33

Chapter-II

Historical, Geographic & Socio-Economic Features

Any descriptive account of West Bengal is incomplete without the mention of

Medinipur. A bastion of freedom struggle, bedrock of peoples' movements and a place of

reverence to the students of political history, Medinipur is the birth-place of Iswarchandra

Vidyasagar, Kshudiram Bose,Matangini Hazra, Birendranath Sashmal and many stalwarts

who have made the nation proud through their contributions in the social and political spheres.

It also has a rare combination of urban agglomeration and rural settings interspersed by forest

tracts and hillocks. The eyes of the wanderlust mingle the views of the historical mansions of

Mahishadal and Jhargram with the Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur, the barrage

of Kansabati and banks of Rupnarayan rivers.

The enormous size of the district repeatedly drew the attention of the administrators

since the latter half of the nineteenth century for bifurcation. Finally, on the 1st of January,

2002, the twin districts of Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur were carved out of the

erstwhile "Medinipur" which was the largest Indian district in size and proportion till that day.

The district has two distinct divisions- western part with arid red lateritic soil along

with tribal population concentration and eastern part with alluvial soil deposits with people of

different caste groups being present. The western part of the district shows a perpetual trend

of underdevelopment.

2.1 Historical background:

In ancient times the region seems to be highly influenced by Jainism and Buddhism.

Coins issued by Samudragupta have been found in the near vicinity of the town Medinipur.

The kingdom of Shashanka and Harshavardhana also included part of undivided Medinipur in

their kingdom. However, the most significant archaeological site in the region is the bustling
 34

port of Tamralipta near present-day Tamluk, a site noted in the travelogues

of Faxian and Xuanzang.

The early historical evidences of Medinipur as a whole show that ‘Tamralipti ‘(the

modern Tamluk of Purba Medinipur) was a great sea port and the area surrounding it was a

stronghold ‘Kaibarttas’, a fishing and boating caste mentioned in the Pillar Edict V of Asoka as

‘Kevata’.(O’Malley, 1995).

The tract to the western part of the district, a part of Jangal Mahals, is still covered

with the remains of the forest. This area was home for nomadic tribes like Savaras, a powerful

race that can be traced as far back as the Aitareya-Brahmana who lived on jungle products,

and other aboriginal tribes. The descendants of Savaras may be identified with the nomadic

Sahars and Lodhas of present day. The historical existence of remarkable group of memorial

pillars at Kiarchand in Gopiballavpur can be traced back to the same period. Between the

Jangal Mahals and the sea board was the routes connecting Magadha and Suhma on the

north and Kalinga on the south. After the conquest of Kalinga by Asoka, the district of

Medinipur became a part of the great Mauryan Empire.

After the fall of last independent Hindu dynasty of Kalinga-Utkala, Gajapati Mukunda

Deva in the 16th century, this region came under one of the five Sarkars of Mughalbandi

Odisha i.e.Jaleswar Sarkar which was ruled by the Subehdar of Odisha. The north boundary

of Jalshwar was Tamluk and south was Soro and Dhalbhumgarh in the west to the Bay of

Bengal in the east. Bahadur Khan was the ruler of Jaleshwar Sarkar or Hijli (including

Midnapore) during the time of Shah Jehan. He was defeated by Shah Shuja, the second son

of Shah Jehan, then the subshdar of Bengal.

Historically it is assumed that the town of Medinipur was established by Odisha king

Medinikar. The district has said to have derived its name from the above mentioned origin.

The famous Gope hill and Gope fort are situated on the northern bank of Kansabati river which

are evidences to come to the conclusion that the area was under the Gope king Birat Raja of

‘Mahabharata’.
 35

The Marathas held on to Odisha including the then Midnapore until 1749 when it was

reconquered by Alivardi Khan. In 1756, Alivardi died and his successor was Siraj-ud-daulah.

On 20 June 1757, he was betrayed by Mir Jafar to the East India Company under the

command of Lord Robert Clive at Plassey. This consolidated the Company's hold on Bengal

and Odisha (along with Midnapore).

Legend has it that around 1574.AD Man Singh had come to conquer Bengal on behalf

of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great from Rajasthan (Erstwhile Rajputana Kingdom). He

appointed two of his loyal officers in the army, Sarveshwar Singh and his elder brother to

defeat the local tribal rulers of the region known as Jungalkhand. The area was populated by

Tribals known as Santhals, Mallas, Bhumij and Lodhas. The area belonged to Malla Raja.

Raja Sarveshwar Singh together with the Rajput Military force and Cavalry invaded the deep

forest region known as Junglekhanda, and defeated the tribal rulers the Mallas and adopted

the surname Malla Deb and set up his kingdom with its capital naming it Jhargram. Raja

Sarveshwar Malla Deb was the founder of the present Jhargram Royal Family or the Raj

Family.

2.2 Physical features:

The physical features of the study area deal with the information regarding location

and administrative units, structure and relief, physiographic division, drainage, geology, soil,

climatic condition and vegetation of the Jhargram Subdivision.

2.2.1 Location & administrative units:

Paschim Medinipur, located in the southern part of West Bengal, has been carved

from the erstwhile Medinipur district, the then largest district of India, and came into existence

in the present form from 1st January 2002. The district lies between 21° 47′ and 23° north

latitude and between 86°40ʹ and 87° 52ʹ east longitude. Paschim Medinipur is bounded by
 36

Bankura district from the northern side and Purba Medinipur district from the south-eastern

side. The southern boundary of the district is merged with Balasore and Mayurbhanj district of

Orissa and western boundary is merged with Singbhum and east district of Jharkhand.

Geographical area of the district is 9295.28 sq. km. The district is further divided into four Sub-

dvisions, 29 blocks and 8 municipalities. The subdivisions are Kharagpur, Ghatal, Medinipur

Sadar and Jhargram subdivisions.

The study area, i.e. Jhargram Subdivision, is situated between 22°00ʹ north to

22°51ʹ6ʺ north latitudes and 86°32ʹ30ʺ east to 87°14ʹ24ʺ east longitudes. The Jhargram

Subdivision forms the western portion of Paschim Medinipur district. It consists of one

municipality, 8 community development blocks, 79 gram panchayats, 695 gram sansad, 2996

mouzas and 2513 inhabited villages. (Bureau of Applied Economics & Statistics, 2012). The

single municipaltiy present in this subdivision is Jhargram Municipality which came into

existence in 1982 adopting 25 mouzas of Jhargram panchayat samity. There are a total

number of 18 wards in Jhargram municipality. The community development blocks of

Jhargram subdiviion are Binpur I, Binpur II, Jamboni, Jhargram, Gopiballavpur I,

Gopiballavpur II, Nayagram and Sankrail.

Binpur I has a total number of 10 gram panchayats which are Andharia,

Binpur, Lalgarh, Sijua, Baita, Dahijuri, Nepura, Belatikri, Dharampur and Ramgarh. Binpur and

Lalgarh police stations serve this block. Headquarters of this block is in Lalgarh. Binpur II is

comprised of 10 gram panchayats namely, Banspahari, Bhulaveda, Kanko, Shimulpal,

Belpahari, Ergoda, Sandapara, Bhelaidiha, Harda and Shilda. Binpur, Lalgarh and Belpahari

police stations serve this block. Headquarters of this block is in Belpahari. The rural area under

Jamboni block consists of 10 gram panchayats which are Chinchra, Dubra, Kapgari, Parihati,

Chilkigarh, Gidhni, Kendadangri, Dharsa, Jamboni and Lalbandh. Jamboni police station

serves this block. Headquarters of this block is in Gidhni. There are 13 gram panchayats in

Jhargram block which are Aguiboni, Dudhkundi, Patashimul, Shalboni, Bandhgora, Lodhasuli,

Radhanagar, Chandri, Manikpara, Sapdhara, Chubka, Nedabahara and Sardiha. Jhargram

 37

police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is in Jhargram. Gopiballavpur I is

comprised of 7 gram panchayats namely, Alampur, Gopiballavpur, Saria, Shashrha, Amarda,

Kendugari and Satma.Beliabera and Gopiballavpur police stations serve this

block. Headquarters of this block is in Chatinasole. Gopiballavpur II also consists of 7 gram

panchayats which are Beliabera, Kharbandhi, Nota, Tapshia, Chorchita, Kuliana and Pet

Bindhi Kalinja, taghora. Beliabera police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block

is in Beliabera. Rural area under Nayagram block consists of 12 gram panchayats, which are

Ara, Baranegui, Chandrarekha, Malam, Baligeria, Berajal, Jamirapal, Nayagram, Barakhakri,

Chandabilla, Kharikamathani and Patina. Nayagram police station serves this

block. Headquarters of this block is in Baligeria. Sankrail block consists of ten gram

panchayats, namely Andhari, Khudmorai, Pathra, Sankrail, Chhatri, Kultikri, Ragrah,

Dhanghori, Laudaha and Rohini.[1] Sankrail police station serves this block. Headquarters of

this block is in Rohini. The Jhargram subdivision covers an area of about 3037.64 km2.

2.2.2 Physiography & geology:

From the geomorphological point of view Paschim Medinipur district as a whole can

be sub divided into three parts, viz. Chhotonagpur Flanks with hills, mounds and rolling lands

in the westernmost part, Rahr Plain with lateritic uplands in the middle part and Alluvial plain

of the east with recent deposits. It is hilly in the north-west but represents low basins in the

south-east and east. (Development & Planning Department, 2011a).

 38

Map No.2 Map source: NRDMS GIS Centre, Paschim Medinipur

The study area, i.e. Jhargram Subdivision, is situated within the hilly and rolling

uplands of Chhotonagpur flanks and the undulating tract of Rarh Bengal. The geological

formation of Jhargram Subdivision is mainly lateritic, which occupies the central as well as the

southern parts of this area, whereas the eastern part gradually gives way to the alluvium of

the Lower Ganga plain. In the north west of this area mica schists crop up from beneath the

lateritic sheets and in the extreme western portion a low ridge rises rather suddenly from the

lateritic plain. This ridge if formed of grey and bluish-grey mica schists with bands of more

gneissose character. To the west of this ridge a group of hills appear which are of irregular

shape without any general bearing, but occur rather in isolated masses separated by valleys.

These hills are composed of hard grey and greyish-white gritty quartzites with large masses
 39

of irregular veins of vein-quartz.Rocks in this area are much twisted and concorted. Bands of

quartzose grits generally form the precipitous peaks which are dotted in this area, while blue

slates and traps occur in the lower ground and valleys between them. Strongly folded mica

schists, phyllites and epidiorites of Archaean age domnate the extreme northwest portion.

Majority of visible topography is gravelly, pisolitic and nodular. The general appearance is that

of swellings here and there with a gently undulating surface, the waving rolls of which are

slightly elevated above the adjoining alluvial plains. ( O’ Malley,1995).

Being a part of Chhotonagpur plateau the general slope of the area is from north-

west to east-southeast. The north western part has the elevation above 250 meters and the

extreme southeast as well as the river valley have elevation below 50 meters.

2.2.3 Soil:

Map No.3 Map Source: KVK, Kapgari Village, Jamboni Block, Paschim Medinipur
 40

The soil of this subdivision can be broadly classified into five categories, viz. lateritic,

red sandy, red gravelly, older alluvial and newer alluvial. The most predominant soil type is

lateritic in the study area with occurrence of newer alluvial patches near the river valleys which

spill over during the rainy season. In some portions the soils of red gravelly and red sandy

appear as well as a few patches of older alluvium can be seen in the study area.

In the alluvial tract a clay soil is known as entel, the loam is known as doash, dorash

or doesta and sandy loam is known as bele doash. In the lateritic tracts of Jhargram

subdivision the soils are mostly loam and sandy loam, having the same name as the alluvial

portion, but their colour is reddish-brown, and they are inferior in fertility to the corresponding

types of soil in the alluvial tract.(O’Malley,1995).

2.2.4 Drainage:

Map No. 4 Map Source: NRDMS, GIS Centre, Paschim Medinipur

 41

In Paschim Medinipur the drainage network includes river Rupnarayan, Silabati,

Haldi, Kansabati, Kaliaghai Subarnarekha and Dulung.

Among the aforementioned rivers the drainage system of the Jhargram Subdivision

is comprised of river Kansabati, river Subarnarekha and river Dulung which is the tributary of

river Subarnarekha. These rivers drain the area from north west to south east. The Kansabati

river enters Paschim Medinipur from northwest and flows towards the east cutting across the

district into two halves. Kansabati entres Jhargram Subdivision from its north in between

Binpur I and Binpur II and flows towards east along the eastern border of Jhargram Block.

River Subarnarekha enters the district from west and flows towards the south southeast

towards Balasore district and finally falls into Bay of Bengal. In case of Jhargram Subdivision

Subarnarekha River enters the area from Jharkhand in the west and flows between

Gopiballavpur I and Gopiballavpur II. In Nayagram block river Dulung meets Subarnarekha

river as a tributary.

2.2.5 Flood and drought:

The district of Paschim Medinipur experiences both flood and drought. Among the

four Subdivisions of the district Ghatal and part of Kharagpur Subdivision are characterised

by flood prone areas leading into waterlogging condition during rainy season. While the vast

areas of Jhargram and Medinipur Sadar Subdivisions are affected by drought. In the study

area of Jhargram subdivision drought affects the population here frequently and causes

damage to the limited agriculture in the area, affecting food security of the people living here.

2.2.6 Climate:

Paschim Medinipur district is characterised by warm-humid tropical monsoon climate

in general. Although there is a difference between the climate of arid stretches in the north

and west and that of the swamps in the east and south. Being in the broad classification of

Koppen’s Aw type of climate the eastern and southern part show more of hot and humid
 42

character, on the other hand the western part, with the basic characters of Aw type of climate,

shows a fierce dry heat in the warmer months, a short cold weather and a moderate rainfall.

Climate Graph of Paschim Medinipur during 1961 & 2011

45 400
40 350
35 300
Temperature (˚C)

Rainfall (mm)
30
250 LEGEND
25
200 Average Rainfall (mm)
20
150 Mean Maximum Temperature (˚C)
15
Mean Minimum Temperature (˚C)
10 100

5 50

0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Months

Figure No.1

Table No. 1: Mean maximum and minimum temperature and average rainfall of Paschim

Medinipur during 1961 to 2011

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean Maximum
Temperature 35. 31.
(˚C) 29.6 6 39.4 40.3 40.9 37.7 34.5 34.9 34.8 34.7 9 29.9
Mean Minimum
Temperature 11. 15.
(˚C) 7.8 3 15.5 19.7 20.5 23.8 23.5 24.1 23.9 19.7 2 10.3
Average 52.5 63.6 136.2 300.8 240. 355.4 265.4 108.0
Rainfall (mm) 1 4.3 3 6 6 6 6 6 3 6 2 0.5
Source: Meteorological Dept. Govt. of India

The climate graph (figure number 1) and the corresponding table (table number 1)

give an overview of the combination of rainfall and temperature over the period of fifty years

of the study area. It is seen that the months of June to September have shown maximum

average rainfall, while the winter is very dry. The rest of the months show moderate to scanty

rainfall during the rest of the months. The mean maximum temperature reaches to more than

40° and does not come down beyond 29°. While the mean minimum temperature ranges

between 24° and 7°. The general climate of the area corresponds to the tropical wet and dry

as well as the tropical monsoon climatic zones.

 43

2.2.7 Vegetation:

In the study area the eastern part is flat and alluvial and its flora corresponds to that

of Bengal, a large area consisting of low-lying swampy land laid out in rice fields.

On the other hand the tract to the west is lateriferous, undulating and even hilly and

possesses a flora similar to that of Chhotanagpur region. The characteristics of the region is

that some parts are entirely waste , while other parts contain jungles of sal, kusum and piasal.

The vegetation of Jhargram subdivision is dominated by jungles consisting of Shorea robusta

(Sal), or by mixed forest where species of Aglaia, Schleichera, Schrebera, Terminalia and

similar trees with many shrubs and climbers are found. There are open spaces between these

forests which have a park-like appearance and is sprinkled with different kinds of Ficus,

Bassia, Butea, tamarind, etc.

2.3 Economic features:

Economic features of any area shape up the nature of lives of the people living there.

These features include land use pattern, cropping pattern, cropping intensity, agricultural

productivity, diversification of crops, means of irrigation, industry and transport and

communication.

2.3.1 Land use:

Land use refers to the spatio-temporal surface utilization of all developed and vacant

land. Land use denotes how humans use the biophysical or ecological properties of

land. Land-uses include the modification and/or management of land

for agriculture, settlements, forestry and other uses including those that exclude humans

from land, as in the designation of nature reserves for conservation (Ellish, 2010).

In the present thesis an attempt has been made to portray the difference that has

occurred in the study area during a period of twenty years, from 1991 to 2011. The data sets

for the year 1991 have been collected from District Statistical Handbook of Medinipur, 1991,
 44

while the data for the period 2011 has been collected from records of Directorate of

Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal.

1991

Figure No.2

Table No.2: Land use classification of Jhargram Subdivision during 1991

Percentage of Land Use Classes to

Land Use Classes
Total Area
Net Sown Area 53.87
Area under Pasture & Orchard 1.39
Cultivable Waste 1.85
Houseted Land 17.60
Forest 23.75
Residual Area 1.54
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Medinipur.1991

Land use in Medinipur from its origin is dominated by agricultural activities and forest

land. The same trend is observed in Jhargram Subdivision of Paschim Medinipur where the

greatest share of its land belongs to agricultural practices and forest. It can be seen from figure

2 and table 2 that in 1991 the dominating land use class in Jhargram Subdivision as a whole

is net sown area (53.87%), followed by forest (23.75%) and residential area (17.60%).

Agricultural uses including all allied classes consist of 57 percent of the total area of Jhargram

Subdivision. Thus it can be said that fifteen years back the above mentioned Subdivision was

filled with agricultural land, forest and scattered residential lands.

 45

Figure No.3

Table No.3: Land use classification of Jhargram Subdivision during 2011

Land Use Classes Percentage of Land Use Classes to Total Area

Forest Area 29.37
Area Under Non Agricultural Uses 14.60
Barren & Unculturable Land 0.32
Permanent pastures & other grazing lands 0.08
Land under misc. tree crops and groves not included in net sown 1.23
Culturable Waste Land 0.19
Fallow and other than current fallow 0.48
Current fallow 14.95
Net Sown Area 38.78
Source: Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal, 2011

Land use of Jhargram Subdivision in 2011 does not show any drastic change in basic

nature. More or less same classes of 1991 dominate the area. A decrease in net sown area

from 53.87 percent in 1991 to 38.78 percent in 2011 can be observed. On the other hand

forest area seems to have increased in 2011 to 29.37 percent from 23.75 percent. So, it can

be said that land use of Jhargram is dominated by agricultural land and forest area.
 46

From this generalised classification of land use of Jhargram Subdivision as a whole, the researcher seeks to find out the scenario of block wise land use classification. For that two maps of land use have

been created of the year 1991 and 2011.

Table No.4: CD Block wise percentage of land use classes to total area in Jhargram Subdivision in 1991

Area under
Net Sown Cultivable Residual
CD Block Pasture & Houseted Land Forest
Area Waste Area
Orchard

Jhargram 53 2 0 19 25 1
Binpur I 51 1 4 19 22 2
Binpur II 42 2 2 15 38 2
Jamboni 59 1 3 18 16 3
Nayagram 47 1 3 18 29 2
Sankrail 76 1 0 18 4 0
Gopiballavpur I 50 1 1 21 26 1
Gopiballavpur II 79 0 2 12 7 0
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Medinipur .1991

Table No.5: CD Block wise percentage of land use classes to total area in Jhargram Subdivision in 2010-2011

Area Under Non Permanent pastures & other Land under misc. tree crops Fallow and other than Net Sown
CD Block Forest Area Barren & Unculturable Land Culturable Waste Current fallow
Agricultural Uses grazing lands and groves current fallow Area
Jhargram 27.95 13.29 1.23 0.00 4.20 0.81 0.24 9.38 42.90

Nayagram 51.85 7.76 0.00 0.03 0.10 0.01 0.00 12.37 27.88

Sankrail 0.01 32.79 0.33 0.07 1.38 0.02 0.01 13.77 51.65

Jamboni 40.56 9.08 0.06 0.09 0.28 0.23 0.00 37.94 11.75

Binpur I 4.08 20.14 0.14 0.01 0.62 0.00 0.00 19.03 55.99

Binpur II 46.34 7.68 0.14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 8.59 37.23

Gopiballavpur I 21.60 18.97 0.10 0.08 1.43 0.25 4.05 19.29 34.22

Gopiballavpur II 4.79 24.04 0.15 0.66 1.78 0.00 1.00 5.67 61.91
Source: Directorate of Agriculture, Govt. of West Bengal 2011
 47

1991

Map No. 5 Map No.6

Map No.3 Map No.4

 48

Land use of Jhargram Subdivision in 1991 consists of 6 classes namely nets sown

area, area under pasture and orchard, cultivable waste, houseted land, forest and residual

area. It is found that net sown area is the primary land use as it portrays nearly or more than

fifty percent in almost all the blocks. Gopiballavpur II has 79 percent of net sown area which

is the highest share, while Binpur II has the lowest share of net sown area (42%). The second

most important land use class is forest which is 38 percent in Binpur II and 4 percent in

Sankrail. Houseted land is the third most important class in the area. The rest of the land use

classes show insignificant percentage shares to total area of each CD block.

The land use classification in case of 2010 to11 has a much detailed classification

and has included more number of subclasses. The classes are forest, area under non-

agricultural uses, barren and unculturable land, permanent pastures and other gazing land,

land under miscellaneous tree, crops and groves, not included in net sown area, culturable

waste, fallow and other than current fallow, current fallow and net sown area. Among these

nine classes the most prominent classes of the study area during 2010 to11 are forest, net

sown area, area under non-agricultural uses and current fallow land. The highest percentage

of forest area can be seen in Nayagram (51.85%), while the lowest in Sankrail (0.01%). The

highest proportion of net sown area can be seen in Gopiballavpur II (61.91%) and the lowest

of that in Jamboni (11.75%). Area under non-agricultural uses which includes all land occupied

by buildings, roads and railways or under water, e.g. rivers and canals, and other land put to

uses other than agriculture, occupies 32.79 percent land out of total area of Sankrail and 24.04

percent out of total area of Gopiballavpur II. Jamboni block has the highest percentage of

current fallow land (37.94%) which represents cropped area which is kept fallow during the

current year.
 49

2.3.2 Agriculture:

Agriculture is the primary support system of Indian economy. The percentage share

of agricultural land was 58.8 percent in 1961 which rose to 60.6 percent in 2013 (The World

Bank, 2016). Agriculture and other associated sectors account for 13.7 percent of the gross

domestic product in 2013 and almost 50 percent of the work force is engaged in agricultural

activities in 2013 (Agriculture in India, 2016).

The economy of West Bengal is also characterised by high dependence on

agricultural sector. The percentage share of arable land in the state is 80.15 percent of its total

geographical area (WEST BENGAL: AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS Profile 2010, 2010).

West Bengal is largest producer of rice, vegetables and fishery products in India. Almost 24

percent of the state domestic product comes from agricultural sector annually.

In Paschim Medinipur the percentage of total agricultural land to total geographical

area is 63.87 percent in 2011-12 (Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics, 2012). Being

predominantly an agrarian society Paschim Medinipur has witnessed substantial

transformation of the economy and society. According to Human Development Report

Paschim Medinipur,

Growth of agricultural production and productivity in the district is attributed to

institutional and technological factors. Land ownership is expected to be closely

linked to agricultural production, including both crop and livestock production. Land

reforms measures undertaken since the late 1970s and extension of irrigation,

particularly minor irrigation have led to significant rise in gross cropped area and area

under food grains, oilseeds and fruits, and agricultural productivity has substantially

increased, which are also attributed to greater use of fertilizers and other modern

agricultural techniques. All these have significant impact on the living conditions of

the rural mass in the district. (2012, p. 131)

Jhargram Subdivision is the less developed part of Paschim Medinipur in terms of agricultural

livelihood of the people. To give an account of the agricultural scenario of Jhargram

 50

Subdivision the following discussion will include the topics of cropping intensity, crop

diversification and crop combination of the study area.

Cropping intensity:

Cropping intensity refers to the number of times a crop is planted per year in a given

agricultural area. It is a ratio between gross cropped area and net sown area of a particular

region. When the ratio surpasses 100 percent it is said that the area has very high intensity of

agricultural activity. According to India, Agriculture and ARD cropping intensity of India during

2009 was 137 percent, which has registered a change of 25 percent since independence

(Datta, 2009). In case of West Bengal the cropping intensity was 184 percent in 2010, making

the state one of the states having highest cropping intensity in India (WEST BENGAL:

AGRICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS Profile 2010, 2010)

Paschim Medinipur records 161.4 percent cropping intensity in the year 2011 to 2012

(Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics, 2012). Jhargram Subdivision shows a cropping

intensity of 131 percent which is lesser than national, state and regional levels. In order to

understand the changes in cropping intensity of Jhargram Subdivision at block level the

researcher has computed cropping intensity for the year 1991 and 2010 to 2011. It is observed

that in 1991 the cropping intensity of the Subdivision is 117 percent which rises to 131 percent

during 2010 to 2011. Thus an increase in cropping intensity of 14 percentage points in 20

years has occurred.

 51

1991

Map No.7 Map No.8

Table No.6: Cropping intensity of Jhargram Subdivision in 1991

Gross Cropped Area Cropping Intensity

CD Block Net Sown Area (hect.)
(hect.) (%)
Jhargram 28490 28806 98.90
Binpur I 35300 18675 189.02
Binpur II 29640 23982 123.59
Jamboni 17270 19200 89.95
Nayagram 22770 23760 95.83
Sankrail 22130 20910 105.83
Gopiballavpur I 16050 13784 116.44
Gopiballavpur II 19250 15668 122.86
Source: Directorate of Agriculture, West Bengal, 1991
 52

Table No.7: Cropping intensity of Jhargram Subdivision in 2010-11

CD Block Gross Cropped Area Net Sown Area Cropping Intensity (%)

Binpur I 29639 20116 147.34

Binpur II 23702 21595 109.76
Gopiballavpur I 13695 9534 143.64
Gopiballavpur II 17313 12226 141.61
Jamboni 14983 11525 130.00
Jhargram 22301 23285 95.77
Nayagram 19106 14045 136.03
Sankrail 20007 13952 143.40
Source: Directorate of Agriculture, West Bengal, 2012

From the above map number 7 and 8 it is apparent that overall the cropping intensity

has improved in the area. Five out of eight CD Blocks show increase in cropping intensity

while the rest show a trend of decrease. But apart from Binpur II and Jhargram blocks all the

other blocks have a cropping intensity more than 130 percent with the highest being at Binpur

I (147.34%) in 2011. In 1991 in Binpur I the cropping intensity is 189.02 percent which comes

down to 147.34 percent in 2011. Apart from Binpur I in 1991 all the other blocks do not show

cropping intensity more than 125 percent. Thus it can be said that cropping intensity has

shown a positive trend in the area, especially in Jamboni, Nayagram and Sankrail, where the

increase in cropping intensity is very prominent due to improvement in agricultural facilities.

Crop diversification:

Crop diversification means raising different variety of crops in arable land. It is a

concept which is opposite to crop specialization. Farmers, especially in developing countries

generally try to grow several crops in their holdings in an agricultural year. The level of

diversification largely depends upon the geo-climatic, socio-economic conditions and

technological development in the region (Husain, 2004). In general there exists an inverse

relationship between advanment of agricultural techology and degree of diversification.

 53

Traditionally, in the areas where the rainfall is irratic, adequate irrigation facilities are

not present, the farmers choose to grow more than one crop in a season. It is basically done

to get atleas something from their lands even in the case of extreme weather. Incase of

traditional subsistent farming farmers practise cultivation of several crops in their lands to meet

the economic necesitites of the households. But in recent times in Indian agriculture crop

diversification at farm level is promoted to increase self sufficiency and better income

prospects of farmers. To minimise the negative impact of mono cropping, diferent high value

crops are being cultivated to get maximum monetary benefits to the farmers. Accroding to

Ruma Bhattacharyya,

In the state of West Bengal diversification in cropping pattern is a very recent

phenomenon. It is basically a rice producing state which has achieved a very high

level of productivity in paddy cultivation during the second phase of green revolution

and is now the largest producer of rice in the country. Crop Diversification is expected

to be able to contribute towards a higher nutrition level, poverty alleviation,

employment generation, and sustainable natural resources management (2008, p.

83).

To understand the whether in Jhargram Subdivision Crop Diversification or crop

Specialization dominates, data has been collected for the year 1991 and 2010-11 and has

been computed by the researcher to show spatio-temporal changes in crop diversifiation

during a tenure of twenty years.

 54

1991

Map No.9 Map No.10

Table No.8: Crop diversification of Jhargram Subdivision between 1991 and 2010-11

(Gibbs-Martin Method)

CD Block Crop diversification index 1991 Crop diversification index 2011

Jhargram 0.49 0.21

Binpur I 0.56 0.48
Binpur II 0.32 0.09
Jamboni 0.44 0.15
Nayagram 0.49 0.16
Sankrail 0.49 0.39
Gopiballavpur I 0.46 0.41
Gopiballavpur II 0.53 0.49
Computed by researcher. Data Source: Directorate of Agriculture, West Bengal

The crop diversification index of Jhargram Subdivision shows a peculiar trend where

there has been a decrease of crop diversification index in all the CD Blocks. In 1991 the

highest crop diversification index is found in Binpur I (0.56). The value indicates moderate

diversification of crops. While the lowest value of 0.32 is observed in Binpur II. This value is

towards the lower range of crop diversification and it can be said that here more than one crop
 55

is grown. On the other hand in 2011 the highest and lowest values of crop diversification index

are 0.49 and 0.09 respectively, present in Gopiballavpur II and Binpur II respectively. During

the last twenty years Jhargram Subdivision has experienced more or less medium to low

diversification of crops. The trend indicates the fact that all most all the blocks are moving

towards a situation of crop specialization where the emphasis is given on only one crop. Like

every farmer in India the farmers of Jhargram Subdivision depend on monsoon rainfall as the

source of irrigation. The presence of drought prone regions and lack of man-made irrigational

infrastructure might have played a big role in limiting the farmers to go for cultivation of several

crops in the area.

Crop combination:

Crop combination is the method for demarcation of agricultural regions in a particular

area based on different climatic, geographical, and socio-economic aspects. Depending upon

various physical, economic and social factors India has been categorised into different crop

combination regions. The delineation of crop combination regions gives an account of the

relative position of each crop on their spatial scale.

In West Bengal the crop regions are dominated by paddy (Boro), oilseeds and potato

(Majumder, 2014). A trend of at least 3 to 4 crop combination regions are emerging and

growing in number. The main reason behind the departure from mono crop to multiple crop

combination is the monetary prospect of high value crops. Agricultural produce is not just

limited to basic sustenance, but the factors of profit and marketability have taken control over

the nature of agricultural regionalisation in West Bengal.

For the present research Weaver’s crop combination method has been used to find

out how many types of crops are grown in Jhargram Subdivision. The crop combination

regions are computed for the year 1991 and 2010-11 to find out the trend and nature of

agricultural produce in Jhargram Subdivision.

 56

1991

Map No.11 Map No.12

Table No.9: Crop combination of Jhargram Subdivision during 1991 and 2011

(Weaver’s Method)

Name of CD Blocks Crop combination 1991 Crop combination 2011

Jhargram Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Binpur I Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Binpur II Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Jamboni Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Nayagram Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Sankrail Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Gopiballavpur I Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Gopiballavpur II Monoculture (Rice) Monoculture (Rice)
Computed by researcher Data source: Directorate of Agriculture, West Bengal

Map number 11 and 12 as well as table number 9 have been prepared by the

researcher to identify the main crop regions of Jhargram Subdivision. The crop region found

in Jhargram Subdivision is dominated by monoculture of paddy (rice).

 57

Mono crop region:

The entire Subdivision of Jhargram is characterised by monoculture of paddy crop.

In case of 1991 and 2011 there has been no change in the crop combination in any of the

blocks of Jhargram Subdivision.

Aman, Aus and Boro are the three main types of paddy that are cultivated in the area.

Among them Aman paddy takes the dominant part. It is a Kharif crop which is sown during

monsoon season and harvested in early winter. This regionalisation states the fact that lack

of agricultural facilities in the area and dependence on monsoon rainfall have led the farmers

practise monoculture of the main food crop for sustenance. Aus paddy is the second most

cultivated crop in the area which is also a Kharif crop in nature. Boro, which is a Rabi crop,

grown during the dry winter season and is considered to be a high value crop, is not cultivated

in recent times. This proves the fact that winter crops are not grown in the area. Locally in

some areas of Jhargram Subdivision Boro crop is grown in very small farms, but the produce

is not big enough to be considered as one of the main crops. Another interesting fact to be

noted is that apart from paddy no other crop is present in the dominant crop group. Thus it

can be concluded that crops which are grown nowadays are aimed at fulfilling the basic need

of sustenance of the people of the area and are devoid of proper irrigational facilities. So

dependency on only one crop cultivation (paddy) can be seen in recent times in Jhargram

Subdivision.

2.3.3 Irrigation:

Irrigation is the method to supply water to agricultural field for the purpose of growth

of the crops at regular intervals. Irrigation is a necessary process in order to maintain the

landscapes and to allow grow crops in dry seasons or in areas of inadequate rainfall, to enable

a farmer cultivate different crops throughout the year so that he can get maximum benefit in

terms of agricultural produce and monetary returns. In India the rainfall distribution is uneven

thus the irrigation system in India is based on networks of different major and minor canals,
 58

ground water systems, tanks and other rain fed systems. Among these different sources

ground water systems are the largest source of irrigation in India. In 2010 only 35 percent out
rd
of the total agricultural land was actually irrigated and almost 2/3 of the agricultural land is

till date dependent upon monsoon rainfall (Irrigation in India, 2016).

West Bengal is characterised by high rainfall in monsoon season and a lot of potential

ground water. The total cropped area of west Bengal is about 5.5 million hectares in 2011 out

of which only 54 percent has been actually irrigated properly (Irrigation in India, 2016).

The irrigation systems of Paschim Medinipur is largely dominated by government

canals. In 2011-12 a total of 378.13 thousand hectares of land was under irrigation which

accounts for 63 percent of the total cropped area. The percentage of total irrigated area to

total cropped area has decreased since 2007-08 when it was about 70 percent (Bureau of

Applied Economics and Statistics, 2012).

Jhargram Subdivision shows much of the same character regarding climate

condition. The area is characterised by warm-humid tropical monsoon climate, which means

the area receives rainfall during monsoon season from June to September and the rest of the

year the area is dry.

Jhargram Subdivision is also one of the drought prone areas of Paschim Medinipur,

thus the agricultural activity in this area is adversely affected by dependence on monsoon

rainfall and problems of drought. To overcome the problems of rainfall deficiency and short

supply of water to the crops, irrigation facilities in the form of canals, wells, tube-wells, tanks

etc. have been made.

The main source of irrigation in the area is Medinipur Branch Canal which starts off

from the Kangsabati River in the north at Bankura districts and entres Jhargram Subdivision

from north near Binpur II and traverses the major part of the subdivision and exits it at the

eastern part.

Water is also obtained for irrigation by means of embankment built across drainage

slopes and low-lying depressions. There are two water-lifts in common use for irrigation, viz.,
 59

the simni and donga. The simni is a thickly woven triangular shaped bamboo basket with four

pieces of rope attached to it and donga is a canoe-shaped wooden vessel.

To understand the nature of irrigation facilities in the Jhargram Subdivision intensity

of irrigation, availability of different sources of irrigation and percentage share of irrigated and

unirrigated areas have been computed for the year of 1971 and 2011 to bring out the changes

in irrigation that have occurred in 30 years.

Irrigation intensity:

Intensity of irrigation refers to the percentage of irrigated land to agricultural land in a

region. It indicates how intensely the irrigation is being used in a particular area. Although the

net irrigation intensity is calculated using net irrigated area and net sown area, but due to non-

availability of net irrigated area data of Jhargram Subdivision of 2011, the gross intensity of

irrigation has been calculated.

Map No.13 Map No.14

 60

Table No.10: CD Block wise irrigation intensity in Jhargram Subdivision during 1971 & 2011

Gross Irrigation
Gross Irrigation Difference in Percentage
CD Blocks Intensity 2011
Intensity 1971 (%) Points
(%)

Binpur II 41.58 7.18 34.39

Binpur I 79.89 19.51 60.38
Jhargram 51.83 11.03 40.80
Jamboni 29.45 4.51 24.94
Gopiballavpur II 38.34 7.40 30.94
Gopiballavpur I 30.33 6.27 24.07
Nayagram 20.75 12.75 8.00
Sankrail 71.45 0.59 70.87
Computed by researcher Data Source: District Census Handbook of Paschim Medinipur

The gross irrigation intensity of the year 1971 portrays a little dominance of irrigation

facilities in the area. The overall gross irrigation intensity of Jhargram Subdivision is 8.66

percent in 1971. Three blocks of Binpur I, Jhargram and Nayagram have gross irrigation

intensities above the subdivisional average. According to map number 13 and table number

10, the highest intensity of irrigation can be seen in Binpur I (19.51%), which does not even

occupy 1/5th of the total agricultural area. The lowest value of irrigation intensity can be found

in Sankrail (0.59%). This value indicates very low and almost no irrigation facility in the study

area. The irrigation intensity value in the whole Subdivision does not exceed 20 percent. Thus

it can be said that Jhargram Subdivision showed very minimum dependence on irrigation due

to non-availability of such facilities in 1971.

On the other hand in 2011 there has been a massive boost in the intensity of irrigation

throughout Jhargram Subdivision. During this time the gross irrigation intensity of Jhargram

Subdivision is 45.44 percent. This means during a period of forty years there has been an

increase of more than five times of the value of irrigation intensity of 1971. Binpur I and

Sankrail show values above the subdivisional average. As per map number 14 and table

number 10, the lowest irrigation intensity value is 20.75 percent, seen in Nayagram, while the

highest being 79.89 percent in Binpur I. Binpur I always shows a very constant position in

retaining first position regarding irrigation intensity.

 61

The change in percentage points in the table number 10 indicates that the CD Block

which has undergone a massive change regarding irrigation facilities during a period of thirty

years is Sankrail (+70.87 Percentage points). Binpur I stands at second position with an

increase of 60.38 percentage points. The lowest increase in percentage points has been

observed in Nayagram where only 8 percentage points have increased. Thus the range of

gross irrigation intensity massively varies between the two census years of 1971 and 2011

and it can be concluded that initiation and usages of irrigation facilities have taken place in a

considerable extent and amount in Jhargram Subdivision.

Sources of irrigation:

With the proof of initiation usages of irrigation facilities in the area, it is important to

know that what are the different types of irrigation facilities present in the area how the usages

of such irrigation facilities have changed over time.

Jhargram Subdivision as a whole accounts for 45.8 percent of canal irrigated area, 25.2

percent of wells and tube well irrigated area, 8.18 percent of tanks and lake irrigated area and

20.83 percent of area irrigated by other sources to total irrigated area in 2011. Whereas in

1971 the percentage proportion of canal irrigated area is 35.79 percent, tank irrigated area is

28.2 percent, well and tube well irrigated area is 15.1 percent, river irrigated area is 5.6 percent

and area irrigated by other sources is 15.24 percent to total irrigated area. This proves the fact

that Jhargram Subdivision is primarily irrigated by canals. Sub surface water sources are not

used to that extent for irrigational purposes.

 62

Map No.15 Map No.16

Table No.11: CD Block wise percentage share of different irrigation sources in Jhargram Subdivision in 1971

Canal Tank Well Tube well River

Area Irrigated by
CD Block Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Irrigated Area Irrigated
Other Sources (%)
Area (%) Area (%) Area (%) (%) Area (%)
Binpur I 82.77 15.44 1.70 0.09 0.00 0.00
Binpur II 13.06 79.18 2.63 0.86 4.27 0.00
Gopiballavpur I 58.01 11.39 22.32 0.90 7.38 0.00
Gopiballavpur II 72.43 18.21 5.45 0.00 3.90 0.01
Jhargram 42.05 51.55 3.19 0.68 0.89 1.64
Jamboni 11.54 50.18 0.80 0.00 9.54 27.94
Nayagram 6.47 0.00 0.00 0.58 0.58 92.36
Sankrail 0.00 0.00 0.00 81.63 18.37 0.00
Data Source: District Census Hand Book of Medinipur, 1971

Table No.12: CD Block wise percentage share of different irrigation sources in Jhargram Subdivision in 2011

Canal Irrigated Well/Tube-well Tank/Lake Irrigated Area Irrigated by

CD Block
Area (%) Irrigated Area (%) Area (%) Other Sources (%)

Binpur-II 58.68 12.69 13.64 14.99

Binpur-I 55.03 29.03 3.41 12.53
Jhargram 40.31 19.14 14.06 26.49
Jamboni 53.29 9.82 12.14 24.75
Gopiballavpur-II 44.55 44.70 10.36 0.39
Gopiballavpur-I 44.54 43.16 3.93 8.37
Nayagram 36.32 11.92 4.10 47.66
Sankrail 33.53 31.13 3.83 31.51
Data Source: District Census Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2011
 63

In 1971 the provisions available for irrigation are canal, tank, well, tube well, river and

other sources. From map number 15 and table number 11 it is clear that the main prominent

source of irrigation in the whole subdivision is canal irrigation. Since canal irrigation is one of

the cheapest sources of irrigation systems, it is most widely used all over India especially

regions adjacent to rivers. In Jhargram Subdivision also the presence of three important rivers

i.e., Kangsabati, Subarnarekha and Dulung has resulted into more emergence of canal

systems in blocks around them compared to other blocks which are far away from these three

main river systems. It can be seen that Binpur I has the highest percentage of canal irrigation

(82.77%). Binpur I is drained by Kangsabati River from north-west to south-east. Being in the

interfluve zone of Kangsabati and Dulung Jhargram block also show considerable amount of

canal irrigation (42.05%). But Tank irrigation to a greater extent can also be found in Jhargram.

Gopiballavpur II is another block which is situated between the interfluve zone of Dulung and

Subarnarekha Rivers and it shows the second highest proportion of canal irrigation in the

Subdivision (72.43%). Gopiballavpur I which is drained by Subarnarekha River along its

northern boundary shows considerable inclination towards canal irrigation (58.01%). Sankrail

on the other hand is completely dependent on tube well irrigation (81.63%) and to some extent

on river irrigation. Being situated in the undulating topography of flanks of Chhotanagpur

plateau, the hills, mounds and rolling lands, Binpur II faces difficulty in constructing canals.

Canal and well irrigation are possible only in large alluvial river valley plains and undulating

plateaus supports tank irrigation mainly. Tanks are constructed across slopes for collecting

and preserving water by utilizing the advantage of local uplands. In Binpur II a dominance of

79.18 percent of tank irrigation can be seen. Nayagram is dependent on irrigation sources

other than the general irrigation types. A 92.36 percent dominance by other irrigation sources

indicates the fact that irrigation provisions are very limited to this particular area.

The types of irrigation present in Jhargram Subdivision have been categorised

differently in 2011 census where well and tube well have been merged to formulate well/tube
 64

well irrigated area. Also Tank and lake irrigated area have been combined together to form a

single category.

In 2011 a changed scenario regarding usages of irrigational facilities is seen. Where

in 1971 a lopsided dominance of canal irrigated area was the character of the region. The

canal irrigation showed sporadic extreme values at both highest and lowest ends. The lack of

uniformity seemed obvious in the area. But in 2011 although the range of percentage share of

canal irrigated area is between 33.53 and 58.68, which is lower than that of in 1971 (0% to

82.77%), it shows a uniformity in distribution of canal irrigated area throughout the Jhargram

Subdivision. The prominence of well and tube well irrigation in almost all the CD Blocks is

visible. Thus we can say that a balanced share of irrigation types is in use in Jhargram

Subdivision in 2011. This indicates the fact that the economic condition of the farmers and

technological implementations must have improved so that different irrigation sources other

than only canal irrigation are utilised in Jhargram Subdivision.

 65

Nature of irrigated and unirrigated areas:

Map No. 17

Map No. 18
 66

Table No.13: Percentage of irrigated & unirrigated land to total agricultural land in Jhargram

Subdivision during 1971 and 2011

Irrigated Area 1971 Unirrigated Area 1971 Irrigated Area 2011 Unirrigated Area 2011
CD Block
(%) (%) (%) (%)

Binpur I 19.51 80.49 79.89 20.11

Binpur II 7.18 92.82 41.58 58.42
Gopiballavpur I 6.27 93.73 30.33 69.67
Gopiballavpur II 7.40 92.60 38.34 61.66
Jhargram 11.03 88.97 51.83 48.17
Jamboni 4.51 95.49 29.45 70.55
Nayagram 12.75 87.25 20.75 79.25
Sankrail 0.59 99.41 71.45 28.55
Data Source: District Census Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2011

The intensity of irrigation has increased, different types of irrigation are being utilised

but whether the proportion of irrigated and unirrigated area is at a balanced position or not

needs to be found out.

Map number 17 and 18 and table number 13 show that there has been an overall

increase in irrigated area in the entire Subdivision of Jhargram. The unirrigation has been

dominating the major parts of agricultural areas in 1971, which has decreased to a great extent

in the study area in 2011. Binpur I, Jhargram and Sankrail show that more than fifty percent

of the agricultural area is under irrigation process. However in Nayagram Block the unirrigated

areas still dominate the region. It is important to mention here that although the Subdivision

has been able to eradicate the problem of unirrigation by showing considerable increase of

irrigated area in almost all the CD Blocks, but five blocks out of eight shoe more than fifty

percent unirrigated area. This is a major concern to be looked at from the economic planning

perspective.

2.3.4 Industry:

Industrial activity is not the main constituent of the economy of Jhargram Subdivision.

Main economic activity of this area is cultivation. Industrial activities in Jhargram Subdivision is
 67

mainly limited to small scale household industries which are mainly seen in Jhargram block,

Binpur I and II and Jamboni to some extent.

Historically Medinipur is famous for its crafts of stoneware’s’ production. The products

are basically household utensils necessary for daily use. The articles like thala, rekab, plate,

bati, ash-tray, pradip (lamp) etc. are produced as stonewares. The articles produced display

the use of many designs which are traditionally inherited by the craftsmen through generations

(Census of India, 2011).

The type of soft stone used by all the craftsmen is actually a metamorphosed rock

which the Geologists identify as Phyllite. Phyllite occurs in plenty in the areas of Binpur,

Belpahari, Shilda and Jamboni among which Jamboni and Binpur fall under Jhargram

Subdivision.

Pottery is another handicraft which is present as a household industry in some parts

of Jhargram Block. Pottery is made by forming a clay body into objects of a required shape

and heating them to high temperature in a kiln which removes all the water from the clay and

strengthen and harden their shape. A clay body is usually decorated after firing (Jhargram

Tourism, 2003). Babui rope making from Babui grass is another household craft which is

practised in some parts of Jhargram Subdivision including Gopiballavpur I and II. Several

handicrafts items area made with the help of Babui rope. Bamboo basket making is another

household industry that can be seen in many tribal areas of Jhargram Subdivision.

The types of small scale industries that are seen in Jhargram Subdivision are edible

oil industries, handicrafts, a few metallurgical, paper and paper board, food and food

processing and cement industry etc.

2.3.5 Transport and communication:

Paschim Medinipur is rather well served by arterial roads. National Highway Number

6 and 60 serve high speed connectivity to various parts of the District and other cities. In

Jhargram Subdivision National Highway Number 6 is present which runs from west to east of
 68

the subdivision. Apart from that State highways, district roads and village roads connect the

villages with the towns and industrial centres.

Map No.19

From map number 19 it can be seen that the whole Jhargram Subdivision is covered

with road networks and the maximum concentration and intersection can be found near

Jhargram Municipality. While Nayagram shows least concentration of roads.

The only main broad gauge railway line runs through the Subdivision is the South-

Eastern Railway line which entres the Subdivision from west of Jamboni block and exits it from

the east of Jhargram block to connect to the Junction station of Kharagpur.

 69

Road density:

Road density refers to the ratio between total road length of a region and its total

geographical area. This gives an idea how much road length a particular region has per square

kilometre. The more the ratio the better the road network and vice versa. India has the second

highest road network in the world in terms of road length. In 2013 the road density of India

was 0.66 kilometres of road per square kilometre of land (Indian road network, 2016). Although

India stands near USA (0.65 km2) regarding road density, but the quality of Indian roads are

not at par with that of USA or any other developed country of the world. In the past resources

were not allocated for road network improvement in India, but post 1995 major efforts have

been taken to strengthen overall road infraustructure of the country. In 2011 the road density

of West Bengal is 1.03 kilometre per square kilometer of area which is higher than the national

average. But once again the road conditions are not up to the mark to consider the state as

highly developed in road transportation.

In 2011 Paschim Medinipur accounts for 2.94 kilometer of road per square kiometre

of its land which is a relatively high ratio compered to national and state level averages. In

2003-04 the road density of Paschim Medinipur was 1.83 kilometere per square kilometre.

This means there has been an increse in road network in the area Paschim Medinipur. But to

understand how much road network has been changed in Jhargram Subdivision, two maps

are prepared based on 2003-04 and 2011 data obtained from district statistical handbooks of

respective years.
 70

Map No.20 Map No.21

Table No.14: CD Block wise road density of Jhargram Subdivision during 2003-04 and 2011

CD Block Road density/km2 (2003) Road density/km2 (2011)

Jhargram 1.41 2.44
Binpur I 1.41 2.53
Binpur II 1.08 1.29
Jamboni 1.86 2.51
Nayagram 0.72 2.18
Sankrail 2.75 2.50
Gopiballavpur I 1.29 1.78
Gopiballavpur II 1.67 3.32
Computed by Researcher Source: District Statistical Handbook, Paschim Medinipur 2003-04 & 2012

The above map number 20 and 21 as well as table number 14 show the block wise

condition of road network in Jhargram Subdivision. It is seen that in 2003 to 2004 the road

density of the Subdivision is 1.5 kilometres per square kilometre, which has increased to 2.31

kilometres per square kilometre in 2011. Almost all the blocks in the area have under gone a

positive change in road density during this eight years apart from Sankrail, though

interestingly, the highest road density is seen in Sankrail (2.75 km/ km2) in 2003 to 2004. The

lowest road density is seen in Nayagram (0.72 km/km2). On the other hand in 2011 the lowest
 71

road density is seen in Binpur II (1.29 km/km2) and the highest is present at Gopiballavpur I

(3.32 km/km2). From the trend of change of road density it can be said that the Subdivision

has become well connected via roads. All the CD Blocks and the Subdivision average of road

density index show greater value than both national and state levels. But the qualitative aspect

of the roads are still questionable.

Surfaced and unsurfaced roads:

Surfaced and unsurfaced road types determine the qualitative aspect of the roads

present in any area. When durable surface materials are used to lay down road on an area for

the purpose of vehicular and foot traffic, that road is called surfaced road. On the other hand

road or a path not provided with a durable upper layer is categorised as unsurfaced roads.

Unsurfaced roads are found mainly in rural areas and are an indicative of low development of

road transport in the area.

Figure No.4

Figure No.5
 72

Table No.15: Lengths of different roads maintained by different agencies in Jhargram

Subdivision in 2011

(Length in Km.)

Gram Panchayat
Pradhan Mantri
&
P.W.D. Zilla Parishad Total Unsurfa
CD Block Panchayat Gram Sadak Road Surfaced ced
Samity Yojana Length Road Road
Surfac Unsurfa Surfac Unsurfa Surfac Unsurfa Surfac Unsurfa
-ed -ced -ed -ced ed ced ed ced
Jhargram 80 0 85 0 783 276 34.21 0 1258.21 982.21 276
Binpur-I 59.8 0 60 0 0 740 43.25 0 903.05 163.05 740
Binpur-II 73.65 0 75 17 3 555 27.5 0 751.15 179.15 572
Jamboni 57.4 0 62 0 268 394 15.55 0 796.95 402.95 394
Nayagram 70.34 0 70 20 5 880 47.96 0 1093.3 193.3 900
Sankrail 45.5 0 67 0 396 145.28 37.9 0 691.68 546.4 145.28
Gopiballav
30 0 20 25 0 400 16.58 0
pur-I 491.58 66.58 425
Gopiballav
11 0 35 2 15 553 21.9 0
pur-II 637.9 82.9 555
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2012

Table No.16: Lengths of different roads maintained by different agencies in Jhargram

Subdivision in 2003

(Length in Km)

P.W.D Zilla Parishad Total

Gram Panchayat & Total Total
CD Blocks Panchayat Samity Road
Surfaced Unsurfaced
Length
Surfaced Unsurfaced Surfaced Unsurfaced Surfaced Unsurfaced
Jhargram 47 14 85 0 389 232 767 521 246
Binpur I 64 0 60 0 263 120 507 387 120
Binpur II 80 0 90 0 213 242 625 383 242
Jamboni 86 0 118 0 184 220 608 388 220
Nayagram 56 0 71 0 208 30 365 335 30
Sankrail 43 5 93 20 324 259 744 460 284
Gopiballavpur I 31 10 7 25 267 18 358 305 53
Gopiballavpur II 30 0 20 0 201 79 330 251 79
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2003

Table number 15 shows that the roads present in Jhargram Subdivision are

maintained by different Government agencies and are controlled by several government

schemes. It is evident from the table that maximum road length including all types of roads is

highest in Jhargram Block while the lowest is in Gopiballavpur I. The roads area maintained

by P.W.D, Zilla Parishad, Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samity and Pradhan Mantri Gram

Sadak Yojana. The roads are categorised into two sections i.e., surfaced road and unsurfaced
 73

road. Surfaced road refers to the roads which has a durable upper layer which resists it from

erosion due to vehicular usages and climatic factors like rainfall and runoffs etc. On the other

hand surfaced road is the type of road which does not have any protective solid upper layer.

Generally more number of surfaced road indicates more connectivity and thus more

development. Figure number 4 shows that although Nayagram has second highest length of

road in the Subdivision but its proportion of length of unsurfaced roads is highest (900 Km.).

The shortest length of unsurfaced road can be seen in Gopiballavpur I (66.58 Km.) and

Gopiballavpur II (82.9 Km.) and also to some extent in Nayagram (193.3 Km.). Bigger lengths

of surfaced roads are found in Jhargram (982.21 Km.) and Sankrail (546.4 Km.). A domination

of unsurfaced roads in general prevails in the whole Jhargram Subdivision which indicates

lesser and slower connectivity.

To understand the change in road types over time 2003 data has been collected and

compiled. It is found that Jhargram and Sankrail blocks are the leading blocks in terms of total

road length in Jhargram Subdivision. The maximum surfaced road length can be found in

Jhargram (521 Km.) and the minimum in Gopiballavpur II (251 Km.). The total unsurfaced road

is maximum in Sankrail and minimum in Nayagram (30 Km.).

Table No.17: Change in road types in Jhargram Subdivision from 2003 to 2011

Change in Surfaced Road Change in Unsurfaced Road

CD Block Difference in Road Length (Km)
(Km) (Km)

Jhargram 491.21 461.21 30

Binpur I 396.05 -223.95 620

Binpur II 126.15 -203.85 330

Jamboni 188.95 14.95 174

Nayagram 728.3 -141.7 870

Sankrail -52.32 86.4 -138.72

Gopiballavpur I 133.58 -238.42 372

Gopiballavpur II 307.9 -168.1 476

Computed by Researcher Source: District Statistical Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2003 & 2012
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The table number 17 has been prepared to detect the changes in road types that

have occurred between 2003 and 2011. It is interesting to point out that all the blocks of

Jhargram Subdivision experienced an increase in total road length except for Sankrail block

which shows a decrease in total road length. This decrease can be attributed to shifting of the

land allotted for road to some other activity.

The decrease of surfaced road can be observed in five CD Blocks of Binpur I, Binpur

II, Nayagram, Gopiballavpur I and Gopiballavpur II. Maximum increase in surfaced roads is

seen in Jhargram block (461.21 Km.).On the other hand most of the CD Blocks show an overall

increase in unsurfaced roads except Sankrail. Maximum increase of unsurfaced roads can be

found in Nayagram (870 Km.). Sankrail block shows a decrease of unsurfaced roads to 138.72

kilometres.

Transport services:

To compare the available transport services in Jhargram Subdivision, data of 2003

and 2011 have been collected and complied to bring out changes that have occurred during

the above mentioned time period.

Table No.18: Availability of transport services in Jhargram Subdivision during 2003 and 2011

2011 2003
Distance Distance Change
No. of of the No. of of the in
Change Change
Originating nearest Originating nearest Distance
No. of No. of in No. of in No.
/ Rly. Stn. / Rly. Stn. of
CD Block Ferry Ferry Ferry of Bus
Terminating from the Terminating from the Nearest
Services Services Services Routes
Bus Block Bus Block Rly. Stn
routes H.Q. routes H.Q. (k.m)
(K.M.) (K.M.)
Jhargram 5 4 2 5 4 2 0 0 0
Binpur-I 6 15 42 6 15 20 0 0 22
Binpur-II 0 20 25 0 7 25 0 13 0
Jamboni 0 16 1 0 16 1 0 0 0
Nayagram 5 11 25 4 5 25 1 6 0
Sankrail 5 4 45 5 4 45 0 0 0
Gopiballavpur-
3 8 45 3 3 45 0 5 0
I
Gopiballavpur-
0 4 42 5 15 36 -5 -11 6
II
Computed by Researcher Source: District Statistical Handbook, Paschim Medinipur, 2003 & 2012
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The available transport services present in Jhargram Subdivision area ferry, bus and

trains. Table number 18 shows that there are 24 ferry services, 82 bus routes present in the

entire Jhargram Subdivision in 2011. In 2003 a change can be observed in these services

where a decrease of ferry services by four and increase of bus routes by thirteen are notable.

Gopiballavpur block shows a decrease in ferry service (5 Nos.) and decrease in number of

bus routes (11 Nos.). Binpur II, Nayagram and Gopiballavpur I show moderate increase in

number of bus routes. In case of the distance of the nearest railway station is concerned an

interesting factor comes out that in case of Binpur I and Gopiballavpur II it has increased from

2003 to 2011 (22 & 6 respectively). Which means that passengers need to travel more

distance to catch a train.

Overall there has been no major change in availability of transport services, rather

those have remained almost same for a period of eight years. This stagnation does not

indicate development in transport sector at all. Thus from the viewpoint of industry, trade and

commerce the Subdivision is still underdeveloped due to lack of a good network of internal

roads and connecting railway transport.