Socio-Economic Status of Pond as an Auxiliary Irrigation Source in Birbhum District, West Bengal: A Case Study

Dr. Nibedita Chowdhury

Abstract: Over the decades ponds/tanks have been a common and quite useful source of water in Bolpur-Sriniketan CD block of Birbhum district West Bengal. Other than non productive usages of pond water, economic activities have made this water source quite significant for district economy. Agriculture is economic backbone of the area and pond/tank is a part of this agro economy. But despite numerous ponds this water source is gradually losing its economic acceptance to the farmers for irrigation. There are different socio-economic reasons behind such contemporary status of ponds/tank. However this study is concern to evaluate that in spite of supportive physical condition to develop pond irrigation why this source is gradually losing its acceptance to the users in compare to the others means of irrigations.

Keywords: Distribution, accessibility, Potential, Economic acceptance and contemporary status