| Voice of Bankura
: Anwar Ali Mirza
Women have to face lot of challenges.
There are no health facilities that can be accessed by the poor.
Majority of women are illiterate. They need to be empowered.
There are some SHGs helping and encouraging women to be self sufficient.
They are involved in making handicrafts and tailoring to earn their
livelihood.
Agriculture and dairy farming are the main source of income.
Unemployment has increased among youth due to lack of industries.
Bankura District
Area, Population & Sex Ratio
Geographical Area : 6882.0 Km2
Population in Bankura (Census 2011)
Under 6 population
Total : 405401
Male : 208632
Female : 196769
Disabled population
Total disabled population : 68737
In seeing : 24523
In speech : 7407
In hearing : 7114
In movement : 19970
Mental : 9723
Rank ( VoiceOfBharat.org Analysis
)
Backwardness : 88
Sex Ratio Rank : 359 (Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C (HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 - 2006)
Disability : 65 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 316 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Water : Flouride in Groundwater above permissible limits
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
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