ICG2022-331, updated on 20 Jun 2022
https://doi.org/10.5194/icg2022-331
10th International Conference on Geomorphology
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Assessment of soil geomorphological character and its impact on land use of the hills of Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal, India

Arindam Sarkar
Arindam Sarkar
  • Department of Geography, Purash Kanpur Haridas Nandi College, University of Calcutta, India (arindam.srkr1@gmail.com)

The study of soil geomorphology is linked to a scientific experiment involving the variation of its properties. Soil and landform parameters are intertwined. Nature's endogenetic and exogenetic forces interplay among these factors. The LULC attribute is influenced by the soil and geomorphological characteristics of the location. The objectives are to discover the many characteristics of soil and geomorphology, as well as their interrelationships. Another goal is to determine the link between soil geomorphology and land use and land cover attributes. To create an accurate DEM for the investigation of the morphology and topography of this region, SRTM and ALOS data were employed. The LULC map is created using remote sensing software and Landsat 8 satellite images. To create an accurate DEM for the investigation of the morphology and topography of this region, SRTM and ALOS data were employed. The LULC map is created using remote sensing software and Landsat 8 satellite images. The Archaean and Gondwana geological formations make up this region. Granitic (grey bedded biotite, granite, genesis, etc.) as well as sedimentary (conglomerate) and schistose rocks are found in the Archean formation (phyllite, quartzite, schist, etc.).

The highest points in the Purulia district are Ajodhya and Garpanchakot. The highest points in the Bankura district are Biharinath and Susunia. The major geomorphic processes that occur here throughout the year are weathering and overland flow. There are a handful of solitary remnant hills on the Ajodhya hill. Garpanchakot is a residual hill with an undulating slope. Biharinath Hill is a lingering hill with an almost conical shape. Susunia is the final major topographic elevation of the Chhotanagpur plateau in the direction of the Bengal basin. The hills have a modest to the high slope (2°-49°) on all sides. The predominant soil texture in this area is sandy loam. This area's surface soil developed on the hard, massive crystalline rock. The soil at the top of the hill and along the escarpment is quite thin. The foothills of these four hills are known for bare soil, cultivated land, fallow land, and poor vegetation due to the relatively deep soil profile. Soils have the characteristic of being dry. Because of the slow rate of soil organic matter breakdown, soil organic matter ranges from.03 to 65 percent. Seasonal grassland in the forest and escarpment has the highest percentage of soil organic matter. The pH of the soil remains neutral. In the soil, there is a high level of nitrogen (N). Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels in the soil are extremely low. The percentage of sand rises as the slope increases. Among all the soil geomorphological factors, elevation and slope explain the most. The main independent aspect of this location is its elevation. Sand is one of the most important components of soil. The texture's most prominent component is sand. Residents engage in somewhat extensive agriculture operations in the foothills. Rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, legumes, chilies, and vegetables are the principal crops grown in this area using the plowing and terrace farming methods.

How to cite: Sarkar, A.: Assessment of soil geomorphological character and its impact on land use of the hills of Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal, India, 10th International Conference on Geomorphology, Coimbra, Portugal, 12–16 Sep 2022, ICG2022-331, https://doi.org/10.5194/icg2022-331, 2022.