Spatio-temporal variations of a meandering channel morphodynamics: A study along the Kaljani River in Bhuchungmari-Moamari Section of North Bengal Dooars, West Bengal (India)

Authors

  • Mantu Das Junior Research Fellow (UGC), Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Dist.-Darjeeling, West Bengal, Pin-734013, India
  • Dr. Snehasish Saha Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Dist.-Darjeeling, West Bengal, Pin-734013, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n03.014

Keywords:

Morphodynamic, Meandering stream, Radius of meandering bend, Meander-bend curvature, GIS, Kaljani River

Abstract

Rivers being the most dynamic and natural engines receive the maximum outcome of process-form activities over space and time. Displacement and shifting of course of the alluvial channels over the lower gradients result into severe bed-bank scouring activities temporally. River Kaljani within the neo tectonically active zone of North Bengal plains is an example of temporal variations of high sinuosity and braiding over the softer lithology. The present work is focusing on a temporal study from 1970 to 2019. The SOI Topographical map of 1:50,000 scales has been the base layer along with temporal satellite imageries (1990, 2000, 2010 and 2019). The schematization has followed digitization, rectification and overlaying of conformal layers extracted from the USGS website under UTM Projection system and WGS of 1984 datum for north 45 zones under GIS platform. Multi-temporal satellite data identified serious course changes of the selected reach of lower segment of Kaljani River. The rectified multi-spectral bands are used to make the NDWI for identification of the water content on earth surface followed by selective morphometric analysis e.g. sinuosity index, braided index and roundness of curvature  to access the spatio-temporal changes accomplishing some derivative mathematical equations. Descriptive statistics viz. mean, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), skewness and kurtosis were used and explained maximum course oscillations. The authors tried to examine the fact for six temporal frames i.e. 1970, 1990, 2000, 2006, 2010 and 2019 and received high sinuosity of all categories. Conclusively the work claims to set a documentary approach to examine the morphodynamics of an alluvial channel of Sub-Himalayan foothills.

Author Biographies

Mantu Das, Junior Research Fellow (UGC), Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Dist.-Darjeeling, West Bengal, Pin-734013, India

Mr. Mantu Das (M.A, M.Phil.) is a Ph.D. Research Scholar and working as Junior Research Fellow (UGC) in the Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal. He has completed his master’s degree in Geography from University of Calcutta, Ballygunge campus in 2017. Earlier he was professionally engaged as a Research Assistant (RA) in Cultural Research Institute (CRI), B.C.W and T.D. Department, Government of West Bengal (2018-2019). He specialized in Advanced Cartography and has a lot of interest in Fluvial Geomorphology, Quaternary Geomorphology, Environmental Geography, Remote Sensing and GIS. He has already published 11 research papers, 1 edited book volume and has presented research papers in National and International Conference and Seminar in India.

Dr. Snehasish Saha, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, Dist.-Darjeeling, West Bengal, Pin-734013, India

Dr. Snehasish Saha (M.A, Ph.D.) studied Geography in the undergraduate level and completed Post Graduate in Geography and Applied Geography from North Bengal University. His specialization was Agricultural Geography at the Undergraduate level and Fluvial Geomorphology at the Post Graduate level. He achieved 1st class 1st position in both UG and PG levels. He was conferred upon university medals for both UG and PG levels and Bidhuranjan Adhikary memorial medal for securing first class first position at PG level. He was recipient of UGC JRF award for twice. Presently, he is an Assistant Professor at the Dept. of Geography & Applied Geography, University of North Bengal since 2009 and supervising Ph.D. Research Scholars and M.Phil. Scholars. He has been working in the field of River Geomorphological studies and has published about 40 research papers in different National and International journals of his own and collaborative works with his Research Scholars. He has completed two University assisted Research Projects and he is carrying one DSTBT, WB assisted research project too. He has supervised two Ph.D. research scholars and two other ongoing Ph.D. research works are under his supervision and also supervised two M. Phil. scholars. He has been supervising one Junior Research Fellow under Research Project sponsored by DSTBT, West Bengal. He is the member of different academic societies like The Deccan Geographer, Hill Geographers (NEHU), Bangiyo Bhugol Mancha, Indian institutes of Geomorphologists etc. He has guided two UGC-SAP inducted students for small research works. He has been one of the editorial members of 07 SAP (UGC) book volumes (edited) since 2010 to 2019 and also worked as one of the editorial members of the department’s editorial volume, ‘Geographical Thoughts’. He completed his doctoral thesis in Geomorphology taking the case of Bank Erosion of River Ganga. He has published many research articles of his own and co-authored capacities in different editorial volumes and journals. He has participated in various national, international and regional level conferences, seminars and workshops etc. His future targets are to work in different fields of Geomorphology and Geoinformatics.

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Published

14-03-2023

How to Cite

Das, M., & Saha, S. (2023). Spatio-temporal variations of a meandering channel morphodynamics: A study along the Kaljani River in Bhuchungmari-Moamari Section of North Bengal Dooars, West Bengal (India). RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 8(3), 114–131. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n03.014

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Vol. 8 No. 3 (2023): RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

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