DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT (GOMATI DISTRICT, TRIPURA) · Tripura till 1760 A.D. The city is famous for its Mata Tripura Sundari Temple which is situated about 3 km away from Udaipur at

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT (GOMATI DISTRICT, TRIPURA)

Prepared by : RSP Green Development & Laboratories Pvt.Ltd. Howrah,West Bengal

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CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE

This District Survey Report (DSR) of Gomati District, Tripura, has been prepared by

RSP Green Development and Pvt. Ltd., Howrah, West Bengal, India.

Any reproduction, direct or indirect other than for the specific purpose for which

the report has been prepared, should not be carried out, without prior written

consent of RSP Green Development and Pvt. Ltd. and Govt. of Tripura.



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Last but not the least, RSP Green Development and Pvt. Ltd. Record their

sincere thanks and gratefulness to the Government functionaries of Tripura

and prominent citizens of Gomati district and also the villagers in and around

the villages who have offered their fullest cooperation unhesitatingly but for

which the execution of the work would have not become as smooth as it has

been.



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With Thanks ……………….

Depertment Respected Person(s) Designation

Forest

Respected Dr. Alind Rastogi, IFS, PCCF & HoFF “ Shri Shakti Kant Singh IFS, DFO “ Shri Pallab Chakraborty, SDFO “ Shri Siddhartha Debbarma SDFO “ Shri S. Soorya-narayan, SDFO “ All Officers Forest Dept (H.O)

District Administration

Respected Shri Tarun Kanti Debnath, IAS District Magistrate (DM)

“ All Officers Senior District Magistrate & Others Officers

DSTE Respected Shri Shivanand S. Talawar IFS Director

“ All Officers Science, Technology & Environment Deptt

TSPCB

Respected Sri Manas Mukherjee Member Secretary “ Dr. Mihir Kumar Das Scientist-C & HoO All Officers Tripura State Pollution

Control Board Rural Development

Respected Swapan Das Chief Engineers

“ All Officers RD Depertment



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Contents

Sl NO Chapter Page No 01 Preface 06-07 02 Introduction 07-09 03 General Profile of the District 10-31

04 Physio graphy of the District 32-32

05 Land use Pattern of the District 33-36

06 Geology 37-44 07 Mineral Wealth 45-55 08 Over view of Mining Activity in the

District 56-57

09 Details of Revenue Generated from Mineral Sector During last three years

58-58

10 Transport 59-59 11 Executive Summary 60-61



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"Landaus patterns are an expression of deep political

economic and cultural structure; they do not change when an

ecologist or forester sounds the alarm that a country is

losing its resource base".

Anonymous



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1. PREFACE

On 15 January 2016, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,

Government of India issued a notification and in which Para 7(iii) (a) and

Annexure (x), purpose and structure of District Survey Report has been

discussed. District Survey report (DSR) will be prepared in every district for

each minor mineral. The District Survey Report will guide systematic and

scientific utilization of natural resources, so that present and future

generation may be benefited at large. The guidelines of MoEF will support

that fundamental concept, promoting environmental protection, limiting

negative physiological, hydrological and social impacts under pinning

sustainable economic growth. Sand is naturally occurring granular material

composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles between 115 µ to 4.75

mm in diameter (IS 383-1970). Sand is formed due to weathering of rocks due

to mechanical forces. In the process the weathered rocks form gravel at first

and then sand. It is also felt that the grater use of substitute material

(manufactured sand, artificial sand etc.) and construction technology and

sustainable use of the resource could drastically reduce adverse impact of

mining on the environment. The broad principal on which any sustainable

sand mining guidelines or policy can be based is that river or natural

resources must be utilized for the benefit of the preset and future

generation, so river resources should be prudently managed and developed.

The purpose of District Survey report (DSR) "identification of areas of

aggradations or deposition where mining can be allowed; and identification

of areas of erosion and proximity to infrastructural structures and



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installations where mining should be prohibited and calculation of annual

rate of replenishment and allowing time for replenishment after mining in

that area". The District Survey report (DSR) will contain mainly data

published and endorsed by various departments and websites about Geology

of the area, Mineral wealth details of rivers, Details of Lease and Mining

activity in the District along with Sand mining and revenue of minerals. This

report also contains details of Forest, Rivers, Soil, Agriculture, Road,

Transportation and climate etc.

Gomati district is a district of Tripura, India. This district was created in

January 2012 when four new districts were created in Tripura, taking the

number of districts in the state from four to eight. Udaipur is its

headquarters.

. Gomati District is situated approximately between East longitude 91 degrees

18 minutes and 91 degrees 59 minutes and between North lattitude 22 degres

56 minutes and 23 degrees 45 minutes. The Gomati District is bounded on the

North by Dhalai district and West Tripura District, while on the other sides by

international border with Bangladesh. The total geographical area of Gomati

District is 2,966 Sq.km which is about 25% of the total state area.

Disclaimer: - The data may vary due to flood, heavy rains and other natural

calamities. Therefore, it is recommended that DEIAA may take into

consideration all its relevant aspects / data while scrutinizing and

recommending the application for EC to the concerned Authority.



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2. INTRODUCTION

The Gomati District with it‟s headquarter at Udaipur was created in the year

2012. Udaipur is popularly known as the city of lakes and was the capital of

Tripura till 1760 A.D. The city is famous for its Mata Tripura Sundari Temple

which is situated about 3 km away from Udaipur at Matabari. The temple is

one of the 51 Mahapithasthans of India. The Gomati figures prominently in

Tripura's indigenous folklore, culture, religious rites and ritual so much so

that tribal people perform posthumous rites dedicated to their departed near

and dear ones on the bank of the river Gomati in the conviction that ablution

with the consecrated water of the sacred river will pave the way for

ascendance to heaven of their departed dear ones. As part of the

administrative reorganisation effected in October last year the Gomati

district comprising Udaipur, Amarpur and newly created Karbook

subdivisions was created as a truncated version of the erstwhile South

Tripura district.Topographically,the Gomati district is marked by lush green

and fertile Gomati valleys and the towering Debtamura hill range which

straddles Udaipur and Amarpur subdivisions of the district with its exquisite

sculptural works carved on panels of the hills.

There are 3(three) principal hill ranges in Gomati District. The South

Baramura and Deotamura hill ranges are completely in Gomati District while

a part of Atharamura hill range also comes in the District. Deotamura is the

principal hill range of Gomati District having a length of 85 Km. and forms the

boundary between Amarpur and Udaipur Sub-Division.



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Map 1: Administrative Map of Gomati District

Source : Gomati District Profile



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3. GENERAL PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT

a) GENERAL INFORMATION

Geographical Area & Geographical Position: -

The State of Tripura lies approximately between the latitudes 22 degrees 56

minutes, and 24 degrees 32 minutes North and between longitudes 91

degrees 0 minutes and 92 degrees 22 minutes East. Gomati District is

situated approximately between East longitude 91 degrees 18 minutes and 91

degrees 59 minutes and between North latitude 22 degrees 56 minutes and

23 degrees 45 minutes. The Gomati District is bounded on the North by Dhalai

district and West Tripura District, while on the other sides by international

border with Bangladesh. The total geographical area of Gomati District is

2,966 Sq.km which is about 25% of the total state area.




principal hill range of Gomati District having a length of 85 km. and forms the

boundary between Amarpur and Udaipur Sub-Division.



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Map 2: Location map of Gomati District




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Administrative Divisions :-

SUB DIVISION REVENEU CIRCLE TEHSIL

UDAIPUR UDAIPUR RADHAKISHORPUR, MATARBARI, GORJI, DHAJANAGAR, DAKSHIN CHANDRAPUR

KILLA KILLA, PITTRA, MOHARANI, BAGMA, RAIABARI, KHUPILONG

KAKRABON JAMJURI, KAKRABON, SHALGORA, MIRJA, DUDHPUSHKARINI

AMARPUR AMARPUR BIRGANJ, MALBASA, NATUN BAZAR, AMARPUR

AUMPI SONACHHARA, AUMPINAGAR, TAIDUBARI, BAMPUR

KARBOOK KARBOOK CHELAGANG, KARBOOK, JATANBARI

SILACHHARI SILACHHARI, GORAKAPA



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Population (As per Census 2011):-

The projected population of GOMATI District alone is 4, 41,538, with break-up

of males 2, 25,428 and females 2, 16,110.

b) CLIMATIC CONDITION

The climate of the District is mostly warm and is characterized by a humid

summer and a dry cool winter with plenty of rains during July to October.

Rainfall is received from the South -West Monsoon, which normally breaks in

the month of May. Hailstorm generally occurs during the month of April &

May, occasionally causing damage to the field crops. Autumn and Spring are

of very short duration. Average annual rainfall in the district is about 2000

mm and the temperature varies between a maximum of 35.23 and a

minimum of 7.43 Celsius. The variation in temperature is much lower during

the rains than during any other season.



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c) RAINFALL (MONTH-WISE) AND HUMIDITY

SN MONTH AVERAGE RAINFALL (cm)

1 January 0

2 February 3.22

3 March 18.63

4 April 38.62

5 May 32.58

6 June 44.40

7 July 35.66

8 August 22.85

9 September 19.40

10 October 10.55

11 November 12.55

12 December 0

(Ref: DISTRICT LEVEL SURVEY REPORT ON SAND MINING, GOMATI DISTRICT)



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Fig 1: Bar diagram of average rainfall (Gomati District)

Fig 2: Pie chart of average rainfall (Gomati district)

0 10 20 30 40 50

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

RAINFALL IN cm

RAINFALL IN cm

0%1%

8%

16%

14%

19%

15%

10%

8%

4% 5%

0%

RAINFALL IN cm

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER



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d) TOPOGRAPHY & TERRAIN

Gomati Tripura is a predominantly hilly area. About 60% of its land is hilly,

while the remaining 40% is plane land, even the plane land is not a dad level

land rather it is broken by many low hills and tillas of 30-60 m in elevation,

covered with trees and shrubs. The topography is immature. The major

geomorphic elements observed in the area are both structural and

topographic „highs‟ & „depressions‟, „flats‟ and „slopes‟, sculptured on the

topographic surface in a linear and aerial fashion. In the district the

topographic highs & lows are in accordance with the normal first order

structural elements. The ground rises from West- East. The general

elevation varies between 600m in the north eastern part to 15 m in the west.

The district is dissected by two broad and long valleys viz, Khowai –

Teliamura –Amarpur – Silachari, Agartala – Udaipur – Sabroom. These

valleys are located between the N-S trending parallel to sub parallel

antiformal hill ranges (Topographic Highs) such as the Baramura –

Devtamura ranges & the Atharamura range. These strike ridges form part of

the water shade of the Meghna Basin of Bangladesh fed by the river Gomati.



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e) WATER COURSE & HYDROLOGY

The principal rivers flowing through the district are, Gomati. The river Gomati

originates from the range connecting the Longtharai and Atharamura. At its

source, two rivulates, namely, Kalyansing and Malyansing meet, thereafter it

takes the name of Raimacherra till it meets the Sharmacherra. Later it

assumes the name Gomati. The River Gomati which is about 135 km. Long

runs across the sub-divisions Gandacherra, now under Dhalai District,

Amarpur and Udaipur under Gomati District and Sonamura Sub-Division of

West Tripura District. The river Muhuri has its source in the Deotamura

range. It is more than 64 km. long and has a catchment area of 1014 sq.km.

and it flows westwards through hillocks and plains of Belonia sub-division

till it enters Bangladesh. At the source of river Feni, there are three streams

known as the Asslang, the Rangafeni and Taindung, of which the Asslang is

the principal channel. The river Feni forms the natural boundary between the

Gomati District and Bangladesh.



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Map 3: River system map of Gomati District




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f) GROUND WATER DEVELOPMENT

VES curve at Tepania is classified as Type QH Curve reflecting the presence

of four subsurface layers which gives the resistivity relationship of ρ1 > ρ2 > ρ3

< ρ4. VES curve at Matabari and Amarpur is classified as Type Q Curve

reflecting the presence of three subsurface layers which gives the resistivity

relationship of ρ1 > ρ2 > ρ3. VES curve at South Karbook is classified as Type K

Curve reflecting the presence of three subsurface layers which gives the

resistivity relationship of ρ1 < ρ2 > ρ3. VES curve at East Karbook is classified

as Ascending Type Curve reflecting the presence of two subsurface layers

which gives the resistivity relationship of ρ1 > ρ2. All the VES curves are

presented in Fig. 6 (Fig. 6a to Fig. 6e).

From the interpreted true resistivities at Gomati district, Tripura, we can see

that subsurface formations are highly variable. At Tepania we can see four

subsurface layers out of which the top layer is generally formed with coarse

sand particles, the second layer is generally formed with clay mixed with fine

sand particles, the third layer is generally formed with clay mixed with very

fine sand particles and the bottom layer is generally formed with very coarse

sand particles with gravel. At Matabari we can see three subsurface layers

out of which the top layer is generally formed with coarse sand particles, the

second layer is generally formed with clay with conserved moisture contents

and the bottom layer is generally formed with clay. At Amarpur we can see

three subsurface layers out of which the top layer is generally formed with

silty clay, the second layer is generally formed with clay mixed with fine sand

particles and the bottom layer is generally formed with clay with conserved



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moisture contents. At South Karbook we can see three subsurface layers out

of which the top layer is generally formed with clay with conserved moisture

contents, the second layer is generally formed with clay mixed with fine sand

particles and the bottom layer is generally formed with clay. At East Karbook

we can see two subsurface layers out of which the top layer is generally

formed with coarse sand particles and the bottom layer is generally formed

with clay.

The two important Dar Zarouk parameters viz. Total Transverse Resistance

and Total Longitudinal Conductance calculated for each VES point for this

study area varies within 0.747 ohm-m 2 to 46293.1 ohm-m 2 and 0.00713

Siemens to 2.7599 Siemens respectively. From the values it can be seen that

Teliamura, Paharpur and South Karbook are the locations which have both

the above said parameters value near the maximum i.e., these are the

locations having good groundwater potential and Maheshpur and Kathalia

are the locations which have both the above said parameters value near the

minimum i.e., these are the locations having poor groundwater potential.



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(ref: Study of Identification of Effective Sand Bed in Aquifer Zones using Resistivity Survey in

Tripura: Case Studies by Jayanta Debbarma , Amit Kumar Ghosh , Pankaj Kumar Roy and Gourab

Banerjee)



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g) DRAINAGE SYSTEM (GENERAL)

The overall drainage pattern of the district is dendritic. The principal rivers

flowing through the district are, Gomati. The river Gomati originates from the

range connecting the Longtharai and Atharamura. At its source, two

rivulates, namely, Kalyansing and Malyansing meet, thereafter it takes the

name of Raimacherra till it meets the Sharmacherra. Later it assumes the

name Gomati. The River Gomati which is about 135 km. Long runs across the

sub-divisions Gandacherra, now under Dhalai District, Amarpur and Udaipur

under Gomati District and Sonamura subdivision of Sipahijala District.



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Map 4: Drainage Pattern Map of Gomati District




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h) DEMOGRAPHY

PARAMETERS PARTICULARS

TOTAL POPULATION 4,41,538

MALE 2,25,428

FEMALE 2,16,110

SC 74, 430

ST 1,88,554

OVERALL LITERACY RATE 84.50

MALE LITERACY RATE 89.94

FEMALE LITERACY RATE 78.90

FEMALE PER THOUSAND MALE 959

(ref: GOVERNMENT OF TRIPURA- DIARY 2018 & DISTRICT PROFILE- GOMATI DISTRICT,

TRIPURA)

Fig 1: Bar diagram of estimated population (Gomati District)

0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000

MALE

FEMALE

SC

ST

POPULATION

PA

RA

MET

ER

PARTICULARS



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Fig 2: Pie chart of estimated population (Gomati District)

Fig 3: Bar diagram of literacy rate (Gomati District)

MALE, 225428

FEMALE, 216110

SC, 74430

ST, 188554

89.94

78.9

70 75 80 85 90 95

MALE LITERACY RATE

FEMALE LITERACY RATE

LITERACY RATE

LITERACY RATE



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Fig 4: Pie chart of literacy rate (Gomati District)

i) CROPPING PATTERN

Agriculture is the main occupation. However, only 31.61% of the land in the

district is cultivable. The holdings are small, and agriculture is mainly rainfed

and at subsistence level. The State Government has set before itself a target

of attaining self-sufficiency in food production by 2010 A.D. As a result of this,

a number of activities are undertaken these days to bring more land under

cultivation, make them irrigable and increase the productivity. A large

population however is daily labourer, which depends on the employment

generation schemes of the Government. As a result of weak economic base

and lack of industrial development and entrepreneurship, dependency on

the Government is very high. An analysis of occupational structure in the

MALE LITERACY RATE, 89.94

FEMALE LITERACY RATE, 78.9



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District shows that about 12.6% are cultivators, 8-9% are agricultural

labourers and 1.61% are dependent on trade and commerce. The non-working

population is about 68% which is an indication of the weak economic base and

under-development. About 72% of the rural population is living below

poverty line. Paddy is the main food crop grown. Potato, sugarcane, mesta,

jute, mustard, etc. are some other crops grown in the district. Tea, coffee,

rubber, jackfruit, banana, mango, pineapple, etc. are the major plantation

crops.

PARAMETERS PARTICULARS

Net sown area (in ha) 39,375 Ha.

Current fallow (in ha) 303 Ha.

Area sown more than once a year

(in ha)

24581 Ha.

Gross cropped area (ha) 72914 Ha.

Net cropped area (ha) 39375 Ha.

Area under food grains (ha) 40211

Productivity of jhum (kg/ha) 1 (kg/ha)

Number of cold storage 1. no. (on progress)

(Ref: DISTRICT PROFILE- GOMATI DISTRICT, TRIPURA)



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Fig 5: Bar diagram of cropping pattern(Gomati District)

j) LAND FORM AND SEISMICITY




principal hill range of Gomati District having a length of 85 km. and forms the

boundary between Amarpur and Udaipur subdivision. It falls under

earthquake prone Zone-V.

k) FLORA :

The most important crops that are associated with this north-eastern state of

India are paddy, pulses, oilseeds, jute and different kinds of fruit and

vegetables. (ref: mapsofindia.com)

39375

303

24581

72914

39375

40211

0 20000 40000 60000 80000

NET SOWN AREA

CURRENT FALLOW

AREA SOWN MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR

GROSS CROPPED AREA

NET CROPPED AREA

AREA UNDER FOOD GRAIN

AREA IN Hectare

AREA IN Hactare



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The forests of Tripura are varied. On the basis of large-scale studies in other

North-Eastern States, Deb(1981) considered the classification of forest types

suggested by Champion and Seth (1968) as better suited for describing and

correlating the forest types in India. Deb‟s description of the flora of tripura

has beenfollowed here.

Based on climate (also altitude and longitude), the forests of Tripura are

treated under tropical forest types. They are grouped and described as

follows:

A. Climate Types

B. Seral types

C. Subsidiary Edaphic types

Bamboo brakes widely in character and aspect cover very large areas in

Tripura as in Burma and Chittagong. Continuous bamboo forests are

interrupted with scattered evergreen treesor deciduous secondary stands.

Sheltered hollows and other favourable sites are dominated by bamboo. The

vast preponderance of bamboo forest may be the result of activity of man in

his practice of shiftingfavourable for bamboo growth. It is also possible that

bamboo holds the ground as a primary edaphic sub-climax.

(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/flora)



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Map 5: Forest Map of Gomati District




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l) FAUNA

Wide variety of wild animals belonging to different groups are found in

Tripura. The richness of fauna could be attributed to its unique bio-

geographical location and zoo-geographical position. Literature shows that

there were large populations of rhinoceros, elephant, tiger, leopard, langurs

and monkeys in Tripura (Gupta, 2000).

Of a total of 15 species of non-human primate in India, 7(46.70%) are

documented from Tripura (Gupta, 2000). These also include some of the

highly rare, endemic and endangered species, viz., Hoolock gibbon, slow

loris, capped langur, Phayre‟s langur, stump-tailed macaque and pig-tailed

macaque. The other endangered and threatened mammalian species in

Schedule 1 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 are elephant, sloth bear, Indian

wolf, Binturong, leopard, marbled cat, leopard cat, Chinese pangolin and

serrow, etc.

Seven Primate species have been documented in Tripura out of a total 15

found in India. Of these Primates slow loris and stumped tailed monkeys have

become rare. Phayre‟s leaf monkey (locally known as „Chashma Banar‟), has

a very restricted distribution in India, and is found in Tripura. Hoolock gibbon

is the only ape found in India, and its population has been rapidly dwindling in

Tripura.

(ref: biodiversity.tripura.gov.in/fauna)



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4. PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE DISTRICT

There are four physiographic units in the district:

I. Steep slopping & slightly dissected, high relief structural hills &

ridges exemplified by areas like Taidu, Amarpur, Tirthamukh.

II. Moderately slopping with moderately dissected, low relief

structural hills and ridges found in parts of Udaipur, Amarpur,

Tirthamukh.

III. Moderate to gently slopping with moderately dissected, flat

topped denuded hills found in southern part of Udaipur &

Amarpur And

IV. Undulating plane with low mounds and gently slopping valley

situated mostly in the southern part of Udaipur.



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5. LAND USE PATTERN OF THE DISTRICT:

FOREST LAND AREA (in Hectare)

TOTAL FOREST AREA 101262.3

UNCLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT

FOREST

38597.4

RESERVE FOREST 58311.7

PROTECTED FOREST 51.8

AGRICULTURAL LAND

NET CROPPED AREA 39375

AREA UNDER FOOD GRAIN 40211

CURRENT FALLOW 303

GROSS CROPPED AREA 72914

(Ref: DISTRICT PROFILE- GOMATI DISTRICT, TRIPURA)

Rest of the area are built up area & others.



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Fig 6: Bar diagram of land use pattern- Forest & Agricultural land (Gomati

district)

Fig 7: Pie chart of land use pattern Forest & Agricultural (Gomati district)

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000

FOREST

AGRICULTURE

AREA IN HECTARE

AREA IN HACTARE

58%

42%

AREA IN HECTARE

FOREST AGRICULTURE



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Map 6: Land use map of Gomati District




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Map 7: Forest Classification Map, Gomati District




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6. GEOLOGY:

Regional Geology

The state of Tripura exhibits an wide array of sedimentary rocks characteristics of

marine-mixed-fluvia type origin ranging age from upper most Oligocene (38

million years from present time) to Recent period. These sediments, according to

GSI, have been laid down in the Surma basin during Tertiary age (which lasted for

65 million years) in an wide range of environmental conditions governed by local

tectonic movement. Tectonically, the region now comprises a series of sub-

parallel arcuate, elongated, doubly plunging folds arrange in north south direction.

These folds for anticlines separated by wide flat sinclines.

Regional Lithology of Gomati District

Group Sub-Group Formation Rock type

Recent Recent (Unconformit

y)

Unconsolidated silt, and clay with decomposed vegetable matter and gravels

Dupitila Dupitila (Unconformit

y)

Sandy clays, clayey sandstone, ferruginous sandstone with pockets of plastic clay, silica

and laterite.

Tipam Tipam Champanagar Sandstone, occasional sandy shale and abundant lumps of fossil wood

Manu Bazar Sandstone with laminated layers and lenses of sandy shale, siltstone and mudstone.

Surma (Contact transitiona

l) Boka Bill

Thinly bedded repetition of sandstone, siltstone/shale, mudstone and ferruginous

sandstone.

Bhuban Hard compact sandstone, olive shale, sandy shale and siltstone repetitions



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Local Geology

Dupitila Group of rock & Recent Alluvium rocks are covered most of the

portion of the district. Dupitila Formation a Pliocene-Pleistocene mappable

body of rock in the Bengal Basin. P Evans named it after the Dupitila hills in

the Hari (Shari) river (25°06'N; 92°08'E) valley of Sylhetdistrict.In the eastern

side Bhuban Formation is present. Most of the area are structurally disturbed

by manifold tectonism.

Stratigraphy of Gomati District

Age Group Formation Holocene Khowai Formation

Ghilatoli Formation Teliamura Formation Kalyanpur Formation

Quaternary Dupitila Dupitila Formation Upper Pliocene to

Pleistocene

Pliocene

Tipam Upper Tipam Formation

Lower Tipam Formation

Micocene- Lr. Pliocene

Upper most Oligocene

Surma Bokabil Formation

Upper Bhuban Formation

Middle Bhuban Formation

Lower Bhuban Formation (Not exposed in Tripura)



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Map 8: Geological Map of Gomati District




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Detailed Sedimentation Study

Drainage system is the pattern formed by streams, rivers and lakes in a

drainage basin. In a drainage system, streams or rivers always connect

together to form networks. Many factors such as topography, soil type,

bedrock type, climate and vegetation cover influence input, output and

transport of sediment and water in a drainage basin (Charlton, 2008). These

factors also influence the nature of the pattern of water bodies (Twidale,

2004). As a consequence, drainage pattern can reflect geographical

characteristics of a river network to a certain extent. There are several types

of drainage pattern. So far, much research has been done on the description

of drainage patterns in geography and hydrology (e.g. Howard, 1967;

Lambert, 1998; Twidale, 2004; Pidwirny, 2006). In addition, sediment

transport knowledge is important in river restoration, ecosystem protection,

navigation, watershed studies and reservoir management. Bed load

represents the lower portion of sediment load in natural rivers. Fluvial

sediment load materials are transported by rivers. Sediment load can be

divided into bed load and suspended load based on the mode of transport.

Bed load is transported close to the bed where particles moved by rolling,

sliding, or jumping (Adegbola, 2012). Xlaoqing (2003) explained that bed load

transport in natural rivers is a complicated phenomenon. Its movement is

quite uneven in both the transverse and longitudinal directions, which vary

considerably.

Erosion has been defined as the detachment of soil and rock fragments or

particles from their initial resting place by water and other geological agents



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such as wind, ice, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. Geological erosion and soil

erosion are the two basic terms usually used to describe the erosion process.

A third term used in this report is water course erosion which is

predominately stream bank or channel erosion and in some cases is a part of

both the geological and soil erosion processes. Although man's activities

have had their greatest effect on soil erosion and water course erosion, he

has suffered and felt the effects of all forms of erosion and deposition of

sediments. Geological erosion is the erosion that has scarred the earth's

surface creating mountains, chasms, flood plains, deserts, and deltas under

natural or relatively undisturbed conditions. Weathering is a process of rock

disintegration by mechanical and chemical processes and in this report is

considered to be a part of the geological erosion process.

GEOLOGICAL EROSION is caused by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes,

landslides, mudflows, and gullying and has to a varying degree been

influenced by man's activities and may require partial control by man.

SOIL EROSION is more closely associated with agricultural land because by

definition soil is the unconsolidated mineral or organic material that will

support plant growth. Soil particles located on the surface of agricultural

lands, forest lands, or grazing lands are detached by rainfall or eroded away

by surface runoff. This may take place in the form of sheet erosion with a thin

sheet of water flowing down a gentle upland slope. Rill erosion is another

form with runoff occurring in well-defined yet small incisions in the land

surface. Gully erosion is the dissection of the soil surface with a deep cut in



Page 42

the land channel formed below an uncut reach thus creating a sudden break

in surface slope.

WATER COURSE EROSION is the erosion of a stream channel's bank and bed

caused by flowing water. A river channel or water course transports or

carries sediment that originates from surface runoff in the upland reaches by

the erosion processes previously described of geological or soil erosion. The

water course's ability to transport its sediment load is dependent on channel

velocity or energy. If the upland sediment inflow to the river channel or water

course is low then there is unspent energy which will pick up or erode the

bank and bed of the channel. A meander pattern may develop with erosive

forces active on the bank and bed of the channel on the outside or concave

bends in the water course meander. A more spectacular and unusual form of

water course erosion is a waterfall with the erosive forces of water acting on

a more resistant geological formation.

DEPOSITION OF SEDIMENT is the end product of the sedimentation cycle.

Temporary deposition of the rock or soil particle is the most common form

that is visible in earth's surface landscape development. As previously

described a single particle of sediment may be deposited in a flood plain and

wait thousands of years in a stream bank before being eroded away. In

considering a river basin of any size, large or small, sediment particles once

moved by any of the erosive forces described may be temporarily deposited

at any point. Typical depositional environments are mountain valleys, talus



Page 43

slopes along mountain foothills or high plateaus, gravel plains below steeper

mountain channels, alluvial fans, flood plains and deltas.

METHODOLOGY: The catchment area of river will be analyzed with the help of

ArcGIS approach. The mined affected area of the river will be measured

through ArcGIS approach and ground based survey by GPS approach. The

stretch of the mined area of river is divided in various segments depending

on stretch of the rivers. The width (meters) and GPS information at each

segment is collected to quantify the total mined area of river. The geo-

morphological patters in terms of stream orders were also observed using

ArcGIS methodology. Besides, the mined affected area of the river is divided

in to various segments to analyze grain size distribution in river bed.

Bed Load :- The mixture of sediment that composes a streambed. Bed

material is stationary, but particle size is important to sediment transport

because as energy level of a stream increases, some bed-material particles

are mobilized and become part of the bedload or suspended load. In this

report, composition of bed material is defined by particle-size distribution.

Suspended sediment Load:-usually small particles, suspended by

turbulence of the flow or existing as colloids, and transported at about the

same downstream velocity as the flowing water. Suspended sediment is

distributed at all depths in flowing water. In this report, suspended sediment

is expressed as concentration in milligrams per litre.



Page 44

Suspended-sediment Load:- A general term referring to the quantity

(weight) of suspended sediment in transport. In this report, annual

suspended-sediment load is expressed in tonnes. Suspended-sediment

discharge: A computed value of the quantity (weight) of suspended sediment

per unit time, also referred to as suspended-sediment transport rate.

Total sediment Load:- The sum of bed load and suspended sediment load. In

this report, total sediment load is expressed in tonnes. Total sediment

discharge: The sum of bed load discharge and suspended-sediment

discharge.



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7. MINERAL WEALTH/RESOURCES

Overview of mineral resources (covering all minerals)

Gomati district of Tripura is a unique place with rich and varied geology. It has preserved

many important rock groups from earliest to the geologically “Recent” time. The varied

geological base has been host to many important minor minerals and major minerals.

The Central Government has declared the following minerals as minor minerals:

Sl.No. Minor Minerals

i) Boulder

ii) Shingle

iii) Chalcedony pebbles used for ball mill purposes only

iv) Lime shell, kankar and limestone used in kilns for manufacture of lime

used as building material

v) Murrum

vi) Brick-earth

vii) Fuller's earth

viii) Bentonite

ix) Road metal

x) Reh-matti

xi) Slate and shale when used for building material

xii) Marble

xiii) Stone used for making household utensils

xiv) Quartzite and sandstone when used for purposes of building or for

making road metal and household utensils

xv) Saltpetre, and

xvi) Ordinary earth (Used for filling or leveling purposes in construction or

embankments, roads, railways building) by MoEF 2010



Page 46

Proper depiction about River Bed Mining:

Environment damage being caused by unregulated river bed mining of sand, bajri and

boulders is attracting considerable attention including in the courts. The following

recommendations are therefore made for the river bed mining.

(a) In the case of mining leases for riverbed sand mining, specific river stretches should

be identified and mining permits/lease should be granted stretch wise, so that the

requisite safeguard measures are duly implemented and are effectively monitored by the

respective Regulatory Authorities.

(b) The depth of mining may be restricted to 3m / water level, whichever is less.

(c) For carrying out mining in proximity to any bridge and / or embankment, appropriate

safety zone should be worked out on case to case basis, taking into account the structural

parameters, locational aspects, flow rate etc. and no mining should be carried out in the

safety zone so worked out.

In the section “Minerals Wealth”, the details of geological association, origin, reserve

estimation, exploitation, industrial utilization of different deposits and their sustainable

development are beyond of advanced scientific tools for exploration would possibly lead

to discovery of new deposits in near future.

The mineral resources of any state provide an avenue for economic

development but the process of mining may have extensive impact on land,

soil and water resources. The mining projects have as a consequence

become a part of development sector requiring environmental clearance

under Environmental Protection Act, 1986, EIA Notification 1994

In Tripura, the mineral resources are mainly glass sands, limestone, plastic

clay and hard rock; all of these material are being used to a variable degree.

However, the single most important resource in the state is oil and natural

gas. ONGC or Oil and Natural Gas Commission has initiated massive

exploration programme in the State.



Page 47

As for the other minerals, provides an account of locations, deposit, current

uses, etc. Details of clay deposit in Tripura has been dealt in the State of

Environment Report for Tripura (1989). The impact of mining and quarrying of

mineral resources in Tripura has so far been insignificant.

Mineral Resource of Tripura

Mineral Location Uses

Hard

Rock

Jampui Hills

Longatari Hill

Road metals

Limeston

e

Sakhan&Jampui Range

Manpui area

(990,000 tonnes reserve)

Not suitable Cement

Suitable for inferior

quality of Lime

Puzzolana mix.

Clay All over the State generally in

river bank deposit

Good clay deposit in West and

South region.

Total 1.73 million tonnes deposit

in four zone out of six zones

[Mohanpur-Bamutia-

Kamalghat; Bisramganj-

Bagma; Champamura-

Baldakhal-Jogendranagar;

Khowai-Teliamura-Ampi;

Shantirbazar-Udaipur;

Kumarghat and

Baidyathakurpara-

Sanitary ware

Stone wares

Sewerage pipes

Electric insulator

Refractory grade



Page 48

Mineral Location Uses

Anadanagar- Maheshkhola-

Dukli-Sonamura area]

Glass

Sand

Bishramganj (160,000tonnes)

Old Agartala (16,000tonnes)

Jogendranagar (3627tonnes)

Sekerkota (80,000tonnes)

Dasharambari (5330tonnes)

Mohanpur (97,875tonnes)

Baidyathakurpara- Anadanagar

Maheshkhola and Dukli (NA)

Total Reserve 3,62,832 tonnes

Many uses

[Source: GSI Report 1982, 1999]

Of the total geographical area of Tripura, 76% can be marked as “Tertiary”

origin and 24% belong to Quaternary period; none of these contain any

major mineral resource. A GSI Report of 1982 provide a list of Non-

metallic and metallic mineral vis-a-vis their location or otherwise in

Tripura (Table-14) indicating the poor profile.



Page 49

Mineral Resource potential in Tripura

Sl. No. Mineral Status

A. Non-metallic

1. Limestone Commodity not located or

absent

2. Dolomite Commodity not located or

absent

3. Coal Commodity not located or

absent

4. Clay Commodity not located or

absent

5. Refractories Commodity not located or

absent

6. Glass sand Good reserve, low grade

7. Graphite Commodity not located or

absent

8. Fertilizer Commodity not located or

absent

9. Gravel, sand, silt Good reserve, low grade

10. Building stone Commodity not located or

absent

B. Metallic

11. Ferrous Commodity not located or

absent

12. Non-ferrous Commodity not located or

absent

13. Noble metals Commodity not located or

absent

[Source: GSI Report 1982]



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The current production of natural gas in estimated at one million cubic

meters per day. The available figure for 1990-91 to 1997-98 shows a fast

increasing rate of production from 70 million tonnes per year in 1990-91 to

2.7x in 8 years reaching 196 million tonnes in 1997-98.



Page 51

(A) Sand and other River bed minerals:

(i) Drainage System

a) Drainage system with description of main rivers/Cherras

S.NO Name of the River or

Stream

Total Length in the

District (in km)

Percentage area drained

in the district

1 Gomati 80 21.9%

S.NO Name of the River

or Stream

Area drained (sq

km)

1 Gomati 650

2 Ekcharicherra 110

2 Rambhadracherra 90

4 Thakcherra 95

5 Chechuacherra 110

6 Pitra Cherra 105

7 Raiya Cherra 90

8 Gangacherra 85

9 Dhuptali Cherra 75



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b) Salient Features of important Rivers & Streams/Cherras:

S.NO Name of the River or

Stream

Total Length in the

District (in km)

(Approx.)

Place of origin Altitude at

Origin

1 Gomati 80 Tirthamukh 350m

S.NO Name of the River

or Stream

Total Length in

the District (in

Km)

Place of

Origin

Altitude at

origin (metre)

2 Ekcharicherra 30 Ekchari 150

2 Rambhadracherr

a

25 Kalajhari 200

4 Thakcherra 25 Kalajhari 150

5 Chechuacherra 30 Baramura

Devtamura

160

6 Pitra Cherra 40 Baramura

Devtamura

170

7 Raiya Cherra 20 Baramura

Devtamura

150

8 Gangacherra 28 Baramura

Devtamura

145

9 Dhuptali Cherra 20 Kashari RF 105



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c) Name of river streams & list of villages,through which river passes.

SN Name of River / Stream Flowing through

1 Gomati Tirthamukh (Karbook) – Amarpur –

Udaipur

2 Ekcharicherra Ekchari – chellagang much – Gomati

3 Rambhadracherra Kalajhari – Ram Bhadra – Gomati

4 Thakcherra Kalajhari – Thakcherra – Gomati

5 Chechuacherra Baramura Devtamura – Chechua –

Bampur – Gomati

6 Pitra Cherra Baramura Devtamura – Pitra – Gomati

7 Raiya Cherra Baramura Devtamura – Raiyamolsom –

Gomati

8 Gangacherra Baramura Devtamura – Gangacherra –

Gomati

9 Dhuptali Cherra Kashari RF – Dhuptali - Gomati

ii) Annual deposition of riverbed minerals

Process of deposition

Being situated in very high rainfall zone, the district receives an average

annual rainfall of 2500- 3000 mm. This heavy rainfall associated with steep

sloppy terrain and loose soil structure results in heavy soil erosion which

ultimately deposited in the river beds and shores as sediments. This

sediment mainly consists of course to fine sand and silt.



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(iii) Riverbed Mineral Potential

SN Name of River/Stream Availability of Sand (cum)

1 Gomati 700000

2 Ekcharicherra 125000

3 Rambhadracherra 55000

4 Thakcherra 65000

5 Chechuacherra 75000

6 Pitra Cherra 150000

7 Raiya Cherra 55000

8 Gangacherra 105000

9 Dhuptali Cherra 130000

Evaluation based on following parameters:

a) Geomorphological studies

i. Place of origin of Gomati River-Tirthamukh faslls

ii. Catchment area of Gomati River-800sq.km & Muhuri River-12900sq.km.

iii. General profile of Gomati River/Stream: iv. Annual deposition factor: It depends on load carrying capacity of the flowing river

along with the competency and capacitance of river. Provenance of sediment, mode of

transport, quantity of suspended load and bed load, rate of sedimentation,settling velocity

of sediments all together enhance the process of sedimentation giving high yield value of

sand.

v. Replenishment : Replenishment of the sand takes place during monsoon season

every year.

vi. Total potential of minor minerals in river bed: 14,60,000 cum.



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b) Geological studies

i. Lithology of catchment area: Sandy clay, Gritty and Ferruginous sandstones, Shale

and Alluvium.

ii. Tectonics and structural behavior of rocks: Seismicity prone zone-V. Environmental

condition is governed by local tectonic movement.

c) Climatic Factors

i. Intersity of rainfall: Average rainfall 2500mm-3000mm.

ii. Climate zone : Tropical monsoon climate.

iii. Temperature variation : Maximum temp. 7.43degree celsius to 35.23degree celsius.



Page 56

8. OVERVIEW OF MINING ACTIVITY IN THE DISTRICT (a) General overview

Sand lifting/mining used to take place mainly from the river and few streams

from the district for all purposes. There are no sand mines or quarries in

Gomati except rivers and streams. The lifting of sand was carried out from

main rivers and its tributaries in the entire District. All illegal activities in

regard to sand mining in the Gomati have been stopped till any decision

received from the appropriate authority.

(b) List of existing mining leases of the districts with location, area, period for

each minor mineral.

Attached later



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(c) Details of production of sand in last three years

SN Subdivision Year Production of sand (in cum)

1 Udaipur 2015-16 48933

2 Amarpur 19714

3 Karbook 677

Sub Total= 68784

1 Udaipur 2016-17 55275

2 Amarpur 16174

3 Karbook 186

Sub Total= 71635

1 Udaipur 2017-18 52938

2 Amarpur 11790

3 Karbook 7317

Sub Total= 72045

G. Total= 212464



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9. DETAILS OF REVENUE GENERATED FROM

MINERAL SECTOR DURING LAST THREE YEARS.

SN Subdivision Year Revenue collected from sand (rs. In lakh)

1 Udaipur 2015-16 20.87

2 Amarpur 8.41

3 Karbook 0.24

Sub Total= 29.52

1 Udaipur 2016-17 23.58

2 Amarpur 6.90

3 Karbook 0.065

Sub Total= 30.55

1 Udaipur 2017-18 22.58

2 Amarpur 5.03

3 Karbook 2.56

Sub Total= 30.17

G. Total= 90.24



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10. TRANSPORT/LOGISTIC FACILITY The main roadway at the district is NH 8 and railway line is the Sabroom Agartala connecting line.

Map 9: Transportation Map of Gomati District




Page 60

11. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of District Survey report (DSR) "identification of areas of

aggradations or deposition where mining can be allowed; and identification

of areas of erosion and proximity to infrastructural structures and

installations where mining should be prohibited and calculation of annual

rate of replenishment and allowing time for replenishment after mining in

that area".Although sand is a replenishable resource, its unplanned

developed may lead to its mining and pleothora of environmental problems.

The District Survey report (DSR) will contain mainly data published and

endorsed by various departments and websites about Geology of the area,

Mineral wealth details of rivers, Details of Lease and Mining activity in the

District along with Sand mining and revenue of minerals. This report also

contains details of Forest, Rivers, Soil, Agriculture, Road, Transportation and

climate etc.The main minor mineral of the district i.e. sand will be

replenished annully and available for excavation in the next post- monsoon

season. Additional areas may be further assessed on the basis of various

ecological, environmental, social consideration. It can be further studied as

potential area for mining and revenue generation.

There is a gap of feeling which might be attributed to the factors of immediate

benefit as the very question of subsistence is involved particularly when the

majority of the people in Tripura are below poverty line. Exploitation and not

extinction should be the way of life. If that be the case the forest resources

which are national wealth should be preserved in such a way that they are



Page 61

exploited and not extinct. Else danger is inherent in expressing their

displeasure. The signs of danger, are apparent when we see erosion of soils

due to indiscriminate felling of trees. There is uneven rainfall. Water flows

merry- go-round. It carries sands which turns into deposits causing heavy

damage to fertile lands which are going to be scarce particularly when the

population is increasing in geometrical progression.

Successful management of sand mining from riverbed or bank of the river

involving exploration of new vistas of sand-deposits,

exploitation,conservation and protection of the resource in the state will be

pivotal to its economic growth and sustenance of the quality of environment.

APPENDEX A

SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY

SUSTAINABLE SAND MAINING

1

Sl. No. STATE SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY


01

TRIPURA

1. While attempting to prepare a model Guideline/Policy for the State,.

2. For environmentally sustainable sand mining a strict and comprehensive sand mining policy need to be framed .

3. To ease the process of EC granting, SEIAA may have benches across the state with each bench having a SEAC under it. Time bound clearance with ease of access and grant.

4. Working cum Environment Management Plan has been Made mandatory. The mining activities are allowed after submission of environment clearance.

5. Compliance Report is mandatory every 6 Month. (ie July, Dec.) Every 2 Year's Revised Mining Plan submit are mandatory.

6. Mining should be done in accordance with an approved mining plan.

7. EC Should be valid for settlement Periode subject to ceiling of five years.

8. Sand mining operation has to carried out between 6 am to 7 PM.

9. River width are between 30 meter to 90 meter, so 10% width river can be restricted for mining activities from the river bank.

APPENDEX A

SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY


2

Sl. No. STATE SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY


01

TRIPURA

10. . Since the most of the main rivers of Tripura are of Perennial origin (i.e., water remains all through out the year) hand mining is not a suitable methodology. In this case, recovery of sands is not possible manually from river bed. To trigger the mining of sands & other minor minerals mechanised mining methods are to be adopted applying modern mining tools. Needless to say, in the case of river bed mining of perennial river, necessary arrangements for avoiding accidents/fatal are to be taken into account on priority basis: otherwise it may cause a huge loss of human property and the concerned mining project which ultimately will jeoperdise the economic viability of the entire project. So, mechanised mining may be allowed.

11. As per Guideline of SUSTAINABLE SAND MINNG GUIDELINE (Page No 85-92) Some State (Like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, UP etc.)allowed Some Mechanised/Semi-mechanised Mining Process.

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT (GOMATI DISTRICT)

" To illustrate my meaning and intention more plainly,

I would compare the relationship existing between forestry

and agriculture to that which exists in ordinary life

between husband, dark, stern and strong, but protecting

and cherishing; agriculture, bland benignant and

bountiful, may, in my parable, be described as the wife.

Deprived of the aid and resources derived from the forest,

agriculture pines and languishes and becomes barren and

unfruitful"

G.K.B Indian Forester

XV-330, Sept. 1889

Documents

DISTRICT SURVEY REPORT (GOMATI DISTRICT, TRIPURA) · Tripura till 1760 A.D. The city is famous for its Mata Tripura Sundari Temple which is situated about 3 km away from Udaipur at