Journal of Global Resources
Volume 6 (01)August 2019-January 2020
Page 214-221
UGC–CARE Listed Journal in Group D
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

34
TRANSFORMATION OF RURAL SETTLEMENT IN BASUDEBPUR & JEMARI VILLAGE OFSALANPUR, PASCHIM BARDHAMAN, WEST BENGAL
Sumana Nandi1 and Tapas Mistri2
Research Scholar, 2Assistant Professor,
Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, India
Email: sumananandi93@gmail.com, tapasam76@gmail.com
1

Abstract: Rural society is going through the changes. The disintegration of large family units
into nuclear family units, changes of tastes and values followed by politico-economic practices
under the influence of the expansion of education, cultural diffusion that have brought down asea changes in the size, form, pattern & structure of the rural settlements. The changes in thesettlement may be called a “Transformation”. That indicating a major socio-cultural shift of therural society. The current study on rural settlement transformation is mainly devoted to identify
major transformation occurred in the study area from 1971 to 2018, and people’s satisfaction
with this changes to find out further transformation method at the micro level. Transformation ofrural settlement is measured by various spatial, socio-economic, demographic Indicators, withthe help of Topographical Fig., Google Earth Image in ARC-GIS platform. It is established in
the course of study that, the Spatial- socio-cultural-functional landscape undergoing asignificant transformation as evidenced by changing street network pattern, settlement area,building structure, utility purpose of land, mode of production, infrastructural services and more
over the manner of social behaviour of the rural people.
Key words: Rural, Settlement, Transformation, Social shift, Salanpur
Introduction
The essence of rural settlement transformation is a marked changed in the semblance, form,
nature of spatial carrier apropos to the demographic, economic, socio-cultural, infrastructural,and environmental criteria. It is a process of spatial transformation, social transformation andeconomic transformation with an aim of optimum allocation and efficient management oftangible and intangible element in internal and external systems. Settlement’s change isnatural, spatial as well as functional in time scale. This change is expressed in two ways: one is
the internal change in social behaviours; hence, institutional, structural; and two is the externalchange in spatial arrangement, i.e., in morphology and functions (Singh, 2012).The traditional
form of rural settlement changing slowly but inevitably over the course of time, which resultsfrom the socio-economic transformation, better access to services, improvement in living
condition and the general ‘westernisation of lifestyles’ (Nowak & Tokarczyk, 2013).
Development, transformation and improvement of the rural settlement in modern conditions
occurs under the influence of natural, industrial, economic, financial, socio-economic, territorial,administrative and a number of others factor provide an opportunity to identify modern trends ofdevelopment of individual rural settlement, as well as the entire system of rural settlement(Potosyan, 2014). Settlement systems are very dynamic and complex categories, the constantand continuous need for spatial planning and other development policy instrument to have anappropriate scientific exploration of conditions for the existence and the effects of development
go in favour of the need for settlement system exploration (Nikola Krunik, 2012). The largest
portion of Basudebpur and Jemari village is occupied by coal mine as a result of prominenthuman activity, rural settlement landscape with different functional activity, lived by different
cultural group, traditional cultural imprint on the building architecture give this area a unique
identity and a distinctive economic, cultural value. The traditional rural landscape ischaracterized by the agricultural landscape which includes farmland and farming activity, but
the rural landscape of this area is constantly transformed under the influence of socio-economic
modifications. Rural settlement offers space for people to live and produce and supplies basic
needs in several ways (Cloke, 2013, cited in Tian et al. 2017). Any changes in the rural
settlement system will affect the life of individual rural denizens. The current study on rural
settlement transformation is mainly about to identify major transformation occurred in the study
214area between1971-2018, people’s satisfaction with these changes to find out furthertransformation method at a micro level. Transformation in Rural settlement system and peoples
satisfaction level with these changes and its application on future transformation and planningpurpose have not been adequately deliberated.
Objectives
The main objectives of this study are:

To identify spatial and demographic transformation of rural settlement.
To identify socio-cultural-economic transformation of rural settlement.
Assess Villagers Satisfaction level on their daily activity and on existing services tooutline further area of transformation.

Database
The database of this study is both primary and secondary collected from various sources. Data
regarding Settlement area, Road Network is extracted from Topographical Fig.: 73 l/13 (1975),
Google Earth Image dated: 1/9/2004, 31/12/2011, and 18/1/2018. Mouza Fig., Existing LULC
Fig. of the Study area is provided by the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority. SocioEconomic, Demographic data is obtained from District Census Handbook (1971, 1981, 1991,
2001, and 2011). Primary data is collected from Field Survey (2017-18).
Methodology
Following the pragmatic worldview and mixed-method approach this study applied bothquantitative and qualitative methods as per requirement that best meet the desires andpurposes of the research. Transformation of rural settlement is measured by various spatial,socio-economic, demographic Indicator, those are summarized in the following table:
Table 01: Measurement adopted to analyse the Transformation of the Rural Settlement
Parameter
Spatial Transformation ofrural Settlement.

Indicator
Settlement Area expansion (1975-2001, 2001-2011, 2011-2018), No of
Dwellings (1971-2011), road network density.

Demographic
Transformation.
Socio-Cultural
Transformation.
Economic Transformation

Population Growth rate (1971-2011), Sex Ratio(1971-2011),Population
Density(1971-2011),
Literacy rate (1971-2011), Development in Infrastructure (School, water,
Health), Changes in Building type (Past to Present).
Level of employment (1971-2011), Proportion of population engaged in
non-agricultural activity (1971-2011).
Satisfactionlevelin-a.WaterFacility.b.EducationalFacility.c.Health Facility.
d. Marketing. e. Transport. f. Entertainment. g. Visiting. In the scale of Good/Moderate/Bad.

Villagers Satisfaction levelin their daily life andactivity.
[

The vector data regarding to the rural build up area is extracted from Topographical Fig
and Google Earth image by digitization method, manually tracing the boundaries of settlement
area in ARC GIS Software (10.3) in shape file format.
Spatio-temporal dynamic change of rural settlement are analysed by employing the
Rural Residential Land Percentage to study the spatial distribution of rural settlement. The rural
residential development index was applied to study the spatial variance of rural residential
development (Tian, 2007), expressed as follows:
PR = RL/TL ×100
(1)
Where, PR is rural residential land percentage of the study area, RL is rural residential landarea of the study area. (km2), TL is total land area of the study area (km2).
SI=▲RLij/TL×100(2)
Where, SI is the Settlement Expansion index of the study area from period i to j and ▲RLij is
the rural residential development from period i to j.
100 household in the study area (50 household from each village) were selected by simple
random sampling method. A total of 100 people from each household participated in a face toface semi-structured questionnaire survey in 2018.

215

Tabulation, Calculation and statistical representation of primary and secondary data are done in
Micro Soft Excel 2010. Required Fig. is prepared in ARC GIS Software (10.3).
Study Area
The present study area Basudebpur (JL.NO. 31) and Jemari (JL.NO. 32) Mouza is located in
Basudebpur- Jemari Gram Panchayat of Salanpur C.D. Block in Paschim Bardhhaman districtat the Indian state of West Bengal (Fig.: 1). This two mouza is located in the south-western partof Salanpur and the geographical coordinate of this area is defined by the latitude 230 46′42′′ N
to 230 48′ 13′′ N and longitude 86052′ 22′′ E to 86053′33′′ E. Total administrative area of
Basudebpur and Jemari is 1.62 sq.km and 1.51 sq.km, which encompasses 2.32 percent of
Salanpur (District Census Handbook of Bardhhaman, 2011).These undulating area is coveredby laterite soil . Natural vegetation is almost absent in this area. Howrah-Patna-Mughal Sarailine passes through this area and Rupnarayanpur rail station is around 3.57 km (road distancefrom main settlement area to rail station) towards north-west from the area. The main
settlement area is around 1.12 km away from the G.T. Road. Approximately 0.61 sq.km (19.49
percent) area is utilized for mining activity (ADDA). Basudebpur and Jemari village located in
North direction of the mine.
Figure 01: Location of the Study Area

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Spatial Transformation of Rural Settlement
In Spatial aspect, the transformation process of rural areas could best possibly defined throughobserving the character of its morphological forms, that consist of land use pattern, street
network and building (Purnamasari et.al., 2017).Measurement were conducted using statistical
data obtained from analysis of – a. Percentage of rural residential land area, b. rural settlement
expansion index, c. number of rural dwelling, d. transformation of road connectivity.
Rural Settlement in 1975
In 1975, rural settlement of Basudebpur, Jemari village is characterised by low building density,
few rural dwellings concentrated in small areas. Except G.T. road all street network areunmetalled road (Table: 2& 3), (Fig.: 2).
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Table 02: Rural Residential Land Percentage, Expansion Index, Road Density and Nature of Road
in Basudebpur and Jemari (1975-2018)
Year

Settlement
Area (Sq. km)

PR Index(%)

SI (%)

Road Length
(km)

1975
0.12
2.59
0
8.48
2004
0.15
4.81
47.84
10.33
2011
0.21
6.73
41.38
10.33
2018
0.28
8.97
48.28
10.69
Source: Topographical Fig. & Google Earth Image

Road Density/
Km.

Metalled
Road (km)Unmetalled
Road (Km)

2.71
3.30
3.30
3.42

0.75
6.8
6.8
8.16

7.73
3.53
3.53
2.53

Table 03: Total Number of Dwellings in Basudebpur and Jemari (1971-2011)Year

Basudebpur
Total no. of dwellings

Jemari
Total no. of dwellings

1971
247
1981
298
1991
412
2001
471
2011
587
Source: District Census Handbook (1971 to 2011)

406
787
861
721
795

Rural Settlement in 2004
From 1975 to 2004, in general the rural settlement area increased significantly at the rate 47.84% in between 1975-2004. Number of rural household is also increased in the study area. Road
length increased and the proportion of metalled road is also improved simultaneously (Table: 2& 3). Settlement area is mainly expanded along the transport line and few settlements also
increased near Vagran colony of Basudebpur mouza situated near Bonjhemari Coal mine.
Figure 02 to 05: Rural Settlement in different years

217Settlement in2011
Analysis of Google Earth Image 2011 concretization of street network and growth of settlement
area is a continuous process along with the increased of rural household. Expansion of rural
settlement mainly occurred along the transport line towards the main G.T. road (Table: 2 & 3)
Rural Settlement in 2018
From the analysis of Google Earth Image 2018, with the help of existing land use Fig. of ADDA
and repeated field survey explore many issues of spatial characteristics of rural settlement inthese two mouza. Settlement area, road density, rural buildings are increased at the same time
(Fig.: 5). But the fact is build up area expanded much unplanned way (Table: 2& 3).waste
dumpsite of Bonjhemari coal mine, which is very much dangerous for the local people .People
living next to coal mine dump not only suffered from health risk and environmental pollution, but
blasting in coal mine make many cracks in the household, local people always live in a risk ofthe subsidence of huge blocks of dumping material.
Demographic Transformation
Demographic change is the accompanied process of rural settlement transformation.
Population trends and structures are an important indicator of socio-geographic conversion of
the given area.
Figure 06-07: Population Growth Rate and Density of Basudebpur & Jemari (1971-2011)

POPULATION DENSITY OF
BASUDEBPUR & JEMARI(1971-2011)

15
10
5
0
1971-1981 1981-1991 1991-2001 2001-2011-5Yearjemaribasudebpur

Population Density(Per Sq.Km)

Population Growth Rate(%)

POPULATION GROWTH RATE OFBASUDEBPUR & JEMARI (19712011)

3000
2000
1000
0
1971
Year

1981

1991
Jemari

2001

2011

Basudebpur

In between 1971-2011, population growth rate of Jemari and Basudebpur is declining,with minor variation, this may be considered as stabilization stage. But, there is inter village
difference between Jemari and Basudebpur. In between 1971-1981 population growth rate isvery high in Jemari (11.84 percent), accompanied by Basudebpur (3.84 percent). Demographic
changes much occurred at much the same time neither because of close interrelation nor
because of coincidence but because they are all products of massive social and economicchanges (Caldwell et.al 1988). Social and economic process of these two villages is very much
related with the mining industry.
The post-nationalization era opens various employment opportunities, which fascinate
many people to settle down in this area. In 1991-2001, negative phenomena that accompany
depopulation processes occurred in Jemari include negative population growth, decreasing
population density, and declining rural dwellings. The depopulation of these villages in this time
mainly due to the diversification of economic powers of this area. From ancient time Jemari isthe main market centre of Salanpur but with the passage of time due to various social andeconomic disorganization and emergence of new market centres in surrounding areas (mainly
in Rupnarayanpur, Samdi, Dendua) this place has lost its attractiveness and due to growth ofaccessibility in different places people’s loss their interest in these market, many people
migrated to nearby cities and city surrounding area search for better opportunity. Besides thisperiod population is continuously increasing in both the villages. Sex ratio structure is quite
discouraging for Basudebpur and Jemari. In 1971-2001, sex-ratio is declining for both218

Basudebpur and Jemari but in 1981 sex-ratio of Jemari highly increased. after that Period it isagain decreasing. But in recent time period it is slightly improved for both the villages.
Socio-Cultural Transformation
Socio-cultural transformation of any settlement is closely associated with its changing literacy
level of its settled people, transforming building architectural structure and material,
improvement in public facilities like water, health, transportation-communication, educational
infrastructure, entertainment and internal changes in social behaviour. During the passage fromunderdevelopment to development, several interrelated processes occur simultaneously(Abdullah, 1987). The settlers have made several adjustments in consecutive stages for theneeds of survival, sustenance and extension. Alteration of numbers and distance range of
public facilities is important affecting factor for the transformation process of rural settlement. In
1971, pond and well are the main source of drinking water in the study area, but in later period
it is supplemented by tube well, and tap water. The reach distance towards this facility is also
decreased. The improved road transport network towards the main road encouraged manyoutsiders started hotels, retail shop, tea shop, small business etc. In present time many “autorickshaws” are available from the centre settlement towards the main road for travelling. This
improved facility increased mobility of the rural denizens, especially for women and teenager
group. Many women’s go to nearby cities and surrounding areas for working and marketing
purpose, young generation go to their tuitions, training centres, school, college etc. From many
years Basudebpur Primary School (established in 1946) serving in these two villages. Jemari
Primary school started in 1991, and in 2011 two pre-primary schools started in Basudebpur andJemari respectively. One middle school established in Basuebpur in 2011.Nearest higher
secondary school located in Achchra village. Two ICDS centres are established in 2010 and2014 respectively in Basudebpur and one Sishu Siksha Kendra established in 2012 at Vagrancolony. So, the access to elementary education is also increased. Literacy level of these twovillages is increasing but male literacy rate is decreasing comparing to female literacy (Census
of India). This phenomena is very much related with the economic environment of this area.
Male populations are joining as a casual labour or other work in the coal mines for the sake of
employment in very younger age sacrificing their education but Women’s at least complete theirelementary education. But in terms of health facility this area is not so much developed. Thereis no primary health centre or sub centre, from the very beginning. The distance between
nearest Primary Health Centre (located in Kallya) and main settlement area is 3.98 km.
Recently one primary health sub centre established in Jemari. From 1981, these two villages
are electrified but the Vagran colony is not connected to the Govt. electric lines, very low quality
electricity is provided by the ECL in this colony. Street lightening through Solar Light
Development Scheme is also implemented. To this was community Hall, ration shop, cyber
café, retail shop, playground, reconstruction of burial grounds for different community (Muslims
and Baishnav) were also added. Core of the settlement geography is building (R.Y. Singh).
Changes in architectural structure, building materials, house types are an important indicator of
the socio-cultural transformation of rural settlement. According to field survey, among 100
household 32 household are kuccha house made by mud, tiles, thatch and other material,consisting mainly of 1 or 2 dwelling room in between 10-20 years ago. But they now build
pucca houses made by brick, stone with several rooms for separate purpose. Old houses ofthis two villages have courtyards surrounded by walled rooms are visualized, this style is rarely
found in modern type of dwellings. Transformation and improvement of dwelling house isoccurred in the main settlement area But in the satellite settlement of Vagran colony dominatedby Schedule caste group having poor contact with the main settlement area lived in very poor
housing condition having one or two dwelling room, poor drainage facility, narrow unmettaled
road and far away from public utility services (Primary school, health, retail shop etc.).
Economic Transformation
In Basudebpur and Jemari village the spatio-fuctional organization of rural settlement revealthat houses are constructed at once site form a village, the surrounding space is occupied byagricultural fields, fallow land and coal mine in the southern direction. Roadside settlement
towards the main road constructed mainly for commercial cum residential purpose. Working
opportunity in the coal mine encourage people to build houses in vagran colony. Peoples of thissatellite settlement mainly work in the coal mine as a casual labour, some of them also havepermanent job in the mine. Economy of the people of these two villages mainly depends on
mining activity. Some Muslim people engaged in agricultural activity, they mainly keep stay the
agricultural practice alive in these area. Other workers worked at private factory, running self219

business, hotels, retail shops etc. Economy of this rural settlement primarily lost its primaryrural characteristics changing its production system by ‘Deagrarianization’ and developed amore complex economic structure (Njegac & Toskic, 1998). The transformation of economy ofrural settlement is closely related with the change in Work Participation Rate, and with a growthof non-agricultural activity. In between, 1971-1981 overall dependency on agricultural activity isdecreasing and Work Participation Rate is slightly declining in present time. Work participation
rate is very low for women, 5.94 percent and 7.24 percent for Basudebpur and Jemari
respectively (Census of India, 2011). During the field survey it is revealed that, many women ofvagran colony worked in mine along with their domestic work in a flexible time (between 5 am
to 7 am) as a casual labour.

PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE
ENGAGED IN NONAGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY (1971150
2011)

WORK PARTICIPATION RATE OFBASUDEBPUR & JEMARI(197140
2011)
30
(%)

Employment Level (%)

Figure 08-09: Work Participation Rate and People Engaged in Non-Agricultural Activity

20
10

100
50
0

0
1971

1981

1991
Year

Basudebpur

2001

1971

2011

1981

1991
Year

Basudebpur

Jemari

2001

2011

Jemari

Source: DCHB (1971-2011)

Percentage of Respondents

Peoples Satisfaction Level in their Life
This gratification levels indicates individual perceptions about their life. The result shows thatpeoples are quite satiate pertaining to marketing and visiting conveniences. Marketing in the
study area refers to the activity of attending “rural market”, that occurs twice per week inThursday and Sunday respectively. Such a market is an important place for rural people topurchase goods or sell their own farm products (Liang et.al, 2002 & Skinner, 1985, cited in Tianet.al, 2017).Visiting with relatives and friends in locale and in neighbouring villages is an
important part of rural society. It influences employment, culture, and mental health of people(Kipnis, 1997, cited in Tian et.al, 2017). People’s attitude concerning water and educational
facility is moderate.
Figure 10: Peoples Satisfaction Level
INDIVIDUAL SATISFACTION LEVEL ON THEIR LIFE
& EXISTING FACILITIES
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Source of data: Field
Sourceof Data:
Survey (2017 &Field Survey
2018)

Good

Facilities
Moderate

Bad

For elementary and primary level education existing educational facility is satisfactory but
access to higher educational facilities is difficult for the young generation. Working activities
include farming and non-farming activity. Interaction with the local peoples revealed thatpeoples are not so much satisfied working in coal mine, because maximum employed people in220mines are casual labour at very low wages and working in a very deteriorating environment.
Agriculturalist is not satiate with the water facility required for cultivation and young educatedgeneration grieved in unemployment and underemployment. Peoples seeking entertainment
demand park and playground in nearby area. Worst condition is found in health facility. Peoples
are forced to depend on medical facilities of cities, which need serious attention. Question is
asked to the local people that are you willing to go other places in future to live? 52 peopleanswered “yes” we are. 18 people answered “no”, and 30 people answered we are worried
about the cost of relocation.
Conclusion
It is established in the course of study that, the transformation occurring today in the traditional
settlement system in the sphere of society, culture, economy to the study area. Settlement
expansion is driven by the development of street network and its surrounding economy. The
socio-cultural-functional landscape undergoing a significant transformation as evidenced bychanging street network pattern, settlement area, building structure, utility purpose of land,mode of production, public utility services and more over the manner of social behaviour of therural people. In the study area investors in terms of real estate developer have not appeared
significantly but the development of road, public utility services and the social investment by
public sectors are very important that leads to be ultimate transformation in the site, shape anddirection of settlement and also the taste of the inhabitants, which may ensure “ruralurbanization” in the villages. But, in the villages of developing countries it is a common problem
that they are getting urbanized in terms of demographic, economic and spatial characteristics
but the standard of living is not improved as urban area. It is also evidenced in the study thatpeoples demand in their daily available facility is not fulfilled properly. Every household not getproper access to improved water facility and sanitation infrastructure. It has been revealed by
the result obtained, that people’s attachment to the soil and settlement is diminishing and they
are more willing to migrate in nearby city or city surrounding areas for better opportunity and life
style. Instead of family solidarity and continuity, the growth of individualism and nuclear family
is more prominent. Caste is no longer a sole and final decisive factor of occupation. A kind ofloosening is seen in the primitive caste and religion segregation. Segregation by occupation orsocial status is seen in some part of the village (Vagran Colony). Prohibition of inter dining is
also maintained during many festivals. Change is a natural process, transformation in the rural
settlement landscape in the study area have many positive and negative impacts.
“Deagrarianisation” with in the rural landscape, growth of non-agricultural activity, unplannedand haphazard growth of rural houses in the unstable area must destroy the character of
traditional rural landscape.
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