Soil Erosion in West Bengal | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

Soil erosion involves the removal of the upper soil layer by various agents such as wind and running water. Numerous human-induced factors contribute to soil erosion, including deforestation, overgrazing, improper agricultural practices, and shifting cultivation. In West Bengal, approximately 20% of the land has been degraded due to soil erosion, rendering it unsuitable for agriculture. This discussion focuses on the major causes of soil erosion and preventive measures in different regions of West Bengal.
In the Mountain Region of North Bengal, the combination of sloping topography and heavy rainfall in districts like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Coochbehar leads to substantial soil erosion. Factors such as landslides, deforestation, shifting cultivation, and excessive siltation in mountain rivers exacerbate the erosion of mountain and forest soil. Preventive measures in this region include cultivation along hill slopes, terrace farming, and afforestation.

• Plain Areas of Bengal 
  In the Plain Areas of Bengal, annual floods, waterlogging, prolonged wet and dry spells of rainfall, deforestation, and improper cultivation practices are the primary causes of soil erosion in delta plains. Affected districts include N&S Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, Hooghly, and East Medinipur. To address these issues, preventive measures such as afforestation, dam construction, and agricultural practices like contour plowing, strip cropping, and creating shelter belts are recommended.
• Western Plateau 
  The Western Plateau region experiences soil erosion due to factors such as poor water retention capacity of soil, prolonged dry periods leading to droughts, deforestation, overgrazing, leaching, and seasonal floods. This occurs in Bankura, West Medinipur, Bardhaman, and Purulia. Preventive measures encompass constructing dams, building embankments, check dams, and adopting silviculture practices like planting trees. Agricultural methods like contour plowing, strip cropping, and creating shelter belts are also advised.
• Coastal Areas 
  Coastal Areas in West Bengal face soil erosion challenges due to waterlogging, high salinity, poor water retention capacity, tidal waves, coastal runoff, and excess river siltation. Affected regions include North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Howrah, and parts of Hooghly districts. Preventive measures involve constructing drainage canals, raising sea embankments, building sea dykes, and implementing silviculture practices such as tree planting.