N O R DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT T Brick Earth Mining & Other Mining Third Edition - November 2019 H T R I P U R A

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH DISTRICT, TRIPURA

CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE

This District Survey Report (DSR) of , Tripura, has been prepared by Greenminds Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd., Howrah, West , .

Any reproduction, direct or indirect other than for the specific purpose for which the report has been prepared, should not be carried out, without prior written consent of Govt. of Tripura.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We, Greenminds Environmental Research Pvt. Ltd., would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to all the Government functionaries of the State of Tripura for their guidance and for providing necessary information regarding the district North Tripura, Tripura and also for their support in completing the District Survey Report. We also like to extend our sincere thanks to all the local people of North Tripura district who have offered their fullest cooperation unhesitatingly.

We have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals and organizations.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

We are highly indebted to:

Department & Designated person(s) Designation District Administration: Shri Raval H. Kumar, IAS District Magistrate (DM) Shri Nagendra Debbarma Addl. District Magistrate All Officers District Administration

Forest: Dr. Alind Rastogi, IFS, PCCF & HoFF Shri Mahender Singh, IFS, DFO Shri Tapojyoti Kishore Debbarma, TFS SDFO Shri Abhijit Dey SDFO All Officers Forest Dept (H.O)

DSTE: Shri Animesh Das, IAS Member Secretary, SEIAA, All Officers Dte. of Science,Technology & Environment

TSPCB: Dr. Basant Kumar Agarwala Chairman Dr. Mihir Kumar Das Scientist-C & Secretary, SEAC All Officers Tripura State Pollution Control Board

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

INDEX

Sl. No. Contents Page Nos. 1. Preface 06-06 2. Introduction 07-09 3. General Profile of the District 10-29 4. Physiography of the District 30-30 5. Land use Pattern of the District 31-33 6. Geology 34-38 7. Geological and Mineral Map of Tripura 39-41 8. Geomorphology 42-44 9. Soil types 45-45 10. Natural Hazards 45-45 11. Mineral Resources 46-46 Methodology of Brick Earth and Ordinary 12. 46-46 Earth mining and Guiding Principles 13. Over view of Mining Activity in the District 46-46 Brick Earth Mining: Quantifications & 14. 47-48 Recommendations Ordinary Earth Mining: Quantifications & 15. 49-49 Recommendations Economic Impact of Mining: Brick Earth 16. 50-50 Mining & Ordinary Earth Mining 17. Concluding Remarks 51-51

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Page Sl. No. List of Maps & Figures Nos. 1. Map 1: Administrative Map of North Tripura District 9 2. Map 2: Location Map of North Tripura District 11 3. Map 3: River System Map of North Tripura District 19 4. Map 4: Drainage Pattern Map of North Tripura District 21 5. Map 5: Forest Map of North Tripura District 29 6. Map 6: Land Use Map of North Tripura District 33 7. Map 7: Geological Map of North Tripura District 38 8. Map 8: Elevation Map of North Tripura District 43 9. Map 9: Drainage Network Map of North Tripura District 44

1. Fig 1: Bar Diagram of Average Rainfall, North Tripura District 15 2. Fig 2: Pie Chart of Average Rainfall, North Tripura District 15 Fig 3: Bar Diagram of Male & Female Population, North Tripura 3. 23 District Fig 4: Pie chart of Male & Female population, North Tripura 4. 23 District 5. Fig 5: Bar Diagram of Literacy Rate, North Tripura District 24 6. Fig 6: Pie Chart of Literacy, North Tripura District 24 7. Fig 7: Bar Diagram of Cropping Pattern, North Tripura District 26 8. Fig 8: Bar Diagram of Land use Pattern, North Tripura District 32

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

1. PREFACE: On 15 January 2016, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India issued a notification and in which Para 7(iii) (a) and Annexure (x), purpose and structure of District Survey Report has been discussed. District Survey Report (DSR) will be prepared in every district for each minor mineral. The District Survey Report will guide systematic and scientific utilization of natural resources, so that present and future generation may be benefited at large. The guidelines of MoEF&CC will support that fundamental concept, promoting environmental protection, limiting negative physiological, hydrological and social impacts under pinning sustainable economic growth. It is really an enigma that all earth materials are not used for making bricks. The rudiments of the subject lie within the geology of soil characteristics. Mostly, the presence of clayey soils is the fulcrum of brick earth industry. On this parlance, we can say that the abundance of clayey soil seems to tilt the scales in favour of brick maker (Lessee). So, they should have a business acumen and eye catching overall performances to do this plum job within a time frame of consecutive five years.

This District Survey Report (DSR) will contain mainly data published and endorsed by various departments and websites about Geology of the area, Mineral wealth details of the investigated area, details of Lease and Mining activity in the District along with brick earth mining and revenue of minerals. This report also contains details of Forest, Rivers, Soil, Agriculture, climate and other geo-morphological units. In the North-Eastern part of Tripura, the district covers an area of about 1422.19 sq. km. There is only one north south striking hill range () is located along the eastern boundary of the district . About 70% area is hilly and forest and river course covered. The terrain is mostly undulating and hilly with small water streams, rivers and fertile valleys intervening. Major rivers originating from Jampui hill are Deo(132km), Longai(98km), Juri(79km). Geologically the hill tracks of Tripura in general and North Tripura district in particular consists of Tertiary rocks, which has been later covered by the alluvial deposits.

Disclaimer: The data may vary due to flood, heavy rains and other natural calamities. Therefore, it is recommended that SEIAA may take into consideration all its relevant aspects/ data while scrutinizing and recommending the application for EC to the concerned Authority.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

2. INTRODUCTION:

Tripura, initially a one district state, was trifurcated into three Districts w.e.f. 01.09.1970. The North Tripura District started functioning in the office of the Sub-divisional officer at and partly at Kumarghat, later the whole office was shifted to Kailashahar. The Collectorate was shifted to the newly constructed complex at Gournagar on 13.11.1987, subsequently North Tripura District has been bifurcated and a new District namely " " has been inaugurated on 14.04.1995 with district head quarter at Ambassa. On 21.01.2012 the decision to further bifurcate North Tripura District was accepted and the district " district" has been created with its headquarter at Kailashahar & North Tripura district headquarter shifted to .

North Tripura district of Tripura (Fig. 1) is located between 23°39′ N to 24°31′ N latitude and between 92°10′ E to 92°20′ E longitude from (google earth). The district is bordered by on both the north and the south, by and on the east, by Unokoti and Dhalai districts of Tripura on the west. It shares a total international boundary of about 45 kilometers with Bangladesh (measured in Google earth). The district is accessible with rest of Tripura including the capital city through National Highway 44. The Headquarter of the district is located at Dharmanagar.

In Tripura, the mineral resources are mainly glass sands, limestone, plastic clay and hard rock; all of these materials are being used to a variable degree. However, the single most important resources in the state are oil and natural gas. ONGC has initiated massive exploration programme in the state. But abundance of clayey soil, suitable for making bricks, is found to see in most of the parts of the North Tripura district.

The broad principle, on which any sustainable brick earth mining guidelines or policies can be based, is natural resources must be utilized for the benefit of the present and future generation, so that natural resources should be prudently managed and developed.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Bricks are made by Indian uneducated, unskilled and unemployed labours. Brick kilns are largest temporary employment provider in Tripura as well as in our country and provide employment to the poorest section of the population who are in a ditch of financial crisis.

The local villagers in and around the brick kilns are the key source of “Human Resource” and they boost up the speed of the business of brick kiln industry tailoring their entire manual effort just to alleviate their financial doldrums. The upliftment of socio-economic conditions of these labours is dependent on the fate of the demand supply gap for pucca bricks in local market. The overwhelming demand of bricks and fabulous response from customers for purchasing bricks put the responsibilities on the shoulders of proprietor of brick maker ensuring a good future of this business.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 1: Administrative Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

3. GENERAL PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT:

a) GENERAL INFORMATION:

Geographical Area: Located in the North-eastern part of Tripura, the District covers an area of about 1422.19 sq km. Jampui hills is located along the eastern boundary of the district and Dharmanagar- valley located at the north western part. More than 70% area is hilly and forest covered. The terrain is mostly undulating & hilly with small water streams (cherras), rivers and fertile valleys intervening.

Geographical Position: The District headquarters at Dharmanagar.is located at a distance of about 105 km NE from the State capital Agartala. Dharmanagar railway station is the main railway station in North Tripura district, as well as Tripura state also. It is the oldest railway station in the state. It serves Dharmanagar and nearby cities of the district. The District is bordered by Bangladesh on the Northern & Southern sides.

Dharmanagar connected with Agartala via railway stations viz., Agartala- Jogendra nagar- Jirania- Talianura- Mungi akami- Ambassa- Jawaharnagar- S K. para- Manu- Kumarghat- Pecharthal- Panisagar.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 2: Location Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Administrative Divisions (Sub-Divisions, Blocks): This District is administratively set up with three Sub-Divisions: Dharmanagar, Panisagar, Kanchanpur. DISTRICT SUB DIVISION/ REVENEU TEHSIL MAHAKUMA CIRCLE

PANISAGAR, PANISAGAR RAMNAGAR, PANISAGAR JOLEBASA, ROA

DAMCHHARA, DAMCHHARA KHEDACHHARA KANCHANPUR, UJAN KANCHANPUR MACHHMARA VANGMUN, KANCHANPUR VANGMUN SABUAL DASHDA, ANANDABAZAR ANANDABAZAR

NORTH RAGNA, TRIPURA BARUAKANDI, DHARMANAGAR, HURUA, DHARMANAGAR KAMESWAR, HALFLONG, UPTAKHALI, TILTHOI, DHARMANAGAR RADHAPUR

KURTI, KADAMTALA, BRAJENDRANAGAR, KADAMTALA ICHAILALCHHARA, CHURAIBARI, SANICHHARA

(ref: https://jami.tripura.gov.in)

Population (As per Census 2011):-

 Total population- 417441  Male population- 212650  Female population- 204791 Page | 12

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

b) CLIMATIC CONDITION:

The state as whole and North Tripura district in particular has a monsoon type of climate. There is however, difference of temperature between the hills and plains, which ranges between sub-tropical in the plains to temperate climatic conditions found in the hilly areas.

The topographic features seem to have influenced the climatic condition of the North Tripura district, where the plains are hotter and humid in comparison to the hills, which have a salubrious climate. The four main seasons here are- (i) Winter season (December to February), (ii) Pre- monsoon season (March to May), (iii) Monsoon season (June to September), and (iv) Post Monsoon season (October to November) (Bhatt and Bhargava, 2006).

The climate of the district is tropical in nature and is generally warm and humid. The hilly regions enjoy higher temperature in summer and lower temperature in winter in comparison with the plain lands. This is because of the fact that they participate in greater degrees in cold and hot wind. The climate is woven district by three distinct season‟s i. e. summer, rainy and winter. The climatic temperature generally ranges in

between 100C and 350C. The District enjoys coldest season from December to February followed by summer during the months from March to May. The highest

temperature is generally recorded in the month of May and the lowest in January. The South-West monsoon reaches the State in the months from June to September. Rainy

season generally starts by about the end of May but thundershowers usually occur from about April to the break of the monsoon. The rainy season continues up to September. The maximum rainfall is usually recorded during the month of June – July. The months of October and November constitute the post monsoon season.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

c) RAINFALL:

RAINFALL MONTH (in cm) JANUARY 1.44

FEBRUARY 2.66

MARCH 6.48

APRIL 14.91

MAY 22.94

JUNE 36.11

JULY 34.52

AUGUST 30.85

SEPTEMBER 22.62

OCTOBER 14.52

NOVEMBER 4.03

DECEMBER 0.99

Ref: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation & India Meteorological Department

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

AVERAGE RAINFALL IN cm

AVERAGE RAINFALL IN Cms

36.11 34.52 30.85

22.94 22.62

14.91 14.52

6.48 4.03 2.66 1.44 0.99

Fig 1: Bar Diagram of Average Rainfall, North Tripura District

AVERAGE RAINFALL IN cm

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 0% 2% 1% 1% 3% 8%

12% 8%

12% 16%

19% 18%

Fig 2: Pie Chart of Average Rainfall, North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

d) TEMPERATURE: Tropical climatic conditions reign in Tripura. During summer the diurnal temperature goes above 30 to 31 degree Celsius and in winter it can drop down around 9 degree Celsius. e) WIND DIRECTION AND PATTERN: The secondary data of wind direction is not available from Meteorological department of the State. So construction of Wind Rose diagram is not possible to show the wind direction and its pattern. f) DRAINAGE & IRRIGATION: Irrigation system upon which agricultural activities depend is entirely controlled by the local drainage system i.e., streams, rivers, canals, cherras and dug out wells.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

g) TOPOGRAPHY & TERRAIN:

The topography of North Tripura district is traversed by mostly of rugged terrain with some undulating surface. About 70 percent of the district geographical areas are characterized by hilly terrain covered with dense forests and only about 25 percent are plains. One hill range i.e. Jampui Range is found to be seen here. The average altitude of the hill range is approximately 900m above sea level.

THE HILL RANGES- THE HILL RANGES-The Jampui Hill Range towards the western part of the district is the easternmost hill range of Tripura.

Jampui Hill: Jampui is situated in Dharmanagar Sub-division and is 74 km. in length. Its peaks are Khantlang (2236/), Betling Sib (3080/) (highest altitude in Tripura), Behiang Sib (2216/), Banghuram (2342/),Manpui (2064/) and Bangsul (902/).

THE VALLEY / PLAIN AREAS- In between the hills range are the valleys characterized by gentle slope and broken by intermittent small hillocks (Saigal, 1978). The valley / plain areas in the district consist mainly of Dharmangar-Panisagar valley. The valley area consists mainly of Longai, Juri Deo basins mainly . The basin area of Longai basin covers about 342 sq. km. area and the percentage of the basin of total geographical area of Tripura is 3.25%. The Juri basin covers about 586 sq. km. area and the percentage of the basin of total geographical area of Tripura is 5.57%.

Manu- Deo basin covers about 1979 sq. km. area and the percentage of the basin of total geographical area of Tripura is 18.86 %. (State of Environment Report of Tripura, 2002).

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

h) WATER COURSE & HYDROLOGY:

The main water courses of North Tripura District are Deo & .

Annual flow of Juri river is 15709 cubic meter and percentage of water flow of total flow of Tripura is 1.98%.

Annual flow of Deo river is 170034 cubic meter and percentage of water flow of Tripura is 21.44%.

Annual flow of is about 9166 cubic meter and the percentage of water flow of total flow of Tripura is 1.16%. (State of Environment Report of Tripura, 2002).

Juri: The source of this river is also the Jampui range and it is 79 kms in length. Its main streams are Deocharra, Telphilchhara, Kakricharra, Lalchhara,Balichhara Pratyekraicherra, Ichhaichhari and Hakainadi.This river meets Ragna of Dharmanagar and then flows towards north along the western boundary of Dharmanagar sub- division and then enter Bangladesh.

Longai: The source of this river is the Jampui range. It runs towards north through Jampui and Hachhek (Mizo Hills) and then enters into Assam near Damchhara. Its length is 98 kms. The upper portion of the river is known as Saisillui, Tuilianpuim and Sailutlui. This river is fed by several tributaries i.e., Kalagang, Manachhara, Damchhara on the left bank and Borailui and Gabaichhara on the right bank.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 3: River System Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

i) GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT:

Hydro-geologically the area is a moderate to good zone for groundwater development. The water table lies between 15 m and 20 m below ground level in the unconsolidated sandy sediments of Recent alluvium. Here the groundwater yield is good and can be developed with the use of deep tube wells. The area and blocks water supply is augmented with dug wells, shallow hand pumps and mini deep tube wells. Drinking water supply division, resource water division has taken initiatives and has installed number of tube wells in the area, which are in operation mode.

The tube wells are installed with water jet method and rotary rig method (direct/reverse).Static water level is in the range of 10-15m below ground level. Numbers of water ponds are also there which augments village water supply. Rainfall is high in the range of 1800-2000 mm annually. The study area is mostly dominated by dense vegetation. Paddy cultivation is practiced based on the rainfall.

j) DRAINAGE SYSTEM (GENERAL):

The overall drainage pattern is dendritic in the North Tripura district. Longai, Juri, Deo are three main rivers of the district flowing towards north. The length of river Deo, Longai, Juri are 132, 98, 79km respectively.(State of Environment Report of Tripura, 2002)

Juri river flows through Dharmangar valley and Deo river flows through Kanchanpur valley and meets .

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 4: Drainage Pattern Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

k) DEMOGRAPHY:

Tripura is the second most populous state in the North-East India, next only to Assam. Once the indigenous Borok communities dominated the state, but at present the ST population comprising of 19 tribes has become a minority in its own land due to the large influx of immigrants mainly the Bengali-speaking people from Bangladesh (Debbarma, 2009).

North Tripura District is having population of 417441 as per Census-2011. The density of population is 394 per sq km. As per Draft Electoral Rolls, Male Electors is 141449, Female 135497 and total 276946. The Gender ratio is 963 female out of 1000 male and EP ratio of the District is 569. The average literacy percentage of this district is 90%.

PARAMETERS PARTICULARS

TOTAL POPULATION 417441

MALE POPULATION 212650

FEMALE POPULATION 204791

OVERALL LITERACY RATE (%) 87.90

MALE LITERACY RATE (%) 91.27

FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%) 84.39

FEMALE PER THOUSAND MALE 963

(Ref: DIARY 2018, GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA)

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

NO. OF POPULATION

FEMALE POPULATION

200000 202000 204000 206000 208000 210000 212000 214000

Fig 3: Bar Diagram of Male & FemaleNO OF POPULATIONPopulation, North Tripura District

NO. OF POPULATION MALE POPULATION

200000 202000 204000 206000 208000 210000 212000MALE POPULATION 214000

FEMALE POPULATION

NO OF POPULATION

Fig 4: Pie chart of Male & Female population, North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

LITERACY RATE 92

90

LITERACY RATE 88 84

86 82

MALE LITERACY RATE (%) FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%)

80

Fig 5: Bar Diagram of Literacy Rate, North Tripura District

LITERACY RATE

MALE LITERACY RATE (%)

FEMALE LITERACY RATE (%)

Fig 6: Pie Chart of Literacy, North Tripura District Page | 24

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

l) CROPPING PATTERN:

Paddy is the main component in all farming systems of North Tripura, as rice is a staple food for Tripureans. The farmers follow a unique system of paddy cultivation in which they use ‘lunga‟ land, a low-land condition surrounded by „tilla‟ lands (hillocks) for growing paddy.

Under tilla land conditions, they grow beans, cowpea, brinjal etc. during rainy season using field or household residues for nutrient recycling in vegetable crops. Among the fruit crops, banana, papaya, citrus, mango, arecanut, litchi, etc. occupy their backyards.

PARAMETERS AREA IN Hectare (Approx.)

NET SOWN AREA (APPROX) 27012

SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 10248

DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 14975

TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 1789

TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX) 45564

AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE 16763

TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA 37630.5

(Ref: DIARY 2018, GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA)

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

AREA IN HACTARE

TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA

AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE

TOTAL CROPPED AREA

TRIPLE CROPS AREA AREA IN HACTARE

DOUBLE CROPS AREA

SINGLE CROPS AREA

NET SOWN

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000

Fig 7: Bar Diagram of Cropping Pattern, North Tripura district

m) LAND FORM AND SEISMICITY:

Physiographically, the district can be divided into two divisions- (1) The hill ranges, and (2) The valley / plain areas. The North Tripura district comes under Earthquake prone Zone-V.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

n) FLORA:

The most important crops that are associated with this north-eastern state of India are paddy, pulses, oilseeds, jute and different kinds of fruit and vegetables. (ref: mapsofindia.com)

The forests of Tripura are varied. On the basis of large-scale studies in other North-Eastern States, Deb (1981) considered the classification of forest types suggested by Champion and Seth (1968) as better suited for describing and correlating the forest types in India. Deb’s description of the flora of Tripura has been followed here. Based on climate (also altitude and longitude), the forests of Tripura are treated under tropical forest types. They are grouped and described as follows:

 Climate Types  Seral types  Subsidiary Edaphic types

Bamboo brakes widely in character and aspect cover very large areas in Tripura as in Burma and Chittagong. Continuous bamboo forests are interrupted with scattered evergreen treesor deciduous secondary stands. Sheltered hollows and other favourable sites are dominated by bamboo. The vast preponderance of bamboo forest may be the result of activity of man in his practice of shifting favourable for bamboo growth. It is also possible that bamboo holds the ground as a primary edaphic sub-climax.

(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/flora)

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA o) FAUNA: Wide variety of wild animals belonging to different groups are found in Tripura. The richness of fauna could be attributed to its unique bio-geographical location and zoo-geographical position. Literature shows that there were large populations of rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, leopard, langurs and monkeys in Tripura (Gupta, 2000).

Seven primate species have been documented in Tripura out of a total 15 found in India. Of these primates slow loris and stumped tailed monkeys have become rare. Phayre’s leaf monkey (locally known as ‘Chashma Banar’), has a very restricted distribution in India, and is found in Tripura. Hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in India, and its population has been rapidly dwindling in Tripura.

Ornitho fauna comprise 342 reported species in the State. The migratory birds are reported to be of 58 species. There is high diversity of birds of prey, frugivorous birds, marsh birds and flower peckers. In the aquatic ecosystem 47 species of fish have been recorded. Due to silting of river beds and filling up of wetlands, different species of marsh birds and fishes are on decline.

Survey has revealed that about 10% of plant species, and 21% of mammals are currently endangered. The cause includes habitat loss and fragmentation, invasion by exotic, over-exploitation of resources and deforestation.

Apart from the rich diversity of mammalian species, Tripura could be regarded as one of the unique habitats for a large number of varied bird species, reptilians, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates very similar to the entire North-Eastern Region. Mathur et. al., (1993) reported 341 species of birds in Tripura .Among other notable species, a rare bird ‘Himalayan Sterling’. Which is killer of locusts is also found here. Though exact accounts are not available but large variety of snakes such as cobra, krait, viper, python, lizards geiko, frogs, toads and invertebrates are found in Tripura.

Domesticated animals and birds along with wild animals play an important role in ecological cycle and economic lifestyles of population. In Tripura, 15 - 20 domesticated species are observed. Most of these species are indigenous, but over a period of time, exotic varieties have been introduced mainly because of high productivity.

(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/fauna)

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 5: Forest Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

4. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT:

The state of Tripura is known as„ Hill Tipperah‟ due to its hilly nature of undulating surface made uneven by inter-pressed low hills. Bottom RL of the terrain is 15m & top RL is 750m. The physiography trends towards west. However, in some places the terrain is inaccessible and highly undulating. The Ilinga (Longitudinal valleys) lands are juxtaposed in between the numerous tilla (hillocks) lands that are fertile with agricultural lands. It is seen that almost the entire North and Dhalai Districts are having high physiography. High physiography areas i.e. the Baramura and hill ranges are also observed in the West and South Districts. The Blocks of Chhamanu, Oasda, Jampui Hill, Manu, Ambassa, Salema, Tulashikhar and part of Padmabil, Mandai, Bagafa, Amarpur, Kila, Satchand, Hrishyamukh, Satchand, Rupaichara fall in the high physiographical zone.

Geology, climate, and geomorphological processes play a significant role in shaping the composition and structure of the soil.

The topography of North Tripura district is traversed by mostly of rugged terrain with some undulating surface. One hill range i.e. Jampui hill range is found here. The average altitude of the hill range is approximately 900 metres above sea level.

Physiographically, the district can be divided into two divisions- (1) The hill ranges, and (2) The

valley / plain areas.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

5. LAND USE PATTERN:

PARAMETERS AREA (inHectare)

TOTAL FOREST 81962

RESERVE FOREST 46575.1

PROTECTED RESERVE FOREST 5568.4

UNCLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT FOREST 32512.3

PROTECTED FOREST 9

IRRIGATIONAL LAND 13551

TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA 37630.5

NET SOWN AREA (APPROX) 27012

SINGLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 10248

DOUBLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 14975

TRIPPLE CROPS AREA (APPROX) 1789

TOTAL CROPPED AREA (APPROX) 45564

AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE 16763

TOTAL CULTIVABLE AREA 37630.5

LAND PUT TO NON AGRICULTURAL USE 20476

BARREN UNCULTIVABLE LAND 2288

PARMANENT PASTURE & OTHER GRAVITY LAND 895 LAND UNDER MISC. TREE CROPS & GROVES NOT 7131 INCLUDING IN NET AREA SOWN CULTIVABLE WASTE LAND 1682

FALLOW LAND OTHER THAN CURRENT FALLOW 403

CURRENT FALLOW 507

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17 Page | 31

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Fig 8: Bar Diagram of Land use Pattern, North Tripura District Page | 32

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 6: Land use Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

6. GEOLOGY:

Regional and Local Geology:

As the study of geological structure is important for understanding the composition and structure of rocks, which determine the characteristics of the topography, the drainage system, soils, mineral resources etc., it becomes essential to have a brief understanding of the geology of Tripura in general and the study area in particular.

Geologically the hill tracks of Tripura in general and North Tripura district in particular consists of Tertiary rocks, which has been later covered by the alluvial deposits. The force of the tectonic movement has caused the sub-stratum to raise up a number of parallel anticline ridges. This perhaps started during the upliftment of the Himalayas during the Eocene period (Geological survey of India, 2011). Bhuban, Bokabil, Tipam, Dupitila are the four sedimentary rock Formations found here lying one above the other.

The Barail Series are composed mainly of moderate hard fine grained and yellow to pink sandstones. However, according to the Geological Survey of India the Barail Group has not been exposed, although the Barail sediment was deposited on the folded structure they were not uplifted.

The Surma Group overlies the Barail Series and has two Formations i.e. the lower Bhuban Formation (arenaceous assemblage) and the Upper Bokabil Formation (argillaceous assemblage).

The lower Bhuban Formation is further classified into three Formations i.e., the Lower Formation, which is not exposed totally; the Middle Formation that is exposed partially as isolated small patches in the hill ridges; and the Upper Formation that forms the bulk of lower Surma Group. The formation of Lower Surma Group is visible in the Sakhan and Longtarai Ranges, as the north-south trending anticlines. The Bhuban Formation for most part consists of massive calcareous sandstones, calcareous siltstones with yellow to buff coloured fine grained sandstone and limestone. The prominent geomorphic unit on the Page | 34

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA slopes of Sakhan hills is the limestone bands formed due to differential weathering process.

The Upper Bokabil Formation overlies the Lower Bhuban Formation. This Formation mainly consists of huge thickness of laminated siltstone, silty shale with narrow bands of sandstone, which are pale brown in colour and are composed of numerous hard calcareous concretions and small broken fossils.

The Tipam Group overlies the Surma Group and the Bokabil Formation marks the boundary between Tipam Group. The boundary is marked by ribbed sandstone with minor thin siltstone bands. The occurrence of this ribbed sandstone unit in the Tipam base indicates that changes have taken place in the depositional environment.

The mapping showed by Nandy (1973) and Chatterjee (1983) of the Tipam Group can be divided into two Formations. Bhuban Formation is exposed into Jampui Hill Range. Tipam and Dupi-tila Formation are exposed into Dharmanagar-Panisagar valley area and other northern part. And Bokabil Formation is exposed into rest of the district.

From the seismological point of view, the entire district falls under the earthquake zone- V, which points out that there is lack of stability in the arrangements of the rock stratum.

Different types of landforms like structural hills, denudation hill, inter-hill valley, undulating plains, flood plains etc. are found in the study area. The whole study area is mainly composed of weathered sandstone, shale, siltstone and alluvium. Most of the rivers are flowing parallel to sub-parallel with hill ranges with dendritic drainage pattern. The district is drained by the river systems of Dhalai, Manu, Gomati, and their tributaries which are perennial in nature. These river systems have originated from Atharamura, Longtarai and Sakhantlang hill Ranges. In general, drainage pattern is structurally controlled and is in conformity with the topography.

The geology of the district is represented by sedimentary rocks which ranged in age from Miocene (918 million years old) to loosely consolidated sediments of Recent age (less than 1 million year old). The rocks are sandstone, siltstone and shale grading into clay. The

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA district is divided into eight physiographic unit viz. high relief, medium relief, low relief, flat topped denudation hills, residual hills, alluvial plain, flood plain and undulating plains. Majority of the area of the district is characterized by medium relief. The soils of the study area were classified as per USDA Soil Taxonomy into four orders viz. Entisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols and Ultisols as per USDA Soil Taxonomy. (Bhattacharya et. al. 1996).

Structural scenario: Structurally the present study area bears a uncanny signature of different deformational episodes accompanied by tectogenic events which ultimately resulted folding, faulting, fractures and micro lineaments within the litho units.

Geological Succession of Trpura:

Group Sub- Formation Rock type Group Unconsolidated silt, and clay with Recent Recent decomposed vegetative matter and (Unconformity) gravels Sandy clays, clayey sandstone, ferruginous Dupitila Dupitila sandstone with pockets of plastic clay, (Unconformity) silica and laterite. Sandstone, occasional sandy shale and Tipam Tipam Champanagar abundant lumps of fossil wood Sandstone with laminated layers and Manu Bazar lenses of sandy shale, siltstone and mudstone. (Contact Thinly bedded repetition of sandstone, Surma transitiona siltstone/shale, mudstone and l) Bokabil ferruginous sandstone. Hard compact sandstone, olive shale, sandy Bhuban shale and siltstone repetitions

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

LOCAL GEOLOGY:

To facilitate and systematize the description of disposition of different rock types and to grip the idea about local geology, the area of study has been divided into a number of sectors. The geology of North Tripura district is represented by disposition of different types of litho-units ranging in age from Miocene (918 million year old) to loosely consolidated sediments of Recent age (less than one million year old). Litho- units present here are alluvium, sandstone, siltstone and shale grading into clay. Mudstone, ferruginous sandstone and olive shales are found to be seen here as outcrops. Low level laterites are also present and standing hither and thither as an important litho-unit.

Local Stratigraphy of North Tripura:

Age Group Formation

Khowai Formation Ghilatoli Formation Holocene Formation Kalyanpur Formation Quaternary Dupitila Dupitila Formation

Upper Pliocene to Upper Tipam Formation Pleistocene Tipam Lower Tipam Formation Pliocene

Surma Bokabil Formation

Micocene- Lr. Pliocene Upper Bhuban Formation

Middle Bhuban Formation Lower Bhuban Formation (Not exposed in Tripura)

Upper most Oligocene

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Source: North Tripura District Profile, 2016-17

Map 7: Geological Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

7. MINERAL WEALTH (based on Geology and available Minerals of Tripura):

The mineral resources of any state provide an avenue for economic development but the process of mining may have extensive impact on land, soil and water resources. The mining projects have as a consequence become a part of development sector requiring environmental clearance under Environmental Protection Act, 1986, EIA Notification 1994. The varied geological base has become host to many important minor minerals and major minerals. The central government of India has declared the following minerals as minor minerals:

Sl.No Minor Minerals . i) Boulder ii) Shingle iii) Chalcedony pebbles used for ball mill purposes only

iv) Lime shell, kankar and limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime used as building material

v) Murrum vi) Brick-earth vii) Fuller's earth viii) Bentonite ix) Road metal x) Reh-matti xi) Slate and shale when used for building material xii) Marble xiii) Stone used for making household utensils

xiv) Quartzite and sandstone when used for purposes of building or for making road metal and household utensils

xv) Saltpetre, and Ordinary earth (Used for filling or leveling purposes in xvi) construction or embankments, roads, railways building) by MoEF 2010 Page | 39

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

Mineral Resource of Tripura:

Mineral Location Uses Hard Rock Jampui Hills Road metals Sandstone, Gritty Longatari Hill Quartz Limestone Sakhan&Jampui Range Not suitable for Manpui area Cement, Suitable (990,000 t. reserve) For inferior quality of Lime Puzzolana mix. Clay All over the State generally in river Sanitary ware Stone bank deposit wares Sewerage pipes Good clay deposit in West and South Electric insulator region. Total 1.73 million ton deposit in Refractory grade four zone out of six zones* [*Mohanpur-Bamutia- Kamalghat; Bisramganj-Bagma; Champamura- Baldakhal-Jogendranagar; Khowai- Teliamura-Ampi; Shantirbazar- Udaipur;Kumarghat and Baidyathakurpara- Anadanagar- Maheshkhola-Dukli-Sonamura area] Glass Sand Bishramganj (160,000t) Many uses Old Agartala (16,000t) Mineral Location Uses Jogendranagar (3627t) Sekerkota (80,000t) Dasharambari (5330t) Mohanpur (97,875t) Baidyathakurpara- Anadanagar Maheshkhola and Dukli (NA)

Total Reserve 3,62,832 tonnes

[Source: GSI Report 1982, 1999]

Of the total geographical area of Tripura, 76% can be marked as of “Tertiary” origin and 24% belong to Quaternary period; none of these contain any major mineral resource. A GSI Report of 1982 provides a list of Non-metallic and metallic mineral vis-a-vis their

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

location or otherwise in Tripura (Table-14) indicating the poor profile.

Mineral Resource potential in Tripura:

Sl. No. Mineral Status A. Non-metallic 1. Lime stone Commodity not located or absent 2. Dolomite Commodity not located or absent 3. Coal Commodity not located or absent 4. Clay Commodity not located or absent 5. Refractories Commodity not located or absent 6. Glass sand Good reserve, low grade 7. Graphite Commodity not located or absent 8. Fertilizer Commodity not located or absent 9. Gravel sand silt Good reserve, low grade 10. Building stone Commodity not located or absent B. Metallic 11. Ferrous Commodity not located or absent 12. Non-ferrous Commodity not located or absent 13. Noble metals Commodity not located or absent

[Source: GSI Report 1982]

The current production of natural gas is estimated at one million cubic meters per day. The available figure for 1990-91 to 1997-98 shows a fast increasing rate of production from 70 million tonnes per year in 1990-91 to 2.7 x in 8 years reaching 196 million tonnes in 1997-98.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

8. GEOMORPHOLOGY: Regional and Local

Geomorphological sculptures of North Tripura district are carved by the major fluvial agencies. The drainage pattern of the area is dendritic in nature. Drainage system with description of main rivers or cherras;

S.NO Name of the River or Total Length in the Percentage area Stream District (in km) drained in the district

1 Deo 98 100%

2 Juri

3 Longai 98 100%

Salient Features of important Rivers & Streams/Cherras:

S.NO Name of the River Total Length in the Place of origin Altitude at or Stream Origin District (in Km)

(Approx.)

1 Deo 98 Jampui Hill 12.8m

2 Juri - Jampui Hill 12.8m

3 Longai 98 Jampui Hill 12.8m

Evidences obtained from Geomorphological studies:

i. Place of origin of Deo, Juri, Longai River: Jampui Hill.

ii. Catchment area of Deo River-1979 sq.km, Juri-586sq.km, Longai-342sq.km.

Pictographic views of elevation and drainage pattern of Dhalai district are cited here for convenience of understanding of relief of the area as well as drainage pattern of the area.

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DATA SOURCE: DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK, NORTH TRIPURA, TRIPURA, LANDSAT SATELLITE IMAGERY, ASTER ELEVATION DATA, 2019

Map 8: Elevation Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

DATA SOURCE: DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK, NORTH TRIPURA, TRIPURA, LANDSAT SATELLITE IMAGERY, ASTER ELEVATION DATA, 2019

Map 9: Drainage Network Map of North Tripura District

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

9. SOIL TYPES:

'Soil' means the uppermost layer of the earth's crust, which contains the organic as well as mineral matter necessary for the growth of plants. Alluvial Soil and Black Soil are the most important Soils.

The soils of the study area were classified as per USDA Soil Taxonomy into four orders viz. Entisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols and Ultisols as per USDA Soil Taxonomy.

In general, soils of North Tripura district are acidic in nature. The pH of soil ranges from 5.5 to 6 as per Henderson’s equation (pH = -log [H+]).

Compositionally, the soils of North Tripura region contain low nitrogen and phosphates. Potash content is of moderate to high; calcium, magnesium and sulphur are deficient in these soils.

Generally, four types of soils occur in Tripura. Out of these four types of soils, North Tripura district is characterized by dominant presence of Ultisols and Alfisols.

In USDA soil taxonomy, Entisols are defined as soils that do not show any profile development other than an A horizon. An entisol has no diagnostic horizons, and most are basically unaltered from their parent material, which can be unconsolidated sediment or rock.

Inceptisols are a soil order in USDA soil taxonomy. They form quickly through alteration of parent material. They are more developed than Entisols. They have no accumulation of clays, iron oxide, aluminium oxide or organic matter. They have an ochric or umbric horizon and a cambic subsurface horizon.

Alfisols are a soil order in USDA soil taxonomy. Alfisols form in semi-arid to humid areas, typically under a hardwood forest cover. They have a clay-enriched subsoil and relatively high native fertility. "Alf" refers to aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe). Ultisols are similar to Alfisols in having a subhorizon of clay accumulation but have few bases, especially at depth. Most Ultisols are acid, although some may have a high pH in the surface horizons owing to aerosolic additions of carbonate dust. The ideal Ultisol has a subsurface horizon of clay enrichment due to clay translocation from the surface horizons. 10. NATURAL HAZARDS: Tectonically the entire Tripura region has a closed link with the extended fringe of Arakan-Yoma Belt which is indicative of pervasive nature of natural disaster or any other kind of calamities e.g. earthquake, flood, avalanche and landslides in major scale. Tripura is situated in the earthquake prone zone –V. So, there is a probable chance of feeling the tremor of earthquake activity in any time.

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11. MINERAL RESOURCES: Overview of Mineral Resources and details of resources-

The topic has been discussed in Point no. 7 in this DSR.

12. METHODOLOGY OF BRICK EARTH AND ORDINARY EARTH MINING AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

Manual open pit mining will be carried out for excavation of brick earth. Depth of the excavation will be limited to 2.0m from surface. 0.2m top soil will be resolved for future use in agricultural purpose. A 7.5m wide strip of land along the periphery (i.e., statutory or berm area) of each plot of land will be left intact for safety of mining operations and saving the nearby agriculture fields from inadvertent encroachment while carrying out mining.

 Mining will be carried out during day light hours.  Brick earth being soft in nature, requires no drilling and blasting, and therefore no ground vibration will get generate.  Depth of the excavation from surface will be limited to 2.0m and this will be in two stage of 0.9m each (First 0.20m will be top soil layer)  About 12 to 20 labours will be employed for excavation of brick earth.(Basically it depends upon project capacity)  If it exists, the top soil will be scraped and kept separately for future use of restoring the fertility.

13. OVERVIEW OF BRICK EARTH MINING ACTIVITY:

As per attached as Appendix –A to this DSR.

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14. BRICK EARTH MINING: Quantification & Recommendations

Brick earth is excavated by a method of slicing of top soil. Top soil up to 2m are used for making bricks especially for clay bricks in brick industry. Needless to say, profitability of a brick industry is highly dependent on the nature and engineering properties (load bearing strength, porosity, permeability, cohesiveness and sticky property of soil) of availability of sufficient brick earth materials followed by proper accessibility to the area of proposed project site provided that the excavated brick earth materials are to be collected without jeopardizing the stability of environment and ecology i.e., a sustainable development is needed for successful completion of a brick earth mining project. The common fact is that if the number of brick kiln projects is increased, the total economic scenario of the region, in pilot scale, will be changed automatically. So increase the area of mining of brick earth, higher will be the frequencies of bricks from point of view of production. The proper quantification of more and more running brick kiln factory must give an impetuous on the present economy of Tripura ameliorating the standard of living in such way so that most of the people in and around the project site can reach to the acme of progress economically.

Some recommendations are to be followed strictly for proper running of brick kiln project smoothly. The common hydrological regime here also plays a pivotal role and it is defined by the tropical monsoon climate with alternating dry and wet seasons. All the districts of Tripura, in this regard, give a best fit result without showing any pitfalls. The spatiality of rain is also controlled by the orientation of the axis of monsoon trough. In Tripura, due to excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers top soil are damaged and below thin veneer of soil cover (0.2m) activity of brick earth mining is carried out up to a depth of 1.8m. It is an established fact, obtained by field investigation that no land has become barren due to excavation of brick earth in brick sectors rather it has helped agricultural activity to sustain. The brick kiln owners themselves contract with the owners of private lands or holdings to make it better for the farmers to improve their cultivation. There is no harm to environment in exploitation of brick earth or clay from private lands or holdings for moulding of bricks. In case of brick earth mining, feasibility assessment form an essential part of the process of assessing a brick earth mining project. Here geological study is followed by prefeasibility study and feasibility study/ mining report are well defined. The degree of economic viability (economic or sub-economic) is assessed in the course of prefeasibility and feasibility studies. But it is to be kept in mind that a prefeasibility study provides a preliminary assessment will lower level of accuracy than that of feasibility study by which economic viability of brick earth mining is assessed or judged.

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Alterations or modifications of the said attributes may cause hazardous impact on ecological equilibrium of riverine regime. Therefore, awareness campaigning is inevitable and should be followed by all to make the environment clean and save the environment eco-friendly.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

15. ORDINARY EARTH MINING: Quantification & Recommendations

By ordinary earth mining, we mean haphazard and disseminated digging out of earth materials which ultimately help to fulfill the desire of domestic purposes or in few cases to make river embankment or filling of low line areas or swampy lands or civil construction purposes. Compared to that of brick earth mining, ordinary earth mining doesn’t bear any cryptic signature to fulfill the economic thirst. But huge mining of ordinary earth at a time will impose an adverse effect upon the environment regionally. So, quantification of ordinary earth mining is to be avoided as per generated situation, just to trigger the brick earth mining activity.

Ordinary earth mining near or adjacent to a river or stream has a direct impact on the stream’s physical characteristic such as channel geometry, bed elevation, substratum composition and stability, in-stream roughness of the bed, flow velocity, discharge capacity, competency of river, water laden sediment transport capacity, turbidity and temperature etc.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

16. ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MINING: Brick Earth and Ordinary Earth Mining

Both brick earth mining and ordinary earth mining are the manifestation of exploitation of minor minerals. The study of cash flow forecast gives positive result in favour of brick earth mining compared to that of ordinary earth mining. A person who has no iota of knowledge about the differences lying between brick earth mining and ordinary earth mining, he never can take a holistic and futuristic strategy to operate brick earth mining/ brick kiln factory. In case of brick earth mining, the applicant is bound to spend some amount of money for the purpose of community service. Although, the figures are tentative and are subjected to generation of profit. About 5% of the annual profit will be made available for CSR. But for ordinary earth mining the picture is different to some extent. Brick earth mining is sanctioned for five (05) years i.e., mine life is taken as five (05) years but ordinary earth mining does not follow any time schedule and it is carried out as per need to solve the imminent problems raised due to natural activities followed by manmade interferences. Brick earth mining’s provision is fixed to a particular land having soils characterized by all the properties which are amenable for bricks making. For brick earth mining a close relation exists amongst site selection, selecting mining method, invested money for the project, written money and demand supply gap. Again in brick earth mining, the land is generally returned to the owner of land; deployed manpower will be reemployed elsewhere; therefore, economic repercussion for closure of mine and manpower retrenchment will have low impact upon this project. Again the abandonment cost will be zero as the mined out pits will be restored for agricultural activity by landlord. These parameters are not valid in case of ordinary earth mining. More money is required for ordinary earth mining as it is carried out to fulfill the objectives of emergency cases. No compatible relation is found to be seen between ordinary earth mining and employment generation. The digging of ordinary earth material provides temporary deployment of labourers for a short span of time.

For progressive advancement of brick earth project, the project proponent initially invests money just to provide the following amenities or facilities:

 It generates direct and indirect employment  Provides provision for safe drinking water i.e., potable water  Safe, healthy and conducive working atmosphere  Provisions for first aid  Provisions for health check up facility once in a year  Haulage road construction as a symbol of connectivity from brick kiln site to other sites

No such cost is taken into account for ordinary earth mining. So it is pertinent to say that brick earth mining is of mammoth importance in economy of Tripura state and also to generate revenue for the Govt. of Tripura.

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DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT: NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT, TRIPURA

17. Concluding Remarks:

Mining of minor minerals, though individually, because of smaller size of mine leases is perceived to have lesser impact as compared to mining of major minerals. However, the activity as a whole is seen to have significant adverse impacts on environment. It is, therefore, necessary that the mining of minor minerals is subjected to simpler but strict regulatory regime and carried out only under an approved framework of mining plan, which should provide for reclamation and rehabilitation of the mined out areas. Further, while granting mining leases by the respective State Governments "location of any eco-fragile zone (s) within the impact zone of the proposed mining area, the linked Rules/ Notifications governing such zones and the judicial pronouncements, if any, need be duly noted. The Union Ministry of Mines along with Indian Bureau of Mines and respective State Governments should therefore make necessary provisions in this regard under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 and adopt model Guidelines to be followed by all States (emphasis supplied)".

Brick earth mining comes under Category B2. For Category B2 mining, mining area is up to 5 hectares. So the considered area is small and mostly confined to agricultural fields. Mostly local people are employed in this activity. There will be minimum adverse effect of this activity on the drainage system.

A brick is block made of clay burnt in kiln. It is one of the primary building materials known to mankind. Overtime, bricks have appeared, gained prominence, lost importance and then come to the forefront again with various styles of architecture.

Besides to generate a number of direct employments, indirect employment will also be generated in this area by this activity. This is also a source to generate revenue to the Government. It can be concluded from the above facts that the mining of brick earth from this area will not have any adverse impacts but would help in improving the socioeconomic condition of the surrounding villages.

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Prepared By: GREENMINDS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD. Appendix- A to DSR on Brick Earth mining (Reter: Point No. 13) LIST OF BRICK EARTH/KILN IN NORTH TRIPURA DISTRICT

24° 1' 49.75" N 92° 11' 39.76" E

Shyama North Kanchanp Bijan Pal & 24° 1' 50.27" N 92° 11' 46.76" E TRIN-BR-1 bricks Tripura Tripura ur Others industry 24° 1' 43.88" N 92° 11' 46.53" E

24° 1' 43.57" N 92° 11' 40.39" E

24° 18' 15.73" N 92° 10' 40.89" E

Trinath North Uttar Abani 24° 18' 15.32" N 92° 10' 43.39" E TRIN-BR-2 Brick field Tripura Tripura Padmabil Mohan Das Industry 24° 18' 21.38" N 92° 10' 43.83" E

24° 18' 20.69" N 92° 10' 40.88" E

24° 15' 49.91" N 92° 10' 19.75" E

24° 15' 48.79" N 92° 10' 21.16" E Pradip Narayan North TRIN-BR-3 Jalabasa Purakayasth brick Tripura Tripura 24° 15' 39.68" N 92° 10' 19.54" E a & others industries

24° 15' 40.90" N 92° 10' 15.68" E

24° 15' 44.23" N 92° 10' 18.44" E 24° 25' 14.52" N 92° 10' 44.59" E

24° 25' 12.93" N 92° 10' 48.77" E Chaban Uttara North Pratyekro TRIN-BR-4 Bhattacharje bricks Tripura Tripura y e & others 24° 25' 6.84" N 92° 10' 46.54" E industries

24° 25' 7.49" N 92° 10' 43.79" E

24° 15' 8.61" N 92° 10' 30.36" E

24° 15' 7.95" N 92° 10' 34.00" E

24° 15' 10.76" N 92° 10' 35.18" E

24° 15' 10.46" N 92° 10' 36.94" E Ratnajit North Pekucherr Sri Bricks TRIN-BR-5 Purakayasth Tripura Tripura a Industry a & others 24° 15' 13.34" N 92° 10' 40.81" E

24° 15' 14.71" N 92° 10' 34.02" E

24° 15' 13.62" N 92° 10' 33.07" E

24° 15' 15.02" N 92° 10' 32.37" E

24° 15' 12.43" N 92° 10' 32.20" E 24° 17' 9.73" N 92° 12' 21.00" E 24° 17' 10.23" N 92° 12' 21.81" E 24° 17' 10.71" N 92° 12' 22.12" E 24° 17' 11.31" N 92° 12' 23.97" E 24° 17' 12.58" N 92° 12' 25.58" E 24° 17' 11.81" N 92° 12' 26.04" E 24° 17' 08.98" N 92° 12' 24.73" E 24° 17' 08.52" N 92° 12' 24.31" E Durga North South Mihirlal 24° 17' 09.55" N 92° 12' 22.71" E Bricks TRIN-BR-6 Tripura Padmabil Debnath 24° 17' 09.08" N 92° 12' 21.55" E Industry Tripura 24° 15' 5.85" N 92° 10' 48.94" E

24° 15' 7.47" N 92° 10' 49.43" E

Debnath North Nripendra 24° 15' 7.92" N 92° 10' 52.17" E TRIN-BR-7 Jalabasa Bricks Tripura Tripura Kumar Nath Industries

24° 15' 6.50" N 92° 10' 53.81" E

24° 15' 4.68" N 92° 10' 53.90" E 24° 5' 58.85" N 92° 11' 43.53" E 24° 5' 58.72" N 92° 11' 46.19" E 24° 5' 58.09" N 92° 11' 46.36" E Suhridmay 24° 5' 58.29" N 92° 11' 48.74" E Basanti North TRIN-BR-8 Santipur nath & 24° 5' 58.92" N 92° 11' 48.86" E Bricks Tripura Tripura others 24° 5' 58.76" N 92° 11' 50.94" E Industry 24° 5' 56.66" N 92° 11' 50.62" E 24° 5' 56.57" N 92° 11' 43.96" E 24° 22' 19.83" N 92° 10' 39.41" E 24° 22' 18.94" N 92° 10' 42.33" E 24° 22' 17.28" N 92° 10' 43.30" E North Krishna Rani TRIN-BR-9 Kameswar 24° 22' 16.73" N 92° 10' 44.83" E Tripura Dam (ESH) 24° 22' 15.96" N 92° 10' 44.60" E Baishali 24° 22' 16.32" N 92° 10' 42.81" E Constructi 24° 22' 17.29" N 92° 10' 38.49" E on Tripura

24° 15' 2.56" N 92° 11' 29.95" E Swarupan TRIN-BR- North 24° 15' 2.137" N 92° 11' 32.249" E anda Jalabasa Mukti Deb Tripura 10 Tripura bricks 24° 14'57.08" N 92° 11' 31.79" E industry

24° 14'57.15" N 92° 11' 25.80" E

24° 15'2.56" N 92° 11' 29.95" E 24° 15' 20.22" N 92° 10' 32.28" E

24° 15' 20.10" N 92° 10' 33.60" E 24° 15'19.30" N 92° 10' 34.23" E

24° 15'17.96" N 92° 10' 35.98" E 24° 15'17.14" N 92° 10' 35.91" E M/s Sri TRIN-BR- North Pekucherr 24° 15'17.30" N 92° 10' 36.74" E Sujit Sen Constructi Tripura 11 Tripura a 24° 15'15.76" N 92° 10' 36.99" E on 24° 15'15.57" N 92° 10' 37.61" E 24° 15'14.42" N 92° 10' 37.60" E 24° 15'13.77" N 92° 10' 40.56" E 24° 15'12.36" N 92° 10' 39.41" E 24° 15'14.12" N 92° 10' 31.27" E 24° 15'17.55" N 92° 10' 31.32" E

24° 21' 31.74" N 92° 11' 47.13" E

24° 21' 28.89" N 92° 11' 49.10" E

24° 21' 28.19" N 92° 11' 51.21" E M/s Tandra TRIN-BR- North Chapala Ganganagar Bhowmik & Tripura 12 Tripura 24° 21' 27.01" N 92° 11' 52.69" E Brick Others Industry 24° 21' 26.98" N 92° 11' 51.30" E

24° 21' 24.80" N 92° 11' 50.76" E

24° 21' 26.44" N 92° 11' 45.17" E

24° 20' 2.08" N 92° 09' 07.43" E M/s TRIN-BR- North Jubarajnag Abdul Mamtaj 24° 20' 1.48" N 92° 09' 14.11" E Tripura 13 Tripura ar Manna Constructi 24° 19' 59.21" N 92° 09' 12.45" E on

24° 19' 59.51" N 92° 09' 07.35" E

24° 21' 22.87" N 92° 11' 50.84" E

24° 21' 23.15" N 92° 11' 53.24" E

24° 21' 22.70" N 92° 11' 53.28" E 24° 21' 23.05" N 92° 11' 55.75" E M/s Sudam TRIN-BR- North 24° 21' 23.67" N 92° 11' 55.71" E Akshay Ganganagar Chandra Tripura 14 Tripura Brick Debnath 24° 21' 23.96" N 92° 11' 58.37" E Industry 24° 21' 22.81" N 92° 12' 0.93" E

24° 21' 21.09" N 92° 11' 59.79" E 24° 21' 20.97" N 92° 11' 58.60" E 24° 21' 20.56" N 92° 11' 51.19" E

24° 18' 21.42" N 92° 10' 38.81" E

24° 18' 21.25" N 92° 10' 40.00" E 24° 18' 20.07" N 92° 10' 40.09" E

24° 18' 20.05" N 92° 10' 40.68" E

24° 18' 19.43" N 92° 10' 40.70" E M/s Ajoy TRIN-BR- North Uttar Karanya Bhushan 24° 18' 19.49" N 92° 10' 41.62" E Tripura 15 Tripura Padmabil Brick Deb 24° 18' 18.35" N 92° 10' 41.80" E Industry

24° 18' 17.97" N 92° 10' 40.60" E

24° 18' 17.94" N 92° 10' 39.53" E

24° 18' 17.35" N 92° 10' 39.53" E

24° 18' 17.24" N 92° 10' 39.08" E

24° 18' 21.42" N 92° 10' 38.81" E

24° 18' 21.25" N 92° 10' 40.00" E

24° 18' 20.07" N 92° 10' 40.09" E

24° 18' 20.05" N 92° 10' 40.68" E

24° 18' 19.43" N 92° 10' 40.70" E TRIN-BR- North M/s S.T.N Chandpur Nurul Haque Tripura 16 Tripura 24° 18' 19.49" N 92° 10' 41.62" E Bricks

24° 18' 18.35" N 92° 10' 41.80" E

24° 18' 17.97" N 92° 10' 40.60" E

24° 18' 17.94" N 92° 10' 39.53" E 24° 18' 17.35" N 92° 10' 39.53" E 24° 18' 17.24" N 92° 10' 39.08" E

24° 21' 48.31" N 92° 09' 43.97" E

24° 21' 44.54" N 92° 09' 48.66" E TRIN-BR- North Dharmana Bidhubhush M/s B.B. Tripura 17 Tripura gar an Deb 24° 21' 43.44" N 92° 09' 43.68" E DEB & CO.

24° 21' 45.78" N 92° 09' 40.68" E

24° 21' 45.63" N 92° 09' 43.10" E 24° 27' 9.12" N 92° 14' 2.56" E 24° 27' 9.15" N 92° 14' 4.14" E 24° 27' 8.79" N 92° 14' 6.65" E 24° 27' 5.08" N 92° 14' 8.10" E M/s 24° 27' 5.14" N 92° 14' 4.30" E TRIN-BR- North Md. Fakar Insaniat Kadamtala 24° 27' 4.75" N 92° 14' 4.27" E Tripura 18 Tripura Uddin Industrial 24° 27' 4.81" N 92° 14' 3.79" E Firm 24° 27' 6.87" N 92° 14' 3.84" E 24° 27' 6.89" N 92° 14' 3.33" E 24° 27' 7.24" N 92° 14' 3.31" E 24° 27' 7.31" N 92° 14' 2.72" E 24° 20' 9.12" N 92° 8' 53.46" E 24° 20' 30.71" N 92° 8' 53.72" E 24° 20' 30.31" N 92° 8' 55.06" E 24° 20' 30.82" N 92° 8' 55.16" E 24° 20' 31.32" N 92° 8' 53.92" E TRIN-BR- North Jubarajnag Lakshan 24° 20' 31.94" N 92° 8' 54.10" E M/s Om Tripura 19 Tripura ar Chatterjee 24° 20' 29.99" N 92° 9'0.45" E Bricks 24° 20' 28.17" N 92° 8' 59.78" E 24° 20' 28.83" N 92° 8' 57.54" E 24° 20' 28.07" N 92° 8' 57.29" E 24° 20' 28.71" N 92° 8' 55.19" E 24° 20' 29.14" N 92° 8' 55.37" E 23° 57' 59.06" N 92° 12' 21.82" E 23° 58' 03.39" N 92° 12' 22.08" E 23° 58' 03.52" N 92° 12' 24.81" E

23° 57' 57.76" N 92° 12' 26.98" E

23° 57' 58.04" N 92° 12' 25.27" E

23° 57' 54.60" N 92° 12' 25.07" E M/s Dasda Chandra TRIN-BR- North Sibalee Kanchanp Gupta Barua 23° 57' 54.57" N 92° 12' 24.56" E Tripura 20 Tripura Bricks ur & Others 23° 57' 54.94" N 92° 12' 24.59" E Industry

23° 57' 55.35" N 92° 12' 25.05" E

23° 4' 11.69" N 92° 11' 36.88" E

23° 4' 11.60" N 92° 11' 41.30" E M/s TRIN-BR- North Atika Ranjan Kshiroda Santipur 23° 4' 8.03" N 92° 11' 40.66" E Tripura 21 Tripura Nath Brick Industry 23° 4' 7.92" N 92° 11' 41.61" E

23° 4' 7.06" N 92° 11' 41.59" E 23° 4' 5.85" N 92° 11' 40.76" E

23° 4' 5.90" N 92° 11' 37.44" E

24°16'44.66"N 92° 6'39.83"E

24°16'44.53"N 92° 6'40.96"E

Sailendra 24°16'43.21"N 92° 6'40.44"E M/s Tarini TRIN-BR- North West Chandra Bricks Tripura 22 Tripura Tilthai Nath Industries

24°16'41.67"N 92° 6'40.56"E

24°16'40.12"N 92° 6'39.52"E 24°16'40.62"N 92° 6'39.41"E 24°16'41.24"N 92° 6'38.39"E

24°15'48.48"N 92°10'21.76"E

24°15'46.85"N 92°10'23.89"E M/s. TRIN-BR- North Bidhan Birbikarm JALABASA Tripura 23 Tripura Chandra Das Bricks 24°15'41.05"N 92°10'23.39"E Industry

24°15'41.18"N 92°10'20.77"E