Soils — Geography of the State

Q.1

WBCS Prelims 2020

'Gangani' region of West Bengal has which type of soil' ?

A. Alluvial Soil

B. saline Soil

C. Laterite Soil

D. Terai Soil

Explanation

Why Correct: Gangani near Garbeta in Paschim Medinipur features extensive laterite soil formations characterized by iron and aluminum oxides, giving it a reddish-brown color and brick-like hardness when dry.
Distractor Analysis: Alluvial soil dominates the Gangetic plains of northern West Bengal. Saline soil occurs in coastal Sundarbans regions. Terai soil is found in the foothills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts.
Takeaway: Laterite soil in West Bengal primarily occurs in the western districts of Purulia, Bankura, and Paschim Medinipur, forming through intense leaching in high-temperature, high-rainfall conditions.

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Q.2

WBCS Prelims 2014

The soil of the Sundarban of West Bengal is

A. Red Soil

B. Clayey Saline Soil

C. Alluvial Soil

D. Black Soil

Explanation

Why Correct: Sundarbans soil is clayey saline due to tidal inundation from the Bay of Bengal, with high salt content that limits agriculture.
Distractor Analysis: Red soil develops in tropical regions with iron oxide, typical of peninsular India. Alluvial soil forms from river deposits in floodplains like the Gangetic plain. Black soil (regur) occurs in Deccan trap regions with high clay and calcium content.
Takeaway: West Bengal's laterite soil dominates the western plateau region, while terai soil occurs in northern foothills.

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Q.3

WBCS Prelims 2010

The soil of Bankura district is

A. Podzolic

B. Alluvial

C. Lateritic

D. Silty

Explanation

Why Correct: Bankura district in West Bengal's plateau region has lateritic soil, which forms in tropical climates with high rainfall and is rich in iron and aluminum oxides.
Distractor Analysis: Podzolic soils develop in coniferous forests with acidic leaching. Alluvial soils deposit in river plains and deltas. Silty soils have fine particles between sand and clay sizes.
Takeaway: West Bengal's lateritic soils occur in the western plateau districts like Purulia, Bankura, and parts of West Medinipur, while alluvial soils dominate the eastern Gangetic plains.

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Q.4

WBCS Prelims 2009

Laterite soils in West Bengal are found in

A. Jalpaiguri

B. Bankura

C. Darjeeling

D. North 24-Parganas

Explanation

Why Correct: Bankura district contains laterite soils, which form in high-rainfall tropical regions through intense leaching of silica and accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides.
Distractor Analysis: Jalpaiguri has alluvial soils from Himalayan rivers. Darjeeling has forest soils and podzols in hilly terrain. North 24-Parganas predominantly features alluvial and saline soils in the delta region.
Takeaway: Laterite soils in West Bengal also occur in Purulia, Birbhum, and parts of West Midnapore districts, typically on the Chota Nagpur Plateau fringe.

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