Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter TwoTwoTwoTwo

Environment and Economy of the Study AreaEnvironment and Economy of the Study AreaEnvironment and Economy of the Study AreaEnvironment and Economy of the Study Area

2.1 Geology

2.2 Physiography

2.3 Climate and Biosphere

2.4 Soils

2.5 Economic Base

2.5.1 Resource Base

2.5.2 Agricultural Resource Base

2.5.3 Non-agricultural Resource Base

2.6 Socio-cultural Profile

24

The role of environmental factors especially resource base accounts for the

location of economic activities like agriculture, forestry, mining, grazing and other

forms of primary activities and even secondary and tertiary activities. In a subsistence

economy, resource base and resource utilization are mainly controlled by physical

determinants like geology, physiography, climate, soil, biosphere etc., though the role

of social factors cannot be ignored. For this reason, environmental setup and

economic activities is the initial jacket to unfold the economic dimension and cultural

profile of this area.

By now environmental setup and general economy of the northern part of

Birbhum District, within which the study area is located, are systematically discussed

to get an idea about the environment and economy of this region.

2.1 Geology

Geology of northern Birbhum in terms of petrology and stratigraphy, is of

critical importance because of determining role of topographic configuration, soils of

the area and especially the geological resource base, the most important factor of

quarrying. Basaltic rock of Rajmahal is found at the top of this region. Ferruginous

sandstone and shale of Dubarajpur stage is found to occur as a narrow discontinuous

strip along the western edge of the hills, beneath Rajmahal stage. Barakar and Talchir

formations underneath Dubarajpur are also found as discontinuous patches. But

Archean formation is found to occur as a continuous spread underneath Talchir

formation. So, next to the surface cap rock of Rajmahal (Plate 1), the most continuous

2

Chapter

Environment and Economy of Environment and Economy of Environment and Economy of Environment and Economy of

the Study Areathe Study Areathe Study Areathe Study Area

25

formation surrounding this area is the Archean formation. Archean rocks of the

Chhotonagpur plateau have been extended even towards the east, beneath the

Gangetic alluvium (Map-2.1). Clear picture about this geological formation can better

be realized from the stratigraphic formation (Table 2.1) of this area in different

periods where Archean formation is found at the bottom and Rajmahal formation at

the top, disregarding recent formation of Quaternary age.

Map 2.1 : Rajmahal formation (Source : Geological Survey of India, 1954-‘55)

26

Regarding geological data base, Ball for the first time mapped the Rajmahal

Hills in 1877, which was subsequently modified and added by Arogyaswamy and

Singh (1947-1949), Ramoswamy and Raja Rao (1953). Rajmahal formation is rather

complex formation as it is related to intrusion. In 1965, Roychowdhury made a study

of geology of the Rajmahal Trap area, published in the District Gazetters of Santhal

Pargans based on works of Ball (1877), Roy Gupta (1931), Ray (1941), De and

Mukherjee (1949), R. Chowdhury (1951), Mitra (1953), Mukherjee (1953), Chatterjee

(1953), Baski (1958). A systematic scheme of this stratigraphy (Table-2.1) is

presented below with its characteristics according to Shrivastava and Saha (1966) and

Raja Rao (1953).

Plate 1: Basaltic intrusion at Baramosia in Rampurhat Block-I

27

Table 2.1 : Stratigraphy of Rajmahal Hills

Formation/

Series

Composition Age System Thickness

(Mts)

Characteristics and

Exposure

Recent Soil, alluvium,

laterite

Quarternary 0-30 In the eastern plateau

fringe, plateau-plain

transition in the concave

portion of upland

Rajmahal Flows of basalt

with inter-

trappean

sediments and

dolerite dykes

Lower

Jurassic

Upper

Gondowana

600 Rajmahal trpas have

covered an area of

10360 sq. km extending

from Kahalgown (very

close to River Ganga) in

the north, Suri in

Birbhum in south, ganga

alluvium in the east and

Archean rocks of

Chotonagpur plateau in

the west.

Dubarajpur Ferruginous

Sandstone

Shales and

Conglomarates

Upper

Triassic

Lower

Gondowana

122 to 137 The formation is

confined to a narrow

discontinuous strip

along the western edge

of hills. Rocks are

exposed in Ramgarh,

Gumra, Kanatari,

Susnia, Hirapur

Baramosia, Amarpara.

Baraker Felspathic

Sandstone

Carbonaceous

Shales

Permian Varies

from 0-152

Exposed in the form of

coalfield on the edge of

Ganga alluvium,

Panchawara coalfield

bouded on the west bu

north-south fault

(Pascoe-1959)

Talcher Coal seams

bounded by

Sandstones,

clays and

boulder beds

Carbniferous 55

(approx)

Talcher rocks are

restricted only in few

places. Those are

exposed near Brahmani

River, Gumahani Nadi,

Karmatari etc.

………… ……….. ………… ……. ……….. UNCONFORMITY…

Archaeans

Pegmatities,

quartz veins,

Granite,

Gneiesses with

inclusions of

Amphiblolies

Pyroxenes and

granulites.

Cambrian Archaeans Archean rocks of the

Chotonagpur plateau are

extended to the east of

Gangetic alluvium

Source: After Ball, Roychowdhury and Srivastava

28

Rajmahal Trap formation is of critical importance in this study as it is the only

resource base of quarrying economy. Rajmahal formation is as old as that of

formation of Himalaya. Due to formation of geosynclines, the frontal edges of

Peninsular India faced tensional forces slipped down towards north with the formation

of fissures and cracks. Down ward pressure of geosynclines into mantle forced lava to

be erupted through the cracks and fissures for epirogenic adjustment. This is the

reason for Rajmahal trap formation, the largest concentration is found sorrounding

Rajmahal hill, around which stone quarrying has developed.

Fig : 2.1 Geological Section (Source-Geological Survey of India, 1954-55)

29

Geological Structure and Characteristics

Rajmahal Traps horizontal in the north have formed scarps facing westward with a

very gently easterly slope (Fig.-2.1) with a thickness of 600 meter inter-trapped by

sedimentary beds (Pascoe-1959). It is the formation covered an area of 10360 sq. km

extending from Kahalgaon near the river Ganga in the north, Suri of Birbhuum in the south

and covered by Ganga alluvium in the east. It is flunked in the west on Archaean rocks.

ASSOCIATION OF GEOLOGY AND RESOURCE BASE

(STUDY AREA AND ITS SURROUNDINGS)

Map 2.2 (Computed from map of Geological Survey of India)

Rajmahal trap is extending over large areas of the Bengal Basin, later covered by post-

Oligocene sediments. This trap is nothing but the igneous fissure intrusions (Plate-1)

due to upward ejection of lava through fissures and cracks forced by downward

pressure of Geosynclines. Geophysical survey and deep drilling have proved the

Quarrying Sector of Rampurhat Block-I Weaving Sector of Rampurhat Block-II

30

existence of basaltic lava of Rajmahal series extended up to the Bengal Basin (Map.-

2.2). Trap around Rajmahal hill and its surrounding areas are supported by Archaean

gneisses at the base. Recent drillings suggest a south ward extension of Rajmahal trap

near Kolkata at a depth of 914-3048 meter (Krishnan, 1961).

2.2 Physiography

It has been stated repeatedly in numerous geographical and geological

investigation of the topography of Birbhum district that physiography of Birbhum is

markedly characterized by promontories, jutting out of upland in the form of fingure

like projection indicating plain-plateau transition. The front of promontories is

marked by moderate slope (< 2°) while the upland slopes are relatively high (> 5°).

Map 2.3 : Absolute Relief (Computed from District Planning Map, NATMO, India)

31

Map 2.4 : Topograrphic slope (Computed from District Planning Map, NATMO, India)

Plain land on the other hand, is marked with very gentle slope. Capt Sherwil (1855) in

his report on the district of Birbhum classified the area in to three distinct physiographic

(Map-2.3) units- the western hilly upland, the erosional tract and the depositional plain.

Biswas A. (1978) in explaining physiographic determinism for agriculture of Birbhum

district has accepted same idea about the physiographic divisions of Birbhum.

The western hilly upland of the district, a part of eastern part of Chhotonagpur

plateau is approximately bounded by 100 metre contour in the east with a slope of >2°.

Parts of Murarai-I, Nalhati-I, Rampurhat-I, Khoyrasol, Rajnagar and Suri-I are

characterized by the existence of cap rocks and hilly upland. This is also known as

plateau rim. The land gradually descends eastward with slope of 1-2 º from the plateau

rim. This rolling topography is the transitional zone in between hilly upland in the west

and the depositional plain in the east. The region is roughly bounded by 50 meter

contour in the east and 100 meter in the west. The depositional plain is the region below

Slope (Meter / Km)

32

50 meter contour which is basically an alluvial tract formed by sand, sandy loam and

silty loam. Slope of this area is below 1 º for most of the places (Map-2.4).

The area under study is also characterized by the above mentioned three types

of physiographic divisions. Rampurhat Block-I is marked with basaltic trap at the

west and the erosional plain in the east, while Rampurhat Block -II is basically

characterized by depositional plain. The alluvium carried out by the Rivers Dwaraka,

the Brahamani and the Mayurakshi has been deposited in the eastern part of

Rampurhat Block-I and entire Rampurhat Block-II.

2.3 Climate and Biosphere

Climate and biosphere in the present inquiry are not so much significant in

relation to change of resource base, but with the transformation of resource base,

biosphere, topography and to some extent climate have experienced significant change.

With the rapid development of basalt quarrying from late 1980s, forest coverage has been

reduced; agricultural set up surrounding the quarrying sites has altered drastically, with a

profound impact on biosphere. Topography has changed a lot, with the presence of

quarrying caverns, instead of undulating plateau fringe. Now, a short introduction of

climate and biosphere is reveled to perceive the natural setup of the area.

Almost whole India is influenced by monsoon climate and this region is not

exception to this. Being the eastern end of Chhotonagpur Plateau, the region

experiences sub humid monsoon climate instead of humid monsoon climate of

Gangetic Delta. According to Koppens’ classification, the area can be demarcated as

the transition in between CWg3 and AW1. AW1 is the climatic characteristic of

Gangetic Delta where as CWg3 type of climate is experienced in Central plateau

region. Warm summer and mild winter is the basic characteristics of this climate.

33

Winter is dry with moderate temperature, suitable for the stone quarrying. The area

experiences hot dry summer from March to May, wet summer by monsoon rainfall

from June to September and mild winter from October to February. Highest average

temperature is recorded in the first week of June (around 40°C) and lowest average is

found on first week of January (around 10°C). Highest rainfall occurs in the month of

July (140 cm) and lowest in December (6 cm).

Under such influence, climate exerts strong influence on agriculture, even

weaving and especially stone quarrying of this area. It is very difficult to work in

khadan and crasher during the scorching summer days. At the same time rainy season

is a barrier for khadan operation, due to a stagnation of water in khadan.

In rural environment and even in urban society, presence of flora and fauna is

essential for ecological stability. In rural society, flora offers foods, fuels and

materials for building and fauna is also the source of food. But importance of

biosphere is discussed for ecological and economic importance.

From the fossils of different khadans it is observed that paleo flora was

basically Cryptogrammic, associated with few Supermophytes, the Glossopteries here

is found with maximum concentration. The most important genera are Glopssopteris

with Vertibracia, Gangamopteris, Belemnopteris, Merianptris etc. (Wadia, 1990).

Today this lateritic area of the district is covered by scanty patches of Sal, Mahua,

Palas, Bansh, Shirsha, Arka, Kendu, Arjuna etc. The common plants in hedges and wet

lands are Banokra, Heliotropium, Strigosum wild, Hatisoond, Ulu, Lam etc.

From the fossils, it is proved that palaeo fauna belonged to Estheria,

Labyinthodonts etc. As observed by Peterson (1910), the Carnivores comprised of

leopard, wolf, hyena, Jackle etc. Hyena, Jackle, Jungle fowl are still found in the

forested tracts. But clearing of forest has led to rapid depletion of both flora and fauna.

34

Map 2.5 : Soil types (Computed from District Planning Map, NATMO, India)

2.4 Soils

Physiography, slope and surface drainage are the important factors for the

formation of soil of this region. O’ Malley (1910) classified the soil of district in

thirteen classes on the basis of local perception. But, Natonal Atlast, on the basis of

genetic characteristics as well as generic behavior have classified the soil of the

district into five categories like lateritic soil, red sandy soil, red loamy soil, older

alluvium and new alluvium. In the study are, mainly four types soil are found. The

whole Rampurhat Block-II and portions of Rampurhat Block-I are covered by lateritic

soil, characterized by low Ph and low fertility status. The basaltic trap area is

associated with red sandy soil in the concave surface and gully areas. Two or three

mouzas around Brahamani are associated with new flood alluvium, due to flood of the

river Brahmani. Rest of the area is covered by old alluvium.

35

On the basis textural classification (Map-2.5) NATMO has classified the soil

in to three categories. The lateritic tract is termed as clay loam soil, while cap rock

areas are denoted by sandy loam. The flood prone tract is classified in to clay soil, the

only fertile tract of this area.

2.5 Economic Base

Physical environment is the gift of nature; whereas economic environment is

the outcome of human activity. All the different forms of economic activities like

agriculture fishing, mining, industry, transportation, storage, communication etc. have

evolved in the different stages of civilization. There is little scope for fishing or

prosperous agriculture in the study area. So, economic base and socio-cultural profile

are highlighted to get a general outline of socio-economic landscape.

With the rapid depletion of forest, forest economy has lost its imports before

nineteenth century or earlier. So, the tribal people are gradually adopted with

agricultural activity and non-agricultural activity.

2.5.1 Resource Base

Before stone quarrying, soil and forest was the fundamental natural resource

base of this area. It is true that forest cover has shrinked before 20th

century, but

western rocky surface is still covered by patches by forest cover. Pattern of forest

cover is also found in the plain land of Illambazar, Bolpur etc. Tribal people living on

those forests collect fuel resource and stone sort of forest resource like leaf of sal

trees, furniture wood, honey, tree sap from the forest. With the rapid depletion of

forest, forest economy has lost its importance before nineteenth century or earlier to

36

> 24

18 – 24

< 18

Productivity (Paddy)

[Qtl. / Ha.]

Map 2.6 : Agricultural Productivity (Computed from District Planning Map, NATMO, India)

that. So, the tribal people are gradually adopted with agricultural activity and non-

agricultural activity.

Soil cover in the plateau fringe and also in the plain tract is the resource base

for agriculture. On the other hand, basalt rock, coal, limestone and iron are the

mineral resource base of this area.

2.5.2 Agricultural Resource Base

Agriculture is the basic foundation of economy of the district. For the present

study area, rural economy is basically supported by agriculture. Summer is influenced

by wet monsoon and the region experiences cultivation of paddy as the main crop

grown in the kharif season. Dry winter is not favorable for paddy cultivation.

So farmers are traditionally habituated with the cultivation of mustered, pulses and

wheat etc. though boro paddy cultivation is gaining importance especially from

1980s. A larger part of the lower Mayurakshi basin is use for boro paddy cultivation,

37

supported by the irrigation facility of Tilpara barrage. Mulberry cultivation is also an

old practice in the flood prone tract of the river Brahamani, Mayirakhsi and Dwaraka.

Potato a popular crash crop of this area is gradually experiencing growing importance,

cultivated mainly in the flood prone tract of this area (Map 2.6).

Indigo cultivation was a popular practice in South Bengal during the last half

of 18th

century. Indigo cultivation was started in Birbhum in 1975 initiated by Mr.

John Cheap. Indigo farm was established in different parts of Birbhum, especially in

Simulia, Illambazar, Khoyrasol, Supur, Sekhpur, Bharkunda, Daranda, Natungram,

Gangapur, Serpur etc. But it was stopped all on a sudden after the Indigo Revolution

in 1859. Sugarcane cultivation was also a familiar practice initiated by Mr. Peterson

in 1792. Sugar factory in Ahammadpur was established for the prosperous sugarcane

cultivation in the district, especially in the course soil texture of plateau fringe.

Sugarcane has lost its importance, though it is cultivated in different parts

2.5.3 Non-agricultural Resource Base

Non-agricultural resource base here, never imply the conventional urbanization

or trade practices. Rampurhat Municipality is an old town with different types of trade,

commerce and other urban economic base. Here those are purely excluded as the

investigation focuses on primary resource base and change of livelihood. A plateau and

plateau fringe offers a diversity of non-agricultural resource base like forestry,

pasturing, timber collection etc. But all are presently insignificant due to lack of

continuous deep forest cover which neither favors forestry nor timber collection. Some

tribal people still collect fuel wood from the forest and pasturing is also found, but those

can’t consider as dominant economic activity. They have least role in the livelihood

pattern of the local community. Sterility of plateau and plateau fringe has forced the

38

indigenous people to move towards east. Tribal constitute a significant portion of

population in the district. They are either marginal farmer or agricultural laborers. There

is a tradition of energetic tribal youth of both male and female to work in agricultural

district of Burdwan and Hoghly. They earn a considerable amount which is able to

support livelihood at least for six to seven months.

Metal industry in the form of rudimentary production system has a history of

development in the district of Birbhum. Gouri Hari Mitra (1939) in his book

‘Birbhumer Itihas’ (History of Birbhum) has clearly mentioned the existence of such

industry relating to iron, copper and bronze with a prosperous heritage even before the

medieval period. Production of sponge was a familiar by the melting of ores through

charcoal heating. Coal trading in Panchokot area and laterite mining in western part

were familiar economic activity.

Similarly silk weaving and cotton weaving has a prosperous heritage in

Birbhum. Silk weaving has separately discussed in chapter-four.

2.6 Socio-cultural Profile

The district Birbhum in general and Rampurhat Block-I & II in particular are

characterized by agrarian economy and rural society. The region is inhabited by tribal

people in the west and low caste Hindus in the east. Different parts of the region was

under regional royal administration in the pre-medieval period like King Sweth

Basanta in Bolpur, King Sibaditya in Sainthia, King Rudra Charan in Dubarajpur,

King Dinamoni Singh in Labpur, King Birsingh in Rajnagar and their successors

before Mughal invasion. From 1200 AD to 1600 AD, most of the district was

39

administered under Sultani rulers like Mahamamd Ghori, Kutubuddin, Baktier Khilji.

In the colonial period it was under British rule.

Tribal concentration is found in the western part of the district inhabited by

Santhal, Oraon, Munda, Kora who have migrated from Chotonagpur area for clearing

of forest and cultivation practices in plateau and plateau fringe areas, invited by the

different rulers. Eastern portion with suitable soil cover fostering agricultural

practices are inhabited by low cast Hindus who are practicing agriculture and non-

agricultural activities in rural economy since long past. Of those common people

Sadgope (farmer), Bauri (agricultural labor), Bagdi (farmer cum fisherman), Let

(cultivator) are involved in agricultural function. On the other hand huge number of

Kaibarta (fisherman), Muchi (chamar), Hanri (cleaner), Dome (bamboo artisans) are

also found in the eastern part. Mitra, G. (1939) has mentioned the inhabitance of thirty

five thousand Bauri in eastern Birbhum during early 1900s.

Apart from this low caste Hindus, Tantubay (weavers), Karmakar (metal-

smith), Dhakaru (iron smelters) are inhabited since long past practicing non-

agricultural functions.

40

References

1. Ball, V. (1877). Geology of the Rajmahal Hills. Memories of the GSI, 13(II), 155-248.

2. Biswas, A. (1978). Physiographic Determinism in Birbhum Agriculture.

Geographical Review of India, 40.

3. George,K.M. (1984). Rural Development Programme; its Stregth and Weenesses.

Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 39(3),434-443

4. Hunter, W.W. (1877). A Statistical Account of Bengal, Birbhum. Trubner & Co. London.

5. Krishnan, M.S. (1968). Geology of India and Burma (5th edition). Higginbothans

Limited: Madras. 252-53

6. McMohan, C.A. (1887). Notes on the Microscopic Structure of some Specimens of

the Rajmahal and Decantrap. Records of the GSI, 20(II), Calcutta, 104-112.

7. Mitra, G. (1939). Birbhumer Itihas (History of Birbhum). National Book Agency

Pvt. Ltd: Calcuutta.

8. O’Malley, L.S.S. (1910). Bengal District Gazetteers, Birbhum. Calcutta.

9. Oldmam, T. (1860). On the Geological Relations and Probable Age of the several

Systems of Rocks in Central India and Bengal. Memories of the GSI, (II), 316-335.

10. Pascoe, E.H.Kt. (1959). A manual of the Geology of India and Burma, (2), 975-

979 and 1018-1019

11. Paterson, J.C. (1910). Bengal District Gazatteers:Birbhum District. Bengal

Secretariat Book Depot. Calcutta.

12. Raja Rao, C.S. (1953). Pitchstone Flow in Rajmahal Hills. Records of the GSI,

91(2), 341-347.

13. Ramkrishnan, P.S.(2003). Global change, natural resorce Mangement and Sutainble

Development; An interaction. Tropical Ecology, ISSN-0564-3295, 44(1),1-6

14. Shrevastava, R.N. and Shah, S.C. (1966). Ginko Digitata Brong, from the Rajmahal

Hills. Santhgal Parganas (Bihar). Records of the GSI, 96(2), 309-312.

15. Wadia, D.N. (1976). Geology of India (4th

edition). Tata Mc-Graw Hill,

Publishing Co. New Delhi, 186-87.