Assessment on Physical and Anthropogenic Activities and Its Impact on Coastal Sand Dunes, West Bengal
Journal Title: Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International - Year 2017, Vol 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Sand dunes are topographical height in the low-lying coastal plain of west Bengal. They protect wave attack in the low-lying areas, shelter land ward communities and assist in the retention of fresh water tables against salt water intrusion. Sand dunes are developed along the coast belt with three basic processes: Supply of sand to the beach plain, aeolian sand transport from the beach to the backshore region, and interaction between sand transport by the wind and vegetative growth or distribution. It is useful to regard a dune like a savings account of a bank. At present, of the entire coastal ecosystem, sand dunes have suffered greatest degree of human processes. Many dune systems have been irreversible altered through the activities of man, both by accident and design. Ecosystem components of the sand dunes are affected by the intensive use of dunes in the coast. Artificial structures like houses; hotels, fishery etc are disturbing the normal growth of the dunes. Removal of sands by road cutting, grazing the dune in Shankarpur, Mandarmoni areas. The level of grazing pressure is instrumental in determining species composition. Dune plants are destroyed by growth of urbanisation, agriculture and costal defence programme. We observed and measuring the rate of coastal erosion, it has been remarkable increasing in last decade. The dunes are totally destroyed by increasing wave action at many places. Accelerated dune erosion by the cyclonic storm, tidal bore and wave action. It has been observed that the front dunes are eroded and also shifted landward at the rate of 6 m to 12 m/year of this area. Certain conservation measures have been recommended including mechanism of dune maintenance by artificial simulation, dune creation and control of coastal water pollution from hotel sewage and fisheries waste water.
Authors and Affiliations
Subhankar Patra, Jitendra Shukla
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP321439
- DOI 10.9734/JGEESI/2017/35657
- Views 109
- Downloads 0
Petrology and Structural Geology of Lankpeshi Area of Igarra Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria
Field study of the area shows that the major rock groups are migmatites, gneisses, schists, quartzites and calc-silicate rocks which have been intruded by a series of granites and pegmatites. The gneisses are sandwiched...
Application of Electrical Resistivity in Building Foundation Study around Led School Area in Bishini, Northwestern Nigeria
This study evaluated the structural competence of the subsurface geological materials around Led School Area in Bishini, NW Nigeria to delineate the area that is suitable for building development. Twenty Seven vertical e...
Kyoto Protocol and the Challenges of Implementation in Nigeria
This review paper focuses on the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol and the challenges of compliance and implementation in Nigeria Historically the Kyoto Protocol is an amendment of the agreement on the United Nations Fram...
The Emerging Population Increase and Its Environmental Challenges and Remedies in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania
The study has shown that the environmental challenges encountered in Iringa and most other urban areas in Africa are due to the anthropogenic activities arising from the influxes of migrants from rural areas. The urban a...
Geophysical Appraisal of the Aquifer Geomaterials of Ugep and Environs, Southeastern, Nigeria Using Resistivity Data
Hydrogeophysical characterization of the aquifers of Ugep and environs, Southeastern Nigeria was carried out to delineate the aquifers of the study area, evaluate their geometrical potentials and to assess their level of...