Settlement Growth in Kopai-Ajoy Inter-riverine Tract of Bolpur Sriniketan Block, Birbhum District: A Case Study on Santiniketan and its Surroundings

Abstract

The Kopai-Ajoy inter-riverine tract, located in the Bolpur-Sriniketan Block of Birbhum District, West Bengal, offers a dynamic environment influenced by both natural and man-made factors. Lateritic soils and tribal living have historically defined the region, which has experienced substantial socioeconomic and physical change, especially since Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in the early 20th century. With an emphasis on patterns and trends from the late 20th century to the early 21st century, this study does a spatiotemporal analysis of settlement increase in the area. The study tracks how settlements have changed over time using topographic maps, satellite imagery, and census data. The results show a clear transition away from dense, nucleated towns and towards more scattered, linear layouts, especially along transit routes. This transition is largely driven by changing land use patterns, infrastructure expansion, and population pressure where patterns of rural and semi-urban transition meet cultural legacy. The Spatio-temporal dynamics of settlement growth in the area are examined in this case study, which focuses on Santiniketan and the nearby villages