South 24 Parganas Came Into Existence on 1St of March, 1986 with Its Headquarters in Alipore
Comprehensive District Agriculture Plan
INTRODUCTION
Objectives
The objective of district planning is to design an integrated and participatory action plan for the development of local area in general and agriculture and allied sectors in particular. The planning process is initiated at grassroots level for which the base level data from the Panchayats have been collected. The objectives of comprehensive district agricultural plan are:
To prepare a C-DAP through participatory process involving various organisations and stakeholders.
To enable optimum utilisation of scarce natural, physical and financial resources.
To assess and plan for the infrastructure required to support the agriculture development.
To establish linkages with the required institutional support services, like credit, technology transfer, ICT, research etc.
To evolve an action plan for achieving sustainable agricultural growth with food security and cropping system that will improve farmers’ income. Planning process
The district planning process went through the following stages:
The District consultation meeting started with a meeting with the District Magistrate and ATMA Director and District Planning Officer. The basic objective of the consultation was to build up a common understanding on the planning process, to have a clear understanding on the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders and to ensure the process to be participatory. Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya was officially approached to act as the Technical Support Institution (TSI) and entrusted the task of the DAP formulation as per the directive.
All the line departments were requested to sent information and data to the TSI as and when asked by them. A draft CDAP was placed to the department on 8.12.2014 in the crude form for consideration of the department. A first review meeting was held on 8.12.2014 at the Zilla Parishad Bhavan, Alipore under the chairmanship of the DDA (Admn), South 24Parganas with the line departments in which an elaborative and exhaustive discussion was held on one to one basis with the experts entrusted with the formulation of work plan stakeholders. A second and final review meeting was held at Zilla Parishad Bhavan, Alipore 30.12.2014 with the stake-holders to fine tune the draft report through inclusion, revision, and proper shaping of the same into a presentable one. The entire process was participatory and two way communication basis to ensure the preparation of the five year plan realistic, holistic and exhaustive, blended with flavour of the local need.
In this process, it was ensured that -
The agricultural plans are prepared for the district based on the agro-climatic conditions, availability of technology, trained manpower and natural resources.
The local needs / crops including horticultural crops / feed and fodder / animal husbandry / dairying / fisheries / priorities are reflected in the plan.
The productivity gaps for important crops and livestock and fisheries are reduced and the returns to the farmers from these are maximized
There are quantifiable qualitative changes in the productivities of the above.
The livestock and fisheries options are given due consideration as an important source of income.
Structure of C-DAP
The XII five year plan of the Department of Agriculture and all the stakeholders were paged individually along with the background information. The usual SWOT analysis was also done to justify the work plan by the each stake-holders individually in their concerned chapters. Then the project component in the form of the DPR was elaborated keeping in mind the related directive with the budget summery at the end.
An over enthusiastic approach has been avoided considering the existing staff strength of the implementing agency at the locus of the operation. The local need was reflected as much as to make the plan realistic and trustworthy enough to be successful in real sense in increasing the farm income from the existing level.
Limitations
The major limitation was to get information at the level of GP and to a large extent at the Taluka level. The capacity of the community in terms of planning, resource assessment was almost negligible throughout the district. There was also a problem with regards to availability of some component of the baseline data as part of the primary research.
Time constraint, limitations of resources, regular delays in GP-level baseline survey due to non-availability of key informants, holidays and other prior meetings it was not possible to develop the Gram Panchayat level plans. The team had discussions at the Gram Panchayat level, Panchayat Samiti level and also in Block level. The problems increased further as some of the basic data required as per C-DAP manual were not available from some of the concerned departments.
Almost all the line departments were new to the whole process, and found it difficult to follow the suggestions/requirements chiefly because of their stereotyped way of working, lack of resources, staff and limitations of time. A lot of data was thus collected from primary and secondary sources like Statistical Abstracts, District Statistical Handbook, District Economic Plan, NGOs, though the SREP of ATMA etc. also.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE DISTRICT
Historical background
The nomenclature 24-Parganas has been in vogue since 15 July 1757 when Mir Jafar whom the East India Company had just established as Nawab of Bengal ceded to the Company the rights of 24 mahals. The treaty by which the cession is recorded says that and ldquoall the land lying to the south of Calcutta as far as Culpee, shall be under the Zemindari of the English Company and all the officers of this Zemindari shall be under their jurisdiction. The revenue to be paid by it (the company) in the same manner with other Zemindari and rdquo. The Parwana notifying effect to the Treaty mentions the name of the 24 units of granted land.
The District of 24-Parganas started taking shape under Clause Nos.2, 3 and 9 of the Regulation of 1793. The respective jurisdictions of the civil and criminal courts for the district and revenue jurisdiction of the District Collector were demarcated by the Regulations. This arrangement remained valid till 1800.
Present scenario
South 24-Parganas is, indeed, a complex district, stretching from the metropolitan Kolkata to the remote riverine villages up to the mouth of Bay of Bengal, Apart from its staggering size and population, the district administration has to contend with problems typical of metropolitan living in the urban area—such as high population density and overload civic infrastructure—and in complete contrast, in the rural area the lack of transport and communication facilities and weak delivery systems.
The present district of South 24 Parganas came into existence on 1st of March, 1986 with its headquarters in Alipore. It then comprised of twoAgricultural Sub-divisions namely Alipore and Diamond Harbour consisting of 30 blocks. Presently there are five administrative Sub-divisions (Alipore, Baruipur, Canning, Diamond Harbour and Kakdwip), 29 blocks consisting of 312 Gram Panchayats and 7 Municipalities. South 24 Parganas is, indeed, a complex district, stretching from the metropolitan Kolkata to the remote riverine villages in the south up to the mouth of Bay of Bengal. While the Alipore sub-division lies very close to the Kolkata metropolis, Kakdwip, Canning and Diamond Harbour sub division lies in the Southern part of the district. Baruipur sub-division is in the middle tier being partly well connected with the urban centre of the district and partly lies close to the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forests on earth, are spread over thirteen of the twenty nine development blocks in the district. Sundarbans, formerly Sundarbans, is a vast tract of forest and saltwater swamp forming the lower part of the Ganges Delta, extending about 160 miles (260 km) along the Bay of Bengal from the Hooghly River Estuary (India) to the Meghna River Estuary in Bangladesh. The whole tract reaches inland for 60-80 miles (100-130 km).
A network of estuaries, tidal rivers, and creeks intersected by numerous channels, it encloses flat, marshy islands covered with dense forests. The name Sundarbans is perhaps derived from the term meaning "Forest of Sundari," a reference to the large mangrove tree that provides valuable fuel. Along the coast the forest passes into a mangrove swamp; the southern region, with numerous wild animals and crocodile-infested estuaries, is virtually uninhabited. It is one of the last preserves of the Bengal tiger and the site of a tiger preservation project. The cultivated northern area yields rice, sugarcane, timber, and betel nuts, Beetle vine, vegetable etc. Due to its peculiar geographical location and the dictates of geography, the means of transport and communication in this region are not well developed, with all the attendant consequences. Lack of irrigation has meant mono-cropped agriculture.
Breaches in earthen embankments and cyclonic storms mean loss of life and destruction of crops and property on a regular basis. Any development strategy in this ecologically fragile environment must be carefully designed and implemented.
South 24-Parganas instead of being an urban fringe stretches from the border of Kolkata to the remoter zone. Hence the district South 24-Parganas is far from being influenced by the cosmopolitan culture of Kolkata. Presently the district encounters some grave problems like excessive density of population, which overload the civic administration and being a rural area predominantly, it lacks an effective network of transport and communications in spite of construction of several bridges, roads and even extension of railways.
The Bay of Bengal is the principal source of the economy of South 24-Parganas. The confluence of river Ganga with the sea here forms a congenial physical feature for Pisciculture. Canning and Kakdwip is the major centre for the transaction of fish in the market. The commission agent receives the fish and sells them and the wholesalers transported them in the Kolkata auction market. The network of fish transaction largely supports the economy of South 24 Parganas.
Agriculture is the main stay of the people of the northern area. The northern tract of South 24 Parganas has the uniform landscape encourages the growth of agriculture. rice, sugarcane, timber, and betel nuts, Beetle vine, vegetable etc. are the principal agricultural products. The agriculture mainly supports the local rural economy. A considerable amount of people draw their living from the agricultural sector.
Rastriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) has been implemented with a target of achieving 4% annual growth in agricultural sector during XI Plan period. Comprehensive District Agricultural Plan (C-DAP) was formulated to achieve this target. Keeping conformity with the C-DAP during XI Plan period, C-DAP for XII Plan is formulated to achieve 4% annual growth in agricultural sector, including resources from other ongoing schemes like NREGS, BRGF, and SGSY etc. The plan includes integrated development of major food crops such as wheat, paddy, coarse cereals, minor millets, pulses, oilseeds, agricultural mechanization projects oriented toward enhancing farm productivity, maintenance of soil health, development of rainfed farming system, integrated development of watershed areas etc. The district agricultural plan also includes animal resource development, horticulture development, sericulture, fisheries, social forestry, Co-operation, agricultural marketing, allied rural development and conservation schemes which are necessary for a concerted agriculture development plan of the district. Strengthening of Market Infrastructure and marketing, development initiatives for skill development and training in the farming community are also to be taken into consideration. Livestock breeding also shares a part in the economy of South 24-Parganas. Garole breed of Sheep and the China Hans of Muscuovy ducks. The wool that is extracted from the sheep are exported, which is also the source of the rural economy of South 24-Parganas. Presently the tourism industry has earned prominence in the pockets of the district. The tourism supplements a major part of the financial set up of South 24 Parganas. The tourism of south 24-Parganas supports the economy to a large scale presently. The tourism in the South 24Parganas centres round the places like Sundarbans, Sajnekhali, Bakkhali and Diamond Harbour and Sagar Island.
The tourism in Sundarban develops round the vast tract of forest and the swampy land forming the lower part of Ganga delta. The principal attraction of the Sundarbans is the network of estuaries and the Royal Bengal tiger. The Royal Bengal tiger is the only of its type has its abode in the Sundarbans of West Bengal. Sundarbans is named so because the area is infested with the "forest of sundari". The shallow swampy coastal area is crocodile- infested and is virtually inhabited.
The world’s largest Delta region, Sundarbans spreads over two countries (India and Bangladesh) and over 54 islands. Just opposite to Kolkata, Sundarbans presents a unique ecosystem in this part of the world. Sundarbans is declared by UNESCO as the heritage place. The Mangrove Interpretation centre is of immense interest to the visitors. There are watchtowers in the Sajnekhali region and in the adjacent parts. In the tourism industry, Bakkhali and Diamond Harbor earned popularity as the picnic spot mainly from the Kolkata. The Bakkhali beach resort is only 132 kms from Kolkata. Gangasagar absorb the major interest of the tourism industry on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The only tranquil place casting a pristine freshness at the confluence of the river Ganga with Sea has a lovely island called Sagardwip. It is a famous tourist spot, not only for its immaculate splendour, but it is traditionally a religious site. Thousands of devotees come to visit it and take a dip to wash away all the sins and offer worship in the temple of Kapil Muni on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. A big colourful fair, called Sagar Mela was organized on the event of that occasion. The tourism industry today is earning prominence in the South 24-Parganas and at the same time, shares a significant part of the district’s economy. There is scope to promote eco tourism in this district.
The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forests on earth, are spread over 13 of the 29 development blocks in the district. Due to its peculiar geographical location and the dictates of geography, the means of transport and communication in this region are not well developed, with all the attendant consequences. Lack of irrigation has meant mono-cropped agriculture. Breaches in earthen embankments and cyclonic storms mean loss of life and destruction of crops and property on a regular basis. Any development strategy in this ecologically fragile environment must be carefully designed and implemented.
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHICAL UNITS
Latitude: 23 015'2'' and 22 011'6'' North
Longitude: 89 05' and 88 020' East
Area: 9694 Sq. Km (4.61 % of the State)
ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP The district comprises five subdivisions: Baruipur, Canning, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip and Alipore Sadar.
Baruipur subdivision consists of three municipalities (Baruipur, Rajpur Sonarpur and Jaynagar Mazilpur) and seven community development blocks: Baruipur, Bhangar–I, Bhangar–II, Jaynagar–I, Jaynagar–II, Kultali and Sonarpur.
Canning subdivision consists of four community development blocks: Basanti, Canning–I, Canning–II and Gosaba. Diamond Harbour subdivision consists of Diamond Harbour municipality and nine community development blocks: Diamond Harbour–I, Diamond Harbour–II, Falta, Kulpi, Magrahat–I, Magrahat–II, Mandirbazar, Mathurapur–I and Mathurapur–II. Kakdwip subdivision consists of four community development blocks: Kakdwip, Namkhana, Patharpratima and Sagar. Alipore Sadar subdivision consists of three municipalities (Budge Budge, Pujali and Maheshtala) and five community development blocks: Bishnupur–I, Bishnupur–II, Budge Budge–I, Budge Budge–II and Thakurpukur Maheshtala.
Alipore is the district headquarters. There are 33 police stations, 29 development blocks, 7 municipalities and 312 gram panchayats in this district. The Sundarbans area is covered by thirteen CD blocks, viz. Sagar, Namkhana, Kakdwip, Patharpratima, Kultali, Mathurapur–I, Mathurapur–II, Jaynagar–I, Jaynagar–II, Canning–I, Canning–II, Basanti and Gosaba. This district contains 37 islands. Other than municipality area, each subdivision contains community development blocks which in turn are divided into rural areas and census towns. In total there are 21 urban units: 7 municipalities and 14 census towns. Administrative structure of South 24-Parganas
Name of blocks Name of
Subdivision Name of municipalities
Alipur sadar Bishnupur-I, Bishnupur-II, Budge Budge-I, Budge Budge, Pujali, Budge Budge-II & T/Maheshtala Maheshtala
Baruipur Baruipur, Bhagore-I, Bhagore-II, Joynagar-I, Baruipur, Rajpur Sonarpur, Joynagar-II, Kultali & Sonarpur. Joynagar-Majilpur Diamond D\Harbour-I, D\Harbour-II, Falta, Kulpi, Diamond Harbour harbour Mograhat-I, Mograhat-II, Mandirbazar, Mathurapur-I & Mathurapur-II
Kakdwip Kakdwip, Namkhana, Patharpratima & - Sagar.
Canning Basanti, canning-I, Canning-II & Gosaba. -
Administrative units District headquarter : Alipore
Zilla parishad : 1
No. of sub-division : 5
No.of agril. Sub-divisions : 2
No. of blocks : 29
No. of agril. blocks : 30
No. of Sundarban block : 13
No. of gram panchayat : 312
No. of mouza : 2167 No. of municipalities : 7
No. of island : 37
Parliamentary constituency : 5
Assembly constituency : 31
No. of police station : 33