Ranibandh (also spelt Ranibundh) (Bengali: ) is a town, a community development block and an assembly constituency in Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Poor agricultural conditions resulting in severe poverty, force Santal villagers to migrate to other districts for work during the harvesting season. The dense forests in the area have become centres of violent political activity. Ranibandh is located at 225200N 864700E / 22.8667N 86.7833E / 22.8667; 86.7833. It has an average elevation of 162m (531ft). With single crops in a semi-arid region, even the cattle do not find much green to graze upon. Younger people migrate out of the drought prone zone, leaving the old to guard their hearths and homes. The Santal villages take on a deserted look as the people move on to find work as migrant workers in the neighbouring districts during the harvesting season. The migration continues even after the commencement of the much hyped National Rural...
