Subsurface resource atlas of Purba Bardhaman: Water, energy, and SDG impact

This study focuses on the geological and geomorphological assessment of Purba Bardhaman District (PBD), West Bengal, India, aiming to understand its subsurface configuration, drainage characteristics, soil types, and geological history. The principal objective is to explore the region’s potential for future subsurface geological exploration beneath the thick Quaternary alluvial cover and to evaluate its implications for agriculture, resource management, and land-use planning. This work supports integrated land and resource management while encouraging exploration strategies that align with environmental sustainability and responsible use of geological resources as per the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Methodology combines review of remote sensing analysis, field-based observations, and interpretation of existing geological and geophysical data. Particular emphasis is placed on mapping the drainage system, evaluating soil properties from a geo-agricultural perspective, and reconstructing the basement architecture through geological correlation with adjacent districts. Results indicate that PBD is predominantly covered by Quaternary alluvium sourced from the Ganges (Bhagirathi-Hooghly), Damodar, and Ajay river systems, with no direct surface exposure of older Tertiary Formations. However, regional trends suggest the presence of Permian-Triassic Gondwana rocks at depth, underlain by a stable Precambrian basement—similar to adjacent Paschim Bardhaman, which hosts a Gondwana coal belt. The study also reveals a complex and dynamic fluvial system with implications for sediment transport, groundwater dynamics, and landscape evolution. It is concluded that PBD holds significant potential for deep-seated geological resources. The research provides a baseline framework for sustainable agricultural planning, groundwater assessment, and future subsurface exploration initiatives.