Agricultural Expansion and its Impact on Environment: A Geographical Analysis in Kanksa C.D. Block in Barddhaman District, West Bengal

Rapid population growth and economic development (mainly in terms of agricultural expansion) in country are threatening the environment through expansion and intensification of agriculture, uncontrolled growth of urbanization and industrialization, and destruction of natural habitats. The growing population put immense pressure on land extensification at cost of forests and grazing lands because the demand of food could not increase substantially to population. Thus, horizontal extension of land has fewer scopes and relies mostly on vertical improvement that is supported by technical development in the field of agriculture i.e. HYV seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Herbicides, and agricultural implements. All these practices are causing degradation and depletion of environment with multiplying ratio. The present paper is an attempt to study the agricultural expansion in terms of increasing net sown area change and its impacts on surrounding environment in Kanksa C.D. Block in Ajay-Damodar interfluves in Barddhaman District. High level of deforestation to fulfil the food-demand of population and increased intensity of irrigation mainly in term of ground water extraction are the main causes of environmental degradation. The data have been analyzed from various secondary sources. An analysis of changes in net sown area over last thirty years has been conducted. These changes may aggravate the soil erosion and ground water depletion and declining fertility of soil which affecting productive resource base of the economy. Finally some suggestions have been made to reclamation of wasteland in productive purposes and find some alternative sources of irrigation to save ground water resources.