Geography of West Bengal Geography of West Bengal, a statein eastern India, is diverse, of high peaks of Himalayain the northern extremes to coastal regions down south, with regions such as plateau and Ganges deltaintervening in between. West Bengalis only state in India where Himalayas are in the north and Sea is at the south, with both plains and plateaus covering the remaining region. Location and extent Districts of West Bengal West Bengalis on the eastern bottleneck of India, stretching from the Himalayasin the north to the Bay of Bengalin the south. It lies between 85 degree 50 minutes and 89 degree 50 minutes east longitude, and 21 degrees 38 minutes and 27 degrees 10 minutes north latitude. [ 1 ]The state has a total area of 88,752 square kilometres (34,267 sq mi). [ 2 ]With Bangladesh, which lies on its eastern border, the state forms the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. To its northeast lie the states of Assamand Sikkimand the country Bhutan, and to its southwest, the state of Orissa. To the west it borders the state of Jharkhandand Bihar, and to the northwest, Nepal. The capital of the state is Kolkata, the third-largest urban agglomerationand the third- largest cityin India. Political geography There are 19 districts and 3 divisions in West Bengal. The Burdwan Divisionconsists of Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Hooghlyand Purulia District, the Jalpaiguri Divisionconsists of North Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguriand Malda, and the Presidency Divisionconsists of Kolkata, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganasand Howrah. Each district is governed by a district collectoror district magistrate, appointed either by the Indian Administrative Serviceor the West Bengal Civil Service. Each district is subdivided into Sub-Divisions, governed by a sub-divisional magistrate, and again into Blocks. Blocks consists of panchayats(village councils) and town municipalities [ 1 ]Often the districts north of the Ganges i.e., Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpurand Maldaare together termed as North Bengal. The capital and largest city of the state is Kolkata – the third-largest urban agglomeration [ 3 ]and the seventh-largest city [ 4 ]in India. Asansolis the second largest city & urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata. [ 3 ] Siliguriis an economically important city, strategically located in the northeastern Siliguri Corridor(Chickens Neck) of India. Other major cities and towns in West Bengalare Howrah, Durgapur, Raniganj, Haldia, Jalpaiguri, Kharagpur, Burdwan, Darjeeling, Midnapore, and Malda. [ 4 ] Landforms Darjeeling Himalayan hill region Singalila Range and Kanchenjunghafrom Sandakphu A tea garden in Dooars with the background of the Himalayas. Susunia hill Shankarpurbeach near Dighais a part of this coastal plain A river in Sunderbans Ganges River Delta, Bangladesh and India Main article: Darjeeling Himalayan hill region Darjeeling Himalayan hill region is situated on the North-Western side of the state. This region belongs to the Eastern Himalayarange. The whole of the Darjeeling districtexcept the Siliguridivision and a narrow part in the northern part of Jalpaiguri districtconstitutes the region. It starts abruptly up from the Terai region. The deep gorge of Teesta Riverhas divided this mountainous region into two parts: the Singalila and Darjeeling ranges run from north to south in the western part. The Singalila range is located along the border of Darjeelingand Nepal; it has four important peaks – Sandakfu, Falut, Sabargam and Tonglu. Among the Himalayan ranges of this region, Singalila rangehosts Sandakfuwhich at 3,636 metres (11,929 ft) is the highest point of West Bengal.Also to mention Sandakphu & Phalut are the only place in West Bengal from where Mt. Everest is visible. Two high peaks, Tiger Hilland Ghoomare seen near the town of Darjeeling. Many ranges branch off in different directions from Tiger Hill. Durpindara is an important mountain in the eastern part of the mountainous region. A few hills also occur in the Teraior Dooarsregion at the foot of the Himalayas. Some remnants of the Siwalikscan be seen in the Jalpaiguri district, where they are known as the Buxa- JayantiHills. Terai region Main article: Terai See also: Dooars The ‘‘Terai’’ (moist land) is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, andforests at the base ...-swollen rivers of the Himalaya. TheTerai-Duar savanna and grasslandsis an ecoregion that stretches across the middle of the Terai belt. The Terai-Duar savanna and wetlands are a mosaic of tall grasslands, savannas and evergreen and deciduous forests. The Terai and Dooars region politically constitute the plains of Darjeeling District, whole of Jalpaiguri Districtand upper region of Cooch Behar Districtin West Bengal. The slope of the land is gentle, from north to south. The general height of the land is 80 to 100 m. The entire region is made up of sand, gravel and pebbles laid down by theHimalayan riverslike the Teesta, Torsa, Raidak, Jaldhaka, Sankoshand several other small rivulets. The Teesta has divided the area into two parts- the western part is known as the Teraiwhereas the eastern part is known as the Dooarsor Duars. The Dooars region can be further subdivided into the Siliguri or Western Dooars, the middle or Jalpaiguri Dooars and the eastern or Alipur Dooars. North Bengal plains Main article: North Bengal plains North Bengal plain start from the south of Terai regionand continues up to the left bank of the Ganges. The southern parts of the district Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpurbaring some extreme northern regions, South Dinajpur, Maldaand southern part of Cooch Behardistricts constitute this geographical region. The narrow land mass in the North Dinajpur districtis known as Mahananda Corridor. This corridor runs north to south joining Maldawith the plains of Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar. The entire part of North and South Dinajpur is silt laden plain. Mahananda Riverdivides the district of Maldainto two parts. The eastern part consists of undulating plains and some tilas and is made up of old alluviumand is a part of the Ganges delta. It is also known as Barind or Barendrabhumi. In contrast to the eastern part, the western part is made up of new alluvium and in this part River Kalindijoins the Mahananda River. The part of Malda lying to the north of river Kalindi is known as tal. This is a lowland and covered with swampsand beels(small water bodies). Whereas the area south of the Kalindi is a very fertile land and is known as diara. The plain in the south of Jalpaiguriand Cooch Behar districtis also made of new alluvium deposited by numerous rivers like the Teesta, Torsa, Raidak, Jaldhaka, Sankosh, Balason, Punarbhaba, Atraiand several other small rivulets. Rarh region Main article: Rarh region Rarh is the region that intervenes between the Vajjabhumiand the Ganges Delta. Parts of the districts Murshidabad, Birbhum, Bankura, Bardhamanand Medinipurconstitute this region. The region is about 50 to 100 m above the sea level. This region is believed to be created from the soil from the Deccan plateau. The area is formed by the silt brought by the tributaries of Bhagirathi, Mayurakshi River, Ajay River, Damodarand Rupnarayan Riverwhich flow over the western plateau region made up of laterite soil make the soil of the area red in colour. The land slope is from west to the south-east and formation of natural leveesalong the river banks is a common phenomenon. Coastal plain A small coastal region is on the extreme south of the state. A part of the district of Purba Medinipuralong the Bay of Bengalconstitutes the coastal plain. This emergent coastal plain is made up of sand and mud deposited by rivers and by wind. Parallel to the coast are colonies of sand dunes and marshy areas. The Digha dunelies nearest to the Bay of Bengalwhile the Kanthi duneis the farthest from it. In some areas dunes occur at a distance of 15–16 km from the coast and are 11–12 m high. Sunderbans Main article: Sunderbans TheSundarbans deltais the largest mangroveforest in the world situated in the South 24 Parganasdistrict. It lies at the mouth of the Gangesand is spread across areas of Bangladeshand West Bengal, India. The Bangladeshi and Indian portions of the jungle are listed in the UNESCO world heritagelist separately as the Sundarbans and Sundarbans National Parkrespectively, though they are parts of the same forest. The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of tidalwaterways, mudflatsand small islandsof salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecologicalprocesses. The general average height of the area is 10 m. This area has been created by deposition of silt by its numerous rivers namely, Hoogly, Matla River, Jamira River, Gosaba River, Saptamukhi River, Haribhanga Riverand their tributaries. The formation of the delta is an ongoing process and new barsand islandsare being created along the rivers and at the river mouth. A large section of the area remains under water during incoming times. The area is known for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these is the Bengal Tiger, but numerous species of birds, spotted deer, crocodilesand snakesalso inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Western plateau and high lands Main article: Western plateau and high lands The Western plateau and highlands forms the eastern fringes of the Chota Nagpur Plateauand is made up of igneous rocksof the Archaeanera as well as coal-bearing mudstoneand quartziterocks of Carboniferousperiod. The western part of Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, Bardhamanand Paschim Medinipurdistrict constitutes this area. Because of long and continuous erosion, the whole region has been transformed into an undulating peneplain. This area is interspersed by small monadnockslocally known as tila. Some of the important hills in the area include Ajodhya Hills(667 m), Panchet and Baghmundiof Purulia, Biharinath(452 m) and Susunia(442 m) of Bankura. The area has a slope from the west to the east. The altitude in the area ranges from 500 to 100 m. Gorgaburu in the Ayodhya Hills (677 m) is the highest point in the region. Ganges delta Main article: Ganges delta The Ganges delta consists of the whole of Murshidabad district, Nadia, Kolkata, Hooghly, and Howrahand the northern part of Northand South 24 Parganas. River Gangespasses through this vast area and divides into three distinct parts – the old delta, the mature delta and the active delta. The old delta consists of the districts of Murshidabad and Nadia. The formation of delta is complete and the rivers here are heavily silted and many have even dried up in due course of time. Silted rivers, swamps, beelsand oxbow lakesforms the area. This area is also known as Bagri region.The districts of Kolkata, Hooghly, and Howrahand part of North 24 Parganasform mature delta region. The rivers are slow and meandering and frequently shift their courses. Swamps, beelsand oxbow lakes characterises the scenery. The northern portion of South 24 Parganas district is known to be the active delta of the Ganges, where the formation of delta is still an ongoing process. Agro-climatic groups Agriculture is leading occupation in the state. Shown here are freshly sown saplings of paddy; in the background are stacks of jute sticks Depending on soil and climate variations, West Bengal can be divided into six broad divisions: [ 5 ] *.The hill region in the north *.The terai and Teesta alluvial region of North Bengal *.The laterectic, red and gravely undulating region in the west *.The coastal alluvial region in the south *.The gangetic alluvial region in the west *.The Vindhya alluvial region in the centre Rivers Hooghly River viewed over the town of Bally, Howrah. National Highway 31Awinds along the banks of the Teesta Rivernear Kalimpong, in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region. Ganges enters West Bengal near Rajmahaland then flows in a south-easterly direction. It divides into two near north of Dhulianin Murshidabad district. [ 6 ]One branch enters Bangladesh as the PadmaorPôdda, while the other flows through West Bengal as the Bhagirathi Riverand Hooghly Riverin a southern direction. The Bhagirathi is the main river in West Bengal which flows past some of the important cities like Murshidabad, Baharampur, Nabadwip, Chinsura, Chandannagar, Srirampur, Howrah, Kolkata, Diamond Harbourand Haldia. It empties its water into Bay of Bengalnear Sagar Islandin the South 24 Parganas. [ 6 ] The Mayurakshi, Ajay, Damodar, Kangsabati, Rupnarayanand their tributaries which rise in the Western plateau and high landsflow eastwards through the different districts of West Bengaland joins the Bhagirathi on the right bank. [ 6 ]The Mayurakshi, which is fed by tributaries Brahmani, Dwarka, Bakreshwarand Kopaijoins the Bhagirathi near Kalna, the Ajay, which rises in the hills of Bihar, joined by the Kunur, flows down the plateau fringe, marking the boundary between Bardhamanand Birbhum districtsjoins it near Katwaand Damodar, with its small meandering distributaries, small streams, Khari, Banka and Behulajoins the Bhagirathi near Uluberia. The Damodar is known as the sorrow of Bengal, is now controlled by making the Damodar Valley Project. The Dwarakeswarand Shilabatirivers join to form Rupnarayan and the Kangsabatiand Keleghairivers join to form the Haldi. [ 6 ]The Rupnarayan and Haldi fall into the Bhagirathi in the Murshidabad district. The Subarnarekha Riverafter flowing for a short distance in West Bengalreenters into Orissa. These rivers carry with them plenty of water thus keeping the Bhagirathi river submerged with water throughout the year. The rivers along with water carry silt and sand eroded from the western plateaus and deposits them in the Bhagirathi and the rivers themselves. This silting is causing great inconvenience for the Kolkata Portand often result flooding in the years of heavy rain. [ 6 ] The distributaries of the Padma Riverlike Bhairab, Jalangi, Mathabhanga Riverand their tributaries enters West Bengal and joins the Bhagirathion its left bank. [ 6 ]The Bhairab and the Jalangi meet and their joined waters known as Jalangi falls into Bhagirathi. The Mathabhanga divides into branches namely; Churniand Ichhamati, while the Churni meets the Bhagirathi while the other flows southwards and joins the Kalindi. [ 6 ] The Sunderbansregion is covered by numerous estuaries and streams, mainly distributaries of main rivers. The rivers are interconnected and are fed by tidal waters. The major rivers of the area are Hoogly, Matla, Gosaba, Saptamukhi, Haribhanga, Piyali, Thakuran/ Jamira, Raimangal, Kalindiand Ichhamati. [ 6 ] The Teestaflows cutting deep gorgesfrom north to south in the mountainous Darjeeling district, it enters the plains at Sevokeand flows in a mighty stream on straight line towards the south east until it pours its waters into the Brahamaputra in Bangladesh. [ 6 ] Torsa, Jaldhaka,Kaljani, Raidak, Sankoshand Mahanandarivers are in the northern hilly region which rise in the Himalayasand flow in a southerly direction through the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Beharand Northand South Dinajpurand enters Bangladesh. As most of the rivers are snow fed, so most of the rivers are perennial in nature and often floods during the rainy season. [ 6 ]The entire region is made up of sand, gravel and pebbles laid down by these rivers. [ 6 ]The Mahananda rises from the Dow Hills forest, near the town of Darjeelingand are fed by similar small rivers like, Mahanadi,Balason, and Machi and runs in a zig-zag way through the district of Malda and joins the Padma in Bangladesh. In the central region, the main river is the Mahananda. The Tangonand Punarbhabha, and Atraiarises in the plains, while the former two joins together and flows into Mahanadi, Atraiflows into the Padma. Wetlands Main article: Sundarbans The Sundarbans deltais the largest mangroveforest in the world. It lies at the mouth of the Gangesand is spread across areas of Bangladeshand West Bengal, India. The Bangladeshi and Indian portions of the jungle are listed in the UNESCO world heritagelist separately as the Sundarbans and Sundarbans National Parkrespectively, though they are parts of the same forest. The Sundarbans are intersected by a complex network of tidalwaterways, mudflatsand small islandsof salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecologicalprocesses. The area is known for its wide range of fauna. The most famous among these is the Bengal Tiger, but numerous species of birds, spotted deer, crocodilesand snakesalso inhabit it. It is estimated that there are now 400 Bengal tigers and about 30,000 spotted deer in the area. Climate Main article: Climate of West Bengal Average Annual Rainfall in West Bengal Many areas remain flooded during the heavy rains brought by monsoon West Bengalsclimate varies from tropical savannahin the southern portions to humid subtropical in the north. The main seasons are summer, rainy season, a short autumn, and winter. While the summer in the delta region is noted for excessive humidity, the western highlands experience a dry summer like northern India, with the highest day temperature ranging from 38 °C(100 °F) to45 °C(113 °F). [ 7 ]At nights, a cool southerly breeze carries moisture from the Bay of Bengal. In early summer brief squallsand thunderstorms known as kal-baisakhi often arrive from the north or northwest. [ 8 ]Monsoons bring rain to the whole state from June to September. West Bengal receives the Bay of Bengal branchof the Indian ocean monsoonthat moves in a northwest direction. Winter (December–January) is mild over the plains with average minimum temperatures of15 °C(59 °F). [ 7 ]A cold and dry northern wind blows in the winter, substantially lowering the humidity level. However, the Darjeeling Himalayan Hill region experiences a harsh winter, with occasional snowfall at places. Natural resources Map showing areas where various minerals are found in West Bengal West Bengalstands third in the country in terms of mineral production. The state contributes about one-fifth to the total production of minerals in the country. [ 6 ] Coalconstitutes 99% of the minerals extracted in West Bengal; fireclay, china clay, limestone, copper, iron, wolfram, manganeseand dolomiteare mined in small quantities. [ 6 ]There are good possibilities of obtaining mineral oil and natural gas in the areas near the Bay of Bengal, in Purba Medinipur, Sundarbans, South 24 Parganasand North Bengalplains. [ 6 ]Research is undergoing for finding natural gas in various places. West Bengalis the third largest state for coal production, accounting for about half of Indias total. [ 6 ]Coal is extracted from about 228 mines in the Raniganjand Asansolregion of Bardhaman district. [ 6 ]High garde bituminous coalis mined at Raniganj, Dishergarh, Santaldih, Kulti, Barakar,Ghushik, Kajora. Coalfields stretch over an area of about 1,550 km2(598 sq mi). The coalfields of Raniganj support the Asansol-Durgapur industrial belt by providing fuel to the industries as well as generation of thermal power. Lignitemined in Darjeelingis used to make briquettes. Coal deposits are also found along the Ajoy riverin Birbhum district. [ 6 ] West Bengalranks next to Biharand Madhya Pradeshin production of fireclay. [ 6 ]Most of this mineral is extracted in the Raniganj region along with few amount is also extracted from Birbhumand Purulia. China clayused in the pottery, paper, textile, rubberand paintindustries are unearthed atMohammad Bazarin Birbhum and Mejiain Bankura. Rest of the production comes from Purulia, Bardhaman, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. In 1993-94 1.24 lakh metric tonnes of fireclay were produced in West Bengal. [ 6 ] Limestonewhich is used in cementindustry is mined in Bankura, Purulia, Darjeelingand Jalpaiguri. [ 6 ]There are coppermines in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Small quantities of low quality iron-oreare mined in Bardhaman, Purulia, Birbhum and Darjeeling. [ 6 ]There are manganesein the Jhargramregion of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bardhaman. Wolfram is mined at Jhilimiliin Bankura. [ 6 ]The state’s production of dolomitecomes from the Dooarsregion of Jalpaiguri. 38.5 thousand tonnes of dolomite were raised in 1993-94
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 05:21:51 +0000
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