Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org

2.26
Canning (Bidyadhari Outfall into the Matla) the highest water level has risen by 2.0 Meter (6.55 ft.) in
65 years from 1865 to 1930. Thus all the tidal channels and creeks within the prematurely reclaimed
zones of Sundarbans were, and still are, in the process of such deterioration that the problem of
drainage of the area is becoming more and more acute with the passage of time.
With the rise in river beds, there is a corresponding rise in the level of flood at flow tide require
constant raising of embankments. These evils attracted the attention of the then Government in 1909
particularly after the observance of death of Bidyadhari causing abandonment of Calcutta
Corporation drainage outfall. Two following remedies were considered:
1. Certain areas already reclaimed should be restored to tidal spill.
2. Tidal spill should not be excluded by embankments on any land in future until it has been
raised to spill level.
The first proposal was abandoned for obvious reasons of rehabilitation of displaced people and loss
of crop.
An order was issued that the tidal spill should not excluded by embankments from any land in future
until it been raised to the level of the mean of high water spring and neap tides. Since that time the
reclamation of further area has been practically stopped.
As per terms of leases of those reclaimed lands 1879 the maintenance of embankments which is the
most vital element in cultivation was the responsibility of Zamindar or Lotdars. After the Estate
acquisition in 1955-56 maintenance of these embankments in Sundarbans was vested on the
Government in the Land and Land Utilisation Department. Till 1960 the Collector, 24-Parganas
arranged to maintain these embankments, For want of technical organisation under the Collector, the
maintenance of these embankments with sluice Bridges was taken up by the Irrigation and
Waterways Development of Govt. of West Bengal.
As per Estates acquisition Act of 1955 now all the cultivating tenants have become the actual owners
of soil directly under the State up to ceiling fixed by Act.
2.4.13. Agriculture
The soils of the area are now alluvium made up mainly from washings of the Himalays by the Ganga
and its tributaries. The soil is mainly clayey (Matial) and is of great natural fertility on which winter
Aman rice of "Patiang" variety is grown. Sir William Willcocks, the internationally reputed river
Engineer who visited the area in 1928 at the request of the Government of India remarked that the