National Seminar Perspectives on Environment and Sustainable Development: Contemporary Issues and Challenges in India

Dr. Dipak Bisai (Associate Professor)

Department of Geography & Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre Egra S.S.B. College

Keywords:

Bootstrapping, Cumulative Sum Chart (CUSUM), ambient air temperature analysis

This paper aims to recognize the short term and long –term changing nature of ambient summer air temperature time series for six consecutive district of West Bengal, India. The considered weather observatories are Bankura, Burdwan, Birbhum, Hooghly, Howrah and Kolkata respectively. Ambient air temperature time series for the period from1941 to 2010 for the said weather observatories have been collected from India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kolkata. Summer mean maximum and mean minimum temperature were examined for this work. Finally, Bootstrapping and Cumulative Sum Chart (CUSUM) were used for track out the changing nature in the considered time series. It is a robust statistical techniques for examine the time series data. All these time series stands at 1000 Bootstraps without replacement values for mean standard error calculation. Ultimately the result reveals that, all the considered time series data for the months of April, May, June and July indicates 6^rd level of abruptness for all weather observatories. Bankura station indicates that, the estimated average for April is 37.99 degree centigrade; estimated standard deviation is 1.048 at 90 % confidence level. But interestingly there is no such abrupt change in time series. On the other hand, May temperature indicates significant change at 99% confidence level and its standard deviation meets 2^nd and 4^th level of change at 98% confidence interval. The month June was quite unchanged in nature and its estimated standard error is 1.0379. The results of the month of July indicates 3^rd level of change of its time series at 97% confidence level and standard deviation also meet 3^rd level of change at 98% confidence interval. Birbhum weather observatory Tmax time series indicates no such change on April but on May, 2^nd level of change has been confirmed at 95% confidence level. The standard deviation value meets 2^nd level of change at 100% confidence level and 3^rd level of change at 98% confidence level. The month of July is very significant where, 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th level of change has been indicated at 96%, 92% and 92% confidence level. The estimated standard error also significant for this month and it also meet 2^nd and 3^rd level of change at same level of confidence (98%). Hooghly, and Howrah also indicate similar such result for their time series. Moreover, June and July both indicates 2^nd and 3^rd level of change at 95% and 97% confidence level respectively. Kolkata is moderately changeable in nature. On the month of June and July the mean standard error is very high, that means significant. Both this month’s indicates 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th level of change at 95%, 97% and 98% level of confidence. So it is conclude that, the summer (Pre-monsoon) maximum temperature (Tmax) of all the considered weather observatories are moderate to high level of changing nature during this period.

Prosenjit Murmu¹ & Dr. Jagdish Mahto²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Geography Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College, West Bengal-721429
¹Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Jharkhand
²Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Jharkhand

Keywords:

Tribes, Religious Practices, Sacred Groves, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Development

Biodiversity conservation has become increasingly significant for sustainable development in the contemporary world. Undoubtedly, the indigenous communities of India have historically contributed greatly to the conservation of biodiversity. Tribes venerate nature, seeing various flora, fauna, and natural occurrences as spiritual beings. The social, cultural, and religious existence of tribal society is inextricably linked to nature and all of its essential aspects. Socio-cultural features, rituals, conventions, taboos, and religious beliefs, among other things, have a direct influence on the conservation of specific flora and fauna. Religious sites are among the holiest sites of these tribes; all religious ceremonies, festivals, and celebrations begin with the adoration of the presiding deities. Another essential component of these holy groves is that they provide habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, which helps to conserve the local biodiversity. Besides, sacred groves are places of worship, and since they are protected, they naturally preserve biodiversity. Additionally, historically, humans have employed a variety of medicinal plants to treat a variety of maladies, which helps biodiversity conservation by preserving these species. As a result, the current study aims to examine the relationship between indigenous people’s religious sites and biodiversity preservation by observing the socio-cultural and religious rituals performed by tribal communities in Manbazar Block-1 of the Purulia district.

Chittaranjan Sinha

Department of Chemistry, Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata – 700 032
Mail ID: crschemju@gmail.com

Keywords:

Spatial analysis, compage, development, region, sustainability, space

Postmodern geography mainly deals with spatial concept of geography. Spatial geography puts emphasis mainly on the horizontal context of a particular area. Region is one of the important outcomes of space. Though region is used in both subjective and objective dimension. In subjective dimension region is space less concept (Hartshorne 1939) and in objective dimension region is linked with space and defined in terms of space. Region is classified as formal, functional and adhoc region. Formal region is again classified into single feature, multi feature and compage. So compage is the outcome of the formal region. In the present study an attempted is made to prepare a compage map of Paschim Medinipur District for spatial analysis based on small spatial units and physical attributes. The map is  prepared following the divisional boundaries of the gram panchayet of the district, then various maps  like  physiographic map ,soil map showing various soil groups(soil taxonomic classification), vegetation coverage, ground water level, cultivated area maps are superimposed for getting composite characteristics assemblage. After the superimposition of all these physical attributes the district is divided into 95 compages and they are analysed in details. Weighted is given for each attributes and cumulative ranking method is applied for each attributes and from this final ranking is done. From the final ranking, the compages are classified based on their potentiality and critically problem oriented areas are identified and suggestions are given accordingly for the overall sustainable development of the region.

Mrs. Bratati Saren

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography,  Birpara College, Birpara, Alipurduar, Pin- 735204

Keywords:

Tribal women, Tribal livelihood, Joint Forest Management, Handicraft, NTFP

Forest and tribal peoples have been culturally and traditionally interconnected with each other since the very beginning of human civilization, as their habitats are very closely related to nature. The forest has a significant impact on their economy, and they play an important role in preserving ecological equilibrium situation. Bankura district, situated in the western part of West Bengal, is also part of the extended Chhotanagpur plateau and enriched with a wealth of forest (recorded forest area of 21.53%, state forest report 2006–07, Govt. of West Bengal). The tribal population is concentrated in different forest areas in different blocks of Bankura district. In West Bengal, out of 40 tribe’s community, Santals are mostly found in the said area. Since the colonial period, all tribal societies have been suffered greatly due to impose of forest law. The National Forest Policy (1988) has provided dignified status to Tribals, but in present concern, some unavoidable problems has been invited by the concerning authority, so it’s a burning problem today. In some cases tribal human rights has been violated continuously which impacted on greatly on livelihood. In tribal economies, women play a vital role. In spite of an agriculture-based economy, tribal women used to collect various non-timber forest products like Sal leaf, Sal seeds, Kendu leaf, Mushrooms, Medicinal plants, Mahua flowers, fuelwood, fodder, etc. Women were more engaged than men in collecting forest products to meet family needs. They suffered the worst due to forest degradation, which caused extra workload for them. Later, the government gave importance to women in Joint Forest Management (JFM 1990, June 1). Several government and non-government organizations are working for the upliftment of tribal women economically. Thus, this paper will try to explain the role of women in different livelihood activities in the said area and their involvement in government forest policy.

Dr. Nirmal Kumar Hazra

Associate Professor in Chemistry Egra. S.S.B. College

Keywords:

UV formation process, Ozone depletion, Photo-chemistry, Chapman scheme

The earth atmosphere is subdivided into different layers. The layer from the earth surface to 10 km in altitude is known as troposphere. Generally all human activities occur in this layer. The next layer from 10 km of earth’s surface to 50 km is called stratosphere. Most commercial airplanes fly in the lower part of this layer. The layer 15-30 km above the earth’s surface contains most atmospheric ozone. In this layer ozone and oxygen are interconverted photo-chemically at any time. This ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs U.V. radiation from the sun and prevent the earth from many harmful effects. Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning process of ozone layer caused by the released chemicals from industries and human activities. The three allotropes of oxygen are atomic oxygen (O), molecular oxygen (O₂) and ozone (O₃) which gradually absorbs U.V. light λ < 100 nm, < 200 nm, <320 nm respectively. The relative position these allotropes are shown in the following diagram. The formation of ozone in the lower and middle stratosphere is initiated by photo-dissociation of molecular oxygen in the upper stratosphere and above by absorption of high energy solar radiation (intermediate wave length UV-radiation (< 240 nm).

O₂   +   hv   →   O   +   O

Next the newly released high energy atomic oxygen combines with molecular oxygen in the lower and middle stratosphere to form ozone.

O   +   O₂   +   M   →   O₃   +   M   (M =molecular nitrogen or oxygen)

Simultaneously the photo-dissociation of ozone in stratosphere may also occur by absorbing lower energy radiation ( <320 nm). It is the primary source of atomic oxygen at stratosphere.

O₃   +   hv   →   O   +   O₂

Ozone is very reactive and can be destroyed by a number of other process including reaction with atomic oxygen which odd oxygen to even oxygen.

O   +   O₃   →   2O₂ The reactions involved in ozone formation and decomposition are known as Chapman scheme.

Dr. Amrita Paul

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Belda College, Belda,
West Medinipur 721424, West Bengal, India

Keywords:

Age-quake, Population Collapse, Aging Nation, Depopulation, Shrinking Nation

Population Collapse has become a significant internet buzzword, perhaps it is going to be humanity’s next greatest catastrophe. The planet has started to view the under population crisis. If we consider the global trends of population dynamics since the very first decade of present century and a projected population scenario up to 2050, we can find an absolute deviation from the very traditional concept regarding human population throughout the world. Yes, the biggest challenge the world will face is population collapse which is a threat bigger than climate change. With the combined facts of lowering of fertility rate, ageing population, higher life expectancy, lower rate of immigration, new trend of marriage pattern, new-age redistribution and regrouping of population at regional, national and international level, upliftment of women status and emerging world economic order and above all the very remarkably the concept of depopulation and shrinking nations, more and more people are waking up, every day with the fact that there is a possibility of the world to get severely under populated going to transform the future generations’ mind-set and life within 2050. The recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS) – 5 has put India’s total fertility rate which is the number of children born per woman at 2.0 in most of the parts – a decrease from 2.2 in the previous round of the survey. This may be the good news, but here comes a few questions that need to be addressed like does this mean that India’s population is stabilising? On the other side, following the definition of ‘Aging Nation’ as given by UN, India has exceeded that margin and touched a proportion of 8.6 percent only by the year 2011. The citizens of India are enjoying a prolonged life as well as an increased life expectancy, higher standard of living along with medical advancement. No doubt it is a Positive Sign. But, in the long run, if it is not planned, the increased number of 60+ aged populations could imply a high fiscal burden for the government. These changes results in a not-so-simple socio-economic and political challenges for future. These challenges and opportunities regarding the greying of population are going to hit the current and future business strategies, management, marketing and the overall microeconomic system in both the government and corporate sectors. Considering the book “The Shock of Global Population Decline” presented by Darrell Bricker, it can be stated that it is the power of youth that will dominate our future. So, we should have so many babies and of course we will have some to stop the unsustainable population growth as we have realised the initiation of population transformation which is on the way to destroy our planet.

Bijoy Hansda¹ & Dr. Jagdish Kumar Mahto²

 ¹Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Ranchi
²Associate Professor & Head, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Ranchi

Keywords:

Agriculture production, Agriculture sustainability, Land degradation

Land degradation is an important challenge to establishing agricultural sustainability in an area. It reduces soil fertility and agricultural production. Currently, agricultural production and profitability, as well as food security in the region, are difficult undertakings. Agriculture and related activities are vital to the economy and livelihood of the inhabitants of the examined region. Therefore, to achieve agricultural sustainability in an area, land should be used in a sustainable manner so that it remains productive for a long period of time. The current research explores these concerns in the Hura block of Purulia district, where land degradation is a result of diverse socio-economic activities. Some of the indices of agricultural growth have been identified as responsible for land degradation. The paper examines these aspects and makes recommendations for achieving agricultural sustainability in the region. Increasing land resilience has been proposed as a possible solution to this challenge. The study finds that a resilience strategy can improve the existing situation and contribute to agricultural sustainability.

Bijoy Hansda¹ & Dr. Jagdish Kumar Mahto²

¹Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Ranchi
²Associate Professor & Head, Department of Geography, Ranchi University, Ranchi

Keywords:

White fecal syndrome, Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, Vibrio spp., antioxidant, innate immunity

White fecal syndrome (WFS) is reported to be a serious problem in Penaeus vannamei culture ponds in South Asian countries. The microsporidian parasite, Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), along with a huge amount of pathogenic Vibrio spp., may be responsible for WFS. Plants have a profound impact on controlling numerous microbial infections because of their diverse and rich supplies of active substances, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, pigments, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids and essential oils. The wide variety of active substances in herbal preparations improve hepatoprotective action, growth promoting action, antioxidant activity and greatly minimise or control EHP issues. WFS is a digestive system disorder and treatment with herbal active ingredients, in particular, has been shown to improve the health of the hepatopancreas and the digestive system, which may help to minimise or control the condition. Products made from Citrus limon, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Borassus flabellifer and Vigni mungo have a significant impact on the shrimp’s health status in relation to EHP infection. The opportunistic pathogen Vibrio spp., which is prevalent in shrimp’s digestive tract, is decreased by leafflower (Phyllanthus urinaria) herbal extract. Gracilaria verrucosa has a bioactive component that can boost resistance to harmful microorganisms by stimulating innate immunity. In addition to enhancing the shrimp’s immunity, G. verrucosa extract promotes P. vannamei‘s resistance to V. harveyi. It is necessary to conduct a complete trial in which the pure herbal compounds are given to the shrimp and their effects on EHP and Vibrio spp. are examined at the molecular level.

Dr. Dipak K. Hazra

Department of Physics, Egra SSB College, Egra, Purba Medinipur -721429.
Email: dipakkhazra@gmail.com

Keywords:

X-ray crystallography, Powder diffraction, Hydrogen bond, Supramolecular synthons

Crystallographic study of heterocyclic compounds is of fundamental importance due to their intriguing structural diversity and potential applications in biological processes. Among the different hetero atoms, nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulfur (S) and halogen-substituted phenyl derivatives (Cl, Br) are the most common in organic compounds. Several N-, O- and /or S-, and halogen substituted heterocyclic compounds are known to exhibit a wide range of biological activity. Depending on the position and type of substitutions in the heterocyclic rings, these compounds can display diverse crystal packing arrangements. Utilization of crystal engineering principles to design self-assemblies of molecules based on strong and weak hydrogen bonds, C-H…π and π-π interactions is a frontier research area in structural crystallography. It is becoming increasingly evident that the weak interactions (e.g. C-H…O/N, C-H…Cl/Br, N-H…S, C-H…π and π-π) can also be decisive in controlling the molecular assembly in organic compounds. These interactions are individually weaker and geometrically less well-defined but their combined effect can be equally important as strong interactions. Intermolecular interactions between the same molecules result in the formation of dimers, tetramers and oligomers as well as extended networks. The influence of these weak interactions can be evaluated by comparing the structural features as well as the interplay of hydrogen bonds in building possible supramolecular aggregation in closely related compounds.

Mrs. Sanjumanara Khatun¹, Dr. Sravasti Roy²

¹Research Scholar, Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre, Egra S.S.B. College
²Associate Professor, Egra S.S.B. College

Keywords:

Ecology, equity, social ecology, urbanisation, ecological refugee

With the rise of urban sprawling the elites of the urban area are privileged and the poor strata of the society suffers much. Fisher folk are faced with the exhaustion of fish stock, shifting cultivators with the declining availability of forest land. Mat weavers are running short of reeds and peasants are short of dung with which to manure their fields. Millions among the urban poor are shelter less and without adequate water supply. Irrigated farmlands are turning saline and whole coconut orchards are dying of disease. Paper mills are starved of their favourite raw material, bamboo, and textile mills are plagued by power cuts. City roads are clogged with traffic and city air is full of noxious fumes. The ever-growing numbers of Indians, their exploding appetite for consumption and their wasteful patterns of resource use have together conspired to ensure that all segments of society are in the midst of one resource crunch or another. different groups exercise competing claims on a dwindling resource base. India today is a veritable cauldron of social conflicts, many of which pertain directly to the control and use of natural resources. These conflicts are played out at different levels and with varying intensities. Within numerous scattered small villages, rich farmers and landless labourers fight for access to common grazing ground, while in city slums desperately poor households quarrel over the trickle of water that reaches them from a sole municipal tap. As the natural world recedes, so shrink the capacities of local ecosystems to support these people. Dams and mines, for instance, have physically displaced millions of peasants and tribals in independent India. Others have fled as forests and, with them, springs have vanished. These people constitute the ecological refugees who live on the margins of islands of prosperity, as sugarcane harvesters in western Maharashtra or farm labourers in Punjab, as hawkers and domestic servants of Patna or Hyderabad. This paper aims to study conditions of the ecological refugee as indicated by Ramchandra Guha and Madhav Gadgil.

Mintu Jana

Research Scholar, Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre, Egra S.S.B. College

Keywords:

Coastal dynamics, RS-GIS analysis, Coastal Shoreline change, Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), NDWI/MNDWI

The estimation of coastal erosion and shoreline dynamic behavior of Sankarpur area are the main aims of this study. This coastal area is quite dynamic in nature. Since last few decades the shoreline of this area has been shifted abruptly. For the detecting and extracting data has been confirmed from Landsat satellite time series images which has 30-m spatial resolution using the Operational Land Imager (OLI), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) and Thematic Mapper (TM). All the considered images have been downloading from free open website USGS-EARTH EXPLORER. These images confirmed the years of 1988, 1991, 2003, 2013 and 2023 respectively. All these images help to estimate the morphological change, status of coastal erosion trend and shoreline changes thereof. The GIS system based Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) has been applied through image processing which has indicate the present and historic scenario of shoreline changes of this study area. Shoreline alignment data has been extracted using the NDWI/MNDWI, for their accuracy and these components detect the land/water coverage from the baseline of this study area. The results predicated that the coastal erosion behavior from 1988 to 2023 is very significant. It does also indicate the morphological quasi change along the coastal line.  Associated some major feature has been digitized and classified by ARC-GIS 10.8 software.  It is remarkable that, the shoreline have been shifted 368 meter from the baseline since 1988 to 2023 temporal period and 101 meter shoreline eroded from the baseline since 1988. Moreover, the image in 2003 indicates that the shoreline shifted from the baseline is 196 meter towards land. After that DSAS model to highly precise in different years and predicted the erosion of shoreline change is the important evidence in this study area.

Biswajit Baidya¹, Dr. Dipak Bisai²

¹Research Scholars, Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre, Egra S.S.B College, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
²Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Egra S.S.B College, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

Keywords:

Gender Disparity Index, Deprivation Index, Rural Development Index

It is pertinent to initiate our study of rural economic status by examining the compositional factors of the Gender Disparity Index in Literacy and Rural Development Index. We have selected four blocks from the coastal area of East Medinipur district of West Bengal. The considered blocks are Khejuri-I, Khejuri-II, Nandigram-I and Nandigram- II.  Consequence of the coastal tract, the considered region has a prominent imprint of rural agrarian economical dependency yet. The circumstance of socio-economic status of the entire people has been professionally encountered by local dependency factors.  Moreover, different secondary data has been employed on this analysis for better understanding of the status of this locality. Secondary and some meta data have been assembled from HLPCA (House Listing Primary Census Abstract), Census of West Bengal, 2011 & PCA (Primary Census Abstract), census of West Bengal, 2001 and 2011 respectively.  Depending on the GIS application, each blocks has been mapped by magnitude of attainment are plotted village-wise by determining Gender Disparity Index (Sopher’s, 1974) of Literacy and overall Rural Development Index consequently.  Three different years’ data set has been used for this analysis. Such as 1991, 2001 and 2011 respectively.As per the application of such above stated methodology the selected indicators are positive for all considered parameters.  Furthermore, RDI scale is confined ranges from 0.00 to 1.0 limit. Results reveals that less numbers of village are assign with high values of RDI, as example Khejuri-I block confirm 1,2 and 3 villages in three different years in 1991, 2001 and 2011 respectively high. Similarly, Khejuri-II, Nandigram-I and Nandigram-II also indicates same results after this estimation. It should be noted that, almost 3 -7 % of the considered villages having with satisfaction level of RDI.  At last some comparative analysis has been made for this considered villages where, Khejuri-I indicates 35.71%, Khejuri-II 40.21%, Nandigram-I 30.30 % and Nandigram-II 24.39 % of negative change of RDI. In view of this record Khejuri-II is being more negative change during 1991 to 2011.

Maniklal Pati

Assistant Professor, Dept of Botany, Egra SSB College, Egra, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal

Keywords:

Tidal vegetation, Angiosperms, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

The coastal part of Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal has wide variation in the composition of vegetation. Its 68 km coastal belt started from the mouth of Rasulpur river at Hijli sarif of Khejuri extended up to the Udoypur beach of Digha and lies between 21°51´27´´ N to 21°36´50´´ N latitude and 87°29´88´´ E to 88°12´40´´ E longitude. This tidal zone is situated at the mouth of Bay of Bengal and showed a great variety of aquatic plants. For the thorough investigation, the total coastal belt is divided into 20 sections. All the sections being immerged during tide and opened during flow and sea water rises 150 – 200 feet towards the shore and covered almost 500 feet above during full moon, new moon and rainy season. Naturally all the herbaceous plants and the base of some shrubs and trees become immerged every day. The present comprehensive study reported 23 angiospermic species of which 9 species are mangrove and rest 14 species are mangrove associates. Mangrove species found in high frequency at Hijli-sarif, Petuaghat, Bankiput, Sankarpur and Digha mohana sections. The richness of tidal vegetation is greatly hampered due to chemicals used by dry fish industries and continuous ferry activities of fisherman as well as tourist activities. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to assess the composition and variation of aquatic flora of the coastal belt and also to assess the ecological disturbances by dry fish industries, continuous running of fishing boat, tourism and to suggest for the sustainable utilization and effective conservation measure.

Dr. Chandan Kara¹, Rahul Dandapat²

¹Faculty of Geography, Seva Bharati Mahavidyalaya, Kapgari, Jhargram, West Bengal, India²GIS Specialist, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur, W.B. India

Keywords:

Coastal Regions, Tidal Intrusion; Soil Salinity, Land use Change, Geospatial Tools

Coastal regions are highly vulnerable to various geomorphic threats including tidal intrusions, which have significant implications for land use patterns and soil salinity levels. The Purba Medinipur Coastal Plain in West Bengal, India, experiences these geomorphic threats due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. Understanding the impacts of tidal intrusions on tidal land use change and soil salinity in this region is essential for effective coastal zone management and sustainable development. This study focuses on unraveling the geomorphic threats posed by tidal institutions on coastal land use change and soil salinity in the Purba Medinipur coastal plain, employing geospatial tools for a comprehensive assessment. The geospatial analysis allows for the accurate characterization and analysis of these threats, enabling informed decision-making and targeted mitigation strategies. The study utilizes remote sensing data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to capture and analyze in spatial dynamics of tidal intrusions and their impacts on land use change. By utilizing the high-resolution satellite imagery and elevation data, the extent and distribution of tidal inundation areas can be mapped, providing valuable insights into the areas affected by tidal intrusions and subsequent land use changes. In addition, geospatial tools are employed to assess soil salinity levels, which are influenced by tidal intrusions. By integrating field measurements with geospatial analysis techniques such as spatial interpolation and Geostatistical analysis the special variability of soil salinity across the Purba Medinipur coastal plain can be evaluated. This assessment helps identify regions experiencing elevated salinity due to tidal intrusions, highlighting the area’s most susceptible to adverse impact on agricultural productivity. The coastal plain serves as a pertinent case study to understand the geomorphic threats posed by tidal intrusions on land use change and soil salinity. By unraveling these threats through geospatial analysis, the research aims to enhance our understanding of the specific challenges this coastal region faces and inform decision-makers and stakeholders about effective coastal zone management strategies. The findings of these studies have bordered implications for coastal regions facing similar geomorphic threats globally. By unraveling the interactions between tidal intrusion and land use change and soil salinity, this research contributes to the development of resilient and sustainable coastal communities. The insights gained from this study will support evidence-based decision-making, facilitating targeted intervention to mitigate the adverse impacts of tidal intrusions on coastal land use and soil salinity in Purba Medinipur Coastal Plain and beyond.

Mr. Ranjan Khatua

State Aided College Teacher, Department of Geography Yogoda Satsanga Palpara Mahavidyalaya
Email Id: ranjangeo96@gmail.com

Keywords:

Groundwater, Remote Sensing, GIS, AHP model, probability weightage index, resistivity survey, Groundwater potentiality, Cropping pattern

Ground water is the water found underground in the cracks and void spaces in soil, sand and rock or geologic strata. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formation of soil, sand and rocks called Aquifers that is consisting of permeable material capable to store significant quantities of water. The depth at which soil pore spaces or fractures and voids in rock become completely saturated with ground water is called the ground water table. It is also called subsurface water that is related through the hydrological cycle. The investigation of groundwater in hard rock terrains is a complex task. To overcome this complexity, the integrated approach based on advanced applications of remote sensing and GIS itself to evaluate groundwater prospective zone based on multi-criteria evaluation approach to ranking oh themes and classes by pair wise comparison matrix of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) (e.g. seasonal land use/land cover and vegetation, cropping pattern, hydro-geology, geomorphology, soil, drainage density, monsoon and post monsoon water level and elevation) for assessment of groundwater availability in Egra Sub-Division (Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal) shows various groundwater potential zones. The groundwater availability at the block was roughly divided into different classes (i.e., very good, good, moderate, and poor) based on its hydro-geomorphologic condition.Toposheet by the Survey of India and of Landsat-8 satellite (OLI sensor) imageries 16 February, 2022 are used for preparing various thematic maps viz. Geology, slope, land-use/ Land-cover, drainage density, and soil map. Those maps transformed to raster class data using the feature to raster converter tool in Arc GIS were All the raster maps were allocated to a fixed percentage of influence and weighted their after weighted overlay tool or technique was used. For getting the groundwater potential zones and relation with cropping pattern, each weighted thematic layer was computed statistically. The results obtained were integrated with the different thematic maps on a GIS platform which yielded a good match with the obtained resistivity test result. This study also provides a methodological approach for an evaluation of the water resources in hard rock terrain and enables an opening of the scope for further development and management practices.

Debasish Dasmahapatra

State Aided College Teacher, Department of Geography Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College, West Bengal, India

Key Words:

West Bengal, Eco-tourism, SWOT, Tourism Quality Index, CRZ application

The southern coastline tract of West Bengal, like all other coastal regions across the world, has been drawing tourists and vacationers from both domestic and international sources. It can significantly contribute to the development of both tourism and regional economies in the area under consideration. “Tourism” is an advanced thought on the development of tourism. The coastal area of West Bengal is about 200 kilometers long approximately. Major beach tourism destinations are Digha and the Sankarpur coastal region. The current study attempts to emphasize the kind, breadth, and level of tourist growth in coastal West Bengal, as well as environmental issues and how to manage them for the long-term growth of eco-tourism. This study is based on facts and information that are currently available from secondary sources. The Strength Weakness Opportunity Threats (SWOT) study and Tourism Quality Index statistics were used in this paper to highlight the eco-tourism development strategies for Digha and the Sankarpur coastal region. Some considered parameters are 1. Landscape value. 2. Climatic suitability,3. Recreational facilityes,4. Quality of food 5. Medical facilities 6. Quality of tourist living and 7. Transport facilities respectively. All considered parameters are dimensionless in manner. The result shows that the Digha and Sankarpur coastal plains are suffering from many problems due to recreation activities and construction development which violated by CRZ norms. Moreover, the results reveals that, many of the sites along the coastal plain in front of the Digha and Shankarpur are duly threaten by the natural hazards during last few decades evidently. But the availability of the scenic beauty of the beach and other accessibility of this region can sustain tourism development through proper planning.

Somnath Das^1’2

¹Khejuri R.S.Jr. Basic School, Khejuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India²Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Zoology, Egra S. S. B. College, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal; India

Key Words:

Microplastics, photosynthesis, anthropogenic activities, phytoplankton diversity

Plastic pollution is a global issue. Microplastics (2mm-5mm) from the breakdown or Photodegradation of plastic wastes which has thrown in to surface water, rivers or Oceans. Microplastics’ effect on aquatic biota is a common problem today. MPs block sun light that prevents photosynthesis of phytoplankton and may cause death of life. MPs help to accumulate toxins such as bisphenol A, DDT, polystyrene, etc., in rivers or oceans water. MPs release methane which affects phytoplankton. MPs increase the variability and dispersal of aquatic organisms in specific areas. Ingestion of microplastics can kill phytoplankton also. Present study was done in three sites (Petuaghat, Rasulpur ghat, Sunia ghat) of the Rasulpur River of Purba Medinipur district. Here, various plastic wastes entire to the river water due to anthropogenic activities such as trawling for fishing and tourism activities at Hijli Shariff, opposite of the Petuaghat. In this study, it is found that highest no of microplastics were found in Petuaghat with less number of phytoplankton and less number of species compositions (8 Genus). Whereas, fewer micro plastics than Petuaghat has been found in Rasulpur ghat with higher number of phytoplankton and higher number of species composition (12 Genus). In Sunia ghat, very less number of microplastics was found among the sites with highest number of phytoplankton and highest number of species composition (15 Genus) among the three sites. From this result, I may conclude that there will be a greater number of phytoplankton species composition or diversity if there are a lower number of micro plastics present. This is because a higher number of microplastics equal to a lower number of phytoplankton species composition.

Sourav Singh¹, Dr. Dipak Bisai²

¹Research Scholars, Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre, Egra S.S.B. College,
Purba Medinipur-721429, West Bengal, India.²Associate Professor, Coastal Environmental Studies Research Centre, Egra S.S.B. College,
Purba Medinipur-721429, West Bengal, India.
#Corresponding author: dbisai@gmail.com

Key Words:

DEM, Hypsometric Integral, Hypsometric curve, Bifurcation Ratio

Assessment of the erosion status of the watershed helps in selecting suitable conservation measures to check erosion level and water conservation management practices in the considered watershed area. Geomorphological changes mainly exogenetic activities which always help to understand the evolution of any geographical region. We have considered the river basin of Keleghai for analysis of its graded stage involving different activities through its long run. Hypsometric analysis is morphometric techniques which emphasis on Geographic Information System (GIS) helps to understand the geological development of the basin and delineate the erosional proneness of the watershed. The hypsometric curve and hypsometric integrals are the important indication factors of the watershed condition. The hypsometric analysis is relating to horizontal cross-sectional drainage basin area to its elevation. The graph of the hypsometric curve indicates the graded stage of the watershed and the erosion susceptibility of the basin.  For the present study we have used SRTM-Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 30 m resolution remotely sensed data and GIS information in the Keleghai River basin. The considered study area comprises 2267.54 sq. km, and coordinate extension lying between between 22° 21′ 7.4988″N to 21° 57′ 19.5012″N latitude and 87° 5′ 31.4988″E to 87° 49′ 52.5″E longitude. Moreover, the Hypsometric integral (After Hanson-Lowe, 1935) value is 0.49 and Rb (Bifurcation Ratio) value is approximate 3.4. So it’s indicating the graded stage at last order, which means the river bed erosion, is negligible at present concern. As per the prior literature, the stage is almost graded since few decades. Many researchers reported that the river Keleghai is now indicating as a graded stream.

Binod kumar Sardar¹ & Sudipta Das²

¹Assistant Professor, Department of Geography Yogoda Satsanga Palpara Mahavidyalaya,
Palpara, Purba Medinipur
²State Aided College Teacher (SACT-I) , Department of Geography, Yogoda Satsanga Palpara Mahavidyalaya, Palpara, Purba Medinipur
Email: sdgeo.yspm@gmail.com

Key Words:

Urbanization, Population growth, Impact on environment, West Bengal

The urbanization can grow from increases in human population or from migration into urban areas. The growth of population has drastically affected the green cover which is truly corrected to all urban sprawl of Wet Bengal state. A merely 31.87% of population lived in urban areas in 2011 census. The trends and patterns of urbanization across the state as well as within the districts are highly uneven. The urbanizations in specific cities like Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Siliguri etc. are found highly urbanized while the other parts are dominantly rural. The rapid and unplanned growth of urbanization and widespread urban sprawl are greatly changed the environment especially the green cover which threatened the overall development of the state also. The deterioration in air quality, acute water shortage and most importantly generation of urban heat islands worsen the living conditions of almost all urban dwellers and widely responsible for degradation of environment. The urbanizations often result in deforestation, habitat loss, and the extraction of freshwater from the environment, which can decrease biodiversity and alter species ranges and interactions. The paper aims to analyses the trend and level of urbanization in West Bengal on the one hand and impact of urban population growth on environment on the other hand. The data used for the analysis have been collected from various government and non-government organization like the Census of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests etc. The impact of growing urbanization on the physical and social environment has been elaborated by computing the various secondary data and statistical diagrams. The seven Municipal Corporations have been selected for case study purpose and finally the study marks out the various polices on urban development particularly in the study areas.

Dr. Jyotirmoy Pandit

Assistant Professor and HoD, Department of Geography, Ramnagar College,
Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
E-mail: jyotirmoy19820@gmail.com

Key Words:

Environment, Eco-tourism, Eco-system, Sustainability, Industries, Economic growth

Tourism in coastal areas has been an eternal attraction to the tourists since times immemorial. A recent study exposes the fact that more than 80 percent of tourism had their popularity in coastal areas, particularly in West Bengal. Tourism in coastal areas has detrimental effect along with fun, enjoy and merriment. The activities are ephemeral but its effects are eternal. Along with tourism coastal areas have also been deteriorating since long with other industries like fishing industry, salt manufacturing industry, and port activities and so on. As a consequence, eco-system of that area has been hampering at an alarming rate. It is undeniable that economic growth is flourished still, at the same time environment is changed drastically. Development of sustainable eco-tourism practices is the only way to come out of such gravest situation. Sustainability can be achieved only by creating awareness among masses regarding the adverse effects of unplanned mass tourism activities. The present study highlights the existing mass tourism pressure and ways to implement sustainable ecotourism practice in the coastal areas of West Bengal.

Mr. Ranjit Jana

State Aided College Teacher, (Category – II) Department of Geography Egra S.S.B. College,
Purba Medinipur (West Bengal)
Email : janaranjit10@gmail.com

Key Words:

Constitutes, Mega city, Pollutants, architecture

The centre of large city constitutes a ‘’heat island”. The temperatures are highest near the centre of a city. In the central area of mega city in India the average temperatures are 1.5 to 2 degrees warmer in the winter than the surrounding countryside. The heat is generated by the concentration of surficial conditions and activities in the city, such as factories establishment, traffic of motor vehicles, and large scale settlements. The surface materials such as brick, concrete, and pucca houses and streets of the city have reflected more heat quite greater than the grass fields in the rural areas. Thus such vegetation areas or parks have provided control level of noise levels and also the air pollution. There are other factors such as surface materials, surface shapes and moisture sources which make the urban areas different from the rural areas, because they affect radiation, visibility, temperature, wind, humidity, cloudiness and precipitation etc. The impact of air pollution can be minimised by avoiding siting pollution sources in more congested areas. The construction and design of new buildings demand that the full consideration should be given to the healthy relationship between climate and architecture are required.

Mr. Shambhu Rana

(SACT-II)
Department of Botany, Egra S.S.B College

A grassland as an ecological land type is defined as “land on which the vegetation is dominated by grasses”. Grassland is the largest single component of the Earth’s 117 million km2 of vegetated lands. The Poaceae family alternatively known as Graminae is the fifth largest diverse family among the flowering Plants or Angiosperms (Watson and Dallwitz,1992) followed by Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae and second most diverse family among the Monocotyledons. The members of this group are present in all the conceivable habitats suitable for the growth of Plant communities. It includes around 780 genera and 12,000 species (Christenhusz,2016). The major families found in the grasslands are Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Only Asteraceae (Compositae), Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and Orchidaceae contain more species than Poaceae. In India Poaceae is represented by about 263 genera and 1291 species (Karthikeyan and Jain,1989).Grassland plays an important role not only for the survival of animals but also for human beings specially tribals of India,because they are mostly dependent on the herbal treatment for health care which is attributed partly to their socio-economic and cultural status.

Life-forms (Growth forms): Fig:1. Raunkiaer’s(1934) life-form method are commonly used.A life-form is “sum of the adaptationof the plant to climate”.A grassland common life-forms are as follows;

• Phanerophytes: These are tree,shrubs,climbers,etc where the buds are exposed on upright shoot at least 25 cm above the soil surface.

• Chamaephytes: These are surface plants with prostrate habit and the buds are found at the surface of the ground or to 25 cm above the soil surface.

• Cryptophytes or Geophytes: These are earth plants in which the buds or rhizomes are located just below the soil surface.

• Hemi-cryptophytes: These are perennial plants with buds in or just below the soil surface.

• Therophytes: These are seasonal plants which propagate through seeds and complete their life cycle within a short period.

Santosh Kumar Bera, Debkumar Sahoo & Sudipta Kumar Ghorai*

Coastal Environmental Studies, Research Centre of Egra S.S.B College Egra, Puba Medinipur, West Bengal, Pin- 721429

Key Words:

 Marine Bio-diversity, Culture Independent Methods, Bioactive Molecules, Antifouling, Natural Product Antifouling Agents (NPA)

The marine realm, encompassing around 70% of the Earth’s surface, is a vital habitat within the biosphere with an immense microbial diversity. However, our understanding of oceanic biodiversity as a whole remains limited, despite advances in sampling techniques. Human activities, such as pollution and bio-invasions, have significantly altered marine ecosystems worldwide, causing damage and imbalances in coastal diversity. To effectively conserve these ecosystems, it is crucial to comprehend the relationships between biodiversity at different levels and its impact on ecosystem functioning. This understanding holds great importance for conservation management efforts. Moreover, the marine environment is increasingly recognized as an invaluable source of commercially important biomolecules, including antibiotics and enzymes. Exploring the diversity of marine organisms offers potential solutions to address biofouling, a significant challenge for maritime industries. By studying marine isolates that inhibit primary foulers, we can develop non-toxic and environmentally friendly natural product antifouling agents (NPAs). The vast diversity of marine life presents a wide range of compounds and mechanisms that can be utilized to combat biofouling and offer sustainable solutions. In summary, the marine realm plays a vital role in the biosphere, covering a significant portion of the Earth’s surface and hosting diverse life forms. While our knowledge of oceanic biodiversity is limited, it is evident that both natural variations and human activities have substantial impacts on marine ecosystems. Understanding these relationships is crucial for effective conservation management and preserving the contributions of marine ecosystems. Furthermore, the marine environment offers valuable biomolecules and potential solutions for biofouling, emphasizing the need to protect and harness its resources sustainably.

Sharmita Ghorai

(SACT-II)
Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College, West Bengal
Email ID: ghoraisharmita999@gmail.com

Key Words:

demographic, population, urbanization, socio-economic factors

Various demographic factors generally influence the utilization of resources of any geographical region which helps to develop the entire society. In this study, I have selected Purba Medinipur district for the identification of demographic characteristics. Major demographic characterises like density of population, composition of population, sex-ratio, literacy rate, and growth of population respectively. Hence, distribution pattern, density, composition, growth rate, as well as migration directly contribute to the demography of Purba Medinipur which have determined by local physical, cultural, political, and socioeconomic factors consequently. The results reveals that the population growth and its associated human activities are directly makes a positive relation to the society and its other factors. As per the estimation of the collected data, religion factors are also significant for the development of rural as well as urban sites of Purba Medinipur district. Various non-parametric statistical tests have been employed in this study and some cartographic techniques have been used to plot the results generated from this analysis.  In concluding remark it has been stated that, the considered district, Purba Medinipur is one of the important one in respect to the rural development as well as urban sectors development.

Somnath Das^1’2

¹Khejuri R.S.Jr. Basic School, Khejuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
²Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Zoology, Egra S. S. B. College, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal; India

Key Words:

Microplastics, photosynthesis, anthropogenic activities, phytoplankton diversity

Plastic pollution is a global issue. Microplastics (2mm-5mm) from the breakdown or Photodegradation of plastic wastes which has thrown in to surface water, rivers or Oceans. Microplastics’ effect on aquatic biota is a common problem today. MPs block sun light that prevents photosynthesis of phytoplankton and may cause death of life. MPs help to accumulate toxins such as bisphenol A, DDT, polystyrene, etc., in rivers or oceans water. MPs release methane which affects phytoplankton. MPs increase the variability and dispersal of aquatic organisms in specific areas. Ingestion of microplastics can kill phytoplankton also. Present study was done in three sites (Petuaghat, Rasulpur ghat, Sunia ghat) of the Rasulpur River of Purba Medinipur district. Here, various plastic wastes entire to the river water due to anthropogenic activities such as trawling for fishing and tourism activities at Hijli Shariff, opposite of the Petuaghat. In this study, it is found that highest no of microplastics were found in Petuaghat with less number of phytoplankton and less number of species compositions (8 Genus). Whereas, fewer micro plastics than Petuaghat has been found in Rasulpur ghat with higher number of phytoplankton and higher number of species composition (12 Genus). In Sunia ghat, very less number of microplastics was found among the sites with highest number of phytoplankton and highest number of species composition (15 Genus) among the three sites. From this result, I may conclude that there will be a greater number of phytoplankton species composition or diversity if there are a lower number of micro plastics present. This is because a higher number of microplastics equal to a lower number of phytoplankton species composition.

Soutik Kr Das Mahapatra

(SACT-II)
Department of Geography, Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College, Purba Medinipur West Bengal
Email ID: Soutikdmahapatra@gmail.com

Key Words:

Food Security, Liberalization, Globalization, Substantial

Food security refers to ensuring that there are enough wholesome foods available to live honourably. The four components of Food Security systems are food availability, food accessibility, food utilization, and stability of food availability, accessibility, and utilization respectively. The purpose of this study is to examine how the availability of certain food items has been changed since the liberalization era in India. The present study has been conducted to examine the expansion of the areas cultivated for food grains availability.  As per the literature recorded during different stages of liberalization concern, by which this study has been estimated calorie consumption per person and calculated expenditure consumption per capita since 1961-2010 temporal period. As a result of how much food is being used for the considered area the level of hygiene and health of the population is directly related to it. Key objectives of these stages are to assess the rate of change in the health conditions of Indian households, especially their daily access of clean water and improved sanitation systems therein. In order to calculate the rate of change in some dimensions of food security, a Log-Lin model was employed for this study. The annual growth rate of the specified variables has calculated using a kinked exponential growth model. This research based on secondary sources of data potentials which shows the availability of specific food products grew less during the substantial liberalization period. A positive increase in cereal production has not been observed here. Although per capita consumption spending has been increased, per capita calorie intake has fallen. Since the period of significant globalization, food utilization has grown at a commendable rate for the entire society. In concluding remark, it has been established that this study remarkably offers some recommendations for a system that will be stable in the long run in near future.

Srikrishna Paul

(SACT-II)
Department of Geography Egra Sarada Shashi Bhusan College, Purba Medinipur West Bengal
Email ID: paulsrikrishna@gmail.com

Key Words:

Urbanization, Primate City, Rank Size Rule, Census Town

A process of urbanization is entirely depends on migration of people from rural to urban areas. The purpose of this study is to learn about the origins and factors of urbanization in West Bengal based on meta data collected from the Indian census 2001 and 2011 respectively. This research article also examines the trend of uneven urban expansion over the West Bengal. There are no significant urban centers in West Bengal, as compared to other major cities. In order to analyze the urban hierarchy, the Rank Size Rule and the Urban Concentration Index were used. There was a quite increase in urbanization from 27.9% (2001) to 31.8% (2011) census record. A large number of census towns, along with the rise in urban populations, have played a significant role in changing the changing nature of urbanization in West Bengal since this period. The urban population in West Bengal is highly unequally distributed. In this state, the cities are more or less like primate cities due to the unequal growth of lower orders of city centres’ location. In this study, the Rank Size Rule and the urban population distribution showed a linear correlation between the actual population and the excepted population after plotting the data on a logarithmic scale. If there is no enough dispersal from urban centers, Kolkata will have to bear the overwhelming burden of population growth along with 20 other nearby cities.