Environmental Risk Assessment: A Geomorphic Investigation over the Bolpur-Santiniketan-Illambazar Lateritic Patch of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

A geomorphic investigation of the Bolpur-Santiniketan-Illambazar lateritic patch in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India, reveals significant environmental risks due to weathering, mass movement, and rainwater erosion. The study identifies varied landforms such as rills, gullies, lateritic ridges, and residual hills, which are products of morphoclimatic interactions over time. It also highlights moderate to severe land degradation, with topsoil loss calculated using the Universal Soil Loss Equation method, showing that 36.98% to 71.42% of village areas in sample Mouzas are degraded. The research proposes a model for geomorphic landform development and recommends conservation measures like reforestation, afforestation, and check dams to mitigate desertification. This study underscores the vulnerability of lateritic regions to environmental degradation and the need for sustainable management strategies.

Jha, V. C., Ghosh, S.,. (2020). Environmental Risk Assessment: A Geomorphic Investigation over the Bolpur-Santiniketan-Illambazar Lateritic Patch of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India. National Geographical Journal of India, 66(2), 94–110. https://doi.org/10.48008/ngji.1733