Problem of channel decay of tropical rivers and anthropogenic impact on rivers: A remote sensing and GIS based study at West Bengal, India

The present research highlights the problem related to channel decay of tropical rivers and the research gives special emphasis on anthropogenic impact on the tropical rivers and again it focuses on the management of the decaying rivers. To satisfy the aims of the present study, four rivers viz, river Kharkhari, river Churni, river Anjana, and river Jalangi have been taken into consideration. The present study has been conducted based on remote sensing (RS) and Geographic information system (GIS). Secondary data have been collected from the trustable sources in form of satellite images, reports etc. Statistical technique has also been used in this study to draw connection between river decay and various anthropogenic activities. The result of the research exhibits that there are drastic reduction in river length and width especially in case of river Kharkhari, Churni, and Anjana. A notable deep anthropogenic impact has been observed in decay of river Channels. Statistical technique shows that growing settlement cover, agricultural uses have negative and significant connection with change in channel geometry. The coverage of areas under the water bodies of river Kharkhari, river Jalangi, river Churni, river Anjana have been decreased from 5.82 percent to 1.94 percent, 9.63 percent to 2.44 percent, 13.51percent 5.5 percent, and 6.87 percent to 4.19 percent respectively from the year 1991 to 2025 within the 2 kilometer buffer area on both sides of the rivers.