Prof. Deepak Kumar Mandal: IAGR Conference 2024
Dr. Deepak Kumar Mandal is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Applied Geography at the University of North Bengal. He specializes in Geomorphology, Pedology, Cartography, Remote Sensing, and GIS. His research interests include geomorphology, geo-informatics, and hydrology. Dr. Mandal is a life member of several professional organizations such as the Indian National Cartographic Association, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, and Geographical Society of India. He has supervised numerous PhD students and has published extensively in journals and books, with over 41 journal publications and 28 book chapters. His notable contributions include research projects on flood management, drainage systems, and groundwater exploration using geospatial techniques. Dr. Mandal has also served as Head of the Department and has completed several national and international research projects.
Title of Talk:
Effects of Embankment Construction on Drainage System in West Bengal
Abstract
In West Bengal, the colonial rulers started construction of earthen embankments all along both side of the tidal creeks in 1770. Construction of embankments on rivers is an example of human intervention to natural process. The construction of embankments leads to change in the natural course of river and therefore the river characteristics and flow conditions are bound to change. In the deltaic plain of West Bengal, embankments on tidal rivers were made to protect agricultural fields and settlement areas from tidal surges. An embankment with several minor depressions may be described as hummocky. However, larger depressions may indicate serious problems such as weak foundation materials, poor compaction of the embankment during construction, or internal erosion of the embankment fill. An embankment refers to a volume of earthen material that is placed and compacted for the purpose of raising the grade of a roadway (or railway) above the level of the existing surrounding ground surface. Embankments interfere with access to the river. Less reliable than other methods of hard engineering – embankments are often breeched. It needs continual monitoring and repairs. Therefore, maintenance costs are considerable. Failures of earthen embankment dams or dikes can generally be grouped into three classifications: hydraulic, seepage, and structural. Hydraulic failures from the uncontrolled flow of water over and adjacent to the embankment are due to the erosive action of water on the embankment slopes. The construction of earthen embankment resulted as the transformation of natural ecosystem into cultural ecosystem.
Keywords: Embankment Construction, Drainage System, Tidal Rivers, Ecosystem Transformation
