SUBHAS ADAK, KALYAN ADHIKARI AND KOUSHIK BRAHMACHARI
Abstract
Installation of Kolaghat thermal power plant is not sustainably supported by the present site characteristics. Moderate erosion (56.6%) and drainage (40.59%) in association with moderate flooding (40.42%) are embarrassing the surrounding site. The slope (1-2%) covers 6909.532 ha land of Kolaghat block. Soil texture (<4km) is silty loam while clay content increases for the rest area. Water holding capacity (<4km) is little bit higher (54.4%) than the remaining site (53.01%). Soil pH is alkaline (7.83) in the area close to the power plant compared to the distant location (pH 6.11). Electric conductivity is high (0.24 dSm-1) in the circles of adjacent site. Cation exchange capacity (16.38 cmol.kg-1), exchangeable sodium percentage (3.96%) and base saturation (88.9%) are significantly higher in the nearer site than the rest area of Kolaghat block. Site specific resources and problems management with organic farming and precision agriculture are suggestive site conservation plan for agricultural and environmental sustainability around the coal-burned thermal power plant.