TITLE:
Investigation of Soil Geomorphological Character of the Ajodhya Hill Area and Its Influence on Land Use and Land Cover
AUTHORS:
Arindam Sarkar
KEYWORDS:
Oxisol, Agriculture, Soil, Geomorphology, Scattered, Forest
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.13 No.4,
April
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Soil geomorphology deals with scientific experiments on different interdependent parameters of soil and landforms. The objectives are to discover the various attributes of soil and geomorphology and their interrelationship. Another objective is to determine the relationship between the character of soil geomorphology and the attributes of land use and land cover. SRTM and ALOS data are used to prepare an accurate DEM for analysis of the morphology and topography of this region. The LULC map is prepared from Landsat 8 satellite imagery through remote sensing software. Ajodhya Hill is situated in the Purulia district of West Bengal. The maximum elevation of the hill is about 698 m above the MSL. Ajodhya Hill is composed of older Archaean rock (granite). The foothill area of Ajodhya Hill has a gentle slope varying between 0˚ - 5˚ with a moderately thick soil layer. Much of the hill area is covered by healthy forests. Scattered vegetation, fallow land, and agricultural activity are found in the foothill pediment area. Sandy loam is the principal soil texture. Soil pH is primarily neutral. Most soil samples have a 32 - 95 µS/cm salinity level. Surface soils are dry, having about 0.1 - 3 percent soil moisture. This area is dry and only fed by rainfall during the monsoon season. Local people store water by creating an artificial reservoir for agriculture and household purposes. Sustainable management of resources is beneficial for that region.