Socio-Economic Development

and Environmental Sustainability:

The Indian Perspective
 Socio-Economic Development
and Environmental Sustainability:
The Indian Perspective

Editor
Dr. Ranjan Sarkar
M.A. (Geography- Gold Medalist), B.Ed., M.Ed., NET, Ph.D. (Geography)
Assistant Professor in Geography, Ananda Chandra Training College,
Jalpaiguri, West Bengal

Co-Editor
Gopal Das
M.Sc. (Geography), B.Ed., M.A.(Edu), SET, NET
Assistant Teacher in Geography, Maynaguri Subhas Nagar High School,
Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
Socio-Economic Development and Environmental
Sustainability: The Indian Perspective

© Editor (Dr. Ranjan Sarkar)

First Published 2020

ISBN 978-93-90124-61-9

All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
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The Content of this book shall not constitute or be construed or
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Neither the Publisher nor Editor endorse or approve the Content of
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will be held responsible for the said issues if arising out in any
whatsoever.
 This Book is Dedicated to
All Our Respected Teachers
Who Taught Us the Purpose of Life
and
To Be What We Are Today
 Preface

It is a great pleasure for me to write a preface for the Book on

“Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability: The Indian
Perspective” edited by Dr. Ranjan Sarkar of the Department of Geography,
Ananda Chandra Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The edited
book comprises as many as 25 Research Papers/Articles on various relevant
issues related to the above theme. The selected and edited articles are very
interesting in that each of them typically concerns different issues and
concerns in the fields of Socio-Economic Development and Environmental
Sustainability. The entire book has been divided in to three parts.
In the first part, 10 articles related to Man, Environment and
Sustainability have been accommodated. Only 5 articles on Demographic
Trends and Urbanization have been included in the second part while
in the part three 10 articles have been incorporated on aspects of Socio-
economic Development.
Man depends on environment for his sustainability. The relationship
between environment and man is indeed very deep and has been
recognized right from ancient time. Over a period of time man’s changing
social environment has been modified by population growth, urbanization
and industrialization. This in turn has affected the natural environment to
a great extent. Man’s increasing demands and technological developments
has made him irresponsible in his attitude towards nature and its resources.
Large scale deforestation, soil erosion, pollution and the extinction of
species are only some of the outcomes of his exploitative abuse of the natural
environment. Pollution problems have created in serious health problems,
as well as negative impact on the environment. The fast deteriorating
conditions of our environment has made it necessary for all of us to be
aware of the delicate balance that exists between the different parts of
nature for its normal functioning. The protection of the environment today
is the concern of the people all around the earth. In order to protect and
 (viii)

conserve the environment environmental awareness is urgently needed.

Environmental awareness can be generated among the people through
environmental education. Only when the students, researchers, common
people and the policy makers are made aware about the environmental
problems, will they be motivated to conserve natural resources and find
out ways and means to address the problems locally and globally.
Industrialization has historically led to urbanization by promoting
economic growth and livelihood opportunities that attracted people to
cities. Urbanization typically begins when a factory or multiple factories
are established within a region, thus creating a high demand for factory
labor. Other businesses such as building manufacturers, retailers, and
service providers then follow the factories to meet the product demands of
the workers. This creates even more jobs and demands for housing, thus
establishing an urban area. In the modern era, manufacturing facilities
like factories are often replaced by technology-industry hubs. These
technological hubs draw workers from other areas in the same way factories
used to, contributing to urbanization. Once an area is industrialized, the
process of urbanization continues for a much longer period of time as the
area goes through several phases of economic and social reform.
Most of the developing countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and
African countries are facing the problems of widespread poverty, illiteracy,
malnutrition, unemployment and so on Development is a multidimensional
facet. In India the first comprehensive rural development pragramme
was started in the year 1952 as Community Development Progarmme
(CDP). After that innumerable programmes have been introduced by the
Government of India and many State Govts. for the overall development of
the rural as well urban people of our country. In spite of the constant efforts,
the socio-economic conditions of the Indian masses are really deplorable.
Dr. R. Sarkar has really made a decent attempt in his edited volume by
incorporating many of the valuable research articles to give a new insight
in to the various aspects as prescribed in the title. I do strongly believe
that this venture will give a significant dimension in the planning and
policy implementation of reduction of environmental pollution, solution
of industrial problem, balanced socio-economic development for the poor
masses of our country.
—Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy
Professor, Dept. of Geography & Applied Geography,
University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
 Acknowledgements

Our long dreamt Project of Publishing a Research oriented book

has come true through the publication of ‘‘Socio-Economic Development
And Environmental Sustainability: The Indian Perspective”. A book is the
manifestation of inherent knowledge of universe and it is not possible to
replete the volume without assistance from others. The present work is an
agglomeration of articles collected from various researchers in respective
field of empirical and scientific knowledge. We, the editors, are indebted
to the Professors, Teachers, Ph.D. Research Scholars and various stake
holders who have extended their hands to make the volume rich through
contributing their valuable papers.
It is our proud privilege to convey our immense sense of gratitude to
Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy, Department of Geography and Applied Geography,
University of North Bengal and Prof. (Dr.) M.M Jana, Professor (Retired),
Department of Geography and Applied Geography, University of North
Bengal, who have given their valuable exhortations and suggestions from
time to time throughout this journey. Their motivational advices have
enhanced our cognitive and conceptual framework of the entire work.
We are thankful to the editorial Assistance Team specially Dr. Dipak
Kumar Singh, Dr. Arnab Roy for providing tireless support in shaping the
same. We are also thankful to our friends, colleagues and well-wishers for
their encouragement and support.
We wish to express my sincere thanks to our family members for their
understanding, patience and sacrifice throughout this journey.
We are also thankful to Mr. Rajesh Sharma and his entire team of
Namya Publishing House for their magnanimous effort to publish this
book within due time. Last but not the least we are indebted to almighty
god for love and blessings.
 (x)

Hope, the present volume might be able to provide a perceptive support

to all Students, Researchers, Academicians and stakeholders in this field of
knowledge.

Place: Siliguri Dr. Ranjan Sarkar, Editor

Date - 10/05/2020 E-mail: ranjangeo@gmail.com
Gopal Das, Co-Editor
 List of Contributors

1. Arghadeep Bose
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri. West Bengal
2. Bhupen Barman
Asistant Professor, Department of Geography, Tufanganj
Mahavidyalaya, Tufanganj, Cooch Behar, West Bengal
3. Chandra Kanta Saha
Assistant Professor and HoD, Department of Economics, Sister
Nibedita Government General Degree College for Girls, Kolkata,
West Bengal
4. Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharjee
Assistant Professor,Jalpaiguri Law College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
5. Dr. Arnab Roy
Independent Researcher
6. Dr. Dipak Kumar Singh
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Ananda Chandra
Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
7. Dr. Indrajit Roy Choudhary
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography,
University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
8. Dr. Madhusudan Karmakar
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Maynaguri College,
Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
 (xii)

9. Dr. Ranjan Sarkar

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Ananda Chandra
Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
10 Dr. Ratula Mukherjee
Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Ananda Chandra
Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
11. Dr. Sarbari Mukhopadhyay
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Maynaguri College,
Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
12. Dr. Sukdeb Das
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Ananda Chandra
Training College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
13. Dr. Tamal Basu Roy
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Raiganj University,
Raiganj, West Bengal
14. Dr. Writuparna Chakraborty
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, A.B.N. Seal College,
Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India
15. Gopal Das
Assistant Teacher in Geography, Maynaguri Subhas Nagar High
School, Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
16. Goutam Mandal
M.A. in Geography, Department of Geography & Applied Geography,
University of North Bengal, Siliguri. West Bengal
17. Kantisree Goswami
Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Charuchandra College,
Kolkata, West Bengal
18. Manoranjan Mandal
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
19. Mominul Sinan
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Charuchandra
College, Kolkata, West Bengal
 (xiii)

20. Mr. Sudipta Majumder

Assistant Teacher, School Education Dept., Govt. of West Bengal,
Chalsa Gayanath Vidyapith, Chalsa, Jalpaiguri
21. Parimal Routh
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Charuchandra
College, Kolkata, West Bengal
22. Pratima Chamling Rai
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Balurghat College,
Balurghat, West Bengal
23. Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy
Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography,
University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
24. Prosenjit Kayal
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
25. Rupen Lama
Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Balurghat College,
Balurghat, West Bengal
26. Sangita Karmakar
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
27. Sreyashi Ganguli
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
28. Subrata Ghosh
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
29. Tanu Das
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Raiganj
University, Raiganj, West Bengal
30. Tapan Debnath
Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied
Geography, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal
 Introduction

Development is defined as a state in which things are improving or

changing or modifying but it may be defined in different ways in various
contexts such as social, political, biological, science and technology,
language and literature etc. Social development is a process which results
in the transformation of social institutions in a manner which improves
the capacity of the society to fulfill its aspirations. It implies a qualitative
change in the way the society shapes itself and carries out its activities, such
as through more progressive attitudes and behavior by the population,
the adoption of more effective processes, more advanced technology
and shaping its way towards betterment for future generations. On the
other hand, Economic development is the development of economic
wealth of countries or regions for the well-being of their inhabitants.
In the socio-economic context, development means the improvement
of people’s lifestyles through improved education, incomes, skills
development, employment and so on. It is the process of economic and
social transformation based on cultural and environmental factors. It is
the process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social
wellbeing of its people.
In India, the concern of Socio-Economic Development has gained
a greater momentum since Independence when the first five years plan
was introduced. Then, there was significant disparity in socio-economic
development among various states and regions in our country and govt’s
policy was to upgrade the level of socio-economic development of the
peoples through various five-year plans. During that time not only India but
also the whole world was indifferent about the concept of sustainability and
consequences of those economic activities upon environment. The concept
of Sustainable development has taken into account since 1987. The major
discussion auspicating the Sustainable Development is setting up in the
report of World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED),
 (xvi)

a body founded by the UN General Assembly in 1983. The commission was

headed by Gro Brundtland, then prime minister of Norway and later head
of the World Health Organization. The commission’s 1987 report, often
referred to as the Brundtland Commission Report, defined Sustainable
Development as the development that “meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own
needs.”
The significant contribution of WCED was to harmonies the
environment protection and economic development decision making
and thus suggesting a change in the current consumption pattern in
favor of promoting inter and intra-generational equity. The United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held
in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro was the major step on the relationship between
environment and development. The major initiatives include 27 principles
on Sustainable Development, Agenda 21, a comprehensive action plan
for Sustainable Development in 21st century and conservational policy
on Biological Diversity. Since then, the term ‘Sustainable’ has been using
widely in almost every aspect but the Environmental Sustainability is the
concept which has been chosen to connect the gap between development
and environment.

Man, Environment and Sustainability

The interaction between nature and humans is the most fundamental
and complex of all. The human beings have consciously used/utilized the
nature and the natural resources for the production of material goods, an
act which has separated it from the rest of the animal kingdom. It is true
that human beings are essentially a part of nature. But it is the only species
that has been able not only to consume a part of it, but also has transformed
the nature in its productive activity. In other words, human beings, with its
blood, muscle and brain, have been able to learn the laws of nature and to
apply them consciously to change both the social and the natural world, in
which they are part of. Thus, the relationship between natural environment
and human beings reflects a fundamental dialectical contradiction in all
epochs. Ever since its transformation from ape, human beings could detach
itself from rest of the species since it has actively applied their knowledge
of the natural world to alter it to produce their means of subsistence.
In the process of the labour activity, the human beings underwent a
gradual change in their organism and in their community organization.
 (xvii)

Development of the capacity to think, appearance of articulate speech and

most importantly a society with definite production relations emerged.
Henceforth, any human society could only be characterized and determined
by rational human activity, organized to produce the means of subsistence
or material goods. Thus, the relationship between society, characterized
by rational human activity, and nature or geographical environment must
be at the centre of any serious social science enquiry that aims to deal with
environmental issues in contemporary world.
Having clarified the abstract philosophical standpoint on the
relationship between human society and natural environment, we now turn
our focus on the concrete instances to illustrate the same point in different
historical epochs. Starting from the primitive down to the feudal society,
people relied, for their existence, mostly on the fundamental resources of
the environment, which typically includes wildlife in the forest, fish in the
river or in the sea, fertility of the soil etc. But with the increase of production
and development of the productive forces at the dawn of the Industrial
Revolution in 18th and 19th century, people started using certain types of
natural resources like metals, coal, oil, gas, the energy of wind, of waterfalls,
of the sun etc., unimagined before. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration
to note that the nature and use of geographical environment substantially
influence production and society’s life. But to attribute geographical factor
as the only determining factor of development of any society would be
problematic because the use of natural resources in any country largely
depends on the condition of the production. Thus, for instance, abundance
of the natural resources in many African countries has not transformed
these countries rapidly on a modern industrial foundation.
The contradiction between society and natural environment has been,
as noted above, fundamental in all ages. But with the huge increase and
expansion of the productive forces ever since the Industrial Revolution in
Britain, humanity has seriously worsened its own natural environment.
Owing to a higher form of production under capitalism today, the humanity
now uses more natural resources than ever, thus, entailing an ecological
crisis, never imagined before in pre-capitalist production. The magnitude
of the present ecological crisis could be understood from the simple fact
that these resources, for the most part, are not renewable, on one hand,
while human’s ability to adapt to the deteriorating natural environment is
not infinite, on the other.
 (xviii)

Against this backdrop of contemporary ecological crisis, the question

of sustainable development looms large on the horizon. An extensive
rejection of modern-day development by embracing a pre-capitalist
romantic past, for all practical and theoretical purposes, is utopia. Here
comes the issue of balancing social development with natural environment.
Without conceiving the idea of going back to a mythical past, one has to
think of sustainable development that includes careful usage of the natural
resources in a scientific way for the wellbeing of the humanity and not
the other way around. In it’s The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
the United Nations notes that it is “determined to protect the planet from
degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production,
sustainably managing its natural resources.” (Nations, 2015) This complex
relationship between societal development and geographical environment
is reflected empirically in the writings on environment, which we have
chosen for the volume. The essays in the volume typically include
themes such as current ecological issues, the possibility of mitigating the
environmental problems, the prospect of sustainable development, case of
environmental education and use of alternative energy sources etc.

Demographic Trends and Urbanization

Like the geographical environment, population is vital to the
production of material goods. Population is not only the producer, but also
assumes the role of consumer in the capitalist economy. In other words,
the constant interaction between natural environment and population at a
specific historical situation is important to understand the way economy
works. There is no denying the fact that the ecological situation depends to
a large extent on the demographic factor of any society. The unprecedented
growth in the global population rate over the last two hundred years has
raised many important questions in the social sciences scholarship. The
ecological crisis and the population growth are among some of the worrying
and urgent global problems in the contemporary world. The expansion
of the demographic trend in the world has put a severe challenge on the
sustainability of the environment. The developing world, with its rapid
population growth, on one hand, and general economic, scientific, technical
backwardness, on the other, are worst affected by the consequence of the
global climate change.
Apart from the ecological crisis and its relation to the demographic
trend, the debate on the growth of population and its correlation to socio-
 (xix)

economic development across the globe has also captured attention of the
academia. The ghost of Malthus seems to be ringing still in the ears
of a significant section of the academia. Many scholars, following the
logic of Malthus, seem to suggest an inverse relationship between the
rapid growth of population and increase in the means of subsistence,
finally entailing hunger and poverty in the society. However, this
straightforward model of poverty, related to the growth of population,
has been challenged by many. It is true that an increase in population
leads to new economic challenges in the society. But to consider the
growth of population as the major source of poverty is simplistic and
uncritical. Thus, for instance, one could think of many small African
countries, which have the tremendous potential to develop with its
small population base and huge natural resources. Unfortunately,
this possibility of economic prosperity, taking into consideration the
Malthusian discourse of inverse relationship between population and
economic growth, has never been materialized. In fact, in the final
analysis poverty and utilization of natural resources depend not on the
demographic trend of any society, but on the character of the productive
activity of the society itself. In other words, demographic patterns and
issues are determined by the socio-economic factors. The UN World
Conference on Population, held in 1974, has maintained the socio-
economic issues over and above demographic trends. Thus, a more
rational and scientific view should suggest a restructuring of established
economic relations as an intelligent solution to the demographic
problems, entailing a sustainable socio-economic development of the
society.
These progressive opinions about the issue of population,
ecological crisis and sustainable development have been the core of our
understanding, as reflected in the essays on population in the volume.
Taking into consideration these views, many have advocated for change
in some economic policy at different levels of the society to address the
question of population to usher in a sustainable development of the
society. The essays in the volume purely reflect this theoretical view,
outlined above. The contributors in the second section of the current
volume have tried to present both the challenge and prospect of population
growth, combined with the possibility of sustainable development, while
advocating certain broad trends of policy reforms taking examples from
Indian Perspectives.
 (xx)

Dimensions of Socio-Economic Development

The word ‘society’ is perhaps one of the most complex terms in
the whole of social science discourses. On the other hand, it is, indeed,
interesting to note that the term has been used widely by social scientists, a
situation that creates tremendous confusion in identifying, understanding
and comprehending the idea of ‘society’ itself. Can one use the term
‘society’ in an abstract way? To understand society in its general form is
essentially ahistoric, since every society is linked and consequently could
be defined by its specific economic, social, political, religious institutions
and practices. To understand society as a category on its own, devoid of any
organic linkage with other aspects, is problematic. Society is associated with
other analytical categories such as economy, politics, culture etc. Society or
social systems can’t exist in pure form. Thus, for instance, modern capitalist
society is qualitatively different from all the pre-capitalist economic and
social organizations, since it essentially focuses on accumulation of value,
which was unimagined in all the previous societies.
In the fairy tale world of the free market logic, one might even tempted
to consider society as merely the sum of the rational individuals. In this
version, individuals are like Robinson Crusoe who could take any rational
economic decision without even having to bother about the existence of a
society. This individualistic account appears to be extremely problematic,
since it does not capture the complexities of society. Rather than considering
each individual as an isolated entity, the modern social sciences, with its
scientific understanding, look at individuals as related to each other through
definite productive relations. This is why the classical economists such as
Adam Smith understood society as combinations of different classes and
not merely as an accidental combination of individuals. In order to sustain
and produce the material goods, the human beings enter into diverge
economic, social, political and cultural relations with each other.
Due to the emerging trend of unthinking traditional social sciences in
a more complicated capitalist world, the modern social sciences, with its
multidisciplinary approach, have gained momentum. The consequence of
this change in the approach of social sciences only has entailed surfacing of
socio-economic studies of society. In other words, given the complexities
of society, there is no denying the fact that the theory of socio-economic
system forms the core methodology in modern social sciences. Owing
to the diverse nature of the society, socio-economic studies are the most
 (xxi)

scientific and reliable to understand the growth, prosperity, level of

development and challenges of a given population. Taking thread of this
multidisciplinary approach, one could argue that socio-economic studies,
in terms of its methods and theory, are the most heterogeneous since it
looks into different aspects of society. However, the undefined and varied
nature of socio-economic methods is also a problematic because, unlike
the other established methods of social sciences, the theory suffers from a
concrete institutional and structural framework.
Contributors in the present volume have drawn on extensively this
theoretical framework of socio-economic studies to analyze a variety of
scientific and policy problems from a multi-disciplinary perspective. The
essays, consequently, in the dimensions of socio-economic development
of the book deal with variety of theoretical and empirical issues, broadly
focusing on the complex interplay between economic and socio-political
institutions, problems of development and unemployment, conflicts over
economic resources and workings of different social institutions etc. taking
instances from Indian scenario.

Place: Siliguri Dr. Ranjan Sarkar, Editor

Date-10/05/2020 Gopal Das, Co-Editor
 Contents

Preface vii
Acknowledgements ix

List of Contributors xi
Introduction xv
PART - 1 : MAN, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
1. Study of Environmental Education and its Role in 3
Sustainable Environment
*Dr. Ratula Mukherjee
2. Role of Environmental Education in Saving Earth - 14
A Critical Analysis
*Dr. Dipak Kumar Singh
3. Role of Self Consciousness of People in the Disaster 22
Management Programme
*Dr. Madhusudan Karmakar
4. Environment Protection and Sustainable Development: 34
An Appraisal of Judicial Contribution in India
*Dr. Abhijit Bhattacharjee
5. Influence of Yoga Mudras on the Environment through 44
the Development of Human Body, Mind and Soul
*Dr. Sukdeb Das
6. Perception of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism 55
Development among Different Population Living Close to
Protected Forest Area of Western Dooars
*Mr. Sudipta Majumder
7. Environmental Sustainability and Chemistry: An Overview 67
*Mominul Sinan
 (xxiv)

8. Climate Change and Its Effect on Ecosystem: Mitigation 77

and Sustainable Development by Modern Methods
*Parimal Routh
9. East Calcutta Wetlands: Our Own Paradise for Sustainable 90
Development
*Kantisree Goswami
10. Mapping of Solar Energy Uses in the Maynaguri Block of 103
Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal
*Dr. Sarbari Mukhopadhyay
PART - 2 : DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND URBANIZATION
11. India’s Demographic Dividend: Trends, Opportunities 117
and Emerging Challenges
*Tanu Das & **Dr. Tamal Basu Roy
12. An Analysis of Trends and Patterns of Sex Ratio in Koch 128
Bihar District of West Bengal
*Sangita Karmakar, **Bhupen Barman &
***Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy
13. Urban Growth & its Promises: A Case Study of Cooch 142
Behar Town
*Dr. Writuparna Chakraborty
14. Women Health in Slum Areas of Jalpaiguri Municipality: 167
An Appraisal
*Sreyashi Ganguli
15. Assessment of Nutritional Status of Pre-School Children: 181
A Key Indicator of Sustainable Development in Slum Areas
of Raiganj City, West Bengal, India
*Goutam Mandal & **Arghadeep Bose
PART - 3 : DIMENSIONS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
16. Technology and Economy: A Marxist View 199
*Dr. Arnab Roy
17. Assessment of Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment 215
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) on Rural Out-migration
in Koch Bihar District, West Bengal: A Multivariate
Analysis
*Bhupen Barman & **Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy
 (xxv)

18. Income and Employment Structure of Handloom 236

Industry - A Case Study of Tufanganj-II Block, Cooch
Behar District, West Bengal
*Tapan Debnath & **Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Roy
19. Selected Indicators for Rural Development: A Case Study 247
of Raiganj Community Development Block, Uttar Dinajpur
District, West Bengal, India
*Prosenjit Kayal & **Dr. Indrajit Roy Choudhary
20. Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic 268
Status of Farmers in Jalpaiguri District
*Manoranjan Mandal, **Goutam Mandal &
***Arghadeep Bose
21. Socio-Economic Condition of The Tea Community in 283
The Dooars Region
*Pratima Chamling Rai & **Rupen Lama
22. Women’s Participation in Plantation Agriculture and 302
Its Impact on The Socio-Economic Condition of The Farmers:
A Case Study of Juropani Village of Chopra Block,
Uttar Dinajpur District, West Bengal
*Subrata Ghosh
23. Regional Disparity in Economic and Infrastructural 315
Development of Dakshin Dinajpur District, West Bengal:
A Geo-Spatial Analysis
*Dr. Ranjan Sarkar
24. Analysis of Economic Development and Environmental 338
Sustainability in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal -
A Geo-Spatial Approach
*Gopal Das
25. Land Acquisition and Development Induced Displacement 371
in the Light of Rights of Displaced Persons under Indian Law
*Chandra Kanta Saha
 PART - 3
Dimensions of Socio-Economic Development
 20
Development of Canal Irrigation and
Socio-Economic Status of Farmers in
Jalpaiguri District

*Manoranjan Mandal, **Goutam Mandal, & ***Arghadeep Bose

*Ph.D. Research Scholar, **M.A. in Geography, & ***Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal,
Siliguri, West Bengal.

Abstract
Irrigation is considered as an important input for increasing agricultural
production as well as the socio-economic development of the farmers.
Water is natural but scarce input available to the farmers. Therefore, it
is necessary to use it judiciously and efficiently. In order to increase the
maximum use of irrigation, an efficient water resource management is
necessary efficient. Water resource management technique in agriculture
signifies the utilization of available water resources to the maximum
possible advantage for crop production and there by resulting in overall
socio-economic development of the farmers. It is of immense importance
to know the extent of utilization of canal irrigation water for increasing
crop production. So, the present study deals with tracing the temporal
changes in development of Canal Irrigation, finding out socio-economic
status of the farmers in the district and to measure the impact on Canal
irrigation on socio-economic status of the farmers. There has been a
significant positive relation found in canal irrigation and total irrigated
area, as both increases towards positive direction. Rajganj block has
highest percentage of land under canal irrigation where Matiali block has
the lowest percentage area under irrigation. Farming was observed as the
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    269

main occupation in the study area. The farmers were mostly scheduled
caste and their education status was mostly up to primary level. From the
comparative cost-benefit analysis it is proved that the input expenditure
is low in case of canal irrigation than STW and hence the profit margin is
higher in Canal irrigation system than STW.
Keywords: Canal Irrigation, Socio-Economic Status, Cost-Benefit Analysis,
Input Expenditure

Introduction
The success of the agriculture depends on various factors, irrigation is
one of them. India is an agrarian country, a large proportion of population
relay on agriculture for their livelihood and it’s also incorporate with
the socio-economic development of the concern society. Irrigation refers
as an art of supplying water to the fields for rising crops in areas where
the rainfall is either limited or not properly distributed throughout the
cropping season (V.S Chandrasekhara, 1996). Irrigation has also used to
assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes
and re-vegetation in dry areas during the periods of inadequate rainfall.
Irrigation in India includes a network of major and minor canals from
Indian Rivers; groundwater well based systems, tanks, and other rainwater
harvesting projects for agricultural activities and of these, groundwater
system is the largest. (S. Siebert et al. 2010). Canal Irrigation is an artificial
channel that is constructed to carry water from rivers, lake, to the fields as
irrigated water. Since 1996-1997 considerable importance has been attached
to the provision of Teesta canal irrigation in Jalpaiguri district as canal
irrigation areas have increased from 8105.50 hectares to 9226.8 hectares in
Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri district alone during above mentioned year. The
total length of major Canal i.e. Karotwa -Talma canal is 55.874 km, Teesta-
Jaldhaka canal is 33.881 km and Teesta-Mahananda link canal 144.096 km
in 2016 (CWC, CGWB, District Irrigation and Agriculture Office, Jalpaiguri)
from which various minor and micro canals have been spread over the
district and supply water for irrigation. The present study aims to find out
the impact of canal irrigation on the socio-economic status of the farmers.

Objectives
The main objectives of this study are –
1. To overview the temporal changes in Development of Canal
Irrigation.
270    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

2. To find out socio-economic status of the farmers in the district.

3. To measure the impact on Canal irrigation on socio-economic status
of the farmers.

Study Area
The study area (Jalpaiguri District) is bounded by Bhutan and
Darjeeling District in the north, Alipurduar District in the East, Bangladesh
and Coochbehar District in the south and Darjeeling District in the West.
The district shares two international boundaries. The Latitudinal and
Longitudinal Extent of the study area are 26˚15'47˝N to 26˚59'34˝N and
88˚23'02˝E to 89˚07'30˝E, administratively it comprises with Seven CD
Blocks, these are – Jalpaiguri Sadar, Rajganj, Mal, Matiali, Nagrakata,
Dhupguri and Mynaguri. Its geographical area is 3386.18 sq km, which
occupies 80 Gram Panchayats with 1177 Gram Samsads. Geologically
the area is important because coal, dolomite and enormous deposits of
construction materials e.g. gravel, sand, brick and earth etc. The district
is entirely underlain by alluvium except its northern border where hard
rocks are exposed (Pawde M.B., Saha S.S. 1982). Inhabitants of the district
according to 2011census are 2381596 persons of which 51.12% is male and
48.88% female.

Review of Related Literature

Gireeshayya Udagatti (2005) stated An Economic Analysis of Farming
Systems in Tank Commands of Northern Karnataka. The study was
based on Jala Samvardhana Yojana Sangha of northern Karnataka which
includes three districts. The study carried out with the main objective of
identifying and analyzing the cost and returns of major farming systems
and impact of on farm demonstrations on socio – economic conditions of
farmers. Van den Berg J (2013) studied on Socio-Economic factors affecting
adoption of improved agricultural practices small scale farmers in Sothern
Africa. The main objective of the study has to collect information on socio-
economic aspects of farming community in the study area. Abraham
Gebrehiwot Yihdego (2015) studied the “Impact of Small-Scale Irrigation
on income of rural farm households: Evidence from Ahferom, Woreda
in Tigray- Ethiopia”. The objective of the study has been to examine
the impact of small-scale irrigation on income rural farm households.
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    271

Figure 1: Location Map

Dereje Mengistite, et.al (2016) described the assessment of the impact of

small-scale irrigation on household livelihood improvement at Gubalafto
district north Wollo, Ethiopia”. The study conducted with the main
objective to addition the productivity and diversifies livelihood scenarios
in small scale irrigation. Mohan Kanda (2010) stated irrigation scenario
272    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

in India during five-year plans. India’s first five-year plan seeking to

release the country’s economy from the cycle of poverty was presented to
parliament by the first late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Thakur et.al
(2000) assessed the impact of irrigation on production and economic level
of farmers. Study is conducted in command area flow irrigation scheme of
Hurla in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

Database and Methodology

The study based on both primary and secondary data. Secondary data
have been collected from different office mainly agriculture development
office in Jalpaiguri and irrigation development of Jalpaiguri, district statistical
handbook etc. In order to analyse the socio-economic impact of canal irrigation,
extensive field survey will be carried out. For the collection of primary data,
a random sampling without replacement will be made by the researcher by
taking 28 villages (4 villages each from 7 CD blocks) from the study area. To
carry out the field observation particular and relevant questionnaire will be
used. To collect primary data, direct field observation will be done through
questionnaires and interviews of 28sample village of seven blocks. To study
the social impact of irrigation in the study area 560 (20 household from each
village) household survey will be done through random sampling method.
To understand the impact of canal irrigation on the income of the farmers cost-
benefit analysis has been done using following formula –
NR = AI - CP
Where,
NR= Net returns per hectare
AI= Annual income per hectare
CP= Cost of production per hectare.

Result and Discussion

Development of Canal Irrigation

The development of canal irrigation refers to the growth of construction
and agricultural area covered by the canals. There has been a positive
effects of canal irrigation found in overall irrigation methods in the district.
Table 1 reveals that the area under canal irrigation changes from 2002 -03
to 2014- 15, where in 200-03 it was 61.84 thousand hectares and in 2014-15
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    273

it rose up to 110.14 thousand hectares. Though there was no linear pattern

has seen in this time period, rather it fluctuates in various years.
Table 1: Spatio-Temporal Changes in Area Under Canal Irrigation on Jalpaiguri
District (Thousand Hectares)

Year Net Sown Area Canal Irrigated Area Total Irrigated Area
2002-03 329.85 61.84 94.40
2003-04 337.46 58.38 94.28
2004-05 340.00 48.65 84.69
2005-06 340.00 80.96 116.16
2006-07 335.73 62.53 104.12
2007-08 334.65 69.53 111.75
2008-09 335.69 55.70 105.64
2009-10 335.77 71.73 102.58
2010-11 334.13 39.35 76.46
2011-12 335.00 51.96 92.61
2012-13 335.51 96.10 137.06
2013-14 336.02 99.20 145.63
2014-15 336.72 100.14 151.13
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Jalpaiguri (2002-2015)
The lowest canal irrigated area has found during 2010-11, as because
the irrigation hit by the severe drought in this time period. The highest
area under canal irrigation has been observed in 2014-15, which was 100.14
thousand hectares.

Figure 2: Scatter Plot Shows the Relation Between Canal Irrigated Area and
Total Irrigated Area in Jalpaiguri District (2002 – 2015)
274    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

The lowest total irrigated area has also observed in 2010-11 time period,
when it was only 76.46 thousand hectares of agricultural land. But there has
been a positive relation (figure 2) found between canal irrigated area and
total irrigated area, as the changes in canal irrigated area impacted on the
overall irrigation system in the district. In 2002-03 the canal irrigated area
and total irrigated area was 61.84 and 94.40 thousand hectares respectively,
which is now increases to100.14 and 151.13 thousand hectares respectively.

Present Scenario of Canal Irrigation

The canal irrigation of the district has taken a significant place from
Teesta Barrage project. There has been variation in block wise distribution
of canal irrigation. Blocks like Rajganj, Jalpaiguri Sadar Dhupguri and
Mal have significant reach of canals and hence the surface irrigation has
developed here. Some of the blocks like Nagrakata and Matiali that lies
in the foot hills of Darjeeling Himalaya which prevent the growth of
canal irrigation, though the farmers of these blocks have used ‘Jhoras’
water for irrigation. Again, Mynaguri block has insignificant in terms of
canal irrigation due to the absence of canals and infrastructure for canal
irrigation. Table 2 and figure 4 have shown that in Rajganj block nearly
16.17% of TNSA (22760 hectares) has covered by Canal irrigation, which
is the highest in the district. Jalpaiguri Sadar stands 2nd in respect to area
covered by canal irrigation to NSA i.e. nearly 9.23% (12984 hectares). The
following are – 3.11% (4378 hectares) of Mal block, 2.87% (4035 hectares)
of Dhupguri, 1.22% (1720 hectares) of Mynaguri, 1.13% (1596 hectares) of
Nagrakata and 1.10% (1542 hectares) of Matiali.
Table 2: Block Level Area Covered Under Canal Irrigation

Name of Net Sown Canal Irrigation Percentage of Canal

Blocks Area in Hectares Area in Hectares Area to TNSA
Rajganj 24165 22760 16.17
Jalpaiguri 29501 12984 9.23
Maynaguri 33260 1720 1.22
Dhupguri 26200 4035 2.87
Mal 18560 4378 3.11
Matiali 3752 1542 1.10
Nagrakata 5303 1596 1.13
Total 140741 49015 34.83
Source: District Statistical Handbook, Jalpaiguri (2002–2015)
Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    275

Figure 3: Distribution of Canal and Extent of Crop Area

Figure 4: Percentage of Area Under Canal Irrigation

276    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

Socio-Economic Status of The Farmers

To discuss the socio-economic status of the farmers the total farms
house holdings were grouped into three farm size classes in such a way
that the operational area of holdings arranged in ascending order remained
more or less the same in each class. The farm size classes so, drawn are as
follows:
i. Small Size - Below 1 hectare
ii. Medium Size - 1.00 to 2.00 hectares
iii. Large Size - Above 2.00 hectares

Family Size
Size of family signifies the social as well as economic status. In normal
case the agrarian society has greater family size, as because more people can
work for the household income. Table 3 depicts the category wise family
size. The researcher has categorized the family size into 4 groups, i.e. less
than 4, 4 to 5, 6 to 7 and more than 7. Out of 295 small farmers 28 (9.49%) of
them has family size less than 4, 184 (62.37%) has 4 to 5, 79 (26.78%) has 6
to 7 and only 4(1.36%) family has more than 7 persons in their family.
Table 3: Size of Family of The Farmers

Family Size
Small Medium Large
Particulars No. % No. % No. % Total
Less than 4 28 9.49 19 10.11 3 3.9 50
4 to 5 184 62.37 108 57.45 32 41.56 324
6 to 7 79 26.78 58 30.85 29 37.66 166
More Than 7 4 1.36 3 1.6 13 16.88 20
Total 295 100 188 100 77 100 560
Source: Field Survey
Again, in case of medium farmers, out of 188 farmers 19 (10.11%) have
family of less than 4, 108 (57.45%) has 4 to 5, 58 (30.85%) has 6 to 7 and
3 (1.60%) has more than 7 persons in their respective families. The total
number of large farmers is 77. Out of 77 large farmers, only 3 (3.90%) has
less than 4 of family size, 32 (41.56%) has 4 to 5, 29 (37.66%) has 6 to 7 and
13 (16.88%) has more than 7 persons in their respective families.
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    277

Educational Status
The level of literacy of an individual reflects his or her social status in
the society. Normally it is believed that higher level of literacy in people
of the society provides greater social status. Table 4 reveals farm size wise
level of literacy of the sample farmers. Out of 295 small farmers only 5
(1.69%) is illiterate.
Table 4: Level of Educational Attainment by The Farmers

Educational Status
Particulars Small Medium Large Total
No. % No. % No. %
Illiterate 5 1.69 3 1.6 1 1.3 9
Primary 141 47.8 55 29.3 12 15.58 208
Upper Primary 97 32.88 74 39.4 30 38.96 201
Secondary 23 7.8 16 8.5 9 11.69 48
Higher Secondary 21 7.12 17 9 9 11.69 47
Graduation 8 2.71 23 12.2 16 20.78 47
Total 295 100 188 100 77 100 560
Source: Field Survey
The highest proportion i.e. 141 (47.80%) of small farmers have completed
just primary level of education. 97 (32.88%) in Upper primary, 23 (7.80%)
in secondary, 21 (7.12%) in higher secondary and only 8 (2.71%) sample
farmers completed graduation level of education. In case of medium
farmers out of 188, only 3 farmers are illiterate, which is only 1.6% of total
medium farmers. The highest proportion (39.4%) of medium farmers has
completed upper primary level of education. Again nearly 29% of medium
farmers have completed primary level education. In secondary level only
16 (8.5%) of medium farmers, in HS 17 (9.0%) and in graduation 23 (12.2%)
of medium farmers have completed.

Occupational Status
Cultivation is the main occupation of the sample farmers. The farmers
also engaged in other activity as secondary occupation.
278    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

Table 5: Occupational Status of The Farmers

Particulars Occupation
Small Medium Large Total
No. % No. % No. %
Cultivation 206 69.83 101 53.7 24 31.17 331
Cultivation & Fishing 25 8.47 13 6.9 7 9.09 45
Cultivation and Poultry
35 11.86 23 12.2 11 14.29 69
Farming
Cultivation and
29 9.83 36 19.1 16 20.78 81
Business
Cultivation and Service 0 0.00 15 8.0 19 24.68 34
Total 295 100.00 188 100 77 100 560
Source: Field Survey
(Table 5) In the small farmers group most of the farmers (69.83%) only
practices cultivation. 8.47% of them are engage in fishing with cultivation.
Nearly 12% of small farmers are engage in poultry farming along with
cultivation and 10% of them are engage in business. No small farmers have
engaged in any kind of services. In case of medium farmers, out of 188
farmers 101 (53.7%) have engaged in only farming. Nearly 19% of them are
engage in business along with farming. Except these the medium farmers
engaged - 7% in fishing, 12% in poultry farming and 8% in service. In case
of large farmers out of 77, 31.17% of them are engage solely in cultivation.
Secondly 25% of large farmers are engage in service along with cultivation.

House Status
This is one of the important Socio-economic aspects of the sample
farmers. It is also a yard stick of economic status. The researcher has
therefore studied this point with reference to sample farmers. The table
6 reveals the type of houses of the surveyed farmers. It is depicted that
nearly 29% of small farmers, 22% of medium farmers and 16.88% of large
farmers have Kuccha houses.
Again 36% of small farmers, 31% of medium farmers and 19% of large
farmers have semi pucca type of houses. 55% of large farmers, 37% of
medium farmers and 26% of small farmers lived in pucca houses. Nearly
8% of small farmers, 10% of medium farmers and 9% large farmers lived
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    279

in tiled roof houses. The whole scenario of type of houses has reveals
that most of the farmers live in either semi pucca or pucca houses, which
denotes the viable economic condition of the farmers.
Table 6: House Status of The Farmers

Particulars Type of Farmers Total

Small Medium Large
No. % No. % No. %

Kuccha 85 28.81 42 22.34 13 16.88 140

Semi Pucca 107 36.27 58 30.85 15 19.48 180
Pucca 78 26.44 70 37.23 42 54.55 190
Tiled 25 8.47 18 9.57 7 9.09 50
Total 295 100 188 100 77 100 560
Source: Field Survey

Live-Stock Profile
Live-stocks are economic asset of farmers. They are domestic animals
and treated parallel with agriculture. Some of the have also used in farming
for ploughing, levelling the field etc. The dung of the domestic cattle has
also utilized as organic manure in cultivable field. Table 7 reveals the live-
stock profile of the surveyed farmers. Out of 295 small farmers 253 (85.76%)
have cows in their houses. 177 (94.15%) of medium farmers and 65 (84.42%)
of large farmers have also cows in their houses. Bulls are comparatively
less in number than cows. 45 (15.25%) small farmers, 18 (9.57%) medium
farmers and 5 (6.49%) large farmers have bulls in their houses. In case of
buffalo, only 4% of small farmers, 2% of medium farmers have buffaloes.
Goat takes 2nd position after cow in terms of its population. 175 (59.32%)
of small farmers, 121 (64.36%) of medium farmers and 32 (41.56%) large
farmers have goat. Again, the numbers of farmer, who have sheep, are
lesser than goat. Out of 295 only 47 small farmers and 51 (out of 188)
medium farmers and 27 (out of 77) large farmers have sheep. Except these
the farmers have also some domestic birds. Hen, Duck and pigeon are
main birds. These are also important aspect of household income of the
sample farmers. The egg and the chicken of the birds also provide income
to the farmers. 150 small farmers, 83 medium farmers and 15 large farmers
have hen. Like hen duck has also been part of animal husbandry, 145 small
280    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

farmer, 72 medium and 9 large farmers have duck in their houses. Out of
295 small farmers only 32 (10.85%) have pigeon. 17 (9.04) medium farmers
have also pigeon.
Table 7: Live-Stock Status of The Farmers

Type of Farmers
Particulars Small Medium Large Total
No. % No. % No. %
Cow 253 85.76 177 94.15 65 84.42 495
Bull 45 15.25 18 9.57 5 6.49 68
Buffalo 11 3.73 3 1.60 0 0.00 14
Goat 175 59.32 121 64.36 32 41.56 328
Sheep 47 15.93 51 27.13 27 35.06 125
Hen 150 50.85 83 44.15 15 19.48 248
Duck 145 49.15 72 38.30 9 11.69 226
Pigeon 32 10.85 17 9.04 0 0.00 49
Total 858 542 153 1553
Source: Field Survey

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Major Crops

Cost–benefit analysis (CBA), sometimes called benefit costs analysis
(BCA), is a systematic approach to estimating the strengths and
weaknesses of alternatives used to determine options which provide the
best approach to achieving benefits while preserving savings (David. et.
al. 2013). In case of agriculture the cost benefit analysis refers to the total
estimated input and the output benefits from the agricultural production.
To understand the impact of canal irrigation on the productivity of crops
and output income of the farmers, a comparative cost-benefit assessment
has been done between canal irrigation system and STW irrigation
system. The major crops which are cultivated during non-monsoonal
season have taken into consideration for cost-benefit analysis. The three
crops namely, Boro rice, Maize and Potato which are basically winter
crops and needed irrigation have been considered. The cost comprises of
the human and animal labour cost, inputs cost, energy cost, maintenance
 Development of Canal Irrigation and Socio-Economic Status…    281

cost, and another cost. Family labour, owned bullock labour and input
and equipment used in cultivation are accounted and their values are
computed at the prevailing market rates.
Table 8: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Major Non-Monsoonal Crops in
Jalpaiguri District
Types Crops LC PC SC FR Pesticides IC Mc TC HC TE TI P
of
Irri- OR IN Inse Her
gation

Boro 3150 1250 1650 2060 2250 670 410 2750 850 1500 3600 20140 34500 14360

Canal Maize 3050 1050 2100 2600 2400 730 320 450 950 1650 1800 17100 36800 19700

Potato 5600 1100 3600 2550 3800 1250 0 400 850 4600 6350 30100 70280 40180

Boro 3200 1200 1850 2150 2550 670 510 4890 850 1650 3600 23120 33250 10130

STW Maize 3120 1050 2100 2800 2850 730 380 980 1000 1560 1800 18370 35420 17050

Potato 5500 1200 3650 2450 4100 1250 120 800 950 4650 6350 31020 66300 35280

Source: Field Survey *All the value in rupees

Note:
LC – Labour Cost PC – Ploughing Cost SC – Seed Cost
OR – Organic IN – Inorganic Inse - Insecticides
Herb – Herbicides IC – Irrigation Cost MC- Maintenance Cost
TC- Transport Cost HC- Harvesting Cost TE- Total Expenditure
TI- Total Income P- Profit
Table 8 presents the cost-benefit analysis of 3 major non-monsoonal
crops in two distinct irrigation systems. In canal irrigation the total
expenditure for Boro, Maize and Potato is 20140, 17100 and 30100 rupees
respectively. The total income of the same crops is 34500, 36800 and 70280
rupees respectively. In case of STW irrigation system the total expenditure
for agricultural activity is higher than the previous methods, where total
expenditure for Boro, maize and Potato is 23120, 18370 and 31020 rupees
respectively. But the total income is not as high as canal irrigation. Thus,
the margin of the profit is higher in case of canal irrigation than STW
irrigation system.

Conclusion
The socio-economic status of the farmers depends on various aspects.
Canal irrigation is one of them, where the researcher tries to establish
impact of canal irrigation on economic wellbeing of the surveyed farmers.
282    Socio-Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability 

This paper has dealt with the socio-economic profile and cost benefit
assessment of major non-monsoonal crops to understand the impact of
canal irrigation. From cost-benefit analysis, it can be said that there has
been a positive impact of irrigation on the economic status of the surveyed
farmers.

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