Cachar District profile-

Geographic position

Cachar district is located in the southern part of Assam. It is known for it scenic beauty, tea plantations and cultural diversity. It is bounded on the north by Barail and Jaintia Hills ranges, on the south by the state of Mizoram and on the west by the districts of Hailakandi and Karimganj and a part of Meghalaya state in the east and Manipur state in the west.

The district lies between 92°23'E and 93°15'E longitude and 24°22'N and 25°8'N latitude. The altitude is 36.5 MSL. The district is characterised by lushy green hills, fertile plains, and numerous rivers and streams. The Barak is the main river of the district and apart from that there are numerous small rivers which flow from Dima Hasao district, Manipur and Mizoram.

Climate

The district of Cachar falls into the Barak Valley agro-climatic zone of Assam. The climate of Cachar is influenced by its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, which brings moisture-laden winds during the monsoon season. This, in turn supports the region's agriculture and lush greenery. The average annual rainfall is 3020mm with 146 rainy days. The period between December-February is generally dry. The period March-April is characterized by low and erratic rainfall with occasional hailstorm. The period May-September is characterized by high rainfall with aprehension of flood. Flood hazard risk is a concern in Barak river basin due to geo-climatic condition of the zone.Due to heavy rainfall in monsoon, Cachar district is inundated by flood water.

Topography

Cachar district features a diverse topography that includes variety of landscapes. Here are the key aspects of the topography of Cachar district-

Plains- The district has fertile plains along the Barak river and its tributaries. These plains are suitable for agriculture and are where most of the district's population resides. Paddy, vegetables, pulses mostly rajmah and blackgram, oilseed, tea and other crops are cultivated in these low-lying areas.

Hills- The district is charaterized by hills and ranges, especially in its southern and southwestern parts, near the border with Mizoram. These hills are part of the Eastern Ghats and are covered with lush forests. Some prominent hill ranges include the Barail range and the Kachin range. Tribal people are inhabitants of the hill areas and they mostly grow pineapple, citrus, maize and in lowland area of hills, people mostly cultivate paddy and vegetables.

Valleys- There are several valleys and depressions in the district, particularly in the hilly regions. These valleys are mostly inhabited and serve as important agricultural areas.

Tea Estates- The district is renowned for its tea plantations. The topography of the district, especially in some parts of hilly areas, is ideal for tea cultivation. The rolling hills covered with tea bushes are a distinctive feature of the landscape.

Forests- The hilly areas of Cachar district are home to dense forests with a variety of flora and fauna. These forests are an important ecological resource and contribute to the district's biodiversity.

Rivers-The major rivers flowing in the district are as follows-

1. Barak river
2. Jiri river
3. Sonai river
4. Dhaleswari river
5. Katakhal river
6. Longai river

Transport and Connectivity-

The district has a network of roads and transportation infrastructure that connects its diverse regions. Roads wind through hills and valleys, connecting different parts of the district. The district is connected by road, rail and air. The condition of roads and rail is poor. The National Highway NH-44 passes through the district. The district headquarter, Silchar is 380 kms. away from the state capital Dispur. Silchar Airport at Kumbhirgram is the only airport in the district.

Land use pattern-

Soil type-

The district has a diverse range of soil types due to its varied topography and climatic conditions. The major soil classes prevalent in the district are-

1. Alluvial soil

Alluvial soil is found in the low-lying areas along in the river banks. It is typically fertile and suitable for a wide range of agricultural crops. The presence of alluvial soil along rivers like the Barak and its tributaries supports the district's agriculture.

2. Red soil

Red soil, also known as laterite soil, is found in some parts of Cachar district, particularly in the hilly regions. It is well drained but tends to be acidic and low in fertility. This type of soil is suitable for some crops but may require soil ammendments for optimal agricultural productivity.

3. Hill and Forest soils

The hilly and forested areas of the district have soils that are typically associated with forest ecosystems. These soils can vary widely in composition and may be suitable for forestry and agro-forestry practices.

Agriculture in the district

Agriculture is the main occupation of major portion of the population in the district. The economy of Cachar district is basically agrarian in nature. About 80% of the population depends on agriculture and allied enterprises. There are about 1,91,509 number of cultivators and 48,153 labourers in the district. Agriculture in the district is characterised by over-dependence on rainfall, pre-dominance of seasonal crops and traditional methods of cultivation. Unique cultivation practices and diversity of cropping patterns are the important features of agriculture in the district. Paddy(rice) is the major crop, followed by pulses like rajma, blackgram, pea and lentil, oilseed crops like rapeseed, seasamum and linseed, cash crop like vegetables, sugarcane and jute etc.