Bankura district General information
Bankura district is one of the districts of West Bengal.District headquarter is Bankura.
Location
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.
Industry
An overwhelming agro-economic base and low urbanisation and industrialiasation characterize the district of Bankura. The district is broadly divisible into two regions the alluvial plains in the east and the undulating tract to the west. Within the district and even within these regions, the villages vary not only in their geographical features but also in their physical forms and composition their economic and social life patterns. Agricultural activities and most its employment and priority is being accord to its development.
The mines and minerals play a vital role in the economy of Bankura. Mines and minerals based ventures have already come up on the stretch of land from Bankura to Saltora. In areas like chhatna, Saltora Khatra, Ranibundh, Bankura to Indpur stretch and Raipur, Taldangra, the prospects for setting up of mines and minerals based industries are, indeed bright subject to environmental clearance.
The blocks like Bishnupur, Sonamukhi, Patrasayer, Indus, Joypur, Kotulpur have been setting up Agriculture based Industries like, Rice and Oil Mills. There is scope for more. The climate is also conducive for food processing ventures.
The forest wealth of Khatra and Ranibandh areas have always been remarkable. Various forest produce and medicinal flora and fauna are routinely exported to neighboring districts and also outside the State. On one hand industries can be developed to extract non-edible oils and on the other different Medicinal Plants and Ayurvedic formulations can be produced here. Such development will not only generate employment opportunities for local but also accomplish the task of conservation. Apart from this, in this district large chunk of areas are having undulated alluvial sandy soil which cannot retain water. Consequently, most of these areas are either under monocrop production or lying fallow. Certain aromatic plants which require little irrigation can be grown up in this area. Moreover, new species of herbs and medicinal plants may be palnted in the vacant areas and unutilized forest lands.
Cottage & Small Scale Industry constitutes a major segment of district's economy. It provides maximum employment opportunity next to agriculture and this accounts nearly 9 percent of district Income. There is ample scope of development in this sector with provision of modern technology and other infrastructure facilities. Effort has been taken up for the improvement designs, marketing assistance and finance etc. specially in case of brass & bell metal craft, conch shell products, fishing hook, pottery and leather products etc. through different development agencies. New technology in Babui Rope Making and Sal leaf product have contributed and impact on the rural people of tribal areas.
Climate
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.
Soil
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
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.
Area
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.
Crop
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.
Forest
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.
Tourist Place
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.