Abstract
This study envisages the nature of anthropogenic encroachment within the major paleochannel systems of the Damodar River in the Fan delta region. Different perspectives of anthropogenic processes through ‘EPA – excavation, planation and accumulation’ processes have been applied in selecting the factors related to anthropogenic encroachments and alterations of the paleochannel systems. The Anthropogeomorphic theme of this study has been portrayed firstly, through the analysis of channel planform and topographic properties of the paleochannels demarcated through identifying the geomorphic markers and satellite image interpretation and lastly, through measuring the factors of anthropogenic alterations. The Banka, Gangur-Behula, Old Damodar, Kana-Ghia-Kunti, zone of overlaps between Old Damodar and the Kana-Ghia-Kunti system, and the Kana Damodar system are the seven major sub-systems studied covering the fan-deltaic region of the Damodar River. Here, local slope governed paleocourse development has registered an increasing trend of mean channel sinuosity towards the south with increasing mean chord length and decreasing meander wavelength. The direct anthropogenic processes; paleochannel fragmentation due to excavation (settlement growth), paleochannel fragmentation due to agricultural practices, paleochannel fragmentation due to installation of bridges and culverts, total fragmented channel units, percentage of agricultural and settlement occupancy around the paleochannels have registered a region-specific overview of the anthropogenic encroachment's intensity within the studied sub-systems. Moreover, the nature of anthropogenic processes was found more intense in the southern part of the fan delta due to the development of multiple urban bodies. This study portrays the nature of channel discontinuities that has a potential impact on the flood management and irrigation facilities in this region.
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Polley, P.K., Saha, U.D., Sen, A. (2022). Anthropogeomorphic Understanding of the Damodar Fan Delta, India. In: Islam, A., Das, P., Ghosh, S., Mukhopadhyay, A., Das Gupta, A., Kumar Singh, A. (eds) Fluvial Systems in the Anthropocene. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-11181-5_16
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