Lateritic Badland of Sinhati, Bankura, West Bengal: A Geomorphic Investigation

Abstract

Located 4 km NW of Bishnupur town in the Sinhati area of Bankura district, a localized badland has developed in a north–south orientation over the Pleistocene lateritic sediments on the left bank of the River Birai, a tributary of the Dwarakeshwar River. The climatic condition of this region is ideal for development of lateritic badlands by water erosion. Three gully networks have been identified over this 50.8 ha area with dominance of lower-order streams indicating high erosional rates by overland flow and surface runoff. The mean bifurcation ratio is 4.1. A four-facet slope profile is developed here with a lateritic duricrust and mottled layer clearly representing deep weathering. The western section of the badland is more erosive than the eastern section. Typical micro- and mesoscale landforms were recognized, such as escarpment, cliff, duricrust, rills and gullies, gully fans, and so on. The traditional fish breeding practice by embanking gullies makes this badland the most revenue-earning site of the area, which marks it an exception against the general perception of nonproductive badlands. The indigenous technique of fish breeding also acts as an effective measure of restricting soil erosion which can be followed elsewhere. But increasing numbers of commercial fish-breeding farms, resulting from growing market demand, pose a threat of accelerated soil erosion at Sinhati.