UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA

ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION OF RIVER BANK

EROSION IN MALDAH DISTRICT
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY HONOURS (GEOA)
Examination: B.SC SEMESTER-
VI(HONOURS)EXAMINATION 2025(UNDER
CBCS)
MODULE: CC14 (HAZARD MANAGEMENT)
REGISTRATION NO:
ROLL NO:
CERTIFICATE
 ACKNOLEDGEMENT
I would like to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks
towards all those who have helped me in making this
project report. Without their active guidance, help,
cooperation and encouragement, I would not have
been able to present the project on time.
I extend my sincere gratitude to our guide Dr. Sayanti
Poddar for his constant support and guidance during
the tenure of my project and I also thankful to our
Department of Geography, Asutosh College.
I also acknowledge with a deep sense of reverence, my
gratitude towards my parents and other faculty
members of the college for their valuable suggestions
given to me in completing this.
 CONTENT
SL.NO. TOPIC
1 ABSTRACT
2 INTRODUCTION
3 MATERIAL &
METHODS
4
5
6
7
8
9
ABSTRACT
Introduction

River bank erosion is a “geomorphological

process of alluvial flood plain rivers”.
Simply it is defined as the process of
wearing of the banks of a stream river. It is
because bank adjustment, bank trampling
and changes in the bed elevation and
topography in reaction to modified flow
conditions or bank resistance.
Bank erosion is a natural process; without
it rivers would not meander and change
occurs. Rivers erosions it rivers would not
meander and changes occurs. River erosion
is the wearing a way of bank materials of a
river and it is a dynamic process affecting
the concave side of the bank, while
depositing sediments on the opposite side
(Chatterjee 2013).
Considering human being have a tendency
to settle in the in the flood plain area due
to better facility. So, population
displacement due to better facility. So,
population displacement, due to flood and
river erosion is erosion is considered as one
of the main contributors to landless and
impoverishment of the rural population
(Ahmed 1991).
Vulnerability to bank erosion is not only
more intense by physical forces but also
demographic and socio-economic variable
which increase the vulnerability of the
existing population to such related hazard
(Mc Bean et al 2009, Sanyal et al 2005,
Mejia-Navarro et al 1994).
Gravitational failure includes shallow and
rotational slides, slab, and cantilever
failure and earth flows and dry granular
flows. Unlike other rivers of India, the
rivers of sub–Himalayan North Bengal
region experience massive bank erosion.
These causes river erosion every year
during the monsoon season (Karmakar,
ISSN No: 2348-537X).
The obstruction of the normal flow of the
Ganga is caused due to construction of
Farraka Barrage which promote clogging of
huge amount of sediments and formed
bars, Shoal, and emerged Land on the river
bed and have changed the direction and
flow velocity of the river (Mandal, 2016).

MATERIALS & METHODS

OBJECTIVES:-
There are several objectives in carrying out these assignment.
• To analyze the shifting course of the river causing loss of fertile
soil.
• Analyzing how the bank erosion display the hazardous picture
and associated problems regarding human society in terms of loss of
property.
• Describe the ways of proper river management through long
term and short term measures.

STUDY AREA:-
Maldah has been choosen as the study area. The district Malda is
situated keeping Jharkhand in the west, Bangladesh in the east and
Murshidabad in the south where the river Ganga delineates in the
western boundary and the northern part of the North Dinajpur
District. From the view point of physical data, the district is divided
into three identified parts namely- Tal ,Barind ,Diara. The study area
is situated in the Diara Physiographic divisions. Diara is the alluviated
land created mainly by the joint action of the river Ganga &
Mahananda in the Pleistocene –Holocene period with many small
depressions or lakes with alluvial flood plain.
The main flood affected district under the study area is Malda, which
consist of 15 blocks and total area is about 3455.66 sq.km. The most
affected block of this natural hazard are Manickchak, Kaliachak-II&III.
These three blocks having a total area of about approx 450sq.kms
which has been reduced to about 340 sq.kms. The geographical
extent of the study area is from 24º 51' N to 25º 14' N and 87º 46' E
to 88º 06' E.

LOCATION MAP
 LAND USE LAND COVER MAP OF MALDAH,WEST BENGAL

DATA SOURCE:earthexplorer.usgs.gov
METHODOLGY:-
The assignment is completely based on secondary data, as it is a class
assignment and there was not much time to do the primary work. I
have used various journals and books to do the secondary work.
Although i have used various statistical tools and remote sensing to
get satisfactory outputs.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

MORPHOMETRIC CHANGE OF RIVER OVER TEMPORAL SCALE:
• 1920-1921 GANGA REACH

The river was almost straight during this time. The sinuosity index
was 1.09 for the entire river reach from Rajmahal to Farrakah. There
was several small island in the river reach during this time with the
area of 2.1 km2, which is exactly 1.72% of the total river reach. The
braiding was also very low, with the measured braiding index of 0.12.
The most probable cause behind these must be that during this time
there was no obstacles within the course of the river.
• 1977 GANGA REACH

During this time period, river started bending just after the
establishment of Farakka Barrage. The river course got bend of 14km
upstream of barrage. The sinuosity measured was 1.12. From 1920s
the sinuosity has changed to 0.03104. The island area has also
increased in this year. It has been increased to 24.94km2, which is
12.89% of the total river area. The river width has also increased,
which shows pronounce lateral erosion due to high sedimentation.
• 1990 GANGA REACH
At this time the bend became more broader and it was in a higher
distance from barrage than in 1977. The sinuosity became slightly
lower at 1.1. The total area of the islands increased to 71.13 km2,
which is 29.4% of the total river reach area. So, the island area now
has increased by 18.23%. The Braiding Index has been also increased.
All the measurements give the hints of higher sedimentation over
time.
• 2001 GANGA REACH

The sinuosity has been increased this time to 1.14, leading to more
sinuous channel Island area has also increased more because of high
sedimentation. It had increased to 90.21 km2, which is 33.78% of the
total river reach area. So, the island area was increased by 4.38%
from 1990. The braiding index has also increased to 1.32. In this year,
a typical character of river morphometry has been found. Two
prominent channels were diverted from the main river. They had
diverted mainly from the Manikchak area, on the right bank of which
there is a rigid geological obstruction in the form of Rajmahal hills.
The right cannel diverted from the opposite of Manikchak Ghat area
near Rajmahal hills and joined again with the main channel near a
place about 15 km upstream of the Farakka Barrage. Another channel
called the Central Channel diverts itself about 7.8 km downstream of
the right channel diversion and merges with the main channel about
200 mts upstream of the right channel meeting place. Among these
channels also, there were many interconnected narrow channels.
• 2003 GANGA REACH

Sinuosity measure was higher than the previous years. It was 1.21.
The areal distance between the barrage and the cross section where
the highest bend occurred, is about 21.8 km. So, the major bend of
the river seems to have its trend towards north-east, because, it is
moving towards upstream and eroding 6

its left bank. The Braiding index also increased to 2.08. The island
area is measured as 119.11 km2. That is 45.55% of the total river
reach area
• 2005 RIVER REACH

The sinuosity during this period was measured as 1.25. The braiding
index has been increased to 2.17. Here the island area has been
measured as 242.57 km2. It is less than the island area of 2003, but
we can see from the previous analysis that the island area has a trend
to be increased over time. So, it may be assumed that, because of the
higher water level in November than February, the visual island area
measurement has given lesser value. In this year the island covers
about 39.6% of the total river reach.
• 2010 GANGA REACH

Sinuosity has been slightly increased to 1.22. This year the island area
has come to 296.69 km2. It is 66% of the total river reach. The
sinuosity has been decreased here mainly due to the diversion of
main flow from left to mid channel. Channel area has been
considerably changed for the sudden huge sedimentation in left
channel. So, with that braidedness has also increased about 2.50.
FIG - CHANGE OF GANGA REACH OVER VARIOUS TIME SCALE.
As this historical record shows, the shifting of the Ganga has been a
longterm phenomenon that has constantly shaped and reshaped the
territorial history of
Malda district. Hence the present river-shifts in the district have to be
situated and understood in the longterm context. Shortly after the
Ganga traverses around the Rajmahal hill in Jharkhand, the river
enters its estuarine stage in Bengal,gradually splitting into several
major and minor distributaries that flow over lower West Bengal(laha
& bandyapadhyay)

SHRUB 2937.42 4674.25 3282.65 DECREASE 1390

IMPACT OF EROSION ON THE LAND USE IN THE STUDY ARAEA
The study area is in Diara physiography, which is a newly created
land. Therefore these land is very much suitable for agriculture. The
whole area is flood prone and under cultivation. Mango orchads are
preferably cultivated here. The areas seasonally flooded are suitable
for river bed cultivation. Mostly kolai, Bhutta are grown over these
land. The newly created island are preferably used for paddy
cultivation.
There are eight land use/land cover training sites have been made on
the basis of various ground control point and visual signature
identification.Then maximum likelihood classifications algorithm has
been run. This algorithm reads the signatures set DN values and give
others according to their nearest class values. On the basis of this
algorithm the resultant maps give following data of the land use land
cover distribution of an area covering this region.{(SOURCE;
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMATICS AND GEOSCIENCE.,
VOLUME 3, NO 1, 2012.)Monitoring of bank line erosion of River
Ganga, Malda District, and West Bengal: Using RS and GIS compiled
with statistical techniques Bhaskar Das, Milan Mondal, Ajoy Das}

FUTURE SHIFTING OF GANGA RIVER.

First of all data in respect of cross sectional area were extracted for
the year 1977 (from SOI Toposheet), 2006 & 2009 (from Satellite
images). Using linear extrapolation method, data of 2009 were
generated synthetically from the data of 1977 & 2005 and compared
with that of image data. It was found that there is gross mismatch in
the above mentioned compared data. Subsequently using
Logarithmic extrapolation techniques, data of 2009 were again
generated from the data of 1977 & 2005 and the comparison
was made. The logarithmically extrapolated data of 2009 were
found to be very close to that of the satellite image data of 2009.
Accordingly Logarithmic extrapolation technique was adopted for
future years also (Table 3 and Figure 3). Up to year 2040 such data
were generated synthetically and given in the following table .
The Factors affecting River Bank Erosion.

The controlling factors of Rivers bank

erosion are-
1. Energy of the River: - The energy of
a river generally refers to its ability to
cause to cause erosion, transformation,
 and deposition. This energy significant
affects river bank erosion.
2. River Bed: - The nature of the
riverbed influences the speed of flowing
water. If the riverbed is rough, it resists
the waterflow slightly. A smooth
riverbed increases water velocity, which
intensifies erosion.
3. Land slope: - The steeper the land
slope, the faster the river flow. As a
result, riverbank erosion increases.
4. Nature of River Regimes: - The
seasonal variation in water discharge
affects river behaviour. Increased flow
during the rainy season intensifies
erosion.
5. River Load:- The sediment carried by
the river influences the erosion and
deposition. A high sediment load can
either increase erosion or cause
deposition.
6. Nature of the rock:- The hardness or
softness of rocks affects riverbank
erosion. Harder rocks resists erosion,
while softer rocks erode faster.
7. Meandering:- The bending or
curving of a river, impacts erosion
Patterns. Outer bends experience more
erosion, while inner bends accumulate
sediment.
 Additional Contributing Factors
-Kingthon,
1998.
1. Geometry Of Riverbed; - Including
river depth, slope, width, Variation,
and bank height.
2. Nature of Streamflow; - Factors like
flood intensity water discharge, and
seasonal changes affect erosion.
3. Climate:- Includes precipitations,
temperatures, fluctuations, storms
etc.
4. Surface condition:- The nature of
soil, land cover and vegetation type
affect erosion.
5. Organic Factors :- Includes biological
activity like plant roots and microbial
influence on soil stability.

Process of River bank Erosion: -

Erosion is the process which takes place in
the River Channel. The erosion process of
the Rivers is performed two ways-
1. Mechanical erosion
2. Chemical erosion.

Chemical erosion involves solution and

carbonation, mechanical erosion
comprises Abrasion,
Hydraulic erosion, and attribution.

1. Abrasion: -
When the process of erosion takes
place through the continue impact of
small to medium sized boulders
carried by river water, it is called
Abrasion. In those river beds where
the water velocity and the amount of
transported rock are high , the
possibility of bank erosion due to
erosion is erosion is observed at the
highest rate.
 FigRiver bank erosion process
2.Attrition: -

Sediments and rocks carried by the

rivers, collide with each other,
breaking into smaller particles that
can be carried away.
This type of attrition can be observed
when rock fragments of different sizes
following along the river bed collide
with each other.

3.Hydraulic action
It involves the break-down of the rocks of
valleys sides due to the impact of water
currents of channel. Hydraulic action is the
mechanical loosening and removal of
materials of rocks by water alone.
4.Solution: -

If the dissolved rocks adjacent to a

river bank are chemically separated.
Mainly, if there is a predominance of
Limestone or dolomite rocks on the
river bank, the river bank erosion
caused by solution becomes very
active due to more water.

5.Lateral Erosion: -

The rivers current erodes the bank the

river bank from the side, causing it to
collapsible.

6.Mass wasting; -
Large sections of the bank collapse
due to gravity often triggered by
heavy rainfall or flooding.

7.Human activities

Human actions like before station

construction and degrading can
 contribute to before to river bank
erosion.

a. Dynamics of Riverbank Erosion in

Kaliachak, Malda.

Moderate- Risk Zones: Kaliachak-1,

Kaliachak-2 , and Kaliachak-3 Blocks. River
bank erosion in Kaliachak, Maldah is
recurring disaster primarily driven by the
Ganga and Padma rivers. The process is
influenced by multiple factors, including
hydrodynamics, sediment transportation,
and anthropological activities.

Temporal phases of erosion

a. Pre-monsoon phase (March-May)

Low water levels lead to drying

and cracking of the banks, making them
structurally weak. The onset of summer
storms and occasional rainfall starts minor
erosion processes.

b. Monsoon phase (June-September)

Heavy rainfall and increased river

discharge river discharge cause major
erosion. Rapid water flow undercuts the
riverbanks, leading to sudden collapse.
Flash floods and Ganga river migration
intensity erosion.

b. Post-Monsoon Phase (October-

February)

Water levels begin to recede, but bank

saturation and instability continue
erosion. The river starts depositing
continue erosion. The river starts
depositing silt, but its not enough to
compensate for the lost land.

Spatial Limits of Erosion in Kaliachak

The erosion- affected areas in Kaliachak,

Maldah shift over time, but some critical
Zones include:

1. High-Risk Erosion Zones: Mianpur,

Uttar Dinajpur, Sultanganj,
Manikchak. These villages frequency
lose land and infrastructure due to
erosion. Many people in these areas
are climate migrants, forced to
relocate.

2. Moderate- Risk Zones: Kaliachak-1,

Kaliachak-2 , and Kaliachak-3 Blocks.
Some parts face protections
measures like embankments.
 3. Low-Risk Zones: Areas further from
the river bank, like Malda town and
interior Kaliachak, have minimal
direct erosion impact but the
sufferings from direct and indirect
effects (migrations, overcrowding,
and economic decline)

SHRUB 2937.42 4674.25 3282.65 DECREASE 1390

• IMPACT OF EROSION ON THE LAND USE

IN THE STUDY ARAEA

The study area is in Diara physiography,

which is a newly created land. Therefore,
this land is very much suitable for
agriculture. The whole area is flood
prone and under cultivation. Mango
orchids are preferably cultivated here.
The areas seasonally flooded are suitable
for river bed cultivation. Mostly kolai,
 Bhutta are grown over this land. The
newly created island is preferably used
for paddy cultivation.

There are eight land use/land cover

training sites have been made on the
basis of various ground control point and
visual signature identification. Then
maximum likelihood classifications
algorithm has been run.
This algorithm reads the signatures set
DN values and give others according to
their nearest class values. On the basis
of this algorithm the resultant maps give
following data of the land use land cover
distribution of an area covering this
region.

{(SOURCE; INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF

GEOMATICS AND GEOSCIENCE., VOLUME
3, NO 1, 2012.) Monitoring of bank line
erosion of River Ganga, Malda District,
and West Bengal: Using RS and GIS
compiled with statistical techniques
Bhaskar Das, Milan Mondal, Ajoy Das}
CHAPTER 3

Current Limitations in Managing Erosion.

 1. Weak Embarkment and flood Control
Measures.

Existing embarkment fail due to poor

maintenance and strong river currents.
Temporary structures like bamboo or
sandbags do not provide Long-Term
protection.

2. Lack Of Scientific Monitoring

No real- time satellite monitoring or

predictive Modelling is in place to
forecast erosion-prone zone. Gis-based
studies exists but not actively used for
planning.

3. Inadequate Rehabilitation and

Compensation
Many disposal families do not
receive proper land or Financial aid. Lack of
resettlement policies forces people to
mitigate to slums or other vulnerable
areas.
4. River Morphology and climate
Change
 The Gangas changing course makes
erosion unpredictable. Glacial melting
and irregular monsoon patterns due to
climate change increase flood risks.

5. Socio- Economic Impact

Loss of Fertile land disrupts farming,

leading to food insecurity. High poverty
levels make it difficult for locals to
adopt or relocate.

Source: - Fig. 2. Pressure and Release (PAR)

Model: The progression of vulnerability to
the river bank erosion in Malda District
(Wisner, Blaikie, Cannon, & Davis, 2003, p.
50) University of Texas map series no.
U502, NG 45-15 (Prepared by the Army Map
Service (RMS&H), Crops of Engineers, U. S.
Army, Washington, D. C. Compiled in 1955
from: Survey of India 1924-26)

Way Forward: -
1. Geo – Technical interventions –
use geo- bags revetments, and
stone pitching for stronger
embankments
2. Satellite Monitoring- GIS based
predictions models for erosions
prone areas.
 3. Planned Habitations- Permanent
housings schemes for displaced
families.
4. Alternative livelihood- Skill
development and job opportunities
to reduce dependence or
agriculture.
5. Cross Border Collaborations-
Since erosion is also affecting
Bangladesh, Joint efforts can help
manage the Gangas flow better.
Impact of Flood and River Bank Erosion on
local Population of kaliachak , Maldah.

CAUSES:
A.NATURAL CAUSES
1. Strong current of rivers
Strong current generates because of the volume of water flowing or the steep
stream gradient Where the river currents are very much high, river bank
erosion can occur. In case of cohesion less bed materials, these strong currents
create a cantilever overhang of cohesive materials by wearing away non
cohesive materials. So at the toe of the bank shear stress exceeds the critical
shear and erosion occurs.
2. Heavy rainfall
So il can be eroded by heavy and excessive rainfall. Heavy ra infall often causes
strong waves which can loosen and wear away non cohesive bed
materials.During the period of heavy rainfall(jun-sept)the risk of river bank
erosion increases.This is because the increased water flow can erode more
sediment to be carried away from the river banks,leading to erosion.
 400

350

300
RAINFALL IN MM

250

200

150

100

50

0
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
MONTHS

FIG:GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF RAINFALL DATA OF YEAR 2016-2020

SOURCE:IMD,MINISTRY OF EARTH & SCIENCE.
Fig. 5. Rainfall map and NDVI map of the study area.

3. Flood
Flood is the most crucial reason of river bank erosion. The chances of flood
increases in the rainy season . During flood the
huge amount of water flow with higher
velocity brings enough energy to tear away the
top layers of soil or even causes mass failure.
The water elevation is raised by centrifugal
force resulting highest depth of flow at outside
bend and gravitational force pulls down the
water. This downward velocity aga inst the
bank is the erosive force.

FIG: Plate. 5. Eroded village after flooding;

4.High river discharge and flow velocity
Mahananda and kalindi river carry a high volume of water during the month of
august to September.At the same time,the heavy discharge of water force fully
hits the river banks and increased bank erosion.
Annual Average Discharge
Year (cusecs)
2015 4,27,700
2016 5,37,700
2017 421000
2018 422300
2019 526800
2020 560900
2021 629500
2022 499500
2023 332500

Annual Average Discharge (cusecs) of Ganga

river
700,000
Annual Average Discharge (cusecs)

600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
year

FIG: Annual Average Discharge (cusecs) of Ganga river

SOURCE: Irrigation & Waterways Department, Government of West Bengal –
Annual Flood Reports
B:ANTHROPOGENIC CAUSES
1.Deforestation causes River Bank Erosion
Humans facilitate erosion by cutting down trees at the bank for their own use
and removing the natural reinforcement which exists there.
2.Housing near bank
People in rural areas make their home near the bank which adds compressive
force to the soil beyond its capacity and thus cause erosion.
3.Soil extraction & River Bank Erosion
Humans extract excessive amount of soil from the bank for their uses or they
extract huge amount of sands and gravels which help to hold back the soil. By
doing this they accelerate river bank erosion.
4.CONSTRUCTION OF FARAKKA BARRAGE

The river bank erosion has aggravated more after construction of

Farkkah Barrage.
The Farakka Barrage & Feeder Canal is designed to serve the need of
preservation and maintenance of the Calcutta Port by improving the
regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River system. The
FarakkaBarrage Project organisation has been assigned the work of
execution of the following principal components of the project-2245
metre long barrage a Ministry of across the river ganga with rail-
cum- road bridge, necessary river training works and a head regulator
on the right side-213 meter long barrage across the river Bhagirathi
at Jangipur (near Ahiran).Feeder Canal of 1133 cumec(40,000)
carrying capacity and 38.38 K.M long,(Ministry of Water
Resources)taken of the head regulator on right of Farakka Barrage.
Navigation works such as locks, lock channel, Shelter Basins,
navigation lights and other infrastructure.
CAUSES BEHIND EROSION AS FELT BY PEOPLE
CAUSES PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION
NATURAL 33.18
ANTHROPOGENIC 16.14
FARAKKA BARRAGE 13.9
GOD'S WILL 36.96
 CAUSES BEHIND EROSION AS FELT BY PEOPLE

33.18
36.96

16.14
13.9

NATURAL ANTHROPOGENIC FARAKKA BARRAGE GOD'S WILL

CONSEQUENCES/IMPACT

Mouza Hut Semi Pucca Pucca Kacha total %

Jaganathpu 32 28 12 28 100
r
Palgachhi 27 31 12 30 100
Sultanganj 29 19 17 35 100
Babupur 12 26 41 21 100
Baishnab 11 22 49 18 100
Nagar
Total % 22.2 25.2 26.2 26.4 100
 Housing Status of the Study Area in Percentage (%).
60
49
50
HOUSING STATUS IN %

41
40 35
32 31 30 29
30 28 28 27 26
21 22
19 18
20 17
12 12 12 11
10

0
JAGANATHPUR PALGACHHI SULTANGANJ BABUPUR BAISHNAB NAGAR
MOUZA

HUT SEMI PUCCA PUCCA KACHA

The Disgram shows the housing pattern of the study area. According to
SECONDARY DATA 22.2 % houses are Hut, 26.4 % hoses are kacha, 26.2 %
houses are pucca and rest 25.2%houses are mixed type that’s mean semi pucca
. Hut types house are mostly found in Jaganathpur mouza that is almost 32 %.
The kacha house type are found mostly in Sultanganj mouza that is 35%, The
pucca house type are mostly found in Baishnab Nagar mouza that’s is 49 % and
rest semi pucca houses are mostly found in Palgachhi mouza that’s is 31 %.
The above DIAGRAM shows the nature of displacement, which means how the
populations are shifted and non-shifted due to river bank erosion. It is found
that most of the people in Jaganathpur, Palgachhi and Sultanganj mouzas were
shifted to another place due to river bank erosion.But incase of Babupur and
Baishnab Nagar mouzas are very poor percent populations are shifted to
another areas rather than other vulnerability mouzas. It is why because of
Jaganathpur, Palgachhi and Sultanganj are located beside the bank of river
Ganga. On the other hand Babupur and Baishnab Nagar mouzas are located
away from the river.
Table.2 Eroded land through river shifting of the study area (1991-2016)
Eroded area in Square Meter
YEA Jaganathpur Palgachhi Sultanganj Babupur Baishnab Nagar
R
1991 2315203 9388845 0 0 0
2001 2388708 1710251 0 0 0
2011 2347946 1959974 300 0 0
2016 4774496 2054807 500 0 0
 Eroded land through river shifting of the study area (1991-
2016)
10000000 9388845
ERODED AREA IN SQ/M

8000000
6000000 4774496
4000000
2315203 2388708 2347946
1959974 2054807
1710251
2000000
0 0 0 0 0 0 300 0 0 500 0 0
0
1991 2001 2011 2016
YEAR

Jaganathpur Palgachhi Sultanganj Babupur Baishnab Nagar

Table 2 shows the eroded area of the study area by the bank erosion of Ganga
River. It has noted that jaganathpur and palagachi mouza have the most
affected area by river bank erosion. The area is almost 32743 sq.meter, 40762
sq.meter, 2385788 sq.meter during 1991-2001, 2001-2011 and 2011-2016
respectively. In jaganathpur mouza. Palagachi mouza is also affected harmfully
by bank erosion. Its eroded area is almost 7334038 sq.meter, 249723 sq.meter
and 344556 sq.meter during 1991-2001, 2001-2011 and 2011-2016
respectively .In palagachi mouza. Sultanganj mouza is affected by bank erosion
during 2011 to 2016 and the area is almost 200sq.meter. Babupur and
vaisabnagar mouza has no affected area, because these mouzas are the far
behind from the river bank. From above explanation it may be outlined that
the channel width is changing in higher magnitude over time. One cause may
be that due to the sedimentation and high discharge the lateral bank failure
become high. These maps are indicating that the bank erosion rate is very high
of the study area. The river increasing his length almost in every year, that’s
why the given mouza’s peoples are losses their land, home as well as their
identity.
LOCATION NO OF ISLANDS
DEER FOREST 4
PALASI 2
FARAKKAH 2
BENIAGRAM 6
NAYANSUKH 3
JAFARGANJ 4
ARJUNPUR 3
BRAHMNAGAR 4
 KULI 3
NO. OF ISLANDS DEPOSITION IN POST FARAKKAH PERIOD
7
6
6
5
4 4 4
4
NO. OF ISLANDS

3 3 3
3
2 2
2
1
0
I LI
ST S
KA
H M KH NJ R AR
E LA A U A PU G KU
F OR PA R A K
A GR NS RG U N NA
R FA NI YA FA AR
J M
DE
E BE NA JA AH
BR
LOCATION

Deer forest and palasi lies in the upstream of barrage while farakka, beniagram,
nayansukh, jafarganj, arjunpur, , brahmnagar and kuli lies in downstream of
farkkah barrage.
There are so many island create on the river bed upstream and downstream of
Ganga. Some island is permanent and some are moves with the time. Below
Rajmahal the river has two divisions, one is western channel and other is
eastern channel having Bhutni Diara inbetween. Now the river is flowing
through western channel as the eastern channel has dried up.
YEAR LAND LOST(IN HECTARES)
1979 50
1980 60
1981 330
1982 80
1983 90
1984 100
1985 110
1986 70
1987 300
1988 120
1989 150
1990 150
1991 160
1992 150
1993 180
 1994 150
1995 200
1996 340
1997 60
1998 335
LOSS OF LAND BY RIVER BANK EROSION IN UPSTREAMS OF
FARAKKA
400
350 330 340 335
300
300
LAND IN HECTARES

250
200
200 180
150 150 160 150 150
150 110 120
100 80 90 100
60 70 60
50
50
0
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
YEAR

The graph shows how the land has changed over various years in the
upstreams of Farakka Barrage. According o this graph, we can conclude that
within the following given years the maximum erosion has been in the year of
1998(335 hectares of land being lost) and the minimum loss is in the year
of179 and

1997 respectively(60 hectares of land being lost). As it is shown that this data
represents loss of land in upstreams of farakka barrage, the whole amount of
land which is being eroded is transported downstreams and causes siltation
and formation of sand bars and islands.
MIGRATION PRESSURE ON DIARA RESIDENTS
REASON FOR OUT MIGRATION % OF RESPONSES
LIVELIHOOD 48.8
MARRIAGE 17.4
EDUCATION 1.2
SERVICE 1.2
 REASON FOR OUT MIGRATION
1.2 1.2

17.4

48.8

LIVELIHOOD MARRIAGE EDUCATION SERVICE

The graph shows the percentage of the inhabitant who are migrating out of the
diara region due to obove mentioned reason. The maximum percentage as it
can be seen is of livelihood. So we can easily conclude from this diagram that
people due to livelihood reasons migrate more. The minimum percentage as
we can see is of both education as well as of marriage. From the data above we
can conclude that education system is not so developed in Malda.
Two notable changes in the demography of the Diara are seen to have occurred
because of floods and erosion in the region. Over time, many erstwhile
cultivators who had formerly farmed their own lands have been reduced to the
status of landless labourers, because of economic distress. Relentlessly
increasing pressure on the shrinking economic space resulting from
occupational changes in the erosion-prone region have also triggered a strong
migration impulse, as a result of which many residents now migrate seasonally
or for longer periods to places outside the region or district.

MANAGEMENT:
1.Stream Bank Stabilization-Gabion Method:
The rock-filled gabions are used to stabilize the stream bank; and also
to divert the flow away from the eroding stream sectron. For bank
protectron the gabrons are constructed in the form of mattresses
with the help of one layer of rock encased by suitable gage wire. The
gabion mattresses are flexible and free draining, as result there is soil
filtering and deposition. The gabron mattresses can be used at
unstable streambeds and stream banks for preventing soil
scouring/washing.
2. Vegetated Geo-Grid Method:
In this method, vegetated geo-grids are used with erosion control
fabrics for
covering the bank
soil surface. The
fabrics are the
geo-textile. View
of geo- grids is
shown in Fig 6.8.
The fabric is
secured by
tucking into the
slope. And live
vegetative cuttings are placed between the geo-grids . The length of
vegetative cuttings is from 0.5 to 2.5 inches. From the live cuttings
the roots get develop after few days, which bind the bank soil very
tightly, within and be hind the geo-grids. The toe portion of
streambank is
packed by placing
the stones. The size of
rock pieces varies
from 4 to 9 inches
(diameter).
3. Iowa Vanes:
This is also a structure used for stream bank erosion control.These
structures are installed at the eroding stream bank/bed to redirect
the flow path,
due to which
there is
deposition of
sediments on
the eroding
bank. Its
suitability is
very
appropriate to
use at the locations where stream gets turn. At the turning point of
stream there is mainly the problem of underminning. If undermining
of stream bank is not properly checked, then there is possibility of
collapsing of the bank In such cases, the Iowa vanes stabilize the
stream without affecting the sediment load and flow velocity of other
parts of the stream section. For making better effectiveness the soil
bioengineering should be used with these vanes. These vanes
Average are precasted and can also bed level be obtained from the
manu- facturers.
4. Vegetative Riprap:
Ripraps are used for preventing the stream bank erosion caused by
high velocity flows or wave actions. This measure consists of at least
o ne riprap layer, which is mainly a bedding layer formed over the
stream bank. At the locations, where big size rock pieces are available
in sufficient quantity, then two-layer rip raps can he constructed, in
which first layer should be of big size rocks (bedding layer) and
second layer of small pieces. The purpose of coarser rock layer is to
prevent migration of particles through riprap. In few cases, the use of
non- woven geo-textiles or a t h ick layer of primary bedding gravel,
rather a second bedding layer, is also recommended. The bedding
material prevents the underlying or filled materials from being
washed out through the voids.

5. Stone Rlprap:In this method of stream bank erosion control, a

layer of different size rocks is
prepared at the affected
stream bank. Normally, the
class D or E revetment
stones ,broken limestone,
dolomite, or quartzite etc.,
are used for this purpose. The
rough rocks with angular
surfaces and of different sizes
are found very suitable for
riprap, because such rocks get fit together very tightly; and form a
dense layer over the bank face.
6. Seeding of Stream Bank:
It is very simple and common method to control the soil erosion from
stream bank.As for as streem bank erosion control is concerned, it is
the simplest way
to stabilize the
bank soil and
check the erosion
from there.
however it is only
suitable for very
low erosion rates.
Normally, seeding
is done of suitable
grasses and
legume species.
Sometimes, for
better result the live tree cuttings are also inserred in the soil to
provide greater bank protection for longer period.
Suggestions for Better Management
 By construction of two long spurs on the left bank and dredging
of a part of channel downstream at Rajmahal on the right bank.
 Planting deep-rooted trees like bamboo and vetiver grass along
riverbeds to hold soil.
 River behaviour studies, model survey and detailed
investigation and updating all requisite technical data.
 By deflecting the flow away from the left bank by spurs. Proper
catchment area treatments.
 Conduct frequent surveys using satellite imagery, ground survey
and river level monitoring to identify erosion hotspots.
 Using wire-mesh stone-filled structures to stabilize riverbanks.
 Educating local people to causes and consequences of river
bank erosion.
 Along the river banks. This case, large to medium size rocks or
boulders are arranged sequentially on the river bank along their
tangential surface and tied with wire mesh.
 Sandbags can protect Malda district from river bank erosion by
acting as a temporary barrier along the river bank, absorbing
the force of flowing water and preventing soil from being
washed away, especially during high flood period, essentially
providing a protective layer against the erosive power of the
river current. (Aslam, 2008).
 MAJOR FINDINGS
In Malda district Kaliachak, Manikchak, English Bazar these blocks
are most vulnerable.Malda district is located left bank of River
Ganga so there inhabitants are facing an intense bank erosion
hazard in every year.Heavy Rainfall during monsoon season (July
to September) and soil composition of Malda district is also
instigate the intensity of river bank erosion in Malda
district.Farakka Barrage Construction play a very crucial ROLE.

POOR HEALTH CONDITION:

Vector-borne diseases like malaria, typhoid break out frequently
due to the favourable conditions during the rainy season. Lack of
hospitals and health centres in and around their make-shift
settlements very often aggravates the conditions of the patients
and therefore high rate of death of pregnant women. Diara region
is problem face arsenic prone, so arsenic fluoride contamination is
another serious problem in the region as well as the district.
(Biswas & Anwaruzzaman, 2019).

 CONCLUSION
The case study is completely done on secondry
data due to lack of time but still focuses on major
issue, their emergence and mitigations.
After completing the whole work it can be
concluded that Malda requires more importance as
a huge number of population is displacing. Day by
day the place has become more vulnerable to
flood. Though various measures has been taken by
the STATE GOVERNMENT but still the effort is
lacking. It still requires a good execution with the
help of modern science and technology.
Through a long period the population of Malda is
struggling and fighting with the almighty ganges.
As aresult they became more united and resilience
towards the hazard. They actually are the super
heroes of Bengal.
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RAPHY
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