Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Agricultural Pattern in the Flood Prone Area: A Case Study of Lower Damodar Area of Haora District, ,

Tonay Kumar Shet* & Dr. Omveer Singh** *M.Phil. Scholar, Department of Geography, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India **Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Mewar University, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, India

Abstract: Flood is one of the most disastrous Haora District is a permanently flood prone area. climatological hazards which affect the human Several attempts have been made to reduce flood society in different way. Agricultural damage is hazards. But flood is still a serious problem and more common damage caused by flood anywhere almost every year this area facing huge amount of in the world. Huge rainfall, heavy bank full agricultural loss. The present study concerns discharge, loss of carrying capacity of river due to about the causes of flood, flood prone area, siltation causes inundation of levee or agricultural productivity in Amta-i, Amta-ii and embankment. Haora District which is situated in Block of Haora District, and the Lower Damodar Area is affected by flood in almost study area which is mostly flood affected area of every year. Amta-i, Amta-ii and Udaynarayanpur Lower Damodar Region. Block of Haora District (the study area) are mostly flood affected area of this district due to inundation 2. Study Area of river Damodar. Flood in regular manner causes disruption of agricultural productivity of lower The study area (Fig.1) includes three Damodar area in Haora district. Flood hazard Community Development Blocks i. e. Amta-i, cannot be arrested totally but by adopting some Amta-ii and Udaynarayanpur of Haora district. structural and non-structural measures flood From the absolute point of view the specific study damages can be minimized. Though flood hazards area is located between 22° 30' 24" N to 22° 47' 2" damages crop roughly but flood also brings some N latitude and 87° 50' 24" E to 88° 4' 48" E blessings for crop production after flood event. longitude. The territorial extent of this study area is 365.60 Square Kilometres (as per census 2011). Key Words: Carrying Capacity, Huge Rainfall, These blocks are located in the north-western part Crop Damage Assessment, Crop Combination, of Haora district. On the west and south- western Crop Diversification, Crop Productivity part, the study area is bounded by the big river Rupnarayan, demarcating the common boundary of 1. Introduction Haora and Paschim Medinipur District. On the north the study area is bounded by Hugli district. Major ancient civilization such as Harappan and Panchla blocks of Haora district in the Indo Gangetic plain, the Egyptian in the Nile lie on eastern part of the study area. In the south Valley and the Sumerians in the Mesopotamia were there are Bagnan- i and -ii blocks of Haora developed in riverine plain and these civilizations district. flows through the middle were blessed by river flood in agricultural portion of the stated study area. productivity. . But presently river created floods are seen as generator of hazards and sometimes 3. Objectives of the Study disaster and huge damages occur mostly in agricultural field. In West Bengal there are several The main objectives of this study are as follows- areas which are suffer from very intensive flood 1. To find out the causes of flood in Lower resulting huge crop damage, house damage, Damodar Area. damage of various physical infrastructure and 2. To identify flood characteristics in the study area rapture of various economic activity. West Bengal from 1978-2015 has 37,660 sq.km flood prone area (42.4% of the 3. To assess the amount of crop damage in the total geographical area) out of 88,752 sq. km of study area. total geographical area (Irrigation and Waterways 4. To analyses beneficial effect of flood in Deptt. Govt. of West Bengal, Annual Flood Report, agricultural productivity. 2013). Flood affected areas are spread in 111 blocks of West Bengal. Lower Damodar Basin in Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 274 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

4. Data Base Udaynarayanpur community Development Block, Trans Damodar Drainage Sub-Division, Amta, This paper mainly based on published and Haora and District Statistical Handbook of Haora unpublished secondary data. Secondary data have District from Bureau of Applied Economics and been collected from Annual Flood Report for the Statistics, Government of West Bengal. 2013 from Irrigation and Waterways Directorate, Interviewing of local farmer has also been made for Government of West Bengal, Amta-i, Amta-ii and preparation of this paper. Location Map of the Study Area

Fig.1 Source: Google Earth and District Planning Map, Survey of India

5. Causes of Flood in the study area during 1978-2015. In this period eleven years i.e. 1978, 1984, 1986, 1995, 1996, The main Causes of flood in the study area are 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015 as follows- rainfall occur more than 500 mm. Devastating flood occurred almost in the 1. In the monsoon month (June to same years and month when rainfall occur September) this area has received more than 500 mm in a month. excessive amount of rainfall. The study area of lower Damodar area has received 2. The waited perimeters of the river an average annual rainfall of 1516.66 mm Damodar have been reduced and carrying

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capacity of Damodar has also been DVC reservoirs has reduced. For this decreased. reason, DVC administration is forced to release water from dams and barrages 3. Due to gentle longitudinal slope which causes flood in lower Damodar area 2feet/1500 feet to 2feet/1 mile of the study of Haora District. area of lower Damodar area the drainage capacity is very low. 6. Flood Characteristics of Lower Damodar Area-1978-2015 4. Damodar River has also lost carrying capacity due to huge siltation and sand A memorable flood was occurred in the year 1978 deposition. A mid channel bar formed on not only in lower Damodar area but also in all over the mouth of river Damodar, obstacle in West Bengal. So, flood characteristics in lower free flow of water through Amta Channel. Damodar area has been discussed from 1978 to 2015. The P.D.L (Primary Danger Level), D.L 5. In the days of new moon and full moon (Danger Level) and E.D.L (Extreme Danger Level) during rainy season, the spring tide occurs of Damodar at Amta Gauge Station are 5.03 in and crosses extreme metres, 5.64 metres and 6.24 metres respectively. danger level (5.54 meters). In this period of time only five years during the 6. Ex-Zamindari bundhs which were made of monsoon season i.e. 1979,1982,1983,1992 and soft clay and sandy soil has been breach 2010 the gauge height did not cross the P.D.L. Out and flood water enters into the area of thirty eight years from 1978 to 2015, twenty closed by the embankments. For this nine years the gauge height at Amta Gauge Station reason flood water cannot flow down riches above the D.L. It is very significant that quickly from this area. during the same period of time gauge height at Amta Gauge Station cross the E.D.L. twenty eight 7. After construction of dams and barrages years. Maximum gauge height found in the flood over Damodar and its tributaries flood time of 1978 when gauge height cross the E.D.L. carrying capacity of the river has reduced and riches up to 8.08 metres. Second and third due to siltation and the reserve capacity of highest gauge height has found during the flood event of 2007 and 2006 when the gauge height over

Fig. 2. Gauge Height of Damodar River at Amta Gauge Station, 1978-2015

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 276 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Fig. 3. Relationship between discharge and Gauge Height at Amta Gauge Station of Lower Damodar Region during 2000-2015

Damodar at Amta gauge Station were 7.05 metres level it damages the crops in the lower Damodar and 6.95 metres respectively. Gauge height of region. Damodar at Amta Station is closely connected with rainfall in a short duration of time and discharge 7. Crop Damage Due to Flood from Barrage. Devastating flood occurred almost in the same years and month when Crop damage is one of the atrocious damage rainfall happens 500 mm in a month. Release from caused by flood. In every flood year crop especially Durgapur Barrage is very important for flood Aman Paddy and Kharif Vegetables damaged due intensification. The discharge and gauge height of to enormous flood water. Table No. 1 shows the the Damodar River show a positive relationship (r damaged crop area and damaged crop value in = 0.351) at Amta Gauge Station. When gauge 2013 and 2015 of the study area. height reaches at danger level and extreme danger Table No. 1: Crop Damages During Floods of 2013 and 2015 Blocks Years 2013 2015 Area in hectares Value in Lakhs Area in hectares Value in Lakhs Amta-i - - 5300 15,86,26,448 Amta-ii 2249 543.915 6605 756.44 Udaynarayanpur 4913 1366.76 5607 1801.5 Source: Office of the Block Development Officer, Amta-I, Amta-ii and Udaynarayanpur, Haora. Year-2016 In Amta-i Block the damage of crop area and its areas affected by flood in 2015. Aman Paddy, Aus valuation in terms of rupees is 5300 hectare and Rs. Paddy and Kharif Vegetables are affected most. 15, 86, 26,448 respectively during flood 2015. Beside Amta-i Block of Lower Damodar Region, Udaynarayanpur Block of the study area is crops in Amta-ii Block also affected during flood also facing crop damage during flood 2013. In this 2013 and 2015. According to collected data from year 4913 hectares crop areas had damaged which Amta-ii Block Office, 2249 hectares crop areas has increased to 5607 hectares in 2015. The damaged during flood 2013 which valuation was valuation of crop in terms of rupees was 1366.76 Rs. 543.915 lakhs. The damage crop area and lakhs in 2013 and 1801.50 lakhs in 2015. In 2013, money value loss of crops has increased to 6605 Kharif Paddy, Kharif Vegetables and Sugarcane hectares and 756.44 lakhs respectively during the were affected, but in 2015, Aman Paddy, Aus devastating flood of 2015. Almost all crop covered Paddy, Aman Seed Bed, Kharif Vegetables, Jute, Arum and Sugarcane were affected. 8. Analysis of Agricultural Pattern mainly cultivated in the region. But the flood hazard in lower Damodar Basin severely affects the In the lower Damodar Basin agriculture is the production of Kharif crops and damaged the prime economy and Kharif and Rabi crops are economic backbone of the area. So detail Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 277 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in discussion of agricultural pattern and negative or d = Ʃd2/n positive effect of flood on agriculture has been where, d = difference between actual percentage of made of the lower Damodar area. The pattern has crop area and theoretical percentage of crop area been studied block wise of the selected study area of lower Damodar region. n = number of crops in a given combination

8.1Crop Combination Pattern The theoretical percentage of crop area as per Weaver for standard measurement is given below: Study of crop combination of flood prone area Monoculture = 100 % of total harvested crop land is an important aspect as it affects agriculture in one crop positively and negatively. It also provides a good basis for agricultural regionalization. The crops are 2-crop combination = 50% in each of two crops generally grown in combinations and it is rarely 3-crop combination =33.33 % in each of three that a particular crop occupies a position of total crops isolation other crops in a given areal unit at a given point of time (Husain Majid, 1996). J.C.Weaver 4-crop combination = 25% in each of four crops (1954) was the first to use statistical technique to 5-crop combination = 20% in each of five crops establish the crop combination. 10-crop combination = 10% in each of ten crops Weaver’s method has been used to determine Minimum crop combination index indicates the crop ranking regions of the selected blocks of number of combination in a given area. Here, crop lower Damodar area. Percentage of each crop will combination of the study area has been calculated be placed in depending order for ranking. For with the help of the data collected from District generalization and simplification crop occupying Statistical Hand Book-2012-2013, Haora District. less than one percent of net sown area has been omitted in the present study. Crop combination index has been calculated with the following formula of Weaver (Weaver, J.C, 1954). Table No. 2: Actual Percentage of Crop Area under different blocks Crops Actual Percentage of Crop Area Amta-i Amta-ii Udaynarayanpur Aus Paddy - - 4.49 Aman Paddy 62.21 54.09 31.44 Boro Paddy 30.88 31.93 25.97 Potato 3.67 6.75 28.05 Jute - 3.04 8.01 Mustard 2.13 1.86 1.56 Til - 1.58 - Source: Calculated by the author with the help of the data collected from District Statistical Hand Book-2012- 2013, Haora District. From the table no. 3, it is clear that crop the other hand Udaynarayanpur Block which is combination of Udaynarayanpur Block is higher more affected by flood concentrated on multi crop than the other two blocks. Amta-i and Amta- ii pattern. The cultivators of Udaynarayanpur Block Blocks concentrated on two crop culture (Aman also concentrated on Rabi Crop cultivation rather and Boro Paddy). These two blocks are less than Kharif Crop cultivation because flood water affected by flood than Udaynarayanpur Block. On washed out kharif crops almost every year. Table No. 3: Crop Combination in the Study Area Amta-i Amta-ii Udaynarayanpur Crops Index Combi- Crops Index Combin Crops Index Combi- Value nation Value ation Value nation Aman 1428.08 2 Aman 2107.73 2 Aman 17276.47 3 Boro 257.32 crops Boro 171.63 crops Potato 413.14 crops Potato 573.25 Potato 379.81 Boro 28.54 Mustard 599.29 Jute 427.39 Jute 85.09 Mustard 419.34 Aus 123.13 Til 394.05 Mustard 147.63 Source: Calculated by the author

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8.2 Crop Diversification Pattern

Crop diversification means numbers of crops are Index of Crop Diversification = Percent of sown cultivated in a concerned area. It is just opposite area under x crops/ Number of x crops concept of crop specialization. The farmers of the developing countries try to cultivate several crops Where x crops are those crops that individually in their holdings in a calendar year. The occupy 10 percent more of the gross cropped area diversification level of crop broadly depends on the in the area under study. geo-climatic, socio-economic conditions and technological development of an area. Lower the values higher the diversification and vice-versa. Crop Diversification Index has been Many geographers have developed calculated with the help of the data collected from techniques for the measurement of crop District Statistical Hand Book-2012-2013, Haora diversification and crop specialization. In general, District. if each crop occupying about 10% of the cropped area would mean that the crop diversification is of Table No. 4 shows the diversification pattern of a very high degree and if a crop occupies 100% of agriculture in the study area. Crop Diversification the gross cropped area, the diversification is least Index indicates that in Udaynarayanpur Block (Husain Majid, 1996).Bhatia (1965) developed a diversified crops cultivated. Minimum crop formula based on the gross cropped area, for the diversification found in Amta-i Block. Cultivators measurement of crop diversification. The formula are likely to cultivate diversified crops because of is given below- fertility increase due to flood. It is found that crop diversification is increased with the increase of intensity of flood.

Table No.4: Crop Diversification Indices of the Study Area Block Name Percent of sown area Number of x crops Crop Diversification under x crops Indices Amta-i 93.09 2 46.54 Amta-ii 86.02 2 43.01 Udaynarayanpur 85.46 3 28.48 Source: Calculated by author 8.3 Crop Productivity Pattern productivity has been calculated with the help of ranking coefficient method of Kendall, 1939. The measurement of production and inputs required for the production of that output is known It is quite simple and easy to apply. In this as agricultural productivity. In other words, it is an technique the component areal units are ranked input-output ratio (Husain Majid, according to the per hectare yields of crops and the 1996).Agricultural productivity depends on arithmetical average rank called the ranking physical (physiography, climate, soil, water), socio- coefficient of each unit is obtained. It is obvious economic, political, institutional and organizational that a component areal unit with relatively high factors. The measurement of agricultural yields will have low ranking coefficient, indicating productivity helps to formulate agricultural plans a high agricultural productivity and vice versa. for remove and minimize the regional inequalities. Here to analyze crop productivity of three selected It also provides the real cause of agricultural blocks of Haora District data has been collected backwardness of an area or region. Agricultural from District Statistical Hand Book-2012-2013, Haora District.

Table No. 5: Ranking Coefficient Indices of the Study Area Block Name Crops Yield( kg/hect) Rank Ranking Coefficient Amta-i Potato 37122 2 14.28(Low Productivity) Aus Paddy 2727 7 Boro Paddy 2678 12 Aman Paddy 1893 15 Mustard 585 20 Til 500 21 Jute 18.23 23 Amta-ii Potato 18705 4 12.81(Medium

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Boro Paddy 2877 6 Productivity) Wheat 2805 9.5 Aman Paddy 2415 13 Aus Paddy 2319 14 Mustard 1218 16 Til 1031 18 Jute 19.67 22 Udaynarayanpur Sugarcane 101323 1 10.83( High Potato 33648 3 Productivity) Boro Paddy 3422 5 Aus Paddy 3293 8 Wheat 2805 9.5 Aman Paddy 2728 11 Til 1040 17 Mustard 812 19 Jute 17.89 24 Source: Calculated by author Table No.5 show the productivity pattern of the 2) Government of West Bengal.(2000): Paschimbanga- study area of lower Damodar area. It is very clear Bannya 2000 Bishes Sankhya, Ministry of Information that agricultural productivity of Udaynarayanpur and Culture, West Bengal Block high among the three selected blocks. 3) Government of India.(1958):Flood Control in India, Medium and low productivity is found in Amta-ii The Publication Division, Ministry of Information and and Amta-i Block respectively. The cause behind Broadcasting, Government of India. the productivity difference is flood. Among the three blocks Udaynarayanpur Block is highly flood 4) Government of India. (1955): Floods in India- prone and Amta-i is low flood prone followed by Problems and Remedies, Lok Sabha Secretariat, New Amta-ii Block. Flood spreads silt over agricultural Delhi. field and increase fertility of soil. That’s why productivity pattern is being seen in this manner. 5) Floods, Flood Plains and Environmental Myths, (1996), Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi.

9.Conclusion 6) Smith, K. and Tobin, G. (1979): Human Adjustment to the Flood Hazard, Longman, London and New York. Lower Damodar Area of Haora district is identified as a flood prone area. But this region is 7) United Nations. (1986):Development and also identified as a agriculturally productive area. Conservation of Ground Water Resources and Water So, we must keep in mind that, controlled flood is Related Natural Disasters and their Mitigation- In good for the lower Damodar region than totally Selected Least Developed Countries and Developing protect flood because flood has some positive side Island Countries in the ESCAP Region, Water Resource Series,No.66. for agriculture and if the flood hazard would not occur the agricultural economy of the region will 8) Rutter, E.J. and Asce, M.(1951):Flood –Control be collapsed. Peoples know which crop can survive Operation of Tennessee Valley Authority Reservoirs, in flood situation and they developed adoptive American Society of Civil Engineers, New York. agricultural practice. 9) United Nations.(1960): A Case Study of the Damodar Some structural measures have taken by the Valley Corporation and its Projects, Flood Control Series government to reduce the hazardous effect of flood. ,No. 16, Bangkok. Irrigation and Waterways Department, Government of West Bengal 10) United Nations, (1956): Multiple- Purpose River has implemented “Lower Damodar Basin Development, Part 2B, Water Resource Drainage Scheme”. Under these project new Development in Burma, India and Pakistan, Bangkok. canals, embankments are constructed. Excavation of different canals is also done under different 11)Halder, S. and Satpati, L.N.(2011): Flood Hazards in scheme. These measures help the people to take the Lower Damodar Area: A Case Study in Khanakul-1 adoptive practices. More over adoptive practices C.D. Block of Hugli District, West Bengal; Geographical are wise for the people. Review of India, The Geographical Society of India, Vol.73, No. 4,Kolkata,pp 379-390 10.References 12) Mishra,D. K.( July-December 2012):Irrigation and Flood Control in Bihar; Journal of Social and Economic 1) Bhattacharyya, K. (2011): The Lower Damodar River, Studies, Vol .xx11,No.2.pp 114-133 India- Understanding the Human Role in Changing Human Environment, Springer, London and New York.

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13) Suar,L.(JANUARY 2013):Disaster Management in India: How Effective; Research Revolution, Vol-1,Issue- 4,pp.19 -20.

14) Fabic,J. SF. (December 2012):Data integration and sharing for disaster management; Journal of Coordinates.pp 35-41.

15) Saidulu,B.B.(December 2013): Vulnerabilities to Disasters and Disesters Preparedness; Madhya Pradesh Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp.112-121.

16) Husain Majid (1996): Systematic Agricultural Geography, Rawat Publications, Jaipur and New Delhi

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