Estimation of surface soil erosion using the RUSLE Model of Jalpaiguri Sadar Block in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India

Authors

  • Saidur Rahaman Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India
  • Sujoy Kumar Malo Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India
  • Dr. Snehasish Saha Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9523-1244

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n06.012

Keywords:

RUSLE, Average annual soil loss, Agriculture, Jalpaiguri, erodibility, erosivity

Abstract

Land degradation is a pervasive environmental and “economic challenge of the present time, especially in developing countries. Soil erosion caused by water is considered as one of the major types of land degradation processes. Soil loss estimation and detection of soil erosion-prone areas are the most important for agricultural planning and various other land management plannings in the recent era. The amount of annual average soil loss was calculated by using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. This model was popularized for identifying soil loss zone areas or zones and soil erosion risk areas. This study provided a creditable prediction of soil erosion and the probable soil erosion severity zones of Jalpaiguri Sadar Block in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal. GIS Environment was used to create the raster layer in the RUSLE factors. RUSLE data layers including rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C), and conservation practice (P) factors were calculated to account for the average annual soil loss of the study area. The results of this work show that the range of soil erosion is >100.00 tons hac-1year-1 to <25.00 tons hac-1year-1 while the amount of soil erosion is more in the upper part of the Jalpaiguri Sadar block, mainly along the right bank of the Tista river and the bank of the Karala river, because the soil texture is very loose in nature and the area also receive heavy rainfall. Therefore, the high level of risk of soil erosion can be checked through the processes of various soil conservation techniques.

Author Biographies

Saidur Rahaman, Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India

Mr. Saidur Rahaman (M.A.) is a Ph.D. Research Scholar and working as Junior Research Fellow (UGC) in the Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal. He has completed his master’s degree in Geography and Applied Geography from University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India. He specialized in Applied Pedology and has a lot of interest in Geomorphology, Applied Pedology, Agricultural Geography, Fluvial Geomorphology, Environmental Geography, Remote Sensing and GIS. He has already published 2 research papers and has presented research papers in National and International Seminar in India.

Sujoy Kumar Malo , Research Scholar, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India

Mr. Sujoy Kumar Malo (M.A.) received his Bachelor of Arts from University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India, Master of Arts in Geography and Applied Geography from University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India. He is a bonafide Research Scholar of Department of Geography and Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, West Bengal, India. He is doing Research on Geomorphology, Applied Pedology and Agricultural Geography.

Dr. Snehasish Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Darjeeling-734013, West Bengal, India

Dr. Snehasish Saha (M.A, Ph.D.) studied Geography in the undergraduate level and completed Post Graduate in Geography and Applied Geography from North Bengal University. His specialization was Agricultural Geography at the Undergraduate level and Fluvial Geomorphology at the Post Graduate level. He achieved 1st class 1st position in both UG and PG levels. He was conferred upon university medals for both UG and PG levels and Bidhuranjan Adhikary memorial medal for securing first class first position at PG level. He was recipient of UGC JRF award for twice. Presently, he is an Assistant Professor at the Dept. of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal since 2009 and supervising Ph.D. Research Scholars and M.Phil. Scholars. He has been working in the field of River Geomorphological studies and has published about 40 research papers in different National and International journals of his own and collaborative works with his Research Scholars. He has completed two University assisted Research Projects and he is carrying one DSTBT, WB assisted research project too. He has supervised two Ph.D. research scholars and two other ongoing Ph.D. research works are under his supervision and also supervised two M. Phil. scholars. He has been supervising one Junior Research Fellow under Research Project sponsored by DSTBT, West Bengal. He is the member of different academic societies like The Deccan Geographer, Hill Geographers (NEHU), Bangiyo Bhugol Mancha, Indian institutes of Geomorphologists etc. He has guided two UGC-SAP inducted students for small research works. He has been one of the editorial members of 07 SAP (UGC) book volumes (edited) since 2010 to 2019 and also worked as one of the editorial members of the department’s editorial volume, ‘Geographical Thoughts’. He completed his doctoral thesis in Geomorphology taking the case of Bank Erosion of River Ganga. He has published many research articles of his own and co-authored capacities in different editorial volumes and journals. He has participated in various national, international and regional level conferences, seminars and workshops etc. His future targets are to work in different fields of Geomorphology and Geoinformatics.

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15-06-2023

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Rahaman, S., Malo, S. K., & Saha, S. (2023). Estimation of surface soil erosion using the RUSLE Model of Jalpaiguri Sadar Block in Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 8(6), 84–98. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n06.012

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Vol. 8 No. 6 (2023): RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

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