ABSTRACT - Kurseong town is located in Darjeeling Himalaya (The North Indian Entrance) which is one of the highest rainfall station In India.Kurseong has been experiencing rapid growth of urbanization in recent year. Its pressure on natural resources and urban basic amenities has increased manifold. Vertical expansion of town is more than horizontal expansion due to physical setting leads to congestion and increase squatter settlement.The natural Scenic beauty,Social Cultures,Favourable pleasant Climate,Perennial Rivers,Landforms,Housing Sculptures,Geo Tourist spots,Millennium Heritage in Kurseong specially attract people to revisit Kurseong repeatedly.The physical,natural geography of Kurseong has its special flourishing momentum to all which we are tried to present in here.
Kurseong Geography -
Kurseong is located on the halfway to Darjeeling from
Siliguri along the left valley side of Balason river and adjoining spur of the
Senchal -Mahaldiram range in the southern Lesser Himalaya at an altitude of
4783 feet (1458 Metres) above the mean sea level. Kurseong is a popular
attractive tourist spot of Darjeeling hill with Mt. Kanchenjunga,and Mt. Kabru Pleasent view.
It is also known for the place of peace, serenity calmness and the healthy
climate. The Hill
areas of Kurseong Subdivision are located within the Lesser and Sub - Himalayan
belts of the Eastern Himalayas. The area is bounded by the Sikkim Himalaya in
the north, the Bhutan Himalaya in the east and Nepal Himalaya in the west. The
geographical extension of Kurseong town is 26°
51' 42" N to 26° 53' 36" N
Latitude and 88° 15'12" E to 88° 17'32" E Longitudes covering
of an area of 425.3 km2.
Fig The Location Of Study Area -
Geological
Physiographic Layout
The Darjeeling Hill area represents an unique Geo-
environmental perception. Geomorphologically, Darjeeling witness two distinct
visible tracts, the Terai immediately
beneath the hills, and ridges coupled
with deep valleys of lower Himalayas.The hills rise abruptly from the plains
and the elevation increases northwestward.The study area of Kurseong is
primarily composed of erosional landforms produced by southerly flowing
streams,i.e- Mahananda,Balason which have exposed a full cross section of
different tectonic units.“Landform is
the function of the structure,Process & stage:” – William Morris Davis
. Here not only the geomorphological structure plays a predominant role to
evolve the landform,besides these
lithology, structure,climatic conditions,Ground water cycles soil and
vegetative covers play together a dominant role to evolve these Tectonic area.
This complex physical environment is due to different geomorphic processes
(endogenic and as well as exogenic) as a result Kurseong possess highly rugged
hill topography.
A brief description of Environmental conditions, Geological
layout of the Land Of white Orchids is given here under :-
Climate
The amount of rainfall plays a very important role in
causing instability of slopes. The great lofty Himalayan Mountains and the
Tibetan landmass play a significant role in the determination of the climate of
Kurseong . The climate varies from tropical to sub-tropical to temperate with
rise in elevation. A very high intensity of rainfall within a short span of
time is not uncommon in Kurseong hill areas.From
our field study it is noted that here is a strong relationship between Altitude
and Rainfall. Besides seasonality, another climatic feature in the Kurseong is
created by orographic factor; causing the vertical zonation of temperature and
decline of precipitation. Thus the mountain front is exposed to heavy rainfall
especially in Dowhill,Gidda Pahar Sides. Long duration of rainfall along with
heavy down pour may cause deeper infiltration and overland flow, which
ultimately may result into the occurrence of landslides on weaker slopes.
A. Temperatures
The mean annual temperature of the study area is about
17.17° Celsius during the winter season while
during the summer season temperatures
rises up to 22° Celsius. The warmest and coldest months are May and January
respectively.In the month of may during day time mean temperature rise at 30
degree celcius above.Though After the withdrawal of the south west monsoon, the
temperature begins to fall. Normally January is the coldest month; however,
there is a gradual decrease of 1°C temperature for every 100m rise in the
elevation above 1850 meters. Thus this type of climate condition is equitable
with Mesothermal or C1 type of climate in Koppen Climatic Classification.
B. Rainfall
The frequency of rainfall is very high where there is no
barrier for penetration of monsoon clouds. Rainfall is heaviest in the south
facing ridges of the Kurseong subdivision.During June and September the hilly
region receives higher rainfall (80%).
In the monsoon season the sky remains regularly overcast
with clouds, sunshine lasting for about one hours per day during monsoon. The
mean monthly distribution of rainfall rises, evenly from the end of May up to
July after which diminishes gradually to almost nil.
.
The area experiences four dominant seasons namely:
- Summer (May September),
- Autumn (October November),
- Winter (December February)
- and Spring (March April)
The duration and extent of these seasons are not similar.The
area experiences a long bothersome monsoon season during the summer accompanied
by rainfall and mist.The winter season is usually very cold and unpleasant
while spring and autumn represent the most pleasant seasons although they are
quite insignificant.
According To the local peoples March to June and September
to December is the best time to visit Kurseong.So we can say due to harsh with
torrential rainfal and tourist must be avoided to visit in Kurseong
Soils -
The soils of Kurseong Hilly area have developed depending
upon the underlying geological structure,fluvial morphometry,Chemical
composition,relief slope with in geological time scale. The variable
thickness of the regolith and soils depend on the rate of weathering and gradient
of the longitudinal slope profiles and intensity / gravity of mass movements.
The soils that have developed in the Kurseong area are predominantly reddish
brown in color with Clayey Loam admixture some areas in the upper elevation are
extensivly existence of phyllitic and schists Granitic composition soils.These
perhaps indicates the lanform is developed on Siwalik Himalayan Ranges. By our
Soil Kit Testing methodology & observatory skills we identified The surface layer of soil consists of well
decomposed humus with a thin topsoil layer that varies in depth between 3-5
meters.Which gradually gets depleted due to continuous cultivation.The
soils,rocks in here are highly disintegrated,weathered. The chemical content of
the soil over Kurseong gneiss is characterized by a high proportion acidic in
nature Consists of potassium derived from feldspar and muscovite mica. This
soil is poor in lime, magnesium, iron oxides, limes,phosphorous &
nitrozen.Kurseong - a perfect landscape of hazardous,landslides endevaour.Soil
erosivity tends to increase with the increase in rainfall,slope steepness and
length of slope as a result of increase in velocity and volume of surface
runoff. Soil erodibility or the resistance of soil to both detachment and
transport is variable depending on soil texture,aggregate stability, shear
strengths, infiltration capacity, organic and chemical properties.
Drainage
Pattern
There is a strong correlation between the drainage,lithology,climate and soils.The area under study, are mainly drained by Balasan and Mahanadi,Mechi rivers with their numerous tributaries and subtributaries due to that the Darjiling Himalaya is a very fragile terrestrial system, which is much often disturbed by various environmental catastrophes. The steep, narrow ridges and spurs are separated by water channels locally known as Jhoras and kholas (Tributary &Subtributary). The sloppy topography of Kurseong helps in rapid drainage. There is about14 jhoras (natural streams) which are passing through the heart of the town to channelize the water during rainy season The drainage pattern is, in general, Dendritic, specially upper reaches i.e -The boundary between the Kurseong and Mirik P.S. in the subdivision is marked by the Balasan River drainage basin. The ephemeral streams with high gradient form alluvial cones made up of boulders, gravel and pebbles cemented together with coarse sand. Alluvial terraces are well developed along the Balasan and the Mahanadi Rivers composed of materials such as boulders, cobbles and pebbles.
The major landforms are found in Kurseong are ;- Two notable peaks of this range are Tiger Hill and Senchal,Gorges, Interlocking Spurs,Waterfalls,Ridges and ripples,Caves (Ram Laxman Cave near Latpanchar hill),
The following map shows the Drainage network of the Kurseong
subdivision:-
Ground Water Supply
The main rivers, flowing through the study area are Teesta, Mahanadi, Balasan and Mechi. All these rivers are perennial, and except Teesta all the others are rain-fed. Kurseong sub division consists of four watershed regions, namely -Mechi river watershed, Balasan river watershed, Mahanadi river watershed and Tista river watershed.Though Water crisis is the common problems for all the people of urban area and become serious at present in Kurseong.Basically Darjeeling is to be classify in two distinct visible tracts e.g - The Terai and The Bhabar Belt or hill. In the Bhabar belt the water percolates rapidly and therefore, the water table occurs comparatively deep down.
In the Terai area, there are
possibilities of encountering ground water artesian condition.In the Gneisses,
schist, slate and clay-beds circulation of groundwater takes place through
joint and fissures and near the surface weathered material. Hence, the chances
of accumulation of large storage of Ground water are remote. Poor sections of
urban people are more deprived in terms of water and sanitation. They have to
live on inadequate unsafe water and poor sanitary condition. So, a proper
integrated management is very much necessary to handle this vicious cycle of
urban poor amenities.
Mineral
Resources –
The state of West Bengal has an important position in
mineral production of the country. In terms of value, the state accounts for 3.8% of mineral production in India and
occupies the seventh position.Darjeeling mountaineous ranges is a store house
of Coal,Copper,Limestone, Base Metals,Iron Ore and others some
Renewable,Non-Renewable resources.
Coal
occurs as beds in the sandstones near Tindharia.These coal beds were exploited
in the recent past and were later on abandoned. Some tracts of copper
ore are locate on the west of the western side of the Mahanadi.
Gneiss, which is easily split along the joint planes into blocks of
convenient sizes, is used for rubble masonry. The quartzite occurring near
Gidda Pahar can be used as road metal, railway ballast and concrete aggregate. Bolders
and gravels of gneiss and quartzite brought down by the
streams are abundantly found in the foot-hill zone. In the Lohagarh area, east
of the Mechi river, occurrences of iron ore varying from ferruginous
clays to impure brown hematite are reported in the tertiary sandstones.
BIODIVERSITY –
Biodiversity is the sum of all life on earth. Every single
individual lifeform from the smallest bacteria in the soil to the largest whale
in the sea, is a component of Earth’s biodiversity.Kurseong is situated under
Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot,which is a cradleland,natural habitat of many
Endemic,Threatend Species.
Faunal Biodiversity (Animals)
Some very endangered bird species like Rufous-necked
Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Great Hornbill,swallow, swift, thrush,
babbler, warbler, roller, minivet and sunbird can be found in abundance.Though
their has a large Biome,Evergreen Forests are noticed but Birds are found less
day by day.
Fishing cat,Jungle cat,Shepard Polar Dog are very common in
all over Kurseong.
The common snake species are Amphiesma platyceps, Orthriophis cantoris, Trachischium fuscum, Sibynophis collaris.Some Exotic Mammals i.e – Chital,barking deer, sambar, foxes, wild dogs,Squirrels, rhesus monkey
Dowhill Lakes,Deer Park,Makaibari,Monteovit are the common places of wildlife Habitation.
But at present Global Warming and Climate Change,Environmental
Pollution,Human Overpopulation increasing modification in natural landscapes,Excessive hunting,Deforestation,mining
exploration in Kurseong Himalaya together roles have a major cause in recent
huge Biological degradation,Species extinction.
For protecting the Biological Life of local endemic species
, Some Ex – Situ & In situ Organisation are situated near about in Kurseong
like Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,Dowhill Forest Office, Senchal Wildlife
Sanctuary,Padmaja Naidu himalayan zoological park,Deer Park .
Their has lots of NGO’s are together worked with Govt
Organisation for protecting Kurseong Bio Geographical Environment.The
organisation like kurseongdisha, has yearly initiated Afforestation programme,
Distribution
of Solar LanternsAwareness camp on Human Trafficking,Eco frinedly skill
Development Programme,seminar,Hill sustainability summits.
Floral
Biodiversity (Vegetation cover)
The principal economy of Darjeeling Hill Area depends on tea production, horticulture, agriculture and forestry. The major portions of the forests are today found at elevations of 2000 mts and above. The area located in between 1000-2000mts is cleared either for tea plantation or cultivation. The four major forest types according to altitudinal variation and properties of soil found in Darjeeling Hill Areas are:
- Tropical moist deciduous forest
- Tropical evergreen lower montane forest
- Tropical evergreen upper montane forest
- Temperate forest
- Sub temperate forest
The enchanting beauty of the natural landscape of Kurseong
(meaning ‘the land of white orchid’) have specially attracted tourists,nature lovers.The
name is such as because it
is commonly believed that the name of the town is derived from the Lepcha word “Kurson-rip”
means small white orchid (Coelogyne
Cristata) which grows abundantly in and around Kurseong (O'Malley, 1999). Kurseong is
richly endowed with natural vegetation, the floristic composition of which
varies perceptibly with altitude.It has a special floral diversity. The
rich flora of Kurseong and its surroundings is fascinating, and it has aptly
been described as a 'Botanists Paradise' (Bir, 1997).
Tropical
Dry Evergreen and Tropical Moist Deciduous are the common forest types of our
study area The upper portion of the hill town has a distinct forest cover of
temperate nature.The important species found are Alder, Cryptomenia, Chilaune
(Schimawallichii), Chikrassi (Chukrasiatabularis), Sidha
(Lagerstoemiaperviflora),Walnut and Poplar with different kinds of herbs,shrubs
and Orchids.Along with natural vegetation, Tea gardens (Makaibari Tea
estate,Monteviot) also represent a considerable part of green cover.We can also
classify our study area broadly into two different vegetal cover types. i.e
A. Plain Forests - The most important species among the plain forests is Sal(Shorearobusta), Chilaune (Schimawallichii), Chikrassi (Chukrasiatabularis), Paccassaj (Terminaliato mentosa),Oodal (Sterculiavillosa) and Simul (Bombaxmalabaricum) Sidha (Lagerstoemia perviflora), etc are mainly found along the foothill zone.But Besides Sal forests, dry-mixed forest with occasional Sal and wet-mixed forest like Chapalish (Artocarpuschaplasha), Lali are also observed.
B.Hill Forests - Kurseong is a Hill Town.Kurseong has highly
mixed forest, but distinctly different from the tropical rain forest.Mainly true
montaneous dense evergreen,semi evergreen forest,with some
deciduous and coniferous forests are found here with closed
canopy, branches and thickly wrapped trunks into moss and lichens. The main
species of this zone are Toon, Panisaj, Chilauni, Lampati, Saur (Betula
species), Dabdoda
(Garugapinnatal), Gumari, Oodal (Sterculiavillosa), Chilauni
(Schimawallichii),Kimbu Angare (Phoebe spec.), Siris (Albizzia spec.), Saur (Betula
spec.),Champ, Mahua (Eugelhardtia spec.) with dense under growing canopy like
Rubus, Bamboos and Ferns.
According to the
Regional Forest Office Department’s data locates near Dowhill High school, it
reveal that there has been a dramatic reduction in vegetal cover during the
last few decades.Plantation of tea gardens also results fragmentation of
vegetation cover.Urban sprawling in the forms of expansion of township,Cultural
Landscapes i.e, - Road Construction,New residential complexes, tourist
complexes,commercial centres, industrial establishments, hotels,
restaurants and recreational centers is responsible for such kind of
de-vegetation in Kurseong.So there is an urgent necessity to take an immediate
action afforestry plan for protecting Kurseong reach Bio Diversity.
Natural
Disasters –
Landslide is one of the most important problems of Kurseong having higher probability to appear in more destructive way in future. But the local authority has not yet seriously addressed the issue in any of their planning programmes. Indiscriminate replacement of forest cover by dwelling units or natural drainage and other environmental systems along the steep mountain slopes of Kurseong urban area has aggravated the problem to the hazardous extent.The incidences of landslide mostly occur during monsoon.Observation and enquiries in regard to the landslide events reveal the following important points.
Landslide phenomena are particularly associated with high energy mountainous environment having moderate to high relief and subject to period of high rainfall. Complex sets of physical factors are responsible for slope instable geology (rock type, structure, joint and crack etc.); hydrology (surface runoff, through flow, drainage network etc.); geomorphology (nature of terrain, landform character and association, degree and aspect of slope, intensity of weathering and types of other geomorphological processes involved etc.); climate (intensity and amount of precipitation, temperature etc.) and above all the characteristics of surface materials (texture, porosity, moisture transfer and holding capacity, shear strength etc.).
The natural processes of slope failure have largely been magnified by strong anthropogenic
modifications of landscape through agriculture, settlement,pasturing, mining, water resource capturing, road construction etc.From the above Zonal Landslide spots map collects from www.ijsr.net we have Clear to say that maily Ward no 10,2,6,7 are more vulnerable hotspots of landslide prone areas so Their has been needed an immediate mitigation policy to control the Landslides.
List Of Memmories In HOLIDAY TOWN LAND OF WHITE ORCHIDS
👍Hello Everyone,This is Sudip Dey, Warm Greeting to all of you, Hope this Blog will finds all of you Safe.Thanks for read ouyt this Blog.If anything Addition Will remain from Your Side then dont forget to add your valuable coment please.We shall came up The socio economic status of Kurseong in Next Blog.[Note- This is just a Recap of my excursional work none for anyone harms,some secondary data are collects from different Relevant websites.Viewers are requested to visit the link below for Further searching relates this topic]. Your individual Overwhelming reads Support are make this blog extra perfection,So Again Thanks To all Of You.
https://gradeup.co/minerals-and-energy-resources-in-west-bengal-i
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurseong
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurseong_subdivision
https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en/destinations/kurseong.html
http://darjeeling.gov.in/Kurseong.html
http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-westbengal.php?cityid=1940105000
https://villageinfo.in/west-bengal/darjiling/kurseong.html
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