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The Santiniketan Environment
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Santiniketan is situated at an elevation of 200 feet above sea-level giving it a
slight bulge in an otherwise flat landscape. The ground slopes gradually to 100 feet
above sea-level near the Ajay river about 3 miles to the south and the Kopai stream,
some 2 miles to the north. The southern boundary of Santiniketan merges into a vast
plain of rice fields. On its northern fringes were the khoai lands with deeply indented
gullies caused by erosion over denuded land. The District Gazetteer of Birbhum records
that in pre-British days, Birbhum had an extensive forest cover. Progressive denundation
of forests played havoc with the porous laterite soil. During the hot months,
fierce dust storms scattered the loose soil far and wide. During the rains heavy erosion took place
as after every downpour water rushed through undulating land creating gullies and
gorges in its relentless march.

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