Purulia District Research Articles

Improving crop production for food security and improved livelihoods on the East India Plateau II. Crop options, alternative cropping systems and capacity building

Rainfed transplanted rice (Oryza sativa) is the staple crop of the East India Plateau, with >80% grown in a rice-fallow on terraced and bunded hill-slopes (‘medium-upland’) where it is low yielding and drought-prone despite high rainfall (>1200 mm). Paper I attributed this to inadequate ponding for transplanted rice whilst identifying the potential for risk-free alternative kharif (monsoon period) crops, including direct-seeded rice grown without ponding (‘aerobic’ rice), and for second-cropping with little or no irrigation. Paper II reports research with Tribal smallholders in Purulia District, West Bengal that aimed to evaluate these cropping options using a participatory process that further aimed to ‘improve the situation’ of participating families. The feasibility of short-duration aerobic rice was confirmed experimentally in 2007 and 2008 and in wider adoption by farmers in 2010 when conventional rice could not be transplanted. Best yields in each year were >4 t ha−1. Mustard (Brassica juncea) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) planted after medium-duration rice yielded up to 0.95 t ha−1 and 2.6 t ha−1 with one irrigation of 40–50 mm for establishment; but modelling suggests there is enough residual soil water after short-duration (early-maturing) rice to exceed these yields in most years, even without irrigation. Significant P-fertiliser was required with these crops to correct acute deficiency. Rainfed vegetables were grown in the kharif and then adapted by farmers to pre-kharif cropping, and to the rabi (winter) if they had some access to irrigation. Monitoring land-use revealed rapid, sustained adoption of more diverse and intensive cropping, with significant social and economic benefits. We attributed adoption to the participatory process used, that strengthened farmer's capacity to innovate. The systems implemented by farmers needed no expenditure on new water resources, suggesting that comprehensive watershed development (WSD) is not a prerequisite to replacing the rigid rice-fallow with safer climate-responsive systems, although investment in small water harvesting structures may be needed for rabi vegetable crops. The technology evaluated, plus the process of intervention that built capacity, together provide a foundation for wider adoption of less risky cropping systems with greater water productivity.

Effect of heat wave on the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) population from Purulia District of West Bengal, India

The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of heat wave on the behavior and population count of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus from a roosting colony occupying a Tamarind tree Tamarindus indica at Simla Village of Purulia District of West Bengal, India during the period from March 2010 to July 2010. A total population comprising 250 individuals, recorded in March 2010, came down to 80 by June 2010. Information obtained from local villagers affirmed that the roosting bat colony from the present study location was a century old and had no apparent conflicts with villagers; moreover, it was protected with reverence. However, soaring day temperatures (with a maximum of up to 480C, recorded during May and June 2010) alongside drought were the major threats that the population faced and mass die-offs caused the population to decline during the hotter months. Continuous fanning and belly-soaking were common behavioural features recorded during the summer months. However, death rate due to hyperthermia and dehydration was uncommonly high. Â

Tribal Way of Livestock Husbandry: An Ethnobotanical Survey of Purulia District, India in Search for Fodder Plants: Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Relevance

Tribal Way of Livestock Husbandry: An Ethnobotanical Survey of Purulia District, India in Search for Fodder Plants: Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Relevance

Living and Survival Amidst Hunger: Wild Edible Botanicals as a Prime Forest Productivity in the Rural Purulia District, West Bengal, India from Colonial to Present

Living and Survival Amidst Hunger: Wild Edible Botanicals as a Prime Forest Productivity in the Rural Purulia District, West Bengal, India from Colonial to Present

Household Costs of Leprosy Reactions (ENL) in Rural India

BackgroundErythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a common immune-mediated complication of lepromatous (LL) and borderline lepromatous (BL) leprosy. Most patients experience chronic or multiple acute ENL over many years during an economically active period of their lives. Understanding the economic burden of ENL is essential to provide effective patient support, yet this area has not been investigated.MethodsNinety-one patients with LL or BL leprosy attending a leprosy hospital in Purulia district of West Bengal, India, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Cases (n = 53) were identified as those who had one or more episodes of ENL within the last 3 years. Controls (n = 38) had LL or BL leprosy but no history of ENL. Data were collected on household income, direct and indirect costs, and coping strategies.FindingsThe total household cost was Rs 1543 per month or 27.9% (IQR 13.2-52.6) of monthly household income for cases, and Rs 237 per month or 4.9% (IQR 1.7-13.4) of monthly household income for controls. Indirect costs accounted for 65% of total household costs for cases. Direct costs accounted for the remaining 35% of household costs, and resulted almost entirely from treatment-seeking in the private sector. Total household costs exceeded 40% of household income for 37.7% of cases (n = 20) and 2.6% of controls (n = 1) [1 USD = 59 INR].InterpretationHouseholds affected by ENL face significant economic burden and are at risk of being pushed further into poverty. Health policy should acknowledge the importance of private sector provision and the significant contribution to total household costs of lost productivity (indirect cost). Further work is needed to explore this area and identify solutions.

Adeptness of bio-intensive approach against vascular bacterial wilt in Purulia district of West Bengal

Adeptness of bio-intensive approach against vascular bacterial wilt in Purulia district of West Bengal

Assessment of different approaches of management of stored grain pest of black gram under homestead condition of purulia district of West Bengal

Assessment of different approaches of management of stored grain pest of black gram under homestead condition of purulia district of West Bengal

Solubilization of Purulia Rock Phosphate Through Organic Acid Loaded Nanoclay Polymer Composite and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria and its Effectiveness as P-fertilizer to Wheat

Rock phosphate (RP) reserves across the globe stand out to be a major non-renewable resource and the cost of phosphatic fertilizers is shooting up causing a burden on the farmers. This study was undertaken with the purpose of developing a strategy to solubilize low-grade RP from Purulia district of West Bengal, India through organic acids loaded nanoclay polymer composites (NCPC) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and to see their effectiveness as P source against commercial diammonium phosphate (DAP) using wheat as the test crop. Oxalic acid and citric acid were loaded @ 2% (w/w) in NCPC (2-mm sieved) having 10% clay (NCPC-OA and NCPC-CA). Organic acid loaded NCPC (2 g kg−1 soil) containing 40 mg acid kg−1 soil was mixed with powdered RP (100 mesh size) at three rates of P (0, 50 and 100 mg P kg−1 soil) with and without inoculation of PSB (Pseudomonas striata) and tested as source of P to wheat in a greenhouse experiment. An absolute control (without fertilizer material) and a standard P-fertilizer (DAP @ 50 mg P kg−1 soil) were also included for comparison. Results revealed that Purulia RP along with oxalic acid loaded NCPC and PSB inoculation performed significantly better than other treatments in terms of yield of wheat, P uptake and available P in soil. All the P fractions in soil showed an increasing trend due to application of Purulia RP along with organic acid loaded NCPC and PSB. The Fe-P fraction was more dominant in soil compared to other fractions. However, the Ca-P fraction showed a higher value with the increase in levels of P application. The oxalic acid loaded NCPC performed better in most of the cases compared to citric acid loaded NCPC and proved to be a more efficient solubilizer of P from RP. This study could help to utilize Purulia RP as a P source for wheat, with the interventions of organic acids and PSB and reduce the dependence on commercial fertilizers like DAP.

Geophysical signatures of uranium mineralization and its subsurface validation at Beldih, Purulia District, West Bengal, India: a case study

ABSTRACTThe Beldih open cast mine of the South Purulia Shear Zone in Eastern India is well known for apatite deposits associated with Nb–rare‐earth‐element–uranium mineralization within steeply dipping, altered ferruginous kaolinite and quartz–magnetite–apatite rocks with E–W strikes at the contact of altered mafic–ultramafic and granite/quartzite rocks. A detailed geophysical study using gravity, magnetic, and gradient resistivity profiling surveys has been carried out over ∼1 km2 area surrounding the Beldih mine to investigate further the dip, depth, lateral extension, and associated geophysical signatures of the uranium mineralization in the environs of South Purulia Shear Zone. The high‐to‐low transition zone on the northern part and high‐to‐low anomaly patches on the southeastern and southwestern parts of the Bouguer, reduced‐to‐pole magnetic, and trend‐surface‐separated residual gravity–magnetic anomaly maps indicate the possibility of highly altered zone(s) on the northern, southeastern, and southwestern parts of the Beldih mine. The gradient resistivity survey on either side of the mine has also revealed the correlation of low‐resistivity anomalies with low‐gravity and moderately high magnetic anomalies. In particular, the anomalies and modeled subsurface features along profile P6 perfectly match with subsurface geology and uranium mineralization at depth. Two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional residual gravity models along P6 depict the presence of highly altered vertical sheet of low‐density material up to a depth of ∼200 m. The drilling results along the same profile confirm the continuation of uranium mineralization zone for the low‐density material. This not only validates the findings of the gravity model but also establishes the geophysical signatures for uranium mineralization as low‐gravity, moderate‐to‐high magnetic, and low‐resistivity values in this region. This study enhances the scope of further integrated geophysical investigations along the South Purulia Shear Zone to delineate suitable target areas for uranium exploration.

Adjustment of Secondary School Students with Respect to Gender and Residence

The present work aims at studying the adjustment ability among secondary school students in relation to gender and residence. The sample consists of 471 class X students with 234 boys and 237 girls which were drawn randomly from different schools of Purulia districts, WB. The investigators have constructed and validate an Adjustment Inventory (AI) for school students to collect the necessary data. The study revealed that there is no significant difference between adjustments of students residing either at urban or rural area. But on the other hand the mean adjustment score of girls is higher than those from boys which indicate that the girls are better adjusted as compared to their boys counterpart.

A study to investigate fluoride contamination and fluoride exposure dose assessment in lateritic zones of West Bengal, India.

To assess the status of severity of fluoride contamination in lateritic Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal, concentrations of fluoride in different water sources and agricultural field soils were investigated. The fluoride content (mg/l) was observed to differ with aquifer depths: 0.19-0.47 in dug wells, 0.01-0.17 in shallow tube wells, and 0.07-1.6 in deep tube wells. Fluoride within the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribed range (1.0-1.5 mg/l) was estimated only in ~17% of the total collected water samples while ~67% showed <0.7 mg/l fluoride and thus may impede in the production and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones of the residents, especially children. Fluoride in water was found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.63) with pH. The exposure dose of fluoride (mg/kg/day) from drinking water in infants, children, and adults was estimated in the ranges 0.02-0.53, 0.01-0.24, and 0.01-0.14, respectively against the standard value of 0.05. A clear risk of dental fluorosis is apparent in infants and children of the study area. The fluoride in soil (55-399 mg/kg) was detected to be significantly correlated with the fluoride content in deep tube wells and soil pH (r = 0.56 and 0.71, respectively). The relationships of soil fluoride with total hardness and that with phosphate were not significant. There is a high possibility of bioaccumulation of fluoride from contaminated soil and water of the study area to cultivated crops. This will enhance the quantity of fluoride intake into human food chain in addition to drinking water pathway.

Earliest Dates and Implications of Microlithic Industries of Late Pleistocene from Mahadebbera and Kana, Purulia District, West Bengal

Microlithic industries, a technology associated with modern humans, as defined by the production of microblades have been found in different parts of the Indian subcontinent with the earliest date being 48 ka. The present communication reports on recent archaeological excavations of these industries from a colluvial context located in the pediment surface of Precambrian hills in Purulia, West Bengal. These are dated to 34-25 ka by optically stimulated luminescence dating and are the earliest dates for microlithic industries in eastern India. To our knowledge such dating does not exist for any prehistoric site in Bengal. The context of the sites - hill-slope colluvium - is also unique and a rarity in the subcontinent. These findings add additional inputs to the knowledge of these industries, providing supporting evidence to their antiquity.

Hydrodynamic Study of Weathered Zone of Hardrock Aquifers Using Dugwell Data

The present study discusses a technique of locating high-discharging dugwells in Precambrian metamorphic rocks in Balarampur, Purulia district, West Bengal, India and describes the hydrodynamic properties of hardrock aquifers using bedrock joints/fractures, lineaments and weathered zone. Dugwells with higher discharges are mainly concentrated in metapelites, rich in biotite. In groups of dugwells, high-discharging wells exhibit linear spatial distribution, denoted as “well-line,” and consistently show high well discharge along each well-line in every dugwell group. The spatial distributions of high-discharging wells are associated with thick weathered-zones. Well-lines, comprising abruptly high-discharging wells, are spatially correlated to the lithostratigraphic contacts and lower elevation zones.

Study of impact on surface water and groundwater around flow fields due to changes in river stage using groundwater modeling system

Excessive ground water withdrawal can lead to ground water depletion, and this may have serious social and economic consequences. Attempts to limit groundwater pumping have been commonly based on the concept of safe yield. In this study, in order to evaluate safe yield, short- and long-duration pumping tests have been performed at four different sites (Purulia District, India) on Damodar River bed. The lithological survey was carried out along the river bed at regular intervals from 500 m to 10.5 km, covering a total stretch of 10-km up-stream and 0.5-km down-stream, to determine the soil profile and other soil characteristics. The points, where the maximum depth of porous medium was obtained, were selected for carrying out the pumping yield tests. The appropriate hydrogeologic approaches were employed to estimate the values of aquifer parameters, viz., specific yield (S y), transmissivity(T), and hydraulic conductivity (K) for the aforesaid sites under study, which were found to be in the range of 0.043–0.175, 2082–3983, and 219–603 m/day, respectively. A hypothetical aquifer-stream water interaction system has been developed using GMS software (groundwater modeling system) not only to represent the hydraulic head fluctuations in the groundwater system around well fields but also to quantify the flow rate due to change in river stage, recharge due to rainfall, and also to determine how the surface water could affect groundwater due to pumping.

Evaluation of regional fracture properties for groundwater development using hydrolithostructural domain approach in variably fractured hard rocks of Purulia district, West Bengal, India

Estimation of geohydrologic properties of fractured aquifers in hard crystalline and/or metamorphosed country rocks is a challenge due to the complex nature of secondary porosity that is caused by differential fracturing. Hydrologic potentiality of such aquifers may be assessed if the geological controls governing the spatial distribution of these fracture systems are computed using a software-based model. As an exemplar, the Precambrian metamorphics exposed in and around the Balarampur town of Purulia district, West Bengal (India) were studied to find out the spatial pattern and consistency of such fracture systems. Surfer and Statistica softwares were used to characterize these rock masses in terms of hydrological, structural and lithological domains. The technique is based on the use of hydraulically significant fracture properties to generate representative modal and coefficient of variance (Cν) of fracture datasets of each domain. The Cν is interpreted to obtain the spatial variability of hydraulically significant fracture properties that, in turn, define and identify the corresponding hydrolithostructural domains. The groundwater flow estimated from such a technique is verified with the routine hydrological studies to validate the procedure. It is suggested that the hydrolithostructural domain approach is a useful alternative for evaluation of fracture properties and aquifer potentiality, and development of a regional groundwater model thereof.

Measuring Emotional Intelligence of Secondary School Students in Relation to Gender and Residence: an Empirical Study

In the age of zero-tolerance, virtual reality and ultramodern technology, the studying of human emotion has become so urgent that it demands our serious concentration for its scientific measurement. This present paper will make a thorough investigation in understanding the deeper interrelations between human emotion and intelligence. This article will also focus the emotional intelligence of secondary school students in relation to their gender and residential background. Emotional intelligence has been measured by applying Mondal’s Emotional Intelligence Inventory (MEII) consisted with 100 items. 235 samples were randomly selected from the district of Purulia, WB, India. ANOVA and‘t’ test has been applied for the interpretation of the findings. The results reveal that residential place plays a significant role for the enlargement of emotional development whereas gender does not affect the level of Emotional Intelligence.

Attitude of Headmasters and Teachers towards the Right to Education Act (2009), India

In the present study an attempt has been made by the investigators to study the attitude of secondary school Headmasters and Teachers towards the “Right to Education Act, 2009 or RTE Act, 2009” in the district of Purulia, West Bengal. The investigators have used Descriptive Survey method for the present study. The sample consists of 30 Headmasters and 150 Teachers from 30 (Thirty) selected secondary schools which are situated in the district of Purulia, West Bengal. The Purposive sampling technique has been used for the selection of sample. The investigators have developed two Questionnaires (One for Headmasters and another for Teachers) by themselves to measure the attitude of Headmasters and Teachers towards the Right to Education Act, 2009. For the analysis of data Mean, S.D and„t‟ test have been used in the present study. The overall results indicate that the attitude of secondary school Headmasters of the district of Purulia is neither Favorable nor Unfavorable i.e. Moderate towards the Right to Education Act, 2009. But on the other side, it is found that the secondary school Teachers of the district of Purulia are possessed Favorable attitude towards the Right to Education Act, 2009. Therefore, it can be said that there is a significant difference between Headmasters and Teachers regarding their attitude towards the Right to Education Act, 2009. It is reflected through the present study that the Secondary School Teachers have more favorable attitude than that of the Headmasters about the various aspects enshrined in the Right to Education Act, 2009, India.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of the radioactive minerals associated with some pegmatite veins of the Ukma-Nawahatu- Hursi sector, Purulia district, W.B., in The Precambrian Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex

Some barite-bearing pegmatites in the Ukma-Nawahatu-Hursi sector (23° 25’ -26’ N, 86° 02’ -04’ E) in Purulia district, West Bengal, have association of radioactive minerals in the form of coarse-grained pitchblack lumps and irregular patches. The present author and his associates first reported the occurrence of this radioactive belt along a ENE-WSW shearzone during their fieldwork in November,1978 (Baidya et., al.,1979). Groundborne radiometric survey and isorad mapping has established a radioactive high zone of about 15 km length running through Ukma, Nawahatu and Hursi areas. Mineralogical studies of the radioactive minerals have revealed the occurrence of Chevkinite, Aeschynite, Brannerite, Allanite, Uraninite, Tyuyamunite, Davidite, Euxenite, Samarskite, Thorutite, Autunite, Cerianite, in association with quartz, barite, microcline as the principal minerals and various minor minerals like biotite, vermiculite, hornblende, augite, orthoclase, celsian, muscovite, calcite, epidote, zoisite, ilmenite, sphene, rutile, hematite, magnetite, anatase, galena and sodic plagioclase. The barite-bearing pegmatites occur as lenses or lenticular veins hosted by garnetiferous sillimanite-biotite-quartz-schist or occasionally by migmatite. Near Nawahatu the radioactive barite-pegmatite vein occurs at or near the junction between the footwall amphibolite and hangingwall garnetiferous schist. The pegmatite veins have followed mainly schistosity of the host rock and dip at 70°-80° towards south. Chemical analyses of individual radioactive minerals by SEM-EDX and also of the bulk radioactive lumps by ICP-MS have shown significant concentration of U, Th and Rare earths. Minor and trace element analyses also record notable contents of Zr, Ga, Sc, Pb, Zn, Nb, Cu, Ni, V, Cr, As, W, Pd, Ag and Tl. Details of chemical analytical data are presented here. Chemically active fluids generated during metamorphism, metasomatism and granitic activity appear to have played a significant role in the formation of these pegmatites. Detailed exploration (geochemical, geophysical and geological) aided by excavation work (pitting, trenching and exploratory drilling) and chemical analyses for major, minor and trace elements is expected to reveal the feasibility status of these pegmatites as a possible U-Th-REE resource.

Access to and utilization of voucher scheme for referral transport: a qualitative study in a district of West Bengal, India.

Lack of motorized transport in remote areas and cash in resource-constrained settings are major obstacles to women accessing skilled care when giving birth. To address these issues, a cashless voucher transport scheme to enable women to give birth in a health-care institution, covering poor and marginalized women, was initiated by the National Rural Health Mission in selected districts of India in 2009. The access to and utilization of the voucher scheme were assessed between December 2010 and February 2011 through a qualitative study in the district of Purulia, West Bengal, India. Data were collected from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with women, front-line health-care workers, programme managers and service providers. The main factors influencing coverage and utilization of the scheme were: reliance on ill-prepared gram panchayats (village councils) for identification of eligible women; poor birth preparedness initiatives by health-care workers; over-reliance on telephone communication; restricted availability of vehicles, especially at night and in remote areas; no routine monitoring; drivers' demand for extra money in certain situations; and low reimbursement for drivers for long-distance travel. Departure from guidelines, ritualistic implementation and little stress on preparedness of both the community and the health system were major obstacles. Increased enthusiasm among stakeholders and involvement of the community would provide opportunities for strengthening the scheme.

Expansion of ‘Red Corridor’ in Jangalmahal : A Demand for Ethical Justice

The South-Western part of West Bengal including a major part of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia District (approx. latitude 21 0 45 / N to 23 0 45 / N & 85 0 45 / E to 87 0 30 / E) is now literary marked as ‘Jangalmahal’. The name says that the major part of this region is covered by forest or jungle and it is one of the socio-economically backward regions of West Bengal. Ethnical variation of the region is also remarkable. Almost 25-30% of the total population of the aforesaid districts is tribes. Now-a-days the uprising Maoist Movement (‘Terrorism’ according to the State) creates a new sociopolitical dimension in West Bengal. Apparently, the reason behind this is the backwardness and historical deprivation of an ethnical group. But it is not the only reason. The various reasons lying behind this also include their demand for cultural identity. So, the movement is now gradually turning to cultural and political movement against the upper caste (the so-called mainstream) who historically and hereditary enjoys all powers of a state. The recent tug-of-war of the political parties in West Bengal has made the situation more critical. The problem may only be mitigated humanistically, not politically. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the cause, consequence and lastly the solution of the problem in the light of Geographical, Ethnological and Philosophical aspect keeping aside the traditional political debate. Besides the theoretical description, some maps and cartograms have also been used to justify the analysis. (key words : Jangalmahal, Maoist Movement, Ethnical variation, Cultural identity )