Soil: The study area soil types are more important, since it is the
main criteria in the recharge of groundwater and agricultural
production. The area is covered with sandy clay in the
Sankarapari area (western part) red soil (Sandy loam to Sandy
soil) in the central part and alluvial sandy soils (Coastal area) in
the eastern part (figure 3). The maximum soil thickness is about
3m. The sandy soils originated from sandstones and these have
low soil moisture retentivity. The alluvium soils are windblown
sands and shells constitute beach sand and coastal dunes,
which have very low soil moisture retentivity20. The porous
formation in the study area includes sandstone and clays of
Recent to Subrecent (Quaternary) and Tertiary age. The recent
formations compraising mainly sads, clays and gravel are
confined to major drainage course of in the district.