Basanti is a community development block that forms an administrative division in Canning subdivision of South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal.

As the sea receded southwards, in the sub-recent geological period, a large low-lying plain got exposed.

The periodical collapse of both the natural levees and man-made embankments speed up the process of filling up of the depressions containing brackish water wetlands.

Embankments raised along rivers are of critical importance for the safety of lives and protection of crops, against daily tides and tidal surges.

Technologically the embankment structures are weak and there is need of proper drainage of accumulated rain water through sluice gates.

[9] As per 2011 Census of India, Basanti CD block had a total population of 336,717, of which 330,092 were rural and 6,625 were urban.

[10] Large villages (with 4,000+ population) in Basanti CD block (2011 census figures in brackets): Kumarkhali (12,021), Char Bidyarabad (13,035), Chunakhali (9,241), Baria (4,883), Purba Bayar Siong (4,538), Sachea Khali (4,372), Manasakhali (5,019), Lebukhali (6,973), Chitrakhali (7,208), Narayantala (5,416), Bhangonkhali (15,127), Phul Malancha (14,614), Tilkumar (8,913), Khari Machan (5,704), Dhuri (9,411), Amjhara (6,179), Kathalberia (14,113), Sonakhali (10,582), Uttar Sonakhali (6,202), Khirishkhali (4,800), Ramchandrakhali (7,849), Kala Hazra (4,626), Hogalduri (4,862), Gadkhali (4,685), Jyotishpur (4,833), Radharanipur (4,976), Hiranmoypur (6,562), Bharatgar (6,413), Dakshin Mokamberia (5,160), Kalidanga (4,134), Parbattipur (4,048), Lot No.

[10] Other villages in Basanti CD block include (2011 census figures in brackets): Nafarganj (3,744) and Uttar Mokamberia (3,446).

[15] As per 2001 Census of India, Basanti CD block had a total literacy of 56.98 per cent for the 6+ age group.

[16] In the 2011 Census of India, Hindus numbered 179,715 and formed 53.48% of the population in Basanti CD block.

[18] As per the Human Development Report for South 24 Parganas district, published in 2009, in Basanti CD block the percentage of households below poverty line was 64.89%.

Within South 24 Parganas district, the poverty ratio in Basanti was ten times more than that in Thakurpukur Maheshtala CD block.

[21] The District Human Development Report points out that in the blocks of region situated in the close proximity of the Kolkata metropolis, overwhelming majority are involved in the non-agricultural sector for their livelihood.

It includes factory, mining, plantation, transport and office workers, those engaged in business and commerce, teachers, entertainment artistes and so on.

[23] There are 64 inhabited villages in Basantii CD block, as per the District Census Handbook, South Twenty-four Parganas, 2011.

60 villages (93.75%) have telephones (including landlines, public call offices and mobile phones).

[24] South 24 Parganas had played a significant role in the Tebhaga movement launched by the Communist Party of India in 1946.

[27] In 2013-14, there were 97 fertiliser depots, 14 seed stores and 63 fair price shops in Basanti CD block.

[28] In Basanti CD block, in 2013-14, net area under effective pisciculture was 2,115 hectares, engaging 22,718 persons in the profession, and with an approximate annual production of 106,166 quintals.

The fund, created by the Government of India, is designed to redress regional imbalances in development.

[33] Certain areas of South 24 Parganas district have been identified where ground water is affected by Arsenic Contamination.

[34] High levels of arsenic in ground water were found in twelve CD blocks of the district.

Water samples collected from tubewells in the affected places contained arsenic above the normal level (10 micrograms per litre as specified by the World Health Organization).