Preparedness and Mitigation Measures to combat Agricultural Drought in Kangshabati Irrigation Command Area of West Bengal, India

摘要

Agricultural drought is one of the significant natural hazards in the drought prone region. The western part of West Bengal is frequently characterized by agricultural drought which is the outcome of lowering soil moisture level. This situation promotes crop stress and low productivity. The present study area, Kangshabati Irrigation Command Area of West Bengal is dominated by rural population where agriculture is the main stay of economy. To combat the agricultural drought situation some strategies were to be taken on immediate basis in the Kangshabati Irrigation Command Area (KICA). Firstly, an agricultural drought severity map was prepared using RS and GIS for the concerned study area and following the level of drought severity various management options were suggested. Micro-watershed development, water harvesting structure, conservation of soil and water, development of horticulture and social forestry are the major developmental strategies suggested by the author. The study depicts that the community participation in different schemes introduced by Union and State government have a significant role in the progress of KICA. In the mitigation options, not only agricultural sectors but also economic and social sectors were given more importance.