Change of Nutrient Status of Hilly Soil in Darjeeling District within Five Years

Darjeeling district is one of the important Hilly Districts of India. It is located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,045.2m). it is noted for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling hill areas are unique for environmental Eco-perception. The relief varies from 100 Mts. Above sea level to the mighty Kanchanjungha. There are different climatic zones with distinctive attributes and there are endangered animals like red panda etc along with memory orchids and medicinal plants are available in this hilly region. The soils of Darjeeling Hill area have developed depending upon the underlying geological structure. But, in general the sols have been developed by both fluvial action and lithological disintegration. The soil that have developed in the Kalimpong area are predominantly reddish in color. Occasional dark soils are found due to extensive existence of phyllitic and schists. Soil in the highlands stretching from the west to the east of the district along most of the interfluvial areas are mainly clayey loam and reddish in color. However, as per nutrient status, the soil is very poor in nutrient content in major part of hills. Further, no in depth study has been made to evaluate the nutrient status of Darjeeling District for last six (6) years from these soil samples. Data of the soil status of Darjeeling district on the basis of various parameters such as pH, ECE, Organic C, available phosphorus, available potassium, year wise from 2004 to 2010, to detect if there is any change in the trend of the soil nutrient status over those years.