45"E
F 24°17'25.64"N 92°0'20.35"E
G 24°17'25.81"N 92°0'19.58"E
LIST OF BRICK EARTH/KILN IN UNAKOTI DISTRICTAppendix- A to DSR on Brick Earth mining (Reter: Point No. 13)
UN-BR-01 KAILASHAHARUNAKOTITRIPURAM/S ASHA BRICKS CONSTRUCTION
RAJAT BHATTACHERJEE
G 24°17'25.81"N 92°0'19.58"E
H 24°17'25.74"N 92°0'16.45"E
A 24°10'54.12"N 92°06'33.74"E
B 24°10'53.24"N 92°06'33.58"E
C 24°10'51.40"N 92°06'37.98"E
D 24°10'53.17"N 92°06'38.26"E
A 24°07'49.26"N 92°06'39.03"E
B 24°07'47.48"N 92°06'39.02"E
C 24°07'44.04"N 92°06'40.46"E
D 24°07'39.82"N 92°06'39.92"E
PECHARTHAL UNAKOTITRIPURAUN-BR-02M/S DURGA BRICKS
INDUSTRIES
ARUN KANTI CHANDRA &
OTHERS
D 24°07'39.82"N 92°06'39.92"E
E 24°07'39.96"N 92°06'37.91"E
F 24°07'40.34"N 92°06'37.38"E
G 24°07'40.87"N 92°06'37.29"E
H 24°07'44.63"N 92°06'37.29"E
I 24°07'46.25"N 92°06'37.30"E
J 24°07'47.58"N 92°06'36.89"E
K 24°07'49.35"N 92°06'36.85"E
A 24°13'02.80"N 91°58'54.16"E
B 24°13'04.55"N 91°58'55.21"E
C 24°13'03.45"N 91°58'57.53"E
D 24°13'04.49"N 91°58'58.28"E
UTTAR MACHMARA
UNAKOTITRIPURAUN-BR-03 M/S M.S.B.ISUBAL CHANDRA
SARKAR
E 24°13'04.19"N 91°58'59.94"E
F 24°13'00.41"N 91°59'00.15"E
G24°12'58.68"N 91°58'56.68"E
H24°13'00.27"N 91°58'56.32"E
I 24°13'02.27"N 91°58'55.45"E
A 24°18'08.69" N 92°02'43.88" E
MAHI BRICKS INDUSTRY
ABDUL MANNANUN-BR-04 TRIPURA UNAKOTI DHANBILASH
A 24°18'08.69" N 92°02'43.88" E
B 24°18'11.52" N 92°02'44.64" E
C 24°18'17.65" N 92°02'49.75" E
D 24°18'07.67" N 92°02'53.59" E
E 24°18'07.30" N 92°02'49.92" E
A 24°18'22.92" N 92°02'51.18" E
SHREE BRICKS INDUSTRY
UN-BR-05 TRIPURA UNAKOTIBHAGABAN
NAGARMANJU GOPAL
DAS
B 24°18'24.48" N 92°02'51.20" E
C 24°18'27.23" N 92°02'53.23" E
D 24°18'25.39" N 92°02'55.98" E
E 24°18'22.63" N 92°02'54.72" E
A 24°16'25.77" N 92°00'40.06" E
B 24°16'29.37" N 92°00'41.04" E
AKASH ENGINEERING
COMPANY UN-BR-06 TRIPURA UNAKOTI
BHAGABAN NAGAR
GITA ROY
C 24°16'30.88" N 92°00'42.29" E
D 24°16'30.71" N 92°00'46.69" E
E 24°16'24.98" N 92°00'44.11" E
A 24°08'25.66" N 92°00'02.90" E
SAGAR ENGINEERING CO-OP. SOCIETY LTD.
UN-BR-07 TRIPURA UNAKOTIBIR CHANDRA
NAGARPRANAB PAUL
B 24°08'26.24" N 92°00'02.73" E
C 24°08'27.99" N 92°00'08.31" E
D 24°08'25.88" N 92°00'08.39" E
E 24°08'25.14" N 92°00'06.40" E
A 24°10'17.08" N 92°03'06.20" E
B 24°10'17.35" N 92°03'08.74" E
MANU BRICKS INDUSTRIES
UN-BR-08 TRIPURA UNAKOTIEAST
RATACHARAALOK KUMAR
SAHA & OTHERS
C 24°10'15.23" N 92°03'10.50" E
D 24°10'14.36" N 92°03'12.89" E
E 24°10'11.57" N 92°03'13.20" E
A 24°09'51.10" N 92°01'11.23" E
B 24°09'54.77" N 92°01'12.34" E
C 24°09'54.55" N 92°01'16.87" E
D 24°09'48.96" N 92°01'15.61" E
JOY GURU INDUSTRY
BIPROTIK BRICKS INDUSTRY
UN-BR-09 TRIPURA UNAKOTI KUMARGHATKISHORE KUMAR
DAS & OTHERS
UN-BR-10 TRIPURA UNAKOTIEAST
RATACHARABIPLAB DEB
E 24°09'49.22" N 92°01'13.15" E
A 24°12'46.63" N 92°02'09.54" E
B 24°12'48.26" N 92°02'12.45" E
C 24°12'47.45" N 92°02'19.86" E
D 24°12'46.79" N 92°02'20.58" E
E 24°12'44.94" N 92°02'16.91" E
ALLIED BRICKS INDUSTRY
UN-BR-11 TRIPURA UNAKOTI KUMARGHATMANASH
KUMAR SAHA & OTHERS
E 24°12'44.94" N 92°02'16.91" E
A 24°11'41.58" N 92°01'07.19" E
B 24°11'42.37" N 92°01'07.51" E
C 24°11'42.02" N 92°01'20.43" E
D 24°11'39.25" N 92°01'16.88" E
E 24°11'40.47" N 92°01'13.09" E
A 24°12'02.17" N 92°01'18.89" E
KRISHNA NAGAR BRICKS INDUSTRY
UN-BR-12 TRIPURA UNAKOTIKRISHNA NAGAR
AJOY KUMAR DAS
B 24°12'04.48" N 92°01'18.76" E
C 24°12'05.88" N 92°01'21.67" E
D 24°12'02.43" N 92°01'21.80" E
A 24°05'02.80" N 91°58'49.47" E
B 24°05'06.04" N 91°58'48.23" E
C 24°05'07.20" N 91°58'50.70" E
D 24°05'05.10" N 91°58'53.43" E
UN-BR-13 TRIPURA UNAKOTIKRISHNA NAGAR
DEBABRATA GHOSH
JOY RAM BRICKS INDUSTRIES
UN-BR-14 TRIPURA UNAKOTI MASHAULI SATYABAN DASRAMKRISHNA
BRICKS INDUSTRIES
E 24°05'03.11" N 91°58'53.98" E
A 24°10'25.74" N 92°01'27.95" E
B 24°10'25.29" N 92°01'33.70" E
C 24°10'21.81" N 92°01'33.76" EUN-BR-15 TRIPURA UNAKOTI KUMARGHAT BISHNUPADA SAHA
SOMA MECHANISED
BRICKS INDUSTRY