IJSAR, 2(7), 2015; 105-114

International Journal of Sciences & Applied Research

www.ijsar.in

Decay of the river Baniadaha and its impact on the surrounding environment

Sourav Dey*

Department of Geography, North University, . Correspondence Address: * C/O- Bijoy Dey (Bishu), Bang Chatra Road (Near Five Star Club), Guriahati, , Pin- 736170, State- , India. ______Abstract is a land of many perennial rivers. According to the Kochbihar Royal history „Baniadaha‟ river is a distributary of river Torsa and this channel was the navigational route between Bhetaguri and . But at present, like all other rivers of foothills of , it is in critical stage of decay. On the basis of field investigation it has been found that the consequent decay of the channel is due mainly to unscientific discharge of domestic waste, construction of unauthorized culverts and bridges across the river, damping of garbage by the encroachers, rapid sedimentation at the off-take point and the embankments construction activities have finally tolled death knell of the „Baniadaha‟. It ultimately turned into a paleo channel for the south-eastern part of Cooch Behar district. At many places the course has totally dried up. The decay of Baniadaha is now considered to be the main cause for water logging and various types of water borne diseases in the surrounding area of this river. The waterway is already gasping for life with the continuous interruption of human beings causing almost total degeneration of the channel. The present study endeavors to examine the different causes and consequences of the decay of the Baniadaha channel from its off-take at Boro Atharokotha (26⁰18‟39.08” N, 89⁰ 25‟22.77” E) from the parent river Torsa to confluence at the in Bangladesh (25⁰56‟11.44” N, 89⁰31‟49.77” E) and suggests suitable remedial measures for its revival.

Keywords: Objectives, Causes of decay, Consequences and Remedial measures

Introduction “Baniadaha”. It originates from Cooch Before 20th century the river “Baniadaha” Behar district of West Bengal and passes was an important and main navigational through Cooch Behar sadar and Dinhata river channel in Cooch Behar district. The subdivision of Cooch Behar district in south Baniadaha has a meandering channel for easterly direction before entering most of its passage through Cooch Behar Bangladesh and finally joins the Dharla sadar and Dinhata sub-divisions. This stream River near Indo- Bangladesh boarder. The flow through a large part of Cooch Behar-I Baniadaha river rises in the Cooch Behar block which is known as the “Mara district at an altitude of 38 m, located at Mansai”. From Bhetaguri village onwards, 26⁰18‟39.08” N latitude and 89⁰ 25‟22.77” this mighty river is known as the E longitude. It joins the Dharla River at

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Phulbari Upazila in Bangladesh after 26⁰ 32‟ 20” North and 88⁰ 47‟ 40” East to traversing a distance of 97 km 88⁰ 54‟ 35” East) covering an area of 3387 approximately. The Baghroa canal was dug sq. km is divided into 12 blocks. It is from the at Bhajanerpur village situated on the northern plain of north and meets with Baniadaha River at Garo Bengal. Present study includes Cooch Behar para village (26⁰15‟49.54‟ N, 89⁰29‟47.38” sadar and Dinhata subdivisions. It extends E), near Dewanhat. This river is a left bank between latitude 26⁰18⁰39.08⁰ N to tributary of river Dharla and also a 25⁰56⁰11.44⁰ N and longitude 89⁰ distributary of river Torsa. In early 20th 25‟22.77” E to 89⁰31‟49.7” E. It is covered century, the river Baniadaha discharges by the survey of India (SOI) topographical heavy quantities of water in any season. But maps numbered 73F/7, 73F/11and 73F/12. this important and well-known river of The study area is traversed by a number of Cooch Behar district is now highly polluted cut-off (bill) and paleo channels and streams and on the verge of disappearing. According which are mostly seasonal and flow in their to the Kochbihar Royal history, “Baniadaha” full capacity in rainy season. was an important navigational channel for Methodology trade and business between Bhetaguri and This research work is based on the empirical Bangladesh. study of decay of river. A systematic methodological principle was followed in Problems this research work. The entire work can be On the basis of field investigation it has represented in the following manner – been found that the river Baniadaha is decaying gradually. The problem under 1. Pre field study: study is to assess the nature of decay of the At the beginning intensive literature review river Baniadaha and to determine from related books, journals, articles, specifically the process of degeneration both government publication, direct investigation natural and anthropogenic, in details through etc. has been done to specify the research data generated from intensive field work. problem and selecting the study area and The nature and role of the river have been topic of this research work. The spatial changing due to those problems; the river information has been collected from has converted into being merely carriers of different govt. office like Water and huge amount water. Excessive siltation and Irrigation Division, Cooch Behar; Disaster accumulation of wastes have lead to the management Office of Cooch Behar was stoppage of water communication via this also taken in to consideration. channel. Moreover the dumping garbage and huge amount of eroded soil particle are 2. Field study: gradually loading the channel of the river, Primary data has been obtained through for which nowadays flood has become a intensive field survey in selected sub major problem in this area. divisions of Cooch Behar district. Photographic records of the related features Study area have also been collected. The study of The study area is located at the right bank of imperial observation has been done very the Torsa river and south-eastern part of the carefully through measurement and analysis Cooch Behar city of West Bengal. The process to know the decay of Baniadaha Cooch Behar district (25⁰ 57‟ 40” North to River and existing management structure.

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3. Post field study: Objectives Data and others information available and Severe, precise and rational Objectives have generating on the field were compiled using been chosen for the scientific study of the appropriate modern techniques on computer above mentioned problem of the study area, and satellite images, topographical map and which are as following:- drainage map of irrigation department. The 1. To highlight the problem of decay of collected data have been quantified, river Baniadaha. analyzed and synthesized by using standard 2. To emphasize the causes of decay. statistical methods. 3. To examine the nature and extent of this. 4. To evaluate the impact of decay. 5. To reestablished the channel as navigational network. 6. To suggest suitable prevention measures.

STUDY AREA

Figure- 1 Off-take of River Baniyadaha at Figure- 2 Off-take of Bagroya cannel at Boro- Atharokotha. Dhair Hat.

Figure- 3 Bagroya cannel meets with Figure- 4 Confluence of River Baniyadaha in Baniyadaha river at Garo para village. Bangladesh.

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Literature review construction works caused further silting Before 20th century DR. Anvil (1752), of Baniadaha river. James Rennell (1781), Tossin (1840) and 6. Another cause of decay is Boro Hunter (1874) prepared ancient river maps cultivation, jute processing and similar of West Bengal. Here are the following other agricultural practices. For which a articles and books published in the twentieth huge amount of eroded particles flow in century should also be mentioned of- the river channel by surface water, which „Banladesher Nod-nodi o Parikalpana‟- uplift the bed of river Baniadaha and (1959) by Kapil Bhattachariya; „Banglar flood occurred rapidly. During jute Nadi Kotha‟ (2008) by DR. Kalyan Rudra; washing process a huge amount of debris „Banglar Nad Nadi‟ (2007) by Dilip Kumar and mud falls into the river bed, which Bandhyapadhya; „Paschim Banger Nod changes the fluvio-dynamic status of Nadi‟ (2002) by Ashok Kumar Basu. river Baniadaha. According to the official report by Water and Irrigation Division, Govt. of West Results and discussion Bengal, Cooch Behar, there could be This river usually contains very small number of reasons for the decay of River quantities of water during winter and Baniadaha as well as changing nature of summer season. Low lying flats are main channel. characterized by flood plain topography with general slope towards south east where Causes of decay most of the agricultural activities have been There are several causes of decay of River noticed. Baniadaha, which are as follows- Throughout the last hundred years or so, the 1. Excessive siltation and accumulation of increasing rate of siltation in off-take of the garbage have gradually reduced the river Baniadaha has given rise to a deep navigational capacity of this River. sense of anxiety. Excessive siltation and 2. On the basis of field investigation it has accumulation of garbage have gradually been found that the rapid sedimentation reduced the navigational capacity of his at the off- take point of river Baniadaha is river. The nature and the ancient the major problem for decay of this navigational role of Baniadaha have been River. changing regularly and they have been 3. Tapur Hat-Bhogdabri-Kesharibari reduced to being merely carries of flood Embankment and national highways water of surrounding villages in rainy Constructions activities will finally sound season. At some places the course has totally the death knell of the River Baniadaha. dried up. 4. The consequent decay of river Baniadaha A large portion of the river bank is brought is due mainly to unscientific discharge of under boro cultivation; there are also several domestic waste; construction of agricultural fields present along the river unauthorized culverts and bridges on the bank, due to which loose particles are being river bed and also construction of deposited in the river bed. Consequently, the unauthorized roads across the channel. river bed has been rising at a very high rate, 5. Dumping of garbage by the encroachers/ in the last few decades, and as a result, a villagers on the river and unplanned large low-lying portion of Cooch Behar I constructions, namely and railway and Dinhata was under flood water for several days.

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TORSA RIVER

BANIADAHA RIVER

BANIADAHA RIVER

Figure- 5.-Excessive siltation at off-take point of river Figure- 6. Agricultural practice on river bed at Ghegir Baniadaha. ghat village.

BANIADAHA RIVER

UNMETALLED ROAD

Figure- 7. Agricultural practice on river bed at Garo Figure -8. Construction of road across the river para village near Baghroa canal . channel at Panishala village.

Figure -9. Construction of bridges on river at Ghegir ghat. Figure- 10. Reduced channel width due to construction of culvert.

BANIADAHA RIVER

Figure- 12. Unplanned habitation on river bed at Figure -11. Agricultural practice on river bed. Bhetaguri.

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PRESENT STATUS OF RIVER BANIADAHA

BAGHROA CANAL

BANIADAHA RIVER

Figure- 13. Baghroa canal meets with Baniadaha Figure- 14. Dry channel of river Baniadaha at river at Garo para village. Dewanhat.

Figure - 15. Present condition of Baniadaha river at Figure- 16. Agricultural practice on river bed at Ghughumari. Ghegir ghat village.

Flood can be caused by heavy rainfall and The Baniadaha has created several meander blocking of river by dumping of garbage as cut-offs in their course. These cut-offs and it reduced the channel width of Baniadaha. other paleo channels are connected with the Some parts of Cooch Behar I block faces river during season. The vast this hazard almost every year. Since agricultural areas are inundated during population pressure on land is forcing monsoon due to rise of the water level of people to occupy the flood plains of this river. Baniadaha which are lucrative areas for Other factors such as population pressure, human habitation and cultivation. Flood unplanned habitation and Excessive hazard results from excessive overflowing agricultural practice on the bed of River of river water over land. Baniadaha caused the river channel to The decay of River Baniadaha is now change into a paleo channel and have considered to be the main cause for water gradually reduced the width of river. logging and various types of water borne diseases in surrounding area of the river bank. 110

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Table 1: CHANGING NATURE OF CHANNEL WIDTH FROM 1971 TO 2015. Profile Section Channel width Altitude GPS co-ordinate number line (in metre) (in Left bank Right bank 1971 2015 metre) Latitude Longitud Latitude Longitud e e 1 A-A‟ 100.1 75.89 38 26°17‟53” 89°24‟30 26°17‟52 89°24‟26 1 26.56 N ”10.98E ”27.54 N ”31.46 E 2 B-B‟ 30.24 19.81 40 26°17‟48” 89°25‟55 26°17‟47 89°25‟55 36.39 N ”47.56 E ”37.38 N ”58.54 E 3 C-C‟ 25.35 Not 37 26°16‟15” 89°27‟49 26°16‟16 89°27‟50 found 54.11 N ”34.39E ”53.11 N ”7.32 E 4 D-D‟ 50.05 30.28 37 26°15‟18” 89°29‟17 26°15‟16 89°29‟16 1.97 N ”55.61E ”53.11 N ”53.11 E 5 E-E‟ 47.5 27.72 40 26°15‟50” 89°29‟57 26°15‟48 89°29‟56 14.75 N ”15.37E ”41.31 N ”20.49 E

CHANGING NATURE OF RIVER BANIADAHA AT OFF-TAKE POINT

BANIADAHA RIVER

2015

BANIADAHA RIVER Figure- 17. Off-take point of river Baniadaha in 2015.2015

BANIADAHA RIVER

2010

Figure- 19. Off-take point of river Baniadaha in 2010.

2005 Figure- 18. Off-take point of river Baniadaha in 2005

We have measured first channel width of metres in 2015 near Tapur Hat. The river river Baniadaha near National highway at channel sinuosity of this area is 2.39. Suktabari. Total width of this section is Total channel width of the third section line 100.11 metres in 1977 and 75.89 metres in is 25.35 metres in 1977 and channel is not 2015. The river channel Sinuosity of this found near North East Frontier railway area is 1.25. (Koch Bihar branch) track in 2015. The river Total channel width of the second section channel sinuosity of this area is 2.0. line is 30.24 metres in 1977 and 19.81 111

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Total channel width of the fourth section 4. The river water should be allowed to use line is 50.05 metres in 1977 and 30.28 for all purposes like navigation, transport, metres in 2015 at Ghegir ghat Highway pisciculture and tourism etc. Bridge. The river channel sinuosity of this area is 1.75. Controlling measures Finally we measured last channel width near Proper step should be initiated to prevent the Nawabganj Balasi village. Total channel further decay of the river channel. There are width of the fifth section line is 47.5 metres several techniques to control or minimize in 1977 and 27.72 metres in 2015 and the decay, which are as follows- river channel sinuosity of this area is 2.50. 1. Off-take point of river Baniadaha should From the topographical map 1977 shows us be connected with river Torsa by a canal, that the capacity, competency, discharge of so that huge amount water may flow in water and channel width of river Baniadaha the post and pre monsoon period through was very high and this river was also Baniadaha. connected with parent river Torsa. The 2. Due caution should be taken by the satellite images of 2005, 2010 and 2015 government regarding the construction of show us that river Baniadaha has got embankment and roads across the river completely disconnected from parent river bed. Torsa. The capacity, competency, discharge 3. The construction of bridges and culverts and channel width of river Baniadaha have along the river, embankment on the river also been reduced due to high rate of bank, unscientific use of water for siltation, embankment construction, road agricultural purposes should be construction, culverts and bridges controlled by the local government. construction and boro cultivation on the 4. Proper plantation of trees to protect soil river bed. erosion as well as to protect sedimentation in river bed. Recommendation 5. The concerned authority should take 1. An appropriate measure should be taken measures to prevent the misuse of the to increase the rate of capacity, river water for boro cultivation and competency, velocity and discharge of dumping of garbage. this channel from its off-take point to 6. Proper steps should be initiated to restore confluence point. the past condition like navigational 2. A major emphasis should be given to situation of river Baniadaha. reestablish the Baniadaha River as 7. To increase consciousness among the navigational network between India and local people about the present status of Bangladesh. The use of the river for the river Baniadaha. navigation may be the cheapest alternative way of handling the ancient Findings transport facilities. From the above comprehensive study I have 3. Eventually what requires to be done is to assembled several important aspects, which reopen the transport network as means of are noted below- trade and business, tourism, fishing of the 1. According to field investigation, due to Cooch Behar district. excessive siltation and construction of embankment at the off-take point the bed of river Baniadaha was totally

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disconnected from the parent river of country. Rivers have bestowed boons and Torsa. curse both on human beings. Decay of 2. Only rainy season, river Baniadaha was Baniadaha River causes total destruction of drained by Baghroa cannel and extremely water body of this channel and renders it tiny amount of water can flow through unproductive. As the decay of river is on a off-take from Torsa. At the downstream very slow process it does not draw attention the capacity, competency, velocity and beyond the local areas. The work force of discharge are properly maintained. the central and state governments, local self 3. I have assembled several causes of decay governing bodies, local people and NGO‟s – due to gradual siltation of river are called upon to tackle an abnormal Baniadaha and shifting of Torsa river situation, especially the district authority which is completely disconnected from should take more iniatiatives to save the the parent river. river. The satellite imagery and 4. Unnecessary human interference namely topographical map play a crucial role in construction of culverts and bridges decays monitoring and mitigation in terms reduce cross sectional area and discharge of providing geo-information to identify the of river channel flow and lead to the vulnerable area. But taking protective dreadful condition of the channel. measures helps to minimize the decay of 5. Water of the river is used mainly for river and sometime removes the threat fishing, domestic, irrigation and boro altogether. Decay of river cannot be cultivation. Local villagers have prevented in a short time but prior excavated large amount of water in information can minimize the decay and Cooch Behar district for domestic death to the minimum. But this type of purposes like washing, retting of jute etc. hazard prevention and mitigation can be and irrigation purposes. successfully done if the state and local 6. In the rural area, particularly in the flood authorities along with the local people come plain area of Baniadaha River, channel is together and cooperate with each other in disappearing at faster rate under the the shared interest to all. population pressure and growing agricultural activities. Acknowledgement 7. The high rate of return from the specially I would like to express my gratitude and adopted monoculture practice like Boro sincere thanks to the professor Late rice has led to convert river channel into Subhashranjan Basu, former professor of crops fields. Department of Geography, RBU and Special 8. Some parts of river channel have been thanks to Dr. Biswajit Bera (Assistant converted into agricultural land and professor), for their kind advice and dissected small ponds from Dudherkuthi suggestions towards preparation of this village to Dewanhat. paper. 9. Upstream of Baniadaha River is mostly affected by encroachment either for References agriculture or constructions. 1. Bandyopadhyay, S., Mukherjee, D., Bag, S., Pal, D.K., Das, R.K. and Rudra, K., Conclusions 2004. 20th Century Evolution of Banks In our country rivers play a significant role and Islands of the Hugli Estuary, West in the economic development of our Bengal, India: Evidence from Maps,

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Images and GPS survey. In: Singh, s., Hill Book Company, New York, pp.1- Sharma, H.S. and De, S.K. (editors): 166. Geomorphology and Environment, ACB 5. Rudra, K., 2006. Shifting of the Ganga Publishers, Kolkata, pp. 235-263. and Land Erosion in West Bengal: A 2. http:// www.google.com Socio-ecological Viewpoint. Centre for 3. Leopold, L.B., Wolman, M.G., Miller, Development and Environment Policy. J.P., 1964. Fluvial Processes in IIM, Kolkata, pp. 1-43. Geomorphology, W.H. Freeman And 6. Rudra, k., 2010. Banglar Nadikatha: Uttar Company, San Francisco, United state of banger nodi, Sahitya Samsad; Kolkata, America. pp. 72-77. 4. Morisawa, M., 1968. Streams: Their 7. Singh, S., 1998. Geomorphology, Prayag Dynamics and Morphology, McGraw Pustak Bhaban, Allahabad, pp. 353-412.

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